Portrait Studio Management is a concentration under the curriculum title of Photographic Technology. This curriculum prepares individuals with the techniques and procedures used in professional portraiture. Course work includes equipment operations and photographic techniques specific to studio and location portraiture of individuals and groups. Additional topics covered include wedding protocol and logistics, posing, business practices, retouching, presentation and studio management.

Graduates should be thoroughly prepared to successfully perform the duties required in entry-level portrait studio management.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Photography is a competitive field with many opportunities for sharp, aggressive individuals. Places of employment for graduates include commercial and portrait studios, educational institutions, newspapers, magazines, and corporations. Working conditions vary widely depending upon the major field of study within photography. For example, a biomedical photographer would work almost entirely inside, while a photojournalist would frequently work outside or on location. Entry-level salaries vary widely, usually $19,000 – $28,000 annually.

COURSE INFORMATION

Major Courses

Photography (22 courses) - These courses cover the basics of black and white photography; materials and processes of black and white and color photography; materials, processes and techniques used in custom color printing; traditional mounting and corrections techniques used in color and black and white photography; basic perceptual and design skills; hands-on study of the large- and small-format cameras; studio lighting for object illustration, portraits and products; professional portraiture; wedding photography and bridal portraits; digital imaging; and computer-based multimedia production; and planning, executing and presenting a professional portfolio.
Cooperative Education (1 course) - This course consists of work experience with a College-approved employer.

General Education Courses

Electives (2 courses) - Portrait Studio Management majors are required to take a 3-credit-hour social/behavioral science course and a 3-credit-hour humanities/fine arts course.
English (2 courses) - These courses emphasize the writing process and professional communication skills.
Math (1 course) - Topics include applications to percent, ratio and proportion, formulas, statistics, functional notation, linear functions and their groups, probability, sampling techniques, scatter plots, and modeling.

Faculty Advisor