Build Your Future as a Photographer
The Photography Department offers a curriculum that prepares students for employment in the expanding and ever-changing profession of photography. In addition to teaching job skills, the program develops the creative and critical thinking potential of students. The program also offers those already employed in the profession opportunities to update both technical and esthetics skills. These courses guide students toward transfer to four-year institutions, associate degrees, vocational training, and certificate opportunities for lifelong learning.
A student who completes the Photography Program will be able to:
- Produce photographic images using a variety of photographic processes.
- Develop and create a portfolio of images centered on a single theme or idea.
- Possess the technical skills necessary to create professional quality photographs in both studio and location environments.
- Possess an understanding of how issues and concepts are related to the processes used to communicate them.
Frequently Asked Questions
The program offers an Associate in Arts Degree in photography, and certificates in advertising and illustrative photography, creative photo arts, digital photography, digital photo technician, photography certificate, portrait and wedding photography, and UAV/UAS drone photography and video.
The program cost is $46 per unit for California residents, not including books, fees, and supplies. Units vary by course, but the average is three units per course. Unit fees for the 15-unit certificates would be $690; the 18-unit certificates would be $828; the 24-unit certificate would be $1,104; and the 70-unit associate degree would be $3,220. Most students also qualify for some form of financial aid.
Depending on the program and the number of units taken, completing a certificate program can take as little as one to two semesters and completing the associate in arts degree can take about two years.
The average annual salary range for photographers is $23,190-$50,820.
Graduates work in a wide range of fields, including professional photography, advertising, wedding photography, and drone photography.
Program Mapper: View course options for this program, below.
- Creative Photo Arts Certificate = 15 units (1-2 semesters)
- Digital Photography Certificate = 15 units (1-2 semesters)
- Portrait and Wedding Photography Certificate = 15 units (1-2 semesters)
- UAV/UAS Drone Photography and Video Certificate = 15 units (1-2 semesters)
- Advertising and Illustrative Photography Certificate = 18 units (2 semesters)
- Digital Photo Technician Certificate = 18 units (2 semesters)
- Photography Certificate = 24 units (2 semesters)
- Photography Associate in Arts Degree = 70 units (2-2.5 years)
There are no additional requirements to enroll in this program; however, some courses may have prerequisites that can be viewed in the Cypress College Catalog and the Schedule of Classes.
Tony Maher
Assistant Professor
tmaher@cypresscollege.edu
(714) 484-7085
Fine Arts Division
Rene Chartier
Adjunct Instructor
rchartier@cypresscollege.edu
Josh Cho
Adjunct Instructor
jcho@cypresscollege.edu
Mark Flanders
Adjunct Instructor
mflanders@cypresscollege.edu
Eric Reed
Adjunct Instructor
ereed@cypresscollege.edu
Aydinaneth Ortiz
Adjunct Instructor
aortiz@cypresscollege.edu
Alejandro Sanchez
Adjunct Instructor
aasanchez@cypresscollege.edu
CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT:
Tony Maher
Professor, Technical Education Building I Room 230
CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT:
Renay Laguana-Ferinac
Counselor
CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT:
Renee Ssensalo
Counselor
Average Salary in this Field
$23,190-$50,820 Per Year
Careers in this Field
Drone Photographer
Photographer
Photo Editor
Wedding Photographer
