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Photography, BFA

Our Photography department is committed to preparing college students for successful careers in any of the many fields of contemporary photography.

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BFA in Photography Program Overview

Develop your creative skills by earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography. The Photography BFA program emphasizes camera techniques, hands-on experience, and digital design tools.

Our faculty are committed photographers and artists who teach students about everything from traditional darkroom and 19th-century techniques to the most recent technologies in digital photography.

We make sure you have all the required tools and knowledge you’ll need to launch your career in the best possible way, whether you want to pursue photojournalism, documentary, editorial, or commercial endeavors, or you’re more interested in a director of photography or fine-art photography career.

View the 2022 Senior Thesis Photography Exhibition.

Photography BFA Program Highlights

Multifaceted Expert Instruction Applicable
Learn darkroom techniques and how to use digital imaging software. Engage with experienced photographers and artists. Explore photojournalism, fine art, commercial, and other photography careers.

Student Work and Studios

New England College
Aaron Sweeney
New England College
Elizabeth Johnson
New England College
Carina Furino
New England College
Joel Bowman
New England College
Erin Johnson
New England College
Jon Hughen
New England College
Sabrina Brisson
New England College
Stephanie Aguilar
New England College
Ashley Ratchford
New England College
Arabella McPherson
New England College
Kayla Padilla
New England College
Zarah Chaverri
New England College
New England College
New England College
New England College
New England College
New England College

Why Earn Your Bachelor’s Degree in Photography?

Earning a bachelor’s degree in photography can lead to a career as a photographer, photo retoucher, or graphic artist. Photography majors enrolled in a BFA program develop the knowledge and skills required for a range of creative careers.

The BFA in Photography program’s core art curriculum explores design principles and digital design tools. Photography majors develop their technical and creative skills in their core coursework, with the option to customize their degree by choosing electives in digital photography, documentary photography, lighting, or digital video.

Students create an original portfolio that showcases their work for their senior thesis and exhibition and gain hands-on experience through an internship or apprenticeship.

 

BFA in Photography Learning Outcomes

Students earning a BFA in Photography will:

  • Develop technical and creative skills as a photographer
  • Explore core principles of design, drawing, and visual art
  • Learn how to critically analyze and evaluate art
  • Engage with professional artists through experiential opportunities
  • Build a portfolio that demonstrates their unique individual style

What Can You Do with a BFA in Photography?

Completing a Photography BFA program can lead to opportunities as a commercial photographer, fine artist, photojournalist, editorial photographer, or event photographer. Graduates also launch careers in the graphic arts, working as photo retouchers or graphic designers.

Career paths for graduates with a BFA in Photography include:

  • Commercial photographer
  • Photojournalist
  • Fine art photographer
  • Event photographer
  • Documentary photographer
  • Photo retoucher
  • Graphic artist

 

With experience, professionals can move into roles such as art director, director of photography, or creative director.

Photographer

$40,170*

 Photo Retoucher

$51,990**

 Graphic Designer

$57,990*
*Salary data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2022

**Approximate salary data from Payscale as of October 2023

 

Why Choose NEC?

New England College (NEC) is a private, nonprofit college founded in 1946 to serve the needs of servicepeople attending college on the GI Bill after World War II and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education. Today, NEC is an innovative, military-friendly institution and one of the top five liberal arts colleges in New Hampshire.

NEC offers 60 associate and bachelor’s degrees, as well as more than 20 master’s degrees and one doctoral degree program, all delivered by dedicated faculty focused on giving students opportunities to live what they learn. With access to many clubs, outdoor activities, natural areas, internships, and professor-led trips, NEC students have many ways to meet new people and try new things.

At NEC, the world is your classroom.

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Recognition and Rankings

 

Best College In New Hampshire as ranked by Inteligent.com

NEC Ranked Top College in New Hampshire

New England College in New Hampshire has earned recognition as a leading college in the state, as acknowledged by Intelligent.com, a credible source for evaluating higher education programs.

 

 

 

 

Edurank logo for best college in New Hampshire

NEC Ranked Leading College in New Hampshire

New England College in New Hampshire has earned recognition as a leading college in NH, as acknowledged by EduRank, a credible source for evaluating higher education programs.

 

 

 

 

AcademicInfluence.com logo for best college in New Hampshire

NEC Ranked Top College in New Hampshire

New England College in New Hampshire has earned recognition as one of the best colleges in New Hampshire, as acknowledged by Academic Influence, a credible source for evaluating higher education programs.

 

 

Degree Requirements

Art: Photography, BFA

Download Course Requirements

Art Core

(44+ Credits)

Photography Concentration

Select One of the Following:
Select One of the Following:
4 Credits from the Following:

Liberal Arts & Sciences Core Curriculum, Bachelor's Degree

Electives

Select additional electives to reach 120 credits for a Bachelor's degree. 

Faculty

  • Glen Scheffer

    Associate Professor, Photography
    Phone: 603.428.2655
    Email: gscheffer@nec.edu
    Professional website: glenscheffer.com

    Educational Background
    MFA in Photography, New Hampshire Institute of Art

    Bio
    Glen Scheffer uses the language of photography to describe the world around him. Whether using the studio to create photographs linking science and art or photographing indirect social connections made within the landscape, Glen strives to make art that will stir conversation about how we interact with each other and the world. Glen uses large- and medium-format cameras to construct his interpretations and cultivate his vision. Glen’s work is finished through the darkroom as gelati silver prints, digitally as large archival pigment prints, as well as published books. Glen has exhibited his work regularly locally and nationally. Most recently, his work was part of a traveling exhibition of film-based artists. The work traveled to the Polygon Gallery in North Vancouver, Canada; SF Camerawork in San Francisco; and The Reference Gallery in Seoul, South Korea. Glen’s work is also part of Everything Is Narrative, a publication of landscape photographers. The book is an anthology of contemporary photography exploring the open-ended nature of photographic storytelling. Showcasing images from 162 artists, this book was published in the spring of 2021.

  • Yoav Horesh

    Associate Professor, Photography
    Phone: 603.428.2656
    Email: yhoresh@nec.edu
    Professional website: yoavhoresh.com

    Educational Background
    MFA, Columbia University
    BFA, Massachusetts College of Art
    Professional Photography Diploma, The New England School of Photography

    Bio
    Born in Jerusalem, Israel, Yoav Horesh’s photographs have been concerned with the intersection of memory, history, conflict, ethnicity and multiculturalism. Using large- and medium-format cameras, his work, research, and projects have taken him to the American Southwest, Germany, Laos, Israel, the Gaza Strip, Bolivia, Vietnam, Mongolia, Cambodia, and more—places where history still shapes and influences current events and daily life.

    Horesh has exhibited his photographs in museums and galleries internationally, including at The Israel Museum, The DeCordova Museum and Sculpture Park, Gallery Kayafas, and Erarta Museum of Contemporary Art in Saint Petersburg, Russia. His second monograph “Aftermath” was published by SPQR Editions in 2016 and followed with exhibitions in Israel and the United States. His photographs have been featured by Amnesty International and publications including The Atlantic, The Boston Globe, and The Wall Street Journal. Horesh’s work is in the permanent collections of The Addison Gallery for American Art, The Museum of New Art, Fitchburg Art Museum, and the Ashdod Museum of Art.

    He has received awards, commissions, and grants, including the Agnes Martin Award, Projektraum-Bahnhof25 Residency Award, HAWAPI, and the Mortimer Frank Grant.

    Since 2005, Horesh has taught in universities and colleges in the United States, Hong Kong, and Israel.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to complete the Photography BFA program?

The Photography BFA program requires a minimum of 120 credits. Full-time students typically graduate in around four years. In addition to core art and photography courses, students complete the liberal arts and sciences core curriculum. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

 

How is the BFA in Photography program structured?

Photography majors complete at least 44 credits of core art courses and 28 credits of photography courses, including a senior thesis and exhibition. Within the photography concentration, students customize their program by choosing electives. The 120-credit degree also includes core liberal arts and science courses and electives.

 

What are the benefits of a bachelor’s degree in photography?

Coursework in a bachelor’s degree in photography program builds the creative and technical skills required for careers in contemporary photography. Photography majors learn about darkroom techniques and digital design tools while gaining practical experience through mentorship, critique, and apprenticeship opportunities. With a bachelor’s degree in photography, graduates are qualified for a wide range of roles in the creative arts.

 

How do I enroll in the Photography BFA program?

Apply to NEC by submitting an application online. You’ll need to provide your GPA and transcripts. NEC does not require SAT or ACT scores. Prospective BFA students also must submit a portfolio featuring 15 to 20 images.

Start Your Application

Join the BFA in Photography program by submitting an application today. NEC accepts applications on a rolling basis with no application fee.

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