Program Overview

Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree, 119 credits

Students may begin in fall quarter only.
Commercial photography may be a good fit for you if you are imaginative, creative, and interested in developing technical proficiency in photography.
Areas of study include black & white and color photography, lighting techniques, studio illustration, digital photography, and digital lab procedures.
Job titles include commercial photographer, photographer’s assistant; or laboratory/digital technician in portrait photography, advertising, or freelance photographer.

The Commercial Photography Program offers a two-year multimedia A.A.S. program, which provides comprehensive training for individuals seeking employment in both traditional and digital commercial photography. The program develops strong basic skills in black and white photography, color photography, large format camera techniques, contemporary lighting techniques, studio illustration, digital photography, and electronic imaging. Students learn high quality lab procedures including black and white and color processing as well as digital output, manipulation, and enhancement applications. Students gain experience with 4x5 digital backs, a digital service bureau, and our electronic darkroom of networked Power Macs equipped for large electronic image files.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program have training for entry-level or higher employment positions as photographers, photographer's assistant or laboratory/digital technician in areas of professional photography, including: the general consumer fields of wedding/portrait photography and the commercial fields of advertising, corporate/industrial, and editorial/stock photography. Graduates work as employees of other photographers or in their own business as freelance photographers. There are many opportunities for successful careers in photography, but it is a very competitive profession.

Previous photographic experience is not required, but any art, photography or design experience will contribute to student success in the program.

Information Sessions

Information sessions are conducted each quarter so students interested in this program can meet faculty and learn more about the program. Please call (206) 934-3830 for a schedule of information sessions for this program.

For Further Information:

Commercial Photography Program
Business, Information Technology & Creative Arts
Seattle Central Community College
1701 Broadway, Room BE5166
Seattle, WA 98122
PHONE: (206) 934-3830
FAX: (206) 934-3130