Commercial and Freelance Photography

The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Commercial and Freelance Photography includes the study of both the digital and film aspects of photography. The program is structured to help students develop an understanding of exposure principles, camera operations and functions, digital photographic materials, film-based strategies, studio lighting, and the basics of running a freelance photography business. This certificate is designed to provide knowledge and experience important to those hoping to work as freelance photographers, wedding photographers, commercial photographers, photography editors, photography assistants, or photo lab technicians. An Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Photography is also available.

Details

Field of Interest
Visual and Performing Arts
Degree Type
Certificate of Completion (CCL)
Academic Plan
Commercial and Freelance Photography (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5784
Total credits required
35-36
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
There will be costs for supplies and equipment in this program.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of principles of design, aesthetics, and visual communication.
  2. Create original still and time based images.
  3. Demonstrate a thorough knowledge and application of camera techniques.
  4. Demonstrate a thorough and adaptable knowledge of software used in digital imaging and contemporary media.
  5. Create digital imaging workflow.
  6. Utilize effective lighting techniques in natural, artificial and mixed lighting in photography (e.g., product, still life and portraiture).
  7. Analyze trends and influences in contemporary and historical photography.
  8. Critically evaluate photographic works.
  9. Develop a professional body of work and appropriate support material to showcase personal vision and technical skills.
  10. Identify professional practices in diverse settings for operating and marketing a photography business (e.g., communication, time management, pricing, and legal and ethical considerations).

Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based annual median wages* for this program. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information.

Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators

$39,410

* Wage information sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment Statistics Program. Updated May 2022.

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.

Pathway Map Options

There are multiple options available for this pathway map. These options vary depending on the locations, partners, and available tracks of the award.

These pathway map options may share some common coursework. To explore what additional coursework may be required, select your desired option from the list below. Once selected, the list of courses and any associated details will be automatically updated in the course sequence below. The differences between individual pathway map options may only be a few courses.

Pathway Map Option Details

No pathway map option has been selected. Please select from the pathway map options listed above.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC100 Introduction to Digital Arts Critical course 1
ART112 Two-Dimensional Design 3
ART131 Photography I Critical course Gateway course HU 3
AVC142 Introduction to Digital Photography 3
Specialization Option Specialization Option 2–3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ART132 Photography II Critical course 3
AVC138 Commercial Photography I 3
ENG101 or
ENG107
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
Specialization Option Specialization Option 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC140 or
AVC237
Portrait Photography or Fashion Photography 3
AVC143 Intermediate Digital Photography 3
SBS200 Small Business Operations 2
Specialization Option Specialization Option 3

Part-time Sequence

Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.

Term 1

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC100 Introduction to Digital Arts Critical course 1
ART112 Two-Dimensional Design 3
ART131 Photography I Critical course Gateway course HU 3

Term 2

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ART132 Photography II Critical course 3
AVC142 Introduction to Digital Photography Critical course 3

Term 3

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG101 or
ENG107
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC 3
AVC143 Intermediate Digital Photography 3

Term 4

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 4
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC138 Commercial Photography I 3
SBS200 Small Business Operations 2
Specialization Option Specialization Option 2–3

Term 5

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 5
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
AVC140 or
AVC237
Portrait Photography or Fashion Photography 3
Specialization Option Specialization Option 3
Specialization Option Specialization Option 3
Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=184864).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.