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commercial photography studio
Commercial Photography Concentration
In the Visual Communication M.A. Degree

Commercial Photography Concentration

The Visual Communication Master of Arts degree offers a Commercial Photography Concentration. This concentration is suited for students interested in advertising photography, product and still-life photography, fashion and portrait photography, architectural and interior design photography, and the business aspects of operating a photographic studio.

Commercial photography graduates go on to become studio owners, magazine photo editors, digital retouchers and photographers within the advertising industry.

Student Work

Storytelling is Our Passion.

Students in commercial photography create images that focus on advertising, still-life, architecture, fashion, and portraiture photography, all with a heart of storytelling.

On the first floor of Schoonover, the School of Visual Communication runs a gallery. Rotating regularly between student and alumni shows, students can not only show their work, but gain experience participating in the exhibitions.

Photo by Sean Yuan

Photo by Sean Yuan

Careers with a Concentration in Commercial Photography

Alumni of the commercial photography program go on to become studio owners, magazine photo editors, digital retouchers and photographers within the advertising industry.

They have had successful careers in the industry in a variety of capacities and have worked at a variety of places, including BurkleHagen Photography (Cleveland), Matt Reese Photo (Columbus), Versatile Studios (New York City), Power Creative (Louisville, Ky.), Richard Reinsdorf Photography (Los Angeles, Calif.), Sarah Silver (New York City), Sarah Kehoe Photography, (New York City), Wayfair.com (Cincinnati), Liz Von Hoene Photography (Atlanta, Ga.), Amazon (Kentucky), Marie Claire Magazine (New York City) • Outsider Magazine (Santa Fe, N.M.), and the Santa Fe Photographic Workshops (Santa Fe, N.M.).

commercial photography studio

Visual Communication M.A. Courses & Degree Requirements

The M.A. in visual communication requires a minimum of 35 credit hours, including 5 hours of Master’s Project (VICO 6960), which is the culminating experience.

Students take 20-24 hours in their field of study. For the Commercial Photography track, this includes:

  • VICO 5227, Fashion Photography / Portraiture
  • VICO 5228, Still Life / Architecture Photography
  • VICO 5435, Picture Editing
  • VICO 6432, Business Practices
  • VICO 6227, Business Studio

A required progress review is held toward the end of the first semester, or completion of 15 credits, to assess the student’s suitability for continued study.

Internships are encouraged for all graduate students, unless significant professional experience within your selected area has been gained prior to entering the program. This internship or practical education is not taken for credit towards your degree.

The Master's Project

The Master's Project is the culmination of study in visual communication in the Master of Arts program and must include a significant visual component related to a student’s studies. Students conceptualize, research, propose, produce, and defend a project of their choice with the guidance and approval of a graduate committee.

Visual Communication Master's Project

Commercial Photography Equipment Requirements

Commercial Photography students are required to have a minimum of the following equipment by the start of their first semester in the Master of Arts program:

  • A professional-level DSLR camera
  • Two lenses with f/2.8 or faster aperture: one 28mm or wider focal length, and one with a 135mm
  • to 200mm focal length (zoom lenses are also acceptable if fixed aperture)
  • Dedicated electronic flash
  • Professional tripod
  • Professional tripod

Camera & Lenses Equipment List

Ready for the Next Step?

Contact Us

Questions? Please contact Graduate Director Ana Mojica-Myers at myersa1@ohio.edu.

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