Create Tomorrow - in Portrait Photography

The Portrait Photography Certificate is a highly focused track of study that constructs in-depth knowledge of camera operations, photographic lighting techniques for portraits, one-person studio business procedures, and professional portrait methodology.

Enhance Your Portrait Photography Skills

A child’s smile. A newly engaged or married couple. A family’s shared joy. These are the moments that the portrait photographer captures and immortalizes for people from all walks of life. In order to be successful, portrait photographers need to have the technical skills and training with the latest equipment, techniques and principles of portrait photography.

If you are looking to enhance your skills or start a new career as a portrait photographer, then the Certificate of Portrait Photography program at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh – Online Division might be the perfect fit for you.

The Portrait Photography Certificate is a highly focused track of study that constructs in-depth knowledge of camera operations, photographic lighting techniques for portraits, one-person studio business procedures, and professional portrait methodology. The program culminates with a portfolio of photographic portraits that demonstrate the student’s skills and achievements with concrete documentation.

The certificate equips a graduate with industry-standard portrait skills. In application, this program should provide sufficient information for a student to consider starting a one-person freelance portrait photography business or to become an assistant to an established portrait photographer. For a student who has already completed a liberal arts degree, this course of study should provide sufficient technical information to enhance their employability and visibility in the portrait photography sector.

Career Portrait

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Photographers held about 152,000 jobs in 2008. More than half were self-employed, a much higher proportion than for most occupations. Most salaried photographers work in portrait or commercial photography studios; most of the others work for newspapers, magazines, and advertising agencies. Photographers work in all areas of the country, but most are employed in metropolitan areas."

Furthermore "Employment is expected to grow as fast as the average for all occupations. Photographers can expect keen competition for job openings because the work is attractive to many people. Employment of photographers is expected to grow 12 percent over the 2008-18 period, about as fast as the average for all occupations. Demand for portrait photographers should increase as the population grows."

Accreditation

The Art Institute of Pittsburgh is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE).