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      Overview » Course List » Requirements » Faculty Overview »

      Studio Photography Program Faculty

      The faculty at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh – Online Division are chosen for their ability to prepare our students for their career pursuits in the real world. All of our faculty attend orientation to learn the best practices for online learning so they have the skills and knowledge to support adult learner success in our online classrooms.

      Joseph Lavine

      Mr. Lavine received a Bachelor’s degree from California Polytechnic State University and a Master’s degree in Digital Photography from the Savannah College of Art and Design.  He has owned a commercial photography studio for the past twenty years in Colorado, where his clients include General Mills, Pillsbury, Betty Crocker, Coors, and Kraft.  Joseph has taught photography for twelve years at The Art Institute of Colorado, and currently teaches full time with The Art Institute of Pittsburgh – Online Division.  Besides working as a photographer and educator, Mr. Lavine is a frequent beta tester and lecturer for Leaf America, Adobe, X-Rite, and Mamiya America Corporation.  He has been a contributing author for numerous books including the recent release of The Elements of Photography.
      Lavine Photography Inc.

      Traeton Garl

      Traeton’s passion for photography began in high school and has never stopped growing for over twenty-four years. He attended the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh where he completed a Bachelor of Fine Art degree in both photography and sculpture and holds and Master of Fine Arts degree in photography from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. His background in sculpture influences and informs his photography.

      The majority of Traeton’s work is fine art photography that he exhibits, publishes and sells. In his commercial work, he specializes in fashion runway, competition, editorial, and beauty photography. He brings his fine art aesthetic and experiences to his commercial work with the same passion and energy to create imagery that pushes further and expresses his own unique vision.

      Several years ago, Traeton became a part-time professor at a small college, where he had the opportunity to teach, motivate and inspire upcoming creative professionals. Teaching has since become one of his life passions and he deeply cherishes his students and learns as much from them as they do from him. He brings over ten years of teaching along with twenty-four years of real-world experience as a practicing professional and studio owner in photography and digital imaging to his classes. Traeton is dedicated to the growth, development and success of his students. At the beginning of 2011, he had the privilege to join the full-time staff in the Photography Department at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh– Online Division. He could not be happier.

      Damon Sauer

      Damon Sauer is an artist and educator based in Phoenix, Arizona. His fine art work includes an ongoing collaborative practice with Julie Anand. Their work investigates notions of boundaries, language and perspective through diverse photographic media and technologies; it has been exhibited nationally at venues including RayKo Gallery in San Francisco, the LA Center for Digital Art and the El Paso Museum of Art.

      Sauer’s personal Fine Art work involves photographic investigations of residue and mediation.

      He has also worked on editorial projects for the Virginia G. Piper Charitable trust and other commercial photographic projects.

      Damon Sauer currently serves as a full-time faculty member at The Art Institute of Pittsburgh - Online Division, and has previously taught at Phoenix area community colleges and universities, as well as serving as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Herron School of Art and Design in Indianapolis. Sauer will be co-teaching a course at Penland School of Crafts in the Summer of 2011. He received his Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of New Mexico in 2005.

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      In Ai Connections

      Official Group Page
      The Photography program prepares graduates with technical skills and a mature design vision used to produce thought-provoking imagery revolving around...Visit the group page
      Student Photographic Society
      Student Photographic Society (SPS) provides a forum for student discussion regarding the photography industry; jobs and internships; personal enrichment...Visit the group page
      Career Services
      The Career Services Department is a valuable resource for acquiring the career information you need. We provide support to students every step of the way, from the first day of class to your post-graduation job search...Visit the group page
      Student Community
      The Office of Student Community (OSC) plays a major role in student-related activities. OSC strives to build relationships between students, faculty, and staff members...Visit the group page

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