Photography, B.F.A. at The University of Memphis

Our program is the leading professional undergraduate/graduate fine art photography program in Tennessee and the seven surrounding Mid-American states. With the region's largest photography faculty — consisting of three full-time nationally known photographers, several part-time professional teachers, and a full-time experienced photo technician — our students receive individual attention and in-depth instruction. Our well-equipped facilities include separate black & white labs, color print lab, alternative process lab, electronic arts lab, and studio lighting facilities.

Students in our photography program have a spirit of togetherness, which creates a positive, friendly place to study. Their active student group, the Photographic Society, plans activities that include a yearly lecture series of internationally known photographers, travel, field trips, special workshops, group exhibitions, and parties. These events provide opportunities to make connections with leading photographers.

Students prepare for careers in fine art photography (b&w, color, alternative process, digital photography, and mixed media), documentary, freelance editorial, commercial/advertising, portrait, and fashion photography, as well as teaching.

The program's educational philosophy maintains that the photographer needs first to discover his or her personal vision, followed by amplification of his/her uniqueness within a fine arts education. Our fine arts approach, coupled with a strong technical base, provides the foundation for artistic discovery in photography: it frees students to explore their own direction in photography.

Later, as an advanced undergraduate or graduate student, you work closely with several faculty on independent self-assigned projects that strengthen your personal approach. This independent work becomes the key transition to a self-sufficient professional career in photography.