Develop technical skills and a polished portfolio using professional equipment in high-tech studios and labs. Earn an Associates of Fine Arts with a pathway in Photography. Be prepared to transfer into a Bachelor of Fine Arts program with one of our two-plus-two transfer agreements.
Use photography as an expressive medium of art.
JCCC’s Photography courses teach you not only the technical side of the craft, but the expressive artistry in every photograph:
- Develop formal, technical, and conceptual skills in photography as you learn to use professional equipment to shoot and process analog, digital, and experimental images.
- Develop advanced methods for digital capture, manipulation, editing, and composition.
- Practice on state-of-the-art equipment and work in high-tech labs — all for no additional fees. You can even check out equipment to complete your projects outside of class. Equipment available includes: Several Canon DSLR kits
- An assortment of 35mm film (analog) camera systems
- Hasselblad 501CM camera kits
- Calumet 4x5 studio monorail camera systems with Manfrotto 3047 tripod
- i1 Pro color calibration kits
- Large format Jobo sheet film processing drums
- Sanders roll film enlargers
- Fully equipped lighting and shooting studios
- Use experimental approaches and alternative processes to create visual art.
- Engage critically with the history and ethics of photography.
Develop a photography portfolio
Create photographs using professional techniques and showcase your work on and off campus:
- Feature your images in the Student Gallery on the third floor of the Student Center, showcasing exceptional work by JCCC student artists.
- Create a professional portfolio for transfer application packets.
- Include your photos in the annual literary magazine, Mind’s Eye.
- Submit your work for competitions and exhibitions at local, regional and national levels— like the one sponsored by League of Innovation in the Community College. These opportunities put JCCC student work in front of gallery owners, industry professionals, and members of the community.
Be inspired by the internationally recognized Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art on the JCCC campus. It’s home to a world-class collection of permanent works as well as traveling exhibitions.
Attend lectures and presentations from visiting artists — and have your portfolio reviewed by some of the best local, regional and national talents.
You’ll have access to digital studios with the latest in photo-editing software and Epson Fine Art printers, a large and highly equipped darkroom, professional shooting and lighting studios, and multi-use classrooms that encourage cross-discipline collaboration.
JCCC offers scholarships for students in all fine arts disciplines. Complete JCCC’s easy scholarship application to see what non-art scholarships you may qualify for.
- James Fennel Fine Arts
- Larry Thomas Memorial Art
- The department also offers competitive scholarships for incoming first-year students and continuing students. To learn how to apply, contact Tonia Hughes.
Put your future into focus with JCCC’s forward-thinking Photography courses
With the skills you develop in your Photography courses, you can work in:
- Advertising
- Fashion
- Fine Arts
- Photojournalism
- Portrait photography
Engage in your artistic side and create work for galleries and public installations. Or take your talents to the business side of photography and become an aerial or commercial photographer.
The department hosts free portfolio review days to help high school students prepare to apply for first-year scholarships and transition into college art classes. Contact Tonia Hughes for dates and details.
JCCC’s Associate of Fine Arts degree offers a Lens-based Media track that focuses on Photography or Filmmaking. You can tailor your learning to match your interest. For details on crafting your class plan, contact Professor Tonia Hughes.
Want to go further? Many of the liberal arts and fine arts credits you earn at JCCC transfer to competitive art programs at area four-year schools, including Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas State University, University of Kansas, University of Missouri-Kansas City and Wichita State University. Make an appointment with an academic counselor to explore your options.
Need help with homework? No problem!
The JCCC Academic Resource Center offers free tutoring in almost any subject. And our small photography classes — most classes have fewer than 25 students — means you’ll get one-on-one attention and feedback from your professors.
Contact info:
Tonia Hughes, Chair, Department of Photography, Film, and Media Studies
913-469-8500, ext. 3649
Location: FADS 224
thughes38@jccc.edu
