Krista Svalbonas
Assistant Professor and Chair of Art and Art History Department
Boland Hall, 2nd Floor
Overview
The commercial photography minor at Saint Joseph’s University will help you develop the technical skills needed to produce commercial work within the food, entertainment, advertising and digital marketing industries. The minor also includes coursework focused on the necessary business acumen needed to work in these fields including job estimates, pitching clients and working in creative teams.
What Is a Commercial Photography Minor?
Commercial photography is a field focused on photographs of products or individuals used to sell a product or a service. For many photographers, the subject matter can vary from fashion models for a magazine to food for a restaurant website and menu.
The minor in commercial photography at Saint Joseph’s applies the tenants of the visual arts to prepare students to use artistic techniques to effectively communicate ideas and information to business and consumer audiences. You will learn about film and digital photography, how to effectively and efficiently use your camera to portray your messages and have opportunities to start building a portfolio that will help you secure internships and jobs after graduation.
In addition to the tactical skills of photography, students learn how to solve communication problems and carry projects from creation and ideation to completion, using research and analysis in industry-standard graphic design software. You will also be able to create and develop visual concepts in response to industry-standard client briefs and apply principles of visual communication as they relate to reaching audiences and working cooperatively.
Ways to Study Commercial Photography
This program is available as a minor at Saint Joseph’s. Many students often decide to double major or add minors to their studies. Some common additional areas of study that students interested in the commercial photography minor also pursue include:
What Can I Do with a Minor in Commercial Photography?
Minoring in commercial photography prepares students to bring their skills and creativity to tell a story through photography. You will be able to bring cultures, businesses and brands to life with your camera. Students with a minor in commercial photography go on to jobs and careers in different types of businesses like:
- Advertising agencies
- Creative marketing firms
- Entrepreneurial photographer
- Marketing and communication agencies
- Media and publishing
How Will Saint Joseph's Prepare Me for a Future Career in Commercial Photography?
By the time you are finished with your minor in commercial photography, you will have completed a professional portfolio that demonstrates problem-solving and creative-thinking expertise. Your portfolio will show a variety of subjects, tones and techniques that will be necessary for an entry-level position at a digital marketing, publishing or advertising agency, or to do full-time or part-time work as an entrepreneur and photographer. The commercial photography minor offered by Saint Joseph’s Department of Art and Art History aims to provide you with the skills and experience necessary to help you land a job after college and pursue your passions.
Faculty
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