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Major in Photography

Learn different mediums • Use the latest gear • Become a pro photographer

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Learn how to take powerful photographs.

Anyone can be a "photographer," but studying photography at JBU will allow you to become visually literate, train your eye for good photos, find ways to make concepts into photographs and give you an array of education from darkroom and film to lighting well in the studio.

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Master camera settings

The program prepares students to work with digital as well as conventional tools, starting with teaching all students how to use the manual setting on their camera well. Courses include introduction to photography, lighting for photography and traditional darkroom.

Master your medium

Whether it's lighting consumer products, taking high fashion photos, telling someone's story through photos, shooting film or developing photos in the darkroom - JBU will equip you and familiarize you with the skills and tools used in the vast realm of photography.

Gain professional skills

JBU photography alumni are fully prepared to work in marketing, editing, fashion and many other photography avenues. 

Earn a scholarship

Wanting to earn an art scholarship? Each year, 15-20 scholarships are awarded to new first-year students.

Apply for an art scholarship

Capture the world around you.

About photography

Photography students learn a variety of mediums from professors who care about them as artists as well as people. There is an integration of faith and fine art techniques throughout the classes. Whether students want to study studio photography, fine art photography, film or social documentary - the JBU photography major will prepare students to achieve their dreams in any of these realms.
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What to expect as a photography student at JBU

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Work in fantastic facilities

Our photo gear, photography studio and darkrooms are like none other in Arkansas, Oklahoma or Texas. Learn in our three art buildings that include two three-story facilities featuring classrooms, two galleries, a photo studio, MAC labs and a printmaking workshop. 

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Display your art

Every year, seniors display their best work for potential employers, like Hallmark, Walmart, Saatchi and Saatchi X and Acumen Brands at the JBU Portfolio Show. They also have a chance to display work in the student gallery for the local community to come and see.

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Travel the world

Summer Studies trips provide opportunities for students to visit world-famous art collections in Europe, take photo classes in places like Berlin or New Zealand and more.

4+1 = MBA

Stand out among job applicants and expand your marketability.

Go farther, faster! At JBU, our Accelerated Master's Program lets you finish your undergraduate photography degree and your master's degree in just five years — saving you money and setting you up for even more success.

This my fourth semester as a photography major. So far the classes have focused on using camera settings to create appealing images and helping students get to know their cameras. The professors are incredible. They take the time to learn about each student and to give one-on-one advice or critique. We photography majors spend evenings and weekends completing projects together and encouraging one another, so we’re all really close.

Anna Palacio '26

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What can you do with a photography degree?

Students graduate from the photography program equipped to tackle any profession they want to pursue.

Fashion photography

Fashion photographers are called upon to conceptualize and direct photoshoots. Often these photographs are intended for publication and advertisement for specific designers and product lines.

Editorial photography

Photographers illustrate a story or an idea within the context of a publication, particularly that of a magazine, newspaper or online publication. 

Event Photography

This type of photography captures a myriad of events (weddings, birthdays, baby showers, bar mitzvahs, wedding anniversaries, parties) and simple family or child photos for sentimental records.

Food photography

Food photographers must be masters of light and technique in order to create appealing images of food for advertisements, brochures and menus. 

Still life photography

Still life photographers focus on capturing inanimate objects such as scenery and architecture.

Crime scene photography

Photographers in this field are required to know how to use an infrared camera for the sake of evidence documentation.

Meet our photography professors

Kyle-Agee

Kyle Agee

Associate Professor of Visual Arts
Neal-Holland

Neal Holland

Professor of Visual Arts: Department Chair and Peer Endowed Chair, Visual Arts

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John Brown University

2000 W. University St., Siloam Springs, AR 72761
479-524-9500 jbuinfo@jbu.edu

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John Brown University

2000 W. University St., Siloam Springs, AR 72761

479-524-9500 jbuinfo@jbu.edu

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JBU does not unlawfully discriminate based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, age, disability, marital status, military status, or age in the administration of its educational policies, admissions, financial aid, employment, educational programs, or activities.

John Brown University is a leading private Christian university, training students to honor God and serve others since 1919. Arkansas’ top-ranked university (The Wall Street Journal) and top-ranked regional university (U.S. News), JBU enrolls more than 2,200 students from 37 states and 42 countries in its traditional undergraduate, graduate, online and concurrent education programs. JBU offers more than 50 undergraduate majors, with top programs including nursing, psychology, construction management, graphic design, family and human services, and engineering. Eighteen graduate degrees are available in business, counseling, cybersecurity, and education.

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