Photography

Unlock your creative potential

In Herron's photography program, you'll have access to dedicated space for innovative work, supported by both peers and faculty who will provide you with unique perspectives on contemporary imaging. You'll create photographs that are more than technically perfect. You'll make imagery that conveys depth and meaning. Your work will provoke thought and express an active voice, your artistic voice.

Talented instructors and small classes

Our faculty are engaged far and wide in the arts communities, regularly contributing to projects and exhibiting their work nationally and internationally. Build your skills alongside talented peers with faculty who have proven track records in the world of photography.

Headshot of Herron School of Art and Design alumna Lillian Broughton

Herron’s photography program helps you turn your passion into a life-long career, giving you hands-on experience, industry insights, and the skills to capture the world and grow as a professional.

Lillian Broughton (B.F.A. Photography '23)

Student work

See more student work
Torry Brown black and white pigment print photograph of a sunflower
Gabe Ellington  photographic collage of foliage
Torry Brown black and white pigment print photograph of a dog in a flat, grassy landscape
Benjamin Dorocke photograph of an Chicago Transit Authority train in motion
Gabe Ellington exhibition installation view
Em Howson photograph
Em Howson photograph
Installation view of Lidia Morton photography exhibition
Linda Prescott black and white landscape photograph
Jane Sun Kim photograph
Jane Sun Kim photograph
Sav Daly photograph
Sav Daly photograph

Left to right, top to bottom: Torry Brown, Untitled, 2021, Archival Pigment Print, image size, variable. Gabe Ellington, Untitled (detail), 2022. Torry Brown, Untitled, 2021, Archival Pigment Print, image size, variable. Benjamin Dorocke, Untitled, 2021. Gabe Ellington, Untitled, 2022. Em Howson, Untitled, 2022. Em Howson, Untitled, 2022. Lidia Morton, Untitled (detail), 2022. Linda Prescott, Untitled, 2022. Jane Sun Kim, Untitled, 2021. Jane Sun Kim, Untitled, 2022. Sav Daly, Untitled, 2021. Sav Daly, Untitled, 2021.   Courtesy of the artists

Facilities

Herron's photography program has the biggest and most diverse photographic education facility in the state of Indiana. You’ll have access any time of the day or night to our specialized labs, darkrooms, computer labs, finishing areas, exhibition space, and a professional lighting studio. Check out camera lenses for your DSLR or learn how to operate a view camera. Edit your video and sound footage into a finished production on Adobe Creative Suite. Whatever your artistic vision, we've got the tools you need to make it come to life.

  • Large-format Canon digital printers (44" and 17")
  • Darkrooms for black and white silver gelatin, historical and non-silver printing
  • UV light exposure units for historical print processes
  • Jobo processor for 35mm, medium- and large-format color film developing
  • Film development room
  • Hasselblad and Canon digital cameras
  • 35mm, medium- and large-format cameras
  • Lenses for Canon and Nikon camera systems with adaptors for Sony
  • Outfitted lighting studio with Profoto and Elinchrom strobe lights, light shaping accessories and LED continuous source lights
  • Equipment cage offering lighting, tripods, audio recorders and DV video cameras
  • Mac computer labs with advanced editing software
  • Flextight and Epson v800 professional scanners
  • Finishing room with a RodaTrim print trimmer and a Coda Cold-Mount press
  • Installation space with gallery lighting
A student cuts pieces of denim fabric.

Foundation studies

Your first year at Herron focuses on skills that are crucial to your success in art and design school. You will explore basic principles and techniques, as well as your own historical, cultural, and personal influences as an artist or designer.

Learn more about foundation studies

Professional opportunities

The careers of our photography graduates encompass diverse roles and environments. Students have opened their own professional studios, become exhibiting visual artists, or gone onto graduate school to pursue teaching positions at colleges and universities. The path you take is determined by your interests and the limits of your imagination.

Pursue your calling as a professional:

  • Visual artist
  • Commercial and freelance photographer
  • Videographer
  • Visual arts educator
  • Digital image retoucher
  • Photo and visual content editor for online and print media
  • Image archivist
  • Art director
  • Gallery or museum curator

Faculty

Christopher Hill

Christopher Hill

Associate Faculty

Benjamin Martinkus

Benjamin Martinkus

Photography Technician

M P

Matt Panfil

Associate Faculty

Stefan Petranek

Stefan Petranek

Associate Professor

D S

Dana Smessaert

Associate Faculty

Jake Sneath

Jake Sneath

Associate Faculty

Join Indiana’s premier school of art and design

Degree programs