PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO
Our Photography & Video program blends tradition with innovation, preparing students to push boundaries, experiment across disciplines, and craft meaningful creative works.
BACHELOR OF FINE ARTS IN PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO (BFA)
The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography & Video at the University of Houston equips students for dynamic careers in photography, video, and lens-based media. Combining technical instruction with historical and critical approaches, the program fosters artistic identities through concentrated studio time and student-driven research.
The curriculum emphasizes digital photography and video art while also covering studio lighting, traditional photographic techniques, and large-format photography. These technical skills are enriched by studies in art history, theory, and contemporary lens-based practices, ensuring students are adaptable to an ever-changing media landscape.
Students also benefit from internships with Houston-based organizations such as FotoFest, the Houston Center for Photography, and Project Row Houses, gaining real-world experience in alternative spaces, museums, and non-profits. This hands-on learning complements the program’s commitment to fostering self-awareness, civil discourse, and artistic growth in a supportive, diverse community.
The BLOCK program represents a critical milestone for Photography & Video students, offering a focused and rigorous environment to refine their creative practices. Admission is determined by a competitive portfolio review, ensuring a cohort of dedicated and talented individuals.
Features of the BLOCK program include:
- Advanced Studio Access: Structured courses provide an immersive experience in lens-based media, pushing technical and conceptual boundaries.
- Visiting Artists and Curators: Engage with leading figures in photography and digital media, such as Amalia Mesa Bains, Harry Gamboa Jr., and Natasha Egan, through lectures, workshops, and critiques.
- Community Engagement: Houston’s vibrant arts scene offers unparalleled access to major institutions like FotoFest and the Houston Center for Photography, which often host visiting artists and curators.
For more information on advancing into the BLOCK program, students can contact Stephan Hillerbrand at schillerbrand@uh.edu
MASTERS OF FINE ARTS IN PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEO (MFA)
The MFA in Photography & Video at the University of Houston offers a cutting-edge, interdisciplinary program focused on creative lens, media, and time-based artwork. As one of the first university programs to integrate digital media with traditional fine art photography, it emphasizes aesthetic diversity, technical mastery, and the development of a unique artistic vision.
Key features of the program include:
- Comprehensive Facilities: Graduate students are provided with individual studio spaces, shared Mac workstations for advanced scanning and printing, access to medium and large format cameras, DV/HD video equipment, well-equipped wet labs, and optional black-and-white enlarger suites.
- Rigorous Curriculum: The three-year program combines regular critiques, group seminars, and individual mentorship, encouraging experimentation and interdisciplinary exploration.
- Engagement with Houston’s Arts Scene: Houston’s thriving photography community, including the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and the Houston Center for Photography, offers rich opportunities for exhibitions, internships, and professional networking. The city’s biannual FotoFest draws photography enthusiasts from around the world, showcasing exhibitions and fostering connections.
Graduate students also benefit from internships with Houston-based institutions, gaining professional experience in alternative spaces, museums, and galleries, such as FotoFest, the Houston Center for Photography, and the Aurora Picture Show.
The MFA in Photography & Video prepares graduates for dynamic careers as artists, educators, curators, and professionals in the fields of photography, video, and media arts, contributing to the cultural vitality of Houston and beyond.
LEARN FROM THE BEST
- Keliy Anderson-Staley, Associate Professor, Program Coordinator
- Minwoo Lee, Professor
- Sebastien Boncy, VAP