Photography Schools in Texas

Photographers use special techniques and advanced equipment to capture images. Some use digital film cameras, while others use a combination of digital and traditional cameras to photograph everything from people and landscapes to unusual objects. Photographers may also use film equipment to capture images.

Some photographers specialize in capturing images only, while some of the most prolific photographers also develop, edit, and display captured images. These individuals may use a variety of advanced software to perfect images that can be used in advertisements, publicity photos, art installations, film & video, and more.

Some aspiring photographers train on the job for less complicated tasks, but training and a degree are required for the most lucrative photography jobs. Just a few job titles for photographers include photojournalist, advertising photographer, studio photographer, news photographer, newspaper photographer, newspaper photojournalist, photo editor, and sports photographer. While these are some of the most common jobs for photographers, the top industry for these individuals is “professional, scientific, and technical services.”

The U.S. is home to nearly 50,000 salaried photographers. However, freelance photographers still dominate the field. In the state of Texas, both freelance and salaried photographers work mainly in advertising, publishing, broadcasting/news, photography studios, design firms, film studios, insurance, and more. Texas-based photographers can find jobs in the field in just about any city or town, but state’s principal cities have much more to offer. Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin, Fort Worth, and El Paso are just a few top cities for aspiring photographers.

The state’s largest cities are home to hundreds of colleges and training centers that offer competitive programs for aspiring artists and designers of all kinds. This includes aspiring photographers. Just a few of the best Texas schools for artists and designers include the University of Houston, Texas Christian University (Fort Worth), and the University of Texas (Austin, Dallas, San Antonio). Continue reading to find out which schools are tops for aspiring photographers.

Texas Photography Schools

Texas is home to 252 Title IV colleges and universities. They (1) have accreditation recognized by the U.S. Department of Education, (2) have been in business for at least 2 years, (3) signed a participation agreement with the Department, (4) grant an associate's degree or higher, and (5) offer a program of at least 300 clock hours in length. Because these schools have met all Department requirements, they are eligible for federal financial aid programs. This means, even the most expensive art and design schools are accessible to students with financial need.

Several Texas Title IVs offer top-tier programs for aspiring photographers. Scroll through the list below to review Texas’s best schools for aspiring photographers and what they have to offer.

Commerce
Texas A&M University Commerce - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Visual Communication Arts with Emphasis in Art Direction, Design, Illustration/Copywriting, New Media or Photography, B.A., B.S. Media Studies; Film (Minor)

Dallas
Southern Methodist University - Degrees Offered: B.A., B. F. A, M.I.T (Masters of Interactive Technology) Studio Art; Art with Concentration in Interactive Media; Combined B. F. A. Studio Art and Masters of Interactive Technology (M. I. T.) in Digital Game Development program; B. A. Creative Computation; Combined B. S. Computer Science and M. I T. with Game Development Specialization program; M. I. T. Game Design; B.A., B. F. A. Film + Media Arts; Art, Photography (Minor)

Denton
University of North Texas - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Communication Design, Visual Art and Design (Visual Art Studies), Studio Art with Concentration in New Media Art, Drawing, Photography; B.A. Radio-Television-Film (RTVF); M. F. A. Design with Concentration in Innovation Studies, New Media Art

Fort Worth
Texas Christian University – Degrees Offered: B.A., B. F. A., Art, Studio Art with Photography Focus; B.A. Film-TV-Digital Media; B.A., B. F. A. Graphic Design; M.F.A. Studio Art; Studio Art (Minor)

Houston
University of Houston - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art, Graphic Communications, Photography/Digital Media; B.S. Digital Media with Web Design, Photography, Print, and Computer Graphics Focus; M. F. A. Art with Concentration in Graphic Communications or Interdisciplinary Practices and Emerging Forms; Film Studies (Minor)

Huntsville
Sam Houston State University - Degrees Offered: B. F. A. Art with Emphasis Advertising and Graphic Design, Computer Animation, Drawing, Photography, Printmaking

Waco
Baylor University - Degrees Offered: B.A. Art, Studio Art, B. F. A. Art, Studio Art, Photography, Graphic Design, Printmaking; B. F. A. Design; B.A. Film and Digital Media, New Media with Photojournalism, Broadcast Journalism, Media Arts

Employment and Salary Trends for Texas Photographers

Texas is home to 3,820 salaried photographers, down from 3,970 in 2002. While the state lost a few salaried photographers over the years, the state still has the third highest employment level in this occupation. In addition, Texas is home to two metropolitan areas with the highest employment level for photographers. The Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown metro area has the nation’s fifth highest employment level (of all metro areas) and the Dallas-Plano-Irving metro area has the tenth highest employment level.

More good news—salaries are on the rise. In 2002, salaried photographers averaged $23,870. Today, the average salary is $32,830. As stated, freelancers dominate the photography field. In fact, according to the Bureau, “more companies contract with freelancers rather than hire their own photographers.” Based on salaries for all independent artists combined, independent contractors may earn anywhere from $41,210-$51,340 per year. Freelancers and others with multiple clients may average more than $80,000 per year.

Although employment for Texas photographers decreased somewhat between 2002 and today, the future for photographers overall still looks bright. Across the U.S., employment in the photography industry is expected to increase by 13 percent for the 2010-2020 decade. This means, the industry will add 17,500 new jobs in the coming years.