Our wide-ranging curriculum will challenge you intellectually,
artistically, and technically so that you graduate from AIB with the
skills necessary for a rich and rewarding career in photography. First year BFA Photography majors dive right into the field with our unique and intensive Photography Foundation year courses. AIB's first-year Photography curriculum introduces you to critical, conceptual, historical, and technical studies. Classes also lay the groundwork for further exploration of traditional and new media in commercial studio, documentary, photojournalism, and fine art photography.
From the concentrated photographic base of your Photography Foundation and sophomore core concentrations, you will self-direct into areas of concentration that interest you the most. During your junior and senior years, you will be involved in concentrated portfolio seminars and will round out your curriculum from a menu of eclectic courses that fine-tune your skills. It's possible in a single year, you can learn about 19th century alternative processes, professional studio art, fine art digital printing, explore the web as an art form, take real life fashion and editorial illustration, and learn how to make artist's books.
Throughout your time as a Photography major at AIB, you will work intensively with faculty to build a portfolio that will be evaluated by juries of faculty and professional artist photographers. You will also receive numerous opportunities to exhibit in the department's student curated Gallery South and for a solo exhibition at Lesley. You will also have the chance to publish your work in our annual student photography publication and class, Taking In.
To help prepare you for life after graduation, we encourage students to obtain a wide range of internships. Past student Photography internships have included the following organizations: Magnum Picture Agency (NYC & Paris), National Geographic, The Boston Globe, Annie Leibovitz Studio, Joyce Tennyson Studio, OXFAM and UNICEF, the Maine Photographic Workshops, Ken Burns Films, Oxfam America, DeCordova Museum, Cultural Survival, and The Center for Photographic Arts.
Throughout your time as a Photography major at the Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University, you will be mentored by 25 experienced faculty members who represent a variety of viewpoints, backgrounds, and different approaches to the medium. Our classes are intimate and your teachers will train you artistically and conceptually with an eye upon your future in the photographic arts. AIB's vibrant community of photographic artists work and thrive in our state-of-the-art facilities with equipment that provides the tools needed to realize any vision, concept, or inspiration.
Featured Courses
Intro to Alternative Photographic Processes
Investigate an extensive range of alternative photographic processes, including salted paper, gum bichromate, Argyrotype, kallitype, cyanotype, Van Dyke, platinum/palladium, Ziatype, albumen, pinhole, Lazertran, and hand-applied emulsions. See how these techniques result in new directions for your work.
Taking In: The Best of AIB Photography
Explore the professional publishing world. You will learn about the entire process—including submission recruitment, digital input, layout, design, proofing, how to communicate with commercial printers and binders, advertising, distribution, and exhibition. The class will organize a gallery showcase and gala opening to celebrate the release of the Taking In publication.
Faculty Spotlight
Dana Mueller | Photography Faculty
Adjunct Photography Faculty
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Brian Unwin | The Art Institute of Boston (AIB)
Adjunct Photo Faculty
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