10+ Best photography schools in Texas

If you are looking for the best photography schools in Texas, then you are at the right place and time. As a lover of arts and photography, you would need to attend the best school of photography to become the best photographer you desire.

To reach the peak in your carrier as a photographer, you need to be sure you have all it takes to be one and you are taught by the right person and best school. So ask yourself the following questions

Do i have the ability to take any old random thing and turn it into a photographic work of art? Am i the person who takes a camera everywhere you go because you’re fascinated with the idea of forever capturing the human journey? If you answered “yes”, or even thought a confident “maybe”, a degree in photography is definitely for you.

Photographers must be more than creative; they must have a thorough understanding of the subject and the equipment. As a photography student, you will learn the basics of photography: the history of photography, lighting and composition, how to capture objects in motion, equipment operation and maintenance, and the use of computer applications to enhance images.

Because the technology world is constantly changing, successful photography students must learn how to adapt to the changes. What you learn while earning your degree should complement your current photography knowledge.

You can go to school to become a photography generalist or you can have a specialty such as photojournalism, digital media, or portraits. Make sure to do in-depth research to find the school that best fits your goals.

Keep in mind that fine arts specialty schools are typically more competitive than liberal arts colleges and typically require a strong portfolio. Most entry-level positions in photography require a bachelor’s degree, while some technical positions may only require an associate degree; teaching photography generally requires a master’s degree.

You can also see this 5 best fashion design Schools in Germany

Contents

What can you do with a photography degree?

After graduating from the best photography schools in Texas, what can one do with the degree gotten from this schools for photographers.

Fashion Photography

Fashion photographers are called upon to conceptualize and direct the photo shoots. 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, menus, and the like. 

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

Best Photography schools in Texas

1. Texas State University

Texas State University offers 1 Photography degree programs. It’s a very large, public, four-year university in a small city. In 2019, 11 Photography students graduated with students earning 11 Bachelor’s degrees.

Faculty from the various colleges have consistently been granted Fulbright Scholarships resulting in Texas State being recognized as one of the top producing universities of Fulbright Scholars.

At Texas State we believe in connecting what you learn here to the world beyond college. With degree programs to prepare you for hundreds of exciting career paths, you will find one that fuels your ambition. And our dedicated faculty will help you gain the experience you need to apply classroom discoveries as you meet real-world challenges

Photography at Texas State University

As one of the best Photography Schools in Texas, Photography program at Texas State University offers a broad spectrum of historically informed course work to provide a rigorous and supportive environment to prepare aspiring photographers for the ever evolving world of contemporary photographic practices.

Such a broad-based program allows students to investigate all aspects of the medium and garner the essential technical skills necessary to establish their own personal voices. After seven core classes ranging from traditional darkroom, to advanced digital, to readings in photography, each student participates in a two-semester thesis capstone.

During these two final courses students generate a professional caliber body of work culminating in a portfolio and exhibition. With an emphasis on individual artistic development, visual literacy, and critical inquiry, our program prepares well-informed, thoughtful, and highly skilled graduates for careers as artists, arts professionals, and/or continued studies at the graduate level.

Contact

Contact then to apply for one of the best photography schools in Texas

  • Address: San Marcos, Texas, United States
  • School of Art & Design
    • JCMitte Building, 601 University Drive
    • San Marcos, TX 78666
  • Phone
    • 512.245.2611
    • 512.245.7969 (fax)

Website

2. Saint Edwards University

Saint Edward’s University offers 1 Photography degree programs. It’s a small, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2019, 5 Photography students graduated with students earning 5 Bachelor’s degrees

As one of the best photography schools in Texas, saint Edwards University is a private non-for-profit institution with 4 years program

Photography major in Saint Edwards University

As a Photography and Media Arts major, you’ll go beyond creating images to understanding the messages they encode in our highly visual culture.

Learn traditional film-based photography in a wet darkroom, then build on the basics by moving to digital imaging. You’ll become well versed in both black-and-white and color photography, still and video.

You’ll learn how to work in a professional studio and take elective courses like documentary photography and photographic book design. And you’ll understand, well, the big picture: how the medium and uses of photography have changed over time, and how you can help shape photography’s future.

Carrier

Photography and Media Arts majors go on to a variety of careers and graduate schools from St. Edward’s. Here’s a sample.

  • Fashion designer and Project Runway judge
  • Owner and founder of New York City­­–based retouching studio
  • Associate producer at VICE Media
  • Publicity director of Brooklyn-based powerHouse Books, which specializes in fine art, documentary, pop culture, fashion and celebrity books
  • Art gallery manager at Texas Christian University

Contact

Contact then to apply to one of the best photography schools in Texas

  • Address: St. Edward’s University, 3001 South Congress, Austin, Texas 78704-6489
  • Phone:
    • 855-468-6738 (toll free)
    • 512-448-8400

Website

3. University of Houston

University of Houston offers 1 Photography degree programs. It’s a very large, public, four-year university in a large city. In 2019, 11 Photography students graduated with students earning 11 Bachelor’s degrees. Also in the list of best photography schools in Texas.

Established in 1927, the University of Houston empowers students in their pursuit of learning, discovery, leadership and engagement. Located in a sprawling metropolis, our premier Tier One campus provides students with cutting-edge programs including undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, distance and continuing education studies.

Ranked among the best colleges in America, UH is home to award-winning faculty, innovative research centers, alumni who have become international leaders and one of the most diverse student populations in the nation.

At the University of Houston, we prepare students to envision their future, emerge as leaders and launch careers that transform the world.

BFA in Photography/Digital Media at University of Houston

BFA students are expected to develop their own artistic identities supported by a solid grounding in the technical, historical, and critical approaches to studio practice.  Classroom technical instruction focuses on a thorough study of digital photography and video art, but also includes studio lighting, traditional photographic forms and large format photography.

Technical skills are fortified with historical and theoretical studies, and an examination of current practices in lens-based media. Most importantly, the PDM curriculum and pedagogy is aimed at developing in our students the ability to adapt to an ever-changing media environment.

Careers

For our most enthusiastic and committed graduates, the BFA is the beginning of a dynamic career making and exhibiting art.  Graduates contribute to the cultural vitality of the Houston community as well as other cultural centers around the world.  

PDM graduates are well positioned for acceptance into competitive graduate programs and many PDM graduates do choose to pursue an MFA.  

Specific career options include educator, freelance or staff videographer/photographer, digital technician, photographic editor or video editor.  Many students find employment in art institutions such as galleries, museums and non-profit art spaces as well as in support industries like documentation, archiving and art handling.

so get ready to apply for the best photography schools in Texas

Contact

  • School of Art
    • University of Houston, 4188 Elgin St., Room 100, Houston, TX 77204-4019
  • Phone: (713) 743-3001

School Office
soa@uh.edu

Undergraduate Advising
artadvising@uh.edu

Website

4. Sam Houston State University

Sam Houston State University offers 1 Photography degree programs. It’s a very large, public, four-year university in a faraway town. In 2019, 3 Photography students graduated with students earning 3 Bachelor’s degrees.

Sam Houston State University continually strives to honor its historical roots through academic excellence that includes exceptional teaching from faculty. For more than 140 years, SHSU has been preparing students for meaningful lives of achievement. Its motto, “The measure of a Life is its Service,” resonates among its 21,500+ students and echoes across eight colleges and beyond its Huntsville roots.

While embracing its legacy, SHSU also strives to meet the needs of contemporary students, both traditional and online. With a variety of fully online undergraduate and graduate degrees and numerous certificates and certifications, all of which are taught by on campus professors, SHSU Online has the option you’re looking for to reach your academic, personal, and professional goals

Photography program at Sam Houston State University

The Bachelor of Fine Arts in Photography prepares students to express themselves through photography by gaining a command of fundamental principles and practices. BFA students benefit from close observation and continual feedback from our faculty and are encouraged to find their own path through exploration as they develop their skills.

Coursework

All students must complete the W.A.S.H. (Workshop in Art Studio and History) upon entering the Art Program and pass a BFA portfolio review in their sophomore year in order to continue in the BFA program.

Students in the Photography BFA program take courses that teach skills in darkroom photography, alternative practices, and digital media. Students learn professional lighting techniques in a professionally equipped studio. Contemporary issues in photography are examined in courses on the human form, narrative photography, advanced studio, the history of photography, and a capstone course in professional practices.

The Art Department requires its students to own a Mac laptop with the current version of Adobe Creative Suite. This policy allows students to be as productive as possible without the confines of class schedules and lab hours. Financial aid and SHSU discounts are available to offset the cost.  Get details about financial aid and discounts for laptops.

Careers in Photography

  • Photographer
  • Freelancer
  • Curatorial Consultant
  • Art Librarian
  • Art K-12 Educator

Contact

  • Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, Texas 77341
  • Phone: (936) 294-1111 | (866) 

5. Texas Christian University

Texas Christian University offers 1 Photography degree programs. It’s a large, private not-for-profit, four-year university in a large city. In 2019, 2 Photography students graduated with students earning 2 Bachelor’s degrees.

As one of the best photography schools in Texas has a 77% and 47% graduation and Acceptance Rate respectively.

Contact

2800 S University Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76129, United States

Website

6. Texas A & M University

Also in our list of Best photography schools in Texas is the Texas A&M University and it is a renounced University in Texas, so get ready to apply.

Texas A&M opened its doors in 1876 as the state’s first public institution of higher learning. Today, we stand as a research-intensive flagship university dedicated to sending Aggie leaders out into the world prepared to take on the challenges of tomorrow.

Located in the heart of the Houston-Dallas-Austin triangle and within a two-hour drive of 26 million of the state’s 28 million residents, Texas A&M’s main campus in College Station is home to more than 69,000 students. Another 5,200 are at the branch campuses in Galveston and Qatar and at the School of Law, Higher Education Center at McAllen, and Health Science Center locations across Texas.

7. John Brown University

Established in 1919 by evangelist Dr. John E. Brown Sr., JBU was created to combine Christian liberal arts education with an emphasis on specialized vocational training. While we may not train airplane mechanics today, a “head, heart, hand” education with “Christ over all” is still our focus. 

John Brown University’s mission is to provide Christ-centered education that prepares people to honor God and serve others by developing their intellectual, spiritual and professional lives. This has added in making t one of the best photography schools in Texas.

We are a Christ-centered, interdenominational university that leads the nation in integrating faith and learning, fostering holistic spiritual formation, promoting pragmatic liberal arts education, and preparing people to follow Christ’s call to serve others in all areas of life.

John Brown University serves over 2,500 students from 50 nations and 41 states. JBU is a Christian university committed to providing quality academics within a distinctly Christian community. The university has no denominational affiliation and admits students of any faith. JBU is a vibrant and growing independent Christian university of the arts, sciences and professions.

Photography at John Brown University

In the photography major, you’ll learn how to frame up the perfect shot.
You’ll gain experience in a variety of mediums, use traditional and digital darkrooms
and learn cutting-edge editing software to help you succeed. 

Learn in our three art buildings that include two 3-story facilities featuring classrooms, a theater, two galleries, photo and cinema studios, MAC labs and a printmaking workshop. Also new is an “art barn” with additional large spaces for a state-of-the-art photo studio, drawing and painting classrooms, wood shop, ceramics studio and individual artist stations.

Tour the World

Tour across Europe with other photography majors, visiting an array of collections for student exposure, study, inspiration, and, best of all, college credit.

Display Your Creativity

Choose your favorite work from the year and display it at JBU’s Annual Student Art Show, a highlight on the JBU academic calendar

I call on you to register at this private non-for-profit Christian photography University as it has prove to be among the best photography schools in Texas

Contact

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

Website

Other Universities in the list of best photography schools in Texas

#1. San Antonio College

San Antonio College is a public community college in San Antonio, Texas. It is part of the Alamo Colleges District and the oldest public two-year college in Texas. The college has an average semester enrollment of 22,028 credit students and an average annual enrollment of 16,000 other-than-credit students. San Antonio College is the largest single-campus community college in Texas

Contact

San Antonio College, 1819 N Main Ave, San Antonio, TX, United States

Website

#2. Amarillo Collage

Amarillo College is committed to the future of Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle… As an institution our mission is to enrich the lives of our students and community by helping learners identify an educational pathway that will ultimately lead to success in life. Amarillo and the surrounding communities will thrive through this commitment to student success as we develop and educate the future workforce.

No Excuses 2025 is our commitment to every one of our students. From the time that they begin their educational journey, students will experience an equitable and affordable environment where they can develop skills to meet labor market demands or prepare for a smooth transfer to a 4-year institution

Contact

Student Services Center
2201 S. Washington St.
Amarillo, Texas 79109

Lecture Hall
6222 W. 9th Ave.
Amarillo, Texas 79106