PHO 260: Digital Photography Capstone and Portfolio Review
A portfolio project and portfolio review for Digital Photography majors
The Digital Photography Capstone and Portfolio Review class offers an opportunity to develop a multifaceted portfolio piece and hone your creative work into a polished presentation for future clients and employers.
The Digital Photography Capstone Project provides a simulation of an extended photography project. Students will take a photography project from concept to final presentation. Students work closely with the department head, developing a client brief for a project that provides a deep exploration of an area of photography.
Students participate in Portfolio Review in weeks 9-15 of the semester. This provides students the opportunity to gather and develop a portfolio of work and present it to faculty and classmates for feedback.
Visit the Student Gallery.
About This Course
Project-Based Learning
This portfolio project affords the opportunity for a professional photoshoot that results in a set of high quality, accomplished images that meets client and project goals and show your skills as a photographer. Students will also assemble a high quality final portfolio of work for instructor review and peer feedback. Student work will be evaluated to assess the achievement of program outcomes defined for the Associate Degree in Digital Photography program.
What Skills Will I Develop?
Students in this course can expect to learn to:
- Research a local client/customer for your project, showing an understanding of both your client and photography genres and stylistic trends relevant to your project.
- Develop a photo shoot plan that addresses all essential factors for success: client goals, lighting, location, technology, and more.
- Conduct a photoshoot that results in a set of high quality, accomplished images that meet client and project goals and show your skills as a photographer.
- Select and digitally edit your project images into a set of professional standard final images.
- Present your work to the instructor and client in a compelling, professional manner.
- Assemble a portfolio of work, identifying and describe strengths and weaknesses in your work.
- Develop a plan for portfolio development and identify a desired career direction.
- Develop a professional summary of your design capabilities.
- Present a finalized portfolio of creative work.
What Software and Supplies Do I Need?
- Computer with Internet connection.
- Access to a standalone digital camera with manual control over ISO, Aperture, Shutter Speed, and White Balance, that allows for shooting in RAW format.
- Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom or equivalent programs.
- Experience in the above software.
Course Instructor(s)
The course is taught by the following instructor(s):
Felicia Kieselhorst
Felicia Kieselhorst is freelance photographer with her own business based in Oakland, CA. Felicia specializes in wedding and product photography, and works in digital and film photography, using primarily Nikon, Hasselblad, and an array of toy cameras.
Course Outline
Researching the Project
Students will research client options, scout a project, and create a project plan that encompasses client goals, lighting, location, technology, and more.
Conducting the Photo Shoot
The big day is here. Working from their plan, students execute their project photo shoot.
Selecting, Editing, and Presenting Images
It's time to curate your images. Students will select and edit their best images and develop a polished client presentation that can be delivered over the Web.
Portfolio Guidelines
Students are expected to create a portfolio that is useful to their future creative development, and to do so with attention to quality and detail. The final student portfolio will demonstrate professional presentation techniques and a written summary of the student's design capabilities.
Final Review
Student portfolios will be evaluated to assess the achievement of program outcomes defined for the Associate Degree in Digital Photography program.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How Do The Courses Work?
Our courses are project-based and instructor-led. In each course you’ll complete a series of lectures, projects, discussions, and critiques designed to stretch your creative skills. Weekly assignment deadlines keep you on track, and with no set-logins or Zoom meetings, you can build your studies around your schedule.
Who Are The Instructors?
Our courses are developed and taught by our industry-leading faculty of creative professionals. This means that you’ll learn in-demand skills, get feedback on your work, and build a portfolio of creative work. View our Student Gallery for featured student projects.
When Can I Start?
Classes start January, April, and August, and this course is completed in a 15-week term. This course is not available for individual enrollment; it can only be taken as part of a program.
Explore our Programs: Bachelor's Degree | Associate Degree | Undergraduate Certificate
How Do I Register?
This course is not available for individual enrollment; it can only be taken as part of a program. To register for a program, complete our program application.
Is Sessions College Accredited?
Yes. Since 2001, Sessions College has been accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). The Distance Education Accrediting Commission is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).