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Fashion photographer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a fashion photographer. Fashion photographers usually study photography, graphic design, or fine arts. 67% of fashion photographers hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 377 real fashion photographer resumes to see exactly what fashion photographer education sections show.
The most common colleges for fashion photographers are the San Francisco State University and the San Francisco State University.
There are also many online fashion photographer courses to help get the education required to be a fashion photographer.
What education do you need to become a fashion photographer?
What degree do you need to be a fashion photographer?
- Bachelor's, 67%
- Associate, 18%
- Master's, 6%
- High School Diploma, 4%
- Other Degrees, 5%
What should I major in to become a fashion photographer?
- Photography, 38%
- Graphic Design, 17%
- Fine Arts, 11%
- Communication, 5%
- Other Majors, 29%
Most common colleges for fashion photographers
| Fashion photographer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| San Francisco State University | 8.93% |
| Fashion Institute of Technology | 8.93% |
| Syracuse University | 7.14% |
| The New School | 7.14% |
| Savannah College of Art and Design | 7.14% |
Best majors for fashion photographers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Photography | 38.5% |
| 2 | Graphic Design | 16.7% |
| 3 | Fine Arts | 10.9% |
| 4 | Communication | 5.0% |
| 5 | Business | 3.6% |
Best colleges for fashion photographers
The best colleges for fashion photographers are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Carnegie Mellon University.
A fashion photographer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for fashion photographers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become fashion photographers.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
3. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,465
Enrollment
6,483
4. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
5. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
6. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
7. University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$10,610
Enrollment
40,329
8. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$51,522
Enrollment
13,760
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
10. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
20 best online courses for fashion photographers
Advertising disclosure
1. Digital Fashion Innovation
Digital Fashion Innovation is a collaboration between Parsons School of Design at The New School and The Digital Fashion Group Academy.\n\nIn this specialization, we examine the revolution of the fashion industry as it has set course towards a more digital and sustainable future. Through three different courses, you will not only look creatively at the ways technology can combat industry-wide challenges in fashion, but actively explore avenues to join the effort to create a more ethical fashion...
2. Digital Fashion Industry
Digital Fashion Industry is a collaboration between Parsons School of Design at The New School and The Digital Fashion Group Academy. This course explains how digital technologies have the potential to dramatically impact and positively improve the fashion industry by creating a more sustainable digital ecosystem. You will explore the role of the consumer as they demand a shift towards more ethically sourced products and brands, focusing on how this transformation happens through the support of...
3. Fashion Blogging: Starting a Fashion Blog
Fashion blogging made simple - wordpress, photography, blog name, brand collaborations...
4. Intro to Fashion Illustration -Beginners- Fashion Design
Covering a range of drawing and design techniques, various materials, and tools to create finished fashion illustration!...
5. Digital Fashion Mindset
Digital Fashion Mindset is a collaboration between Parsons School of Design at The New School and The Digital Fashion Group Academy. This course teaches you to recognize the significance of the digital revolution in historical and present-day contexts and how it relates to the fashion industry’s ability to use technology creatively and collaboratively. Digital Fashion Mindset teaches you to recognize the significance of the digital revolution in historical and present-day contexts and how it...
6. Fashion Retail Transformation
In this course, Parsons faculty and industry experts dive deep into the transformation of fashion retail. You’ll explore the fusion of retail and entertainment and the increasing importance of omnichannel client relationships. Through an examination of disruptive retail innovations, such as on-demand delivery and virtual reality, you’ll learn how industry leaders are keeping up with customer expectations. You’ll look at e-commerce strategies through the lens of listening to and applying...
7. Learn to draw fashion with Adobe Illustrator CC - Beginners
Illustrator training specifically tailored for fashion designers...
8. Fashion 101 Design & Styling- Textures, Shaping, & More!
Learn the Fundamentals of Fashion Design & Styling Including: Textures, Patterns, Body Types, & More!...
9. Learn to draw fashion with Adobe Illustrator CC Intermediate
Illustrator training specifically tailored for fashion designers...
10. Pattern Making for Fashion Design -PART 1- Essential Skills!
How to Use Pattern Making Principals and Techniques to Draft and Manipulate Patterns to Create Your Fashion Design Ideas...
11. Basic Fashion Illustration
From a 4-month course to a 2-hour video. Learn the simple techniques of how to draw fashion figures and postures...
12. Sketching for Fashion Design ~ Beginner Course for Designers
Learn Step-by-Step Professional Fashion Drawing Techniques. Using Croquis, Plumb Lines, Body Movement, Shading, Folds et...
13. Draping for Fashion Design - Creative Techniques Made Simple
Basic Draping Skills and Techniques to Develop Your Fashion Design Patterns. 1-Dart, 2-Dart Bodice. Skirt. Circle Skirt...
14. Become a fashion buyer - learn the essentials
Learn the essential tasks of a fashion buyer and skills required to secure your first role!...
15. Fabrics for Fashion Design: Essential Learning for Designers
Fundamental Categories, Characteristics, Properties of Fabric: Develop a Fashion Collection Using Fabric As Inspiration...
16. A Lifestyle/Fashion Enthusiast's Guide to Blogging by Mimi G
A complete guide to starting, branding, and monetizing a lifestyle or fashion blog. Learn to be THE source in any field!...
17. How To Create A Fashion Collection and Launch Your Own Brand
Designing a Fashion Line. A step-by-step Comprehensive Guide for Mastering Fashion Designing: from Inspiration to Market...
18. Fashion Marketing Strategy: How To Promote & Sell Your Brand
Essential Strategies for Brand Management for Success in Fashion Design. Social Commerce is the New Storefront...
19. Pattern Making for Fashion Design - PART 2 (Yokes, Stripes,)
Pattern Making, Draping, Design Elements, Together as Techniques to Create New Designs: Yokes, Stripes, Princess Seams...
20. Pattern Cutting & Making for Absolute Beginners - Fashion
The ultimate video series for learning basic pattern cutting/making. WE DON'T COVER BLOCK CREATION...
Top 10 most affordable universities for fashion photographers
The most affordable schools for fashion photographers are University of Florida, california state university - long beach, and brooklyn college of the city university of new york.
If the best universities for fashion photographers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for fashion photographers.
1. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
2. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
3. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
4. Fashion Institute of Technology
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$5,740
Cost of attendance
17,864
5. Lehman College of the City University of New York
Bronx, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,210
Cost of attendance
14,359
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
7. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
8. University of Central Florida
Orlando, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,368
Cost of attendance
21,034
9. California State University - Northridge
Northridge, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,893
Cost of attendance
18,870
10. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for fashion photographers
The hardest universities for fashion photographers to get into are Northwestern University, Harvard University, and Carnegie Mellon University.
Some great schools for fashion photographers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for fashion photographers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
3. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
4. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions rate
9%
SAT average
1,516
5. Northeastern University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
19%
SAT average
1,466
6. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
7. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
8. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
9. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
10. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for fashion photographers
The easiest schools for fashion photographers to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, cardinal stritch university, and notre dame de namur university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a fashion photographer without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for fashion photographers.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
2. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions rate
71%
SAT average
1,035
3. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
4. Grand View University
Des Moines, IA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,060
5. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
6. Centenary University
Hackettstown, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
67%
SAT average
987
7. Notre Dame College
Cleveland, OH • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
994
8. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
9. Curry College
Milton, MA • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,026
10. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
Average fashion photographer salary by education level
| Fashion photographer education level | Fashion photographer salary |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma or Less | $86,553 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $138,693 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $102,771 |
Fashion photographer education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025