West Virginia is home to dozens of art venues and associations, and thousands of working artists. They typically work at photography studios, creative agencies, entertainment companies, television studios, newspapers, public relations firms, and in tourism. However, some West Virginia-based photographers may work in other growing areas such as research centers, forensics labs, law enforcement agencies, and medical centers.
For most of these positions, a degree and experience are often preferred. For portrait studios, this may not be the case as many provide on-the-job training. Overall, though, a degree from an accredited college is the best way to increase your chances of securing a lucrative position in the field. Some employer’s may accept an associate’s degree for entry-level positions, while others may require a bachelor’s degree in photography, photography & digital imaging, digital photography, or other related degree.
Fortunately, several top ten schools in the State of West Virginia offer competitive programs for aspiring photographers. Just a few include School of Art & Design at West Virginia University and Shepherd University.
West Virginia Photography Schools
West Virginia is home to 46 Title IV degree-granting colleges and universities. Of the state’s 46 Title IVs, nine are private not-for-profit, 14 are private for-profit, and 23 are public. Whether public or private, for-profit or not-for-profit, all Title IV schools are eligible for federal financial aid programs. This means, even the state’s most expensive schools are accessible to talented students with financial need.
Four top-tier Title IVs offer excellent programs for aspiring photographers. Scroll through the list below to review West Virginia’s best schools for aspiring photographers and the programs they offer.
Huntington
Marshall University - Degrees Offered: BFA Fine Art, BFA Visual Arts with a Photography Emphasis
Morgantown
West Virginia University - Degrees Offered: BFA Intermedia and Photography; MA, MFA Studio Art with a Concentration in Intermedia and Photography; Minor in Photography
Philippi
Alderson Broaddus College - Degrees Offered: BFA Visual Arts with a Concentration in Photography or Digital Arts; Minor in Digital Arts with Coursework in Photography, Minor in Visual Arts with Coursework in Photography and Digital Arts
Shepherdstown
Shepherd University - Degrees Offered: BFA Art with a Photography/Computer Digital Media Concentration; Minor in Photography/Computer Imagery
More West Virginia Photography related programs to consider:
- San Francisco & Online
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#14) - 2021
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#37) - 2021
- Top 50 Nationally for Illustration (#24) - 2021
- Top 50 Nationally for Graphic Design (#38) - 2021
- Winter Park, FL & Online
- Computer Animation - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Game Programs - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
- Graphic Design & Digital Arts - Bachelor's - Online & Campus
- Film & Digital Cinematography - Bachelor's & Master's - Online & Campus
- Mobile Development - Bachelor's - Online
- Simulation & Visualization - Bachelor's - Campus
- Top 50 Nationally for Animation (#11) - 2021
- Top 50 Nationally for Game Design (#10) - 2021
- Top 25 in the South for Graphic Design (#10) - 2021
- Online
Employment and Salary Trends for West Virginia Photographers
West Virginia is home to 5,090 professionals working in Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media (ADESM) occupations. Of this group, 140 are salaried photographers averaging $32,990 per year up from $24,750 in 2010 when the state was home to 280 photographers. Nationwide, the median pay for salaried photographers is $30,490 per year.
Around three in five photographers are self-employed, so it is safe to assume that the population of photographers in West Virginia is much higher. These individuals typically earn more and enjoy greater employment growth as well. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the "Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers” industry has the third highest concentration of employment for photographers. Further, members of this group average $47,180 per year and employment for the group is projected to grow nine percent for the 2014-2024 decade.
Projected growth, says the BLS, will be due to the demand for portrait photographers, which will persist as people continue to want new portraits. In addition, corporations will continue to require the services of commercial photographers to develop compelling advertisements to sell products. Nationwide, employment for photographers is projected to grow three percent for the 2014-2024 decade, which is slower than the average for all occupations. At this rate, the industry is expected to add around 3,900 new jobs in the coming years. Overall growth will be limited because of the decreasing cost of digital cameras and the increasing number of amateur photographers and hobbyists, says the Bureau.
In addition, stock photographic services available online give individuals and businesses access to stock photographs for a fee or subscription, possibly dampening demand for photographers. Declines in the newspaper industry will reduce demand for news photographers to provide still images for print, says the Bureau. Employment of photographers in newspaper publishing is projected to decline a staggering 41 percent for the 2014-2024 decade, according to the BLS.
The industries with the highest levels of employment for photographers are:
- Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Radio and Television Broadcasting
- Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers
- Motion Picture and Video Industries
- Other Personal Services
The Industries with the highest concentration of employment for photographers are:
- Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
- Radio and Television Broadcasting
- Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers
- Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers
- Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Water
The top paying states for photographers are:
- District of Columbia ($66,410)
- New York ($54,030)
- California ($52,750)
- Hawaii ($47,740)
- New Mexico ($46,220)
The top paying industries for photographers are:
- Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing ($76,090)
- Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories ($69,230)
- Motion Picture and Video Industries ($67,160)
- Scientific Research and Development ($63,530)
- Other Information Services ($61,090)
The states with the highest employment levels for photographers are California, New York, Florida, Texas, and Illinois.
While employment growth for photographers is projected to be slower than average overall, West Virginia-based photographers can do a few things to increase their chances of finding employment without having to move to California or New York. Consider checking into portrait studios, local publications, technology firms, schools, creative agencies, and design studios. And stick to major cities such as Charleston, Huntington, Parkersburg, Morgantown, and Wheeling.
Awesome Animation Fact: Did you know that it takes a full year for one Family Guy (1999 - ) episode to get on air? Nearly every episode has two versions too: one for DVD and one for television. -BuzzFeed