PHOTOGRAPHY Major at Eastern Mennonite University

Eastern Mennonite University offers one of the only photography majors at a Christian college. Our unique program emphasizes proficiency in the digital arena (with an introduction to traditional darkroom techniques). Students learn studio/field practices, study visual theory, and engage the community through documentary work. The EMU photo major unfolds in the context of our Christian liberal arts community, a multicultural, peace-oriented environment that values effective cross-cultural communication and passionate engagement with the world. We prepare students for a range of photographic possibilities from studio/freelance positions to further graduate training.

Internship opportunities abound in the EMU/Harrisonburg area. Several of our visual and communication arts students have gained important work experience as photo interns for Fairfield Language Technologies, makers of Rosetta Stone, the world's leading language learning software. Students also have cross-cultural photo opportunities such as Professor Jerry Holsopple's Lithuania trip.

Students have access to our collection of Canon digital SLRs and lenses at no charge. Film cameras are also available for a modest rental fee. Our digital media lab features the Adobe CS3 Creative Suite and 20 inch (Intel based) iMacs for digital photo editing.

Career Possibilities

Curious about the vocational possibilities for EMU alums? Visit our VACA careers page.

See our faculty page for examples of faculty work.

Media Coverage

VaCa student work has received attention from national and international media. The Washington Post covered our class documentary on the Kurdish community in Harrisonburg, and the BBC ran student photos from the documentary on their Web site.

Photographs by Carrie Keagy, Senior (part of a book project for Color Photo class)