Freelance Photography
The Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Freelance Photography prepares students to become versatile content creators by building skills in both still photography and video production. Students will develop an understanding of exposure principles, camera operations, digital workflows, video-based strategies, and studio lighting, along with the business and marketing practices essential to freelance success. The program emphasizes applied learning and creative flexibility, reflecting industry demand for photographers who can produce a range of content for clients, small businesses, and digital platforms. This certificate is designed for those seeking to build careers as freelance photographers and content creators. An Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Photography is also available.
Details
Field of Interest
Visual and Performing Arts
Degree Type
Certificate of Completion (CCL)
Academic Plan
Freelance Photography (CER)
Academic Plan Code
5784
Total credits required
31
Catalog Year
2026-2027
Effective Term
Fall 2026
Notes
Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
There will be costs for supplies and equipment in this program.
What You'll Learn
- Apply principles of design, aesthetics, and visual communication to photographic and time-based media.
- Create original still and video-based images that demonstrate technical skill and creative vision.
- Apply a broad range of camera techniques with accuracy and adaptability.
- Demonstrate a thorough and adaptable knowledge of current digital imaging and media software(s) to produce professional visual content.
- Design and manage an efficient digital imaging workflow.
- Apply effective lighting techniques in natural, artificial, and mixed-light.
- Analyze contemporary and historical trends that influence photographic practice.
- Critically evaluate photographic and time-based works using established criteria.
- Develop a professional portfolio that reflects personal vision and technical proficiency.
- Demonstrate professional practices for freelance photography, including communication, project management, pricing, marketing, and ethical/legal considerations.
Career Statistics
Successful completion of this certificate may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this certificate. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.
Photographic Process Workers and Processing Machine Operators
$41,890
Self-Enrichment Teachers
$48,240
* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources
Course Sequence by Term
The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:
- Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Degree Progress Report Tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
- The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
- Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
- Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
Full-time Sequence
Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ART131 | Photography I | Critical course Gateway course | HU | 3 | |
| AVC100 | Introduction to Digital Arts | Critical course | 1 | ||
| AVC142 | Introduction to Digital Photography | 3 | |||
| AVC177 | Digital Photographic Imaging I | 3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ART132 | Photography II | Critical course | 3 | ||
| ART136 or ART290MC or AVC150 |
Documentary Photography or Studio Art: Digital Photography or Multimedia Storytelling | None or AHM, HU | 3 | ||
| AVC143 | Intermediate Digital Photography | 3 | |||
| AVC178 or FMP108 |
Digital Arts Studies or Video Production | 3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ART255 | Art Marketing | 3 | |||
| AVC138 or AVC232 |
Commercial Photography I or Studio Lighting | 3 | |||
| RE | Restricted Electives | 3 |
Restricted Electives
Complete three (3) credits from the Restricted Electives area. Note: Courses identified as “OR” options within the Required Courses are also listed among the Restricted Electives. When a course is used to fulfill a Required Course option, it cannot be applied toward the Restricted Electives requirement.
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ART112 | Two-Dimensional Design | 3 | |||
| ART133 | Photography III | 3 | |||
| ART136 | Documentary Photography | 3 | |||
| ART137 | Alternative Photographic Processes | 3 | |||
| ART234 | Color Photography | 3 | |||
| ART290EC | Studio Art: Photography | 3 | |||
| ART295DA | Art Workshop/Seminar: Photography | 1 | |||
| ART295DB | Art Workshop/Seminar: Photography | 2 | |||
| ART295DC | Art Workshop/Seminar: Photography | 3 | |||
| AVC138 | Commercial Photography I | 3 | |||
| AVC140 | Portrait Photography | 3 | |||
| AVC150 | Multimedia Storytelling | AHM, HU | 3 | ||
| AVC181 | Graphic Design I | 3 | |||
| AVC232 | Studio Lighting | 3 | |||
| AVC270 | Digital Photographic Imaging II | 3 | |||
| AVC274 | Digital Photographic Imaging III | 3 | |||
| AVC290DP | Art Studio: Digital Photography | 3 | |||
| AVC297AA | Commercial Art Internship | 1 | |||
| AVC297AB | Commercial Art Internship | 2 | |||
| AVC297AC | Commercial Art Internship | 3 | |||
| FMP108 | Video Production | 3 | |||
| FMP115 | Introduction to Editing for Media | 3 | |||
| GBS233 | Business Communication | L | 3 |
Part-time Sequence
Part-time status is 11 credit hours or less.
Term 1
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ART131 | Photography I | Critical course Gateway course | HU | 3 | |
| AVC100 | Introduction to Digital Arts | Critical course | 1 | ||
| AVC142 | Introduction to Digital Photography | 3 |
Term 2
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ART132 | Photography II | Critical course | 3 | ||
| AVC143 | Intermediate Digital Photography | 3 | |||
| AVC177 | Digital Photographic Imaging I | 3 |
Term 3
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ART136 or ART290MC or AVC150 |
Documentary Photography or Studio Art: Digital Photography or Multimedia Storytelling | None or AHM, HU | 3 | ||
| AVC178 or FMP108 |
Digital Arts Studies or Video Production | 3 |
Term 4
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ART255 | Art Marketing | 3 | |||
| AVC138 or AVC232 |
Commercial Photography I or Studio Lighting | 3 | |||
| RE | Restricted Electives | 3 |
Restricted Electives
Complete three (3) credits from the Restricted Electives area. Note: Courses identified as “OR” options within the Required Courses are also listed among the Restricted Electives. When a course is used to fulfill a Required Course option, it cannot be applied toward the Restricted Electives requirement.
| Course Number | Course Name | Requisites | Notes | Area | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ART112 | Two-Dimensional Design | 3 | |||
| ART133 | Photography III | 3 | |||
| ART136 | Documentary Photography | 3 | |||
| ART137 | Alternative Photographic Processes | 3 | |||
| ART234 | Color Photography | 3 | |||
| ART290EC | Studio Art: Photography | 3 | |||
| ART295DA | Art Workshop/Seminar: Photography | 1 | |||
| ART295DB | Art Workshop/Seminar: Photography | 2 | |||
| ART295DC | Art Workshop/Seminar: Photography | 3 | |||
| AVC138 | Commercial Photography I | 3 | |||
| AVC140 | Portrait Photography | 3 | |||
| AVC150 | Multimedia Storytelling | AHM, HU | 3 | ||
| AVC181 | Graphic Design I | 3 | |||
| AVC232 | Studio Lighting | 3 | |||
| AVC270 | Digital Photographic Imaging II | 3 | |||
| AVC274 | Digital Photographic Imaging III | 3 | |||
| AVC290DP | Art Studio: Digital Photography | 3 | |||
| AVC297AA | Commercial Art Internship | 1 | |||
| AVC297AB | Commercial Art Internship | 2 | |||
| AVC297AC | Commercial Art Internship | 3 | |||
| FMP108 | Video Production | 3 | |||
| FMP115 | Introduction to Editing for Media | 3 | |||
| GBS233 | Business Communication | L | 3 |
Course Area Key
Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.
Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.
- AHM = Arts and Humanities
- HU = Humanities, Fine Arts & Design
- L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
Disclaimer
Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.
Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.
View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award at https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm11?id=16459212.
At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.
Previous Catalog Years
The pathway map presented above is for the current catalog year and is the intended pathway map for new students. All previous catalog years for this pathway map are available at the link below.
Previous catalog years for Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Freelance Photography