CBU's photography major explores the practice and theory of photography via technical
understandings and methodological explorations of the photography medium as applied
to commercial, fine art, and social practice.
Through the introduction of narrative, conceptual development, and Christian worldview,
students in CBU's photography program will acquire a unique stylistic aesthetic and
photographic voice, leading to a professional portfolio. Best practices, latest technologies,
ideation, craft, and business acumen are embedded into the instruction and mentorship
– all with the intention of sending graduates out to make an impact for the Kingdom.
Classrooms are integral but they are a place to stagnate. Whether it is a mountain
shoot, internship, studio tour, desert shoot, pool shoot, field trip, speaking engagement
or just fellowship, we build a community of designers that connect on campus and off.
Our students learn to understand the power of their work and grow to direct others
— then to change others.
Gain Real-World Experience
Living and studying within proximity to the major photographic markets of Los Angeles,
Orange, and San Diego counties, students in CBU's photography program are given opportunities
to engage with professionals at industry events, attend artist talks, and view contemporary
exhibitions. These real-world opportunities will nurture their artistic practice in
their future careers.
Program Details
PHO 330: Visual Storytelling
This course integrates a conceptual framework and narrative structure into the photographic
process. Utilizing color, design and visual communication skills to evoke emotion,
students will learn how narrative shapes messaging.
PHO 432: Location Lighting
Students will be able to approach locations efficiently to determine what artificial
lighting methods to introduce, to create technically refined photographs.
PHO 499: Portfolio and Gallery
Students will apply the skills necessary for the professional presentation of a completed
body of work including editing, sequencing, printing, marketing, portfolio design,
and gallery presentation.
Students will define a unique stylistic aesthetic while demonstrating elements of
visual storytelling through narrative, concept, design, and Christian worldview.
Students through the critique process, will be able to articulate key formal and conceptual
issues in photographic work using language specific to their field.
Students will be proficient in studio and location lighting, utilizing tools current
in the photography industry.
Students will demonstrate a professional digital workflow; from capture, to post-production,
to digital delivery and print output.
Students will demonstrate a working knowledge of business practices and industry standards
relevant to their concentration.
Students continue to be recognized by the industry for their photographic works. Nationally
by; Communication Arts, American Photography, and the American Photographic Artists.
And internationally by the Lucie Foundation’s International Photography Awards.
2023 International Photography Awards – Official Selection
2023 American Photography 39
2023 Communication Arts Photography Annual 64
2023 Communication Arts Photography Shortlist
2022 Untitled Show – APA San Diego
2022 International Photography Awards – Honorable Mention
2022 Communication Arts Photography Annual 63
2022 Communication Arts Photography Shortlist
2022 American Photography 38
2022 Communication Arts Student Showcase
2021 Untitled Show – APA San Diego
2021 International Photography Awards – Honorable Mention
2021 Communication Arts Photography Shortlist
2021 American Photography 37
Going into photography, I just wanted to make cool images, from a commercial standpoint.
[A professor] opened my eyes, that I could do this to help people and to actually
shed light on God and bring glory to Him.
My time at CBU prepared me by allowing me to get a head start in this industry. I
tried everything I could and learned what worked and what didn’t those four years
so by the time I graduated I was ahead of the curve and could easily make that transition
to a professional.
We think outside the box on where to display students’ work. Locations have included
pop-up gallery shows, the spring show in shipping containers, downtown Riverside Arts
Walk, and Ontario International Airport.
Photos by Ryan Fields (’22), in the Ontario International Airport, focus on surfing.
CBU photography holds an exhibit space in the Ontario International Airport's Terminal
4 as part of Art at the Airport. Ryan Fields' photos on surfing were featured. “I
was honored and so excited that more people will be able to view the work we put so
much time and effort into,” Fields said. “I hope my work is able to give a look into
what the culture of surfing really is and emphasize the craftsmanship that goes into
a surfboard.”
Students at California Baptist University had their photography on display on campus
for the first Spring Show in 2022. Storage containers were used to create a temporary
pop-up providing over 400 feet of space, located on Lancer Lane and Campus View, next
to the JoAnn Hawkins Music Building. Each container featured photographic prints with
gallery-style lighting.
Students at California Baptist University had their photography on display on campus
for the first Spring Show in 2022. Storage containers were used to create a temporary
pop-up providing over 400 feet of space, located on Lancer Lane and Campus View, next
to the JoAnn Hawkins Music Building. Each container featured photographic prints with
gallery-style lighting.
Students at California Baptist University had their photography on display on campus
for the first Spring Show in 2022. Storage containers were used to create a temporary
pop-up providing over 400 feet of space, located on Lancer Lane and Campus View, next
to the JoAnn Hawkins Music Building. Each container featured photographic prints with
gallery-style lighting.
Exhibits for the 2023 CBU Photography + Graphic Design Spring Show took place on the
sidewalk next to the Dennis and Carol Troesh Engineering Building at California Baptist
University. More than 50 students — 31 photography and 23 graphic design and visual
experience students — had their work featured. The work was critiqued by students
and faculty throughout the year, with the program leads making the final selection.
For the show, the photos and graphic designs were printed on professional outdoor
vinyl, yielding photo-quality prints that withstand the weather, and installed on
structural pipes to create 6x6x6 cubes.
Exhibits for the 2023 CBU Photography + Graphic Design Spring Show took place on the
sidewalk next to the Dennis and Carol Troesh Engineering Building at California Baptist
University. More than 50 students — 31 photography and 23 graphic design and visual
experience students — had their work featured. The work was critiqued by students
and faculty throughout the year, with the program leads making the final selection.
For the show, the photos and graphic designs were printed on professional outdoor
vinyl, yielding photo-quality prints that withstand the weather, and installed on
structural pipes to create 6x6x6 cubes.
In Re-Perception, David Ardill creates moments through images that are rooted in reality
but separated through fantasy. Rather than looking at objects and the world at face
value, he takes ordinary and seemingly mundane elements and subtly repurposes them
into something extravagant. Resembling a child’s imaginative ability to create anything
out of nothing, he aims to achieve the same framework throughout his imagery. Photography
is his way to connect with others, not only by connecting with an audience but also
through the image-making process itself. While he is still driven by the result of
the imagery, he embraces the process of collaboration as much as, if not more than
the result. He takes his viewers with him through this process as he creates unique
environments for each subject. His vision is to change the viewers’ perception of
the world around them through the images he captures.
“Hand Shaped” is a documentary photography project that dives deep into the surf culture
and connects with the individuals that create surfboards. Handmade surfboards are
a specialty craft at this point in history. In an era of computer autonomy, it can
seem inefficient and unnecessary to make with our hands. For many, shaping represents
the freedom to build and ride any board one can imagine and the satisfaction of every
build. Shapers use fluorescent light cut from the top and bottom to form a precise
ray of light that reveals shapes hidden within surfboards that are invisible to the
eye otherwise. I chose to take a step back, observe the unobserved, and portray the
attention to detail that occurs without my presence becoming aware.
“Mi Vida.” is a photographic project where Valeria Ramirez captures the life, history,
and culture of her parents, as well as her own. Her mother, Rosario, is from Guadalajara,
Mexico, and her Father, Manuel, is from Queretaro, Mexico. Ramirez takes the viewer
on a journey through the members of her family, precious heirlooms, and their environment,
the work throughout the series exemplifies the value of discovering one’s history,
customs, and culture and how doing so will enhance an individual’s unique self-identity.
Photographer Tricia Byerrum travels California exploring the various attributes of
modern cowboys and cowgirls. Her project, “The California Cowboy,” artistically documents
the American West with a specific gaze on the state’s multitude of regions and communities
that help cater to its diversity of horsemen. Tricia believes a cowboy is hardworking,
honest, and devoted to the outdoors, livestock, and the western lifestyle. Being a
cowboy should not be a fashion or a trend. It is a lifestyle and reflections from
the heart. Many people have a particular perception of the “mythical cowboy.” A lone
wolf who takes on and conquers anything and lives in a world without a need for other
people. Tricia shares that most cowboys and cowgirls she meets care about their surrounding
community and families. She discovers more than just the typical old western cowboy.
Vaqueros, Charros, Cowpunchers, Buckaroos, Rodeo Athletes, and Black cowboys all are
passionate about their inclusion in this world. Tricia’s goal is to showcase all the
different types of cowboys throughout California by illustrating the hardships and
beauty of this rugged yet fulfilling lifestyle through the blend of traditional and
modern values.
Having grown up in the performing arts world and leaving it behind to pursue her career
goals, Camille Rose finds it difficult to forget her theatrical past. However, through
her photographic work, she captures the unseen moments of theatrical life and backstage
production and discovers a new role to play within show business. This photographic
series pulls back the curtain to reveal the hidden perspectives of theatrical performers
and technicians. There are months of work and repetition that go into live performances.
Between the first table read to closing night, hundreds of quick decisions and changes
are made by people the audience will never see on stage. Costume designers might switch
around fabrics, or directors will stage a scene in multiple different ways before
settling on a decision. In some unfortunate cases, a prop gets lost, but the audience
never knows. Camille Rose’s photographic series offers a window that peers behind
the dazzling theatrics on stage. The moments that are [UN]Scene.
“For what it is” by Raymond Alva is a documentary and portrait-based project revolving
around skateboarding culture and those within it. This project has become a symbol
of what skateboarding is all about. Skating is not something that anyone can just
pick up. It takes time. You must invest yourself in skateboarding to see it for what
it is. This project has become poetic in itself due to the fact that the things I
had to learn and areas I had to grow in were exactly what skaters have to deal with
on the daily. Being a skater can bring on many problems. To be one though, you must
understand how to adjust to what’s thrown at you and make the most out of it. Skateboarders
are constantly falling on tricks, getting thrown out of spots, and learning to find
solutions to their problems, whether on a board or off. Skateboarders are often seen
as standoffish, but that is only because people don’t allow themselves to learn from
their viewpoint. This pushes skaters to surround themselves with people like-minded
to them, creating a bond stronger than any group I’ve ever seen. Their resilience
and passion are something that every skater gains eventually, but something new skaters
strive for in the beginning.
Student Opportunities: ONT Airport Display
Since fall 2022, photographs taken by CBU alumni have been displayed in Terminal 4
at the Ontario International Airport. It's part of their Art at the Airport initiative.
CBU has the space for two years. Students’ work will be changed twice a year. “The
prompt is to get the photographers' work out there to the public, to engage the community
as a viewer and prompt curiosities and start conversations,” said Christopher Kern,
photography program director.
Photography students can make use of an indoor photography studio, equipment room
with various cameras and accessories, a traditional darkroom, and a digital darkroom
with 24 iMacs installed with the latest Adobe Creative Cloud and CaptureOne Pro software.
The opportunity to secure a job is now more possible than ever because of the shift
from agency to client direct work, and the reclassification of the freelancer to an
employee. Historically, these positions have been limited to the major advertising
markets and to the contracting of freelancers. Studies in photography can lead to
a variety of roles within the photography Industry.