Santa Monica College (SMC) is a 2-year public school with the widest course offerings among public 2-year colleges in Southern California. The Photography Program offers a comprehensive suite of classes covering the range from the basics in film and digital capture to advanced techniques in image creation, modification and output. We have ten fully equipped shooting bays for our intermediate and advanced studio production classes. We offer classes in the fundamentals of DSLR capture and printing through Adobe Lightroom and a class in digital video production for still photographers. We have a business of photography class to prepare students for conducting their careers profitably. We enjoy continued support from many photographic imaging companies including Adobe Systems, Bogen Imaging, Canon, California Sunbounce, Photoworkshop.com and the MAC Group at a level of commitment that is reserved for only the top photography programs in the United States. Local vendor support comes from Samy’s Camera, Freestyle Photographic Supply, Woodland Hills Camera, Bel Air Camera, A&I Photographic Services and others.

We have articulation agreements with Brooks Institute of Photography, Santa Barbara, California and Art Institute of Colorado, Denver, Colorado. This means that when you earn an AA degree from SMC you can transfer to either of these 4-year schools as a junior, saving yourself $40,000+. Please Click to download: The Associate Arts Degree PDF
Many talented and famous photographers come to address our students, conduct workshops, and exhibit work in our dedicated
photography gallery.