Digital Photography Program for US Veterans

We are proud to announce the roll-out of our Photography Vocational Training Program. This is a pilot program that will initially be offered only in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area with plans to deploy nationally. With the cooperation of Nikon USA and the Ann Arbor VA Hospital, we are very excited to begin our photography curriculum. All courses are open to eligible Veterans.

For the Fall Semester we will be enrolling Veterans that are currently participating in a Mental Health Department program or counseling through the Ann Arbor Veterans Administration Hospital.

The photographer documents the human experience, captures the expressions of emotion, provides us with news, and enriches our lives with their creations. With the advent of Digital photography, the mechanics and art of photography are constantly evolving. To be successful in a photographic career, a photographer must combine their artistic talent with technical proficiency to master the rapid advances this field is continually experiencing.

V Vet offers Photography Programs that are designed to provide our Veterans with a rigorous study of the elements of image production and manipulation, a wide range of professional camera and lighting equipment and the ability to capture a moment in time through the lens that evokes a response.

To produce a visually compelling image, a photographer needs more than creativity – they need to have a working knowledge of composition, lighting, camera and technical skills and a thorough understanding of the subject. Students will have an opportunity to learn these skills and be challenged to build upon their creativity.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Employment of photographers is projected to grow by 13 percent from 2010 to 2020, about as fast as the average for all occupations. […]Employment of self-employed photographers is expected to grow by 15 percent from 2010 to 2020. Demand for wedding and portrait photographers will continue as people continue to get married and need new portraits. In addition, corporations will continue to require the services of commercial photographers to develop compelling advertisements to sell products.” The BLS adds, “Job prospects will be best for candidates who are multitalented and possess related skills such as picture editing and capturing digital video.”

Each program listed below will consist of a eight week session meeting once per week for 2 hours. Enrollment and completion of the first two programs are a pre-requisite of any of the later programs.

Click on any of the above programs for a detailed syllabus.