Pursuing an undergraduate degree in photography can be an expensive endeavor, with the average cost of a 4-year degree totaling tens of thousands of dollars. This places significant financial strain on students, especially given photography’s position as a less mainstream field of study. In the 2019-2020 academic year, only 2,438 students graduated with photography degrees nationwide – a tiny fraction compared to more popular subjects.
Yet the career prospects for aspiring photographers are quite bright. Employment opportunities in areas such as photojournalism, nature photography, and graphic design are projected to increase 17% from 2020 to 2030 – outpacing national job growth. Over 12,000 new photography-related openings are expected annually. There is a need for newly trained talent.
Institutions can empower the next generation of visual creators and storytellers by awarding more photography-focused scholarships to deserving undergraduates. This would make photography programs more affordable and attractive to applicants and help universities better support a field of increasing economic and cultural importance. Investing in the professional development of photographers also pays dividends to society at large. It ensures high-quality visual media that informs, inspires, and impacts countless individuals.
In short, photography scholarships help foster talent, fuel a growing industry’s need for skilled workers, and provide long-term value through impactful images. More widespread and accessible aid programs for promising photographers can set students up for fruitful careers while advancing an innovative art form with much to offer.
Here is a list of Photography scholarships to apply for in 2024:
KC R. Sandidge Photography Scholarship
Photography holds immense power. With a camera, we can crystallize fleeting moments, reveal hidden truths, and profoundly impact how people see the world. As photographer Dorothea Lange so perfectly put it, “The camera is an instrument that teaches people how to see without a camera.”
We are seeking to award a scholarship to one rising high school senior who recognizes photography’s unique ability to tell vivid, compelling stories. Our goal is to support a student poised to carry on this impactful visual craft in college and beyond.
The ideal recipient will demonstrate two key traits in their application:
First, a passion for photography and a thoughtfully curated portfolio that displays their artistic voice and perspective. We welcome a diverse range of styles, techniques, and subject matter – the connective thread should be the applicant’s ambition to grow as a visual communicator and storyteller.
Second, compelling evidence of financial need and potential barriers that might otherwise prevent the applicant from nurturing their talents in college. This scholarship aims to empower creativity by easing such burdens.
To apply, applicants should submit 3-5 images from their photography portfolio that connect to tell a story. Light editing for clarity is permitted, but the essence of what was captured should remain intact.
In awarding this scholarship, we will assess applicants holistically – prioritizing talent, need, and the individual stories conveyed in Bold.org student profiles. We hope to support a promising photographer poised to create images that impact how people see the world.
Grady Reese Memorial Scholarship
The act of photography has a remarkable dual power – to document life’s fleeting moments as they happen, yet also cement them as timeless. This was evident in the work of renowned stock photographer Grady Reese, Lakeville North High School class of 1993. Though Grady tragically passed in a 2020 motorcycle accident, his talents live on as inspiration.
In his honour, Grady’s sister Megan, a teacher in the Lakeville community, has established the Grady Reese Memorial Scholarship Fund. This scholarship aims to support college-bound seniors from Grady’s alma mater who share his creative passion. Just as Grady’s images will endure as his legacy, this scholarship seeks to empower future visual storytellers in perpetuity.
The ideal recipient will emulate Grady’s affection for the community and his ambition to capture impactful photographs. Applicants attending Lakeville North High School and pursuing any area of higher education are eligible to apply.
To apply, please submit 1-2 original photos that you feel best represent you as an individual. The style, subject matter, and interpretation here are entirely up to you.
In selecting the scholarship recipient, we will evaluate applicants holistically – emphasizing financial need, future goals, and the boldness of personal stories conveyed. Above all, we aim to support a student whose spark for visual creation mirrors Grady Reese’s own. Just as his images touched countless lives, this scholarship intends to help nurture a photographer poised to make a similarly indelible impact.
