Quinnipiac University
Student Richard Petrosino photographed holding a camera while standing in a classroom.

Pre-College Summer Programs

Modern Storytelling: Digital Photography Workshop

Photography is a passion, a profession and a valuable skill to have in our digital world. Perfect for high-school students looking to upgrade their photography skills, this 1-week program puts students on real photo assignments with hands-on lessons to produce high-quality digital assets.

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Overview

Learn the fundamentals of digital photography and photo editing using your own or a provided interchangeable lens camera in this 5-day program. You will gain experience by shooting a variety of photo assignments that will expand both your technical skills and creativity, including portrait, candid, landscape and action photography projects. Photography theory, including principles of exposure and composition, are taught in an engaging way through hands-on experience and group photo reviews. And because no professional photo is complete after pressing the shutter button, you will also learn key techniques to digitally process and edit your photographs to achieve your vision.

Participants will produce a portfolio of professional-quality digital photographs that can be submitted for admission to a photography, photojournalism, communications or fine-art college-level program.

At the end of this program, you’ll walk away with:
  • An organized digital photography portfolio showcasing a variety of different skills and styles

  • Edited photographs demonstrating your ability to compose, edit and process digital photos

  • A digital badge to signify your completion of the program along with a personal assessment from a Quinnipiac professor

Summer Promo Pack

Sport your Quinnipiac pride all summer long! All students who register and pay in full for a Pre-College Summer Program at Quinnipiac between March 22 and April 12 will receive a promo pack including a QU towel, a water bottle and a pair of sunglasses.

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Picture Yourself Here

Program Dates and Schedule

July 8, 2024 - July 12, 2024

Sample Daily Schedule: This is only a sample schedule and is subject to change due to a variety of factors.

Time Activity Detail

9 a.m. 

Daily Lesson

Introduction to the day’s theme: photography theory, skills, techniques, and professional examples.

11 a.m.

Rapid Fire Photo Assignment

Practice and apply what you have learned in a 30-minute photo challenge.

11:30 a.m.

Photo Review

Individual, peer or group review of the results of the morning’s photos.

Noon

Lunch

Eat and socialize with your classmates.

1 p.m.

Photo Shoot

90-minute individual or group photo shoot based on the day’s theme, skills or technique.

2:30 p.m.

Photo Review

Individual, peer or group review of the results of the morning’s photos.

3 p.m.

Process and Edit Your Work

Now is your chance to learn how to process and edit your own photos using standard photo editing software with instructor support.

4 p.m.

End-of-Day Review and Debrief Meeting

A chance to reflect and discuss the day as well as look to the days ahead.

4:30 p.m.

Dismissal

Dismissal for commuter students.

5 p.m.

Dinner

Dinner will be provided for those students with full room and board.

6 p.m.

Evening Activities (Group Recreation in our new Recreation and Wellness Center, Games, Guest Speakers, Independent and Group Enrichment Projects)

The evening is reserved for students to have fun, experience our on-campus amenities, and bond with each other and staff through organized group enrichment activities.

10 p.m.

Quiet Time

 

Participation Requirements

Participants must be current high school students. Typically, participants are between the ages of 15 to 18 years of age at the start of the program. 

Equipment and Materials

Our program uses DLSR or mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses. Students may either bring their own personal camera or request to borrow a camera for the program by emailing summerprograms@qu.edu.

Quinnipiac University will provide laptops for students to use during program instruction times as well. Students may bring and use their own laptops or other devices outside of program instruction periods or at the instructor's approval.

Program Costs

Option 1: 1-week overnight program from Sunday to Saturday. Includes full room and board as well as evening and weekend activities: $1,680

Option 2: 1-week on-campus commuter program from Monday-Friday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Includes lunch daily: $1,400

All options include:

  • One week of faculty-designed and delivered programming, administered online or on campus with educational support staff and program materials

  • Technology and software support

  • A Quinnipiac T-shirt

  • A digital badge for use on social media, resumes or portfolios

  • Access to special Quinnipiac Admissions events

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Discounts and Financial Aid

Partial financial support may be available for those who indicate the need for financial assistance in their online application. Financial support awards are based on a combination of financial need and academic merit.

We are pleased to offer a 10% discount on all summer camps and experiences to current Quinnipiac employees, Quinnipiac alumni and employees of our corporate partners. 

Application and Payment Deadlines

Space is limited per session; applications are reviewed when they are received and students are accepted on a rolling basis. 

Registration: Students must register for summer programs prior to June 2, 2024.

Deposits: All students must submit a non-refundable $250 deposit at the time of registration to ensure a spot is reserved for 30 days.

Payment: Payment is due within 30 days of applying to fully register for a program.

Payment Methods and Refund/Cancellation Policy

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How to Register for Summer Programs

  1. Visit our registration page
  2. Create a new account or log in to your existing account
  3. Select the program(s) you wish to enroll in and click "Continue"
  4. Complete your registration details
  5. You will receive an email confirming space is available and providing information about next steps, such as how to make payment and completing the final required registration steps. If a program is full, a waitlist option will be provided.

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Our Program Instructors

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Frequently Asked Questions

Find the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions among prospective students and families regarding our summer programs. If you can't find an answer to your question, please contact us and we'd be happy to chat.

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Accommodations

Quinnipiac University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act as an institution of higher education. Students who have a current IEP or 504 plan are encouraged to share any accommodations or modifications they may require in order to access the fundamentals of a QU summer program or camp they plan to attend.

Students requesting disability-based accommodations should indicate this within the application as well as email summerprograms@qu.edu about any and all specific accommodation needs.

 

Rules & Regulations

Read Quinnipiac University’s Summer Camp and Pre-College Program Policies