Day of Photo

Picture Yourself at RIT

RIT's renowned Photo School holds a Day of Photo event every fall! We are hosting on Friday, Nov. 7, 2025.

A student looks through the viewfinder of a camera.

Throughout the free event, prospective students spend time with us exploring our undergraduate photo offerings: Advertising Photography, Fine Art Photography, Photographic Sciences, Photojournalism and Visual Media.

The agenda typically includes:

Tour multi-million-dollar renovated facilities in the renowned School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
Participate in hands-on demos, including advertising portraits, high-speed portraits and digital magic
Get a glimpse at our industry-standard cameras and equipment
Spend time with award-winning faculty, students and alumni
Learn more about our undergraduate BFA and BS program offerings, as well as photography-related clubs on campus
Join our RIT Photo Prize Instagram contest for a chance to win prizes
Meet one-on-one with faculty
Hear from Undergraduate Admissions about the application and financial aid process

Stay tuned for 2025 registration info

Past in-person Day of Photo events have included portrait and high-speed photography demos, a student panel, facilities tours, equipment showcases and portfolio reviews. Hover over images for photo credit.

A photographer takes a photo of a student in North Light Studio at RIT.

Photography students demo and showcase available photography gear at RIT to prospective students and their families.

Faculty Jenn Poggi meets with a prospective student for a portfolio review.

A theater audience takes in insights from a student panel.

A student panel talks to a theater audience.

A group of people look at photography equipment.

Students photograph a Day of Photo participant in North Light Studio.

Faculty Clay Patrick McBride shows a high school students his portfolio.

A group of students pose for a photo with camera around their necks.

Faculty Dan Hughes projects an image on a large screen in a theater.

Faculty James Porto talks with a student.

Students in front of a table full of print publications.

Photo Prize Contest

A student poses with a boxed camera kit she won.

In conjunction with Day of Photo, the School of Photographic Arts and Sciences runs an annual RIT Photo Prize Instagram competition to discover, support and highlight the next generation of image makers!

Photo by Sophie Proe '24: Winner of the 2022 Photo Prize competition, Marisa N.

Entry and Eligibility

Entry into the contest is simple: Tag your 10 best Instagram posts with to-be-announced hashtag (check back soon for details). That’s it! Our faculty judges will follow the tagged submissions and winners will be announced during the Day of Photo event. Attendance is not required to be a winner.

Participants must currently be enrolled in seventh through 12th grades or community college, and be in a photography class. Final awarding of prizes will require proof of student status.

Prizes

Award winners will be determined by our team of faculty judges. Prizes for 2025 are to be announced. Previous winners have received subscriptions to Adobe Creative Cloud, cameras, photography equipment and more.

Contact

A student poses for a portrait in a studio.

Questions about the event can be sent to:

spastour@rit.edu

Picture Yourself at RIT

A Rich History

Photo Prize Contest

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