Laurie O Brien Headshot

Laurie O Brien

James E McGhee Fellow

School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
College of Art and Design
Undergraduate Program Director, Visual Media

Laurie O Brien

James E McGhee Fellow

School of Photographic Arts and Sciences
College of Art and Design
Undergraduate Program Director, Visual Media

Education

BA, San Francisco State University; MFA, California Institute of the Arts


Areas of Expertise

Select Scholarship

Shows/Exhibits/Installations
O\'Brien, Laurie. Peephole Cinema. 29 Sep. 2016. San Francisco International Airport, San Francisco. Installation.

Currently Teaching

PHAR-352
1 Credits
This course will focus on implementing areas of special interest including new, advanced, and emerging visual communication course content. Potential topics include any area in industry practices, business and creativity, visual communications, studio and location lighting, production, editorial photography and documentary storytelling. This course can be taken multiple times but individual topics must be different.
PHAR-498
1 - 3 Credits
The Photography Internship will provide students with the option to work in the photographic or visual communications field. Students may apply for internships to businesses based on the availability of positions and business job needs. Students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Internship Permission Form to enroll.
PHAR-599
1 - 3 Credits
Photography Independent Study will provide students with the ability to study in a specialized area with an individual faculty member. Students, with the assistance of a faculty adviser, will propose a course of study. Photography Independent Study students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Independent Study Permission Form to enroll.
PHGR-799
1 - 4 Credits
An independent study allows graduate students in the Photography and Related Media program the ability to study in a specialized area with an individual faculty member. Students, with the assistance of a faculty adviser, should propose a course of study or project with clearly defined goals and outcomes. Students must obtain permission of an instructor and complete the Independent Study Permission Form to enroll. **NOTE: Student must have a minimum 3.0 GPA *
PHVM-301
3 Credits
This course will introduce students to the practical methods for researching possible careers and opportunities after graduation. Using research and writing, students will identify a career field that might interest them. Further investigations will focus on the realities of working in that environment so that further decisions can be made leading to that career. Students will interview visual media alumni in their work environments. Students will create effective resumes and an effective cover letter necessary for employment.

In the News

  • April 18, 2025

    A group of ten people pose in a park under sunny skies, with city buildings in the background.

    Tigers take on New York City through a new study-away program

    This is the first semester RIT in NYC was offered, and nine students jumped at the opportunity to gain work experience through internships, take in-person classes tailored to the program, and enjoy excursions around one of the largest creative industry landscapes on the East Coast.

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