14 Photography Summer Programs for High School Students in NYC
- Stephen Turban
- 4 days ago
- 9 min read
If you're a high school student in NYC interested in photography, summer programs in New York City can help you build both technical skills and creative confidence. These programs often cover the fundamentals of digital and film photography, editing software, and visual storytelling.
These programs often combine hands-on instruction in camera operation, lighting, editing, and visual storytelling with critical discussions around art and media. Many are hosted on college campuses or run by professional institutions, giving you early exposure to college-level expectations and studio practice, without being an expensive option to explore.
We’ve put together a list of the top summer photography programs for NYC high schoolers. These programs are rigorous, offer strong mentorship or industry exposure, and are either free or low-cost. Many of these programs are also selective, hosted by respected institutions, and provide access to alumni networks, exhibitions, or further training.
Here’s a list of 14 photography summer programs for high school students in NYC!
Application Deadline: Varying deadlines based on cohort. Spring (January), Summer (May), Fall (September), and Winter (November).
Dates: Multiple cohorts throughout the year, including summer (June - August), Fall (September - December), Winter (December - February), and Spring (March - June)
Eligibility: You must be currently enrolled in high school | Students must demonstrate a high level of academic achievement (Note: accepted students have an unweighted GPA of 3.3 out of 4) | No previous knowledge of your field of interest is required!
The Lumiere Research Scholar Program is a rigorous research program tailored for high school students. The program offers extensive 1-on-1 research opportunities for high school students across a broad range of subject areas that you can explore as a high schooler.
The program pairs high-school students with Ph.D. mentors to work 1-on-1 on an independent research project. At the end of the 12-week program, you’ll have developed an independent research paper! You can choose research topics from subjects such as biotechnology, psychology, physics, economics, data science, computer science, engineering, chemistry, international relations, and more. You can find more details about the application here.
Location: NYC, LA, VT
Cost: Varies; typically between $2495 to $3745
Application Deadline: Check here for updates
Dates: Several dates, between June and July
Eligibility: Ages 14-18
SOCAPA’s summer photography camps offer one- to three-week sessions for high school students, where you can build both technical skills and a polished portfolio in either digital or traditional darkroom photography. You’ll work with tools like Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop while exploring multiple approaches—documentary (street), commercial (portrait and studio lighting), and fine art.
Along the way, you’ll get hands-on instruction, complete exercises in visual storytelling, and publish your work in a web-based portfolio. If you join the three-week intensive, you’ll also leave with a professionally printed portfolio—an 8x10 collection that’s ready for college applications or future opportunities. Whether you're refining your craft or preparing a strong visual submission, this program offers structure, feedback, and the chance to develop a cohesive body of work.
Location: New York, NY
Cost: Paid (New York State minimum wage)
Application Deadline: March 7
Dates: Usually runs six weeks from late June to early August
Eligibility: Open to current 10th and 11th graders who live or attend school in NY, NJ, or CT
The Met’s Summer High School Internship places you inside one of the world’s leading museums, where you'll work closely with mentors and explore how museum departments connect with art and media.
You'll be assigned to a small cohort and matched with a mentor based on your interests—whether that’s photography-adjacent areas like marketing, digital content, editorial, or curatorial work. While this isn’t a portfolio-building program, you’ll develop workplace skills, gain exposure to museum operations, and explore the intersection of creative and professional fields. The internship also focuses on networking, with sessions designed to connect you to staff across departments. If you're curious about careers that combine photography, culture, and public engagement, this is a solid place to start.
Location: New York, NY
Cost: Paid (New York State minimum wage)
Application Deadline: April 11
Dates: Typically 4 weeks in the summer
Eligibility: Open to graduating Latino high school seniors who have a minimum weighted GPA of 3.25 on a 4.0 scale
The Smithsonian’s Young Ambassadors Program (YAP) offers a competitive, paid summer internship for graduating high school seniors in New York City and across the country. Designed to support Latinx students interested in the arts, sciences, and humanities, the program blends hands-on work experience with academic knowledge. If you’re curious about museum careers—especially at the intersection of photography, curation, and cultural work—YAP offers both exposure and mentorship.
Throughout the program, you’ll participate in workshops at the Smithsonian in Washington, D.C., before interning at a local museum or cultural institution in your city. Alongside this, you’ll build connections with peers and professionals and graduate with a stronger sense of how your creative interests can align with public-facing roles in museums and beyond. The program is highly selective and provides a stipend.
Location: New York City, NY
Cost: $11,354 (scholarships available)
Application Deadline: Typically open August–January
Program Dates: July 6 - August 2
Eligibility: Rising high school juniors and seniors
Hosted by NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, this selective, college-level summer program lets you explore technical, conceptual, and professional aspects of photography and image-making. The program combines faculty-led instruction with research, studio practice, and portfolio development.
You’ll work a full-time schedule, Monday through Friday, with dedicated production blocks, critiques, and hands-on training in both digital and analog photography. Self-directed projects are encouraged, allowing you to explore photography as a tool for storytelling, cultural reflection, and personal inquiry. Outside of class, you’ll take part in events, workshops, and group collaborations that give you a broader view of the field. Daily mentorship and access to Tisch’s professional facilities are provided as well.
Location: Remote
Cost: Between $1,190-$2,490
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions (start dates every two weeks, year-round)
Internship Dates: Choose 4–24 weeks; 10–40 hours per week
Eligibility: Open to students 16 and older
This remote internship, offered through The Intern Group, connects you with international companies in photography, media, and marketing for a flexible, hands-on experience. You’ll build practical skills by supporting marketing teams, organizing studio workflows, managing digital archives, and editing visual content. Depending on your placement, you may also handle client scheduling, assist with social media, or coordinate print and digital assets.
The internship focuses on both creative development and technical skills, giving you the chance to grow your portfolio, learn project management, and gain exposure to industry-standard tools and workflows. With options for duration, weekly hours, and global connections, this program offers a customizable entry point into the photography and visual communications field.
Location: New York, NY (in-person and online options)
Cost: $2,800 (online); $3375 (in-person)
Application Deadline: Rolling
Program Dates: 3 weeks in July
Eligibility: High school students ages 14–18
SVA’s Pre-College Program offers a three-week summer program that mirrors the structure of college-level art courses. You can choose from a wide range of disciplines—photography, animation, painting, illustration, and more—while working in small classes led by the same faculty who teach in SVA’s BFA programs. Both online and in-person formats are available, with studio projects, critiques, and visiting artist talks integrated into the curriculum. You'll earn college credit upon completion and have the opportunity to build a portfolio in a focused, mentorship-driven environment. If you register early, you can opt into campus housing.
Location: New York City
Cost: $1660
Application Deadline: July 15
Program Dates: July 28-August 8
Eligibility: Grades 9-12
This summer program offers high school students a hands-on experience in visual storytelling through both photography and video. You will explore urban landscapes and narratives, honing your skills in composition, lighting, and editing. The curriculum focuses on the development of a cohesive visual narrative, encouraging students to draw inspiration from their surroundings. By the end of the course, you will have produced a portfolio of work that showcases your ability to convey stories through visual media. This program provides a foundation in both technical skills and creative expression, preparing you for further studies in photography, film, or related fields.
Location: Brooklyn, NY
Cost: Residential Student (Includes tuition, housing, meal plan, and administrative fees) $7441; Commuter Student (Includes tuition and administrative fees) $5261
Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, and seniors
Application Deadline: May 30(scholarship deadline: February 1; international deadline: April 1)
Program Dates: July 7 – August 1
Pratt’s Pre-College Program immerses you in intensive studio coursework across disciplines like fine arts, photography, design, architecture, and fashion. The program is structured like an undergraduate experience: you’ll earn 4 college credits and have access to portfolio reviews, museum excursions, and collaborative studio sessions. Photography students, in particular, can deepen both conceptual and technical skills while working toward a portfolio suitable for college applications. The program concludes with a curated final exhibition showcasing your work to peers, faculty, and the larger Pratt community.
Location: Museum of Modern Art, Manhattan, NY
Cost: Free
Eligibility: NYC high school students, ages 15–18
Application Deadline: June 6
Program Dates: July 9 – August 22
MoMA’s In the Making is a free summer program where you’ll experiment with contemporary art practices in response to the theme “What is your oasis in the city?” Over five weeks, you’ll work with a range of mediums—including drawing, sculpture, collage, performance, and photography—while engaging with MoMA’s collection and your own urban environment. You’ll attend sessions three times a week, with a strong focus on collaboration, experimentation, and reflecting on your creative process. The museum provides all materials, snacks, and a MetroCard for travel. A short application and one letter of recommendation are required.
Location: New York Film Academy, New York, NY
Cost: $1725-$3925; Varies by program length
Eligibility: High school students (ages 14–17)
Application Deadline: Rolling admissions
Program Dates: 2 days to 6 weeks, during summer
NYFA’s Teen Camp offers a studio-style introduction to filmmaking, photography, acting, screenwriting, and related media fields. You’ll spend weekdays working on hands-on projects using professional-grade equipment, working closely with faculty who are active in the industry. Courses emphasize practical experience—whether that’s directing a short film, producing photo shoots, editing in Adobe Premiere, or learning lighting and composition. Photography is a key track within the camp, giving you the chance to explore both technical skills and creative storytelling. Whether you're new to the field or want to deepen your portfolio, the program offers structured mentorship and access to production tools. No previous experience is required for beginner-level workshops.
Location: New York City
Cost: Residential Program: $6990; Day Program: $5,660
Eligibility: 10-12 graders
Application Deadline: Currently unavailable. Sign up to be notified here
Program Dates: Multiple sessions between June 8 and August 1
This two-week summer course explores how photography functions as both journalism and fine art. You’ll use New York City as your canvas, completing daily photo assignments that ask you to document real people, places, and events while experimenting with composition, style, and visual voice. Through lectures, critiques, and site visits, you’ll study ethics in journalism, develop technical photography skills, and learn to create cohesive visual narratives. The course emphasizes storytelling through imagery, encouraging you to think critically about the role of the photographer in shaping public understanding. You’ll leave with a small portfolio of edited work and a deeper understanding of how to communicate with images in journalistic and creative contexts.
Location: New York City
Cost: Scholarships available. Between $300-$900
Eligibility: Ages 14-19
Application Deadline: April 1
Program Dates: Between July to August
The International Center of Photography (ICP) offers the Teen Academy, a comprehensive program designed for high school students aged 14–19 to explore photography as a medium for personal expression and social engagement. Through seasonal courses and summer intensives, students engage in hands-on learning experiences that cover various photographic techniques and genres.
The curriculum includes photographic and writing assignments, open lab time, visual presentations, discussions, critiques, guest artist visits, field trips, and a culminating presentation for family and friends showcasing the students’ work. Courses are available in both in-person and online formats, accommodating students from different locations. Tuition varies by course, and need-based scholarships are available to ensure accessibility. For more information and to register, visit the ICP Teen Academy registration page.
Location: New York, NY
Cost: Free; includes a $4,000 stipend for full participation
Application Deadline: Varies by year; applications typically open in August
Program Dates: May 12 - September 12
Eligibility: Open to early-career photographers, including students; must commit 15 hours/week for three months
This internship pairs you with a working artist in New York City whose practice aligns with your interests, offering a direct, mentorship-driven experience. Over the course of three months, you’ll support your mentor’s creative and professional projects through research, administrative tasks, and technical assistance, gaining insight into both the artistic process and the day-to-day realities of a creative career. The internship doesn’t center on portfolio production, but it does prioritize sustained skill development, one-on-one learning, and community-building. You’ll also become part of the broader Penumbra network, with ongoing opportunities to stay involved beyond your term.
Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a PhD student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.
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