Tell the Stories You Need to Tell
The Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism program focuses specifically on the investigative skills and technical knowledge necessary for students to advance in the complex and constantly changing world of visual storytelling. ICP’s long-standing commitment to documentary practice ensures that this program engages faculty whose members are among the foremost practitioners in the field today. Visiting photographers discuss best practices, methodologies, and innovative media, as well as political, ethical, and social concerns.
Our student-centered curriculum emphasizes class discussions and critiques in a supportive learning atmosphere. Participants explore the history of visual journalism; develop new and challenging technical skills in still photography, and related media; learn strategies for publication; and create long-term documentary projects that examine the human experience.
Meet the Chair
Karen Marshall
Chair of the Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism Program
Karen Marshall, is a documentary photographer whose work focuses on the psychological lives of her subjects within the social landscape. Her seminal project Between Girls, that articulates the coming of age of a group of urban middle class teenagers, following them from high school into adulthood 30 years later was published by Kehrer Verlag in 2021. Read More
Program Highlights
At ICP, students study with a diverse faculty of top practitioners and professionals in the field. Full-time students have access to ICP’s state-of-the-art facilities including digital media labs, analog black-and-white and color darkrooms, and lighting studios. There is also a wide range of equipment that can be checked out of the Equipment Room. Over the course of the program term, students develop their personal vision, and have the opportunity to work with ICP's museum, library, collection, and public programming to broaden their imagemaking knowledge while connecting with ICP's international photography community.
The year culminates in an end-of-year exhibition in ICP's museum and 1:1 portfolio reviews with key professionals in the field, including photo editors at major publications.
Program Structure
- Two Semesters: Fall (Aug-Dec) and Spring (Jan-May), 15 week/ semester
- Class Hours: A minimum of 18 hours per week required
- Full-Time Commitment: Approximately 40 hours per week, including class hours
- Personalized Registration: One-on-one course registration with the Program Chair based on digital skill assessment; individual schedules vary from student to student
- Course Offerings: Required courses, electives, and weekend and January workshops
Key Areas of Study: Course List
Required Courses
- Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism Seminar
- Digital Workflows
- Photoshop and Printing
- History of Visual Storytelling
- Short Stories Made on Assignment
- Lighting with Flash: Creating a Personal Vision with Handheld Flash Photography
- Technical Seminar in Colour Photography
- Technical Seminar in Black and White Photography
- Digital Production Seminar
- Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism Seminar
- Inside Photo Editing
- Writing for Photojournalist
Weekend Workshops
- Learning Multimedia
- Large-Format Portraiture on the Street
- Environmental Portraiture on the Street: Intention and Improvisation
- Pre (Occupied) Landscapes
- Development of the Long-Term Visual Story
- The Art of the Interview
- What Is the Story?
- Journalism, Democracy, and Visual Literacy
- On The Wall: Exhibition Practices and Techniques
- How to Make Friends & Use the Internet
- Book Making 2.0
- Photo Zines as a DIY Narrative Platform
- The Editor's Perspective
- Photographing the Invisible
- Photographing Near and Far for The Book and Beyond
- Looking In: The Conversation Between Our Images and Ourselves
Electives
- Technical Seminar in Black-and-White Photography
- Technical Seminar in Color Photography
- A Study in Strobes
- Old Media, New Media: Archives and the Documentarian
- The Loom: Weaving Media
- Portrayal
- Ruminations on Community
- The Conservation Lens
- Locating the Thread
- Images and Ideas
- Intro to Modern Documentary
- Sequencing and Finding Narratives
- Editorial Concepts Across Media Platforms
- On Assignment: Still Working on Time
- Large - Format Photography
- Fact to Fiction
- Mixed Media Playbook
- Intro to Modern Documentary Part 2
- Photographers Writing Lab
- Image Strategies for Human Rights
- A Study in Strobes
- Realms of The Field
- Light and Shadow
- Stories on the Web: Crafting a Narrative Beyond the Still Image
- Inside Photo Editing
- On Speaking Nearby
Program Overview
Application Checklist
Portfolio
A portfolio of 15-20 photographic images. Each image should be a jpeg not exceeding 5mb and no larger than 1280 x 1280 at 72ppi. Videos up to five minutes in length may also be submitted. Please test all digital materials before submitting.
Statement of Purpose
A one-page Statement of Purpose with less than 500 words describing your reasons for applying to the program and elaborating on the influences on your work, its current direction, and your research interests.
English Language Proficiency Requirement
In addition to the general admission requirements, all international applicants whose primary/native language is not English must demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English. International applicants must submit valid English language proficiency test results taken within the past two years. We permit applicants to submit one of the following tests: TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo English Test.
Proof of High School Completion
Copy of Transcript or Diploma from High School, College, University or any equivalent. This document must be in English.
Resume or CV
A summary of education, professional, and other relevant experiences.
Letters of Recommendation
Submit two letters of recommendation attesting to the applicant's personal and artistic strengths. Recommenders should be familiar with the applicant's work and may include professionals from any field, such as employers, professors, mentors, or practicing artists—not necessarily limited to photography. Recommenders are encouraged to assess the applicant's academic abilities, creative vision, and potential for success in the program.
Application Fee
$60 Application Fee
Scholarships and Fellowships
ICP offers a limited number of merit-based scholarships and fellowships for both domestic and international students. These awards provide partial tuition support to select, highly qualified applicants. For more information, please visit here.
Program Cost
On-Site Programs
Annual Tuition: $36,000 $26,000*
Annual Lab Fee: $1,500
Equipment Insurance Fee: $142
Slideroom Application Fee: $60
Total Cost: $27,702
*A significant gift has allowed ICP to lower the tuition for the onsite One-Year Certificate Programs for 2025-26 academic year by $10,000. Tuition for both the Creative Practices and the Documentary Practice and Visual Journalism programs is now $26,000, plus fees. The standard annual tuition for ICP's OYC programs is $36,000.
