No. 8 - Grad School
Accepted to Hartford's Low Residency MFA in Photography program
In early October 2024, I applied to the University of Hartford’s Limited Residency Photo MFA program. The decision came after a lot of research and conversations, not just about Hartford specifically but about the value of an MFA in general. Many photographers I spoke with had great things to say about this program in particular, and the more I looked into it, the more it made sense for me.
The fact that it’s a limited residency program is what makes this opportunity feasible. I’ve been a working freelance director and photographer for about ten years, and the idea of going to grad school while running my own business always felt far-fetched. However, Hartford’s model allows me to continue taking on freelance work while using the inevitable down days between jobs, which are frequent, to further develop my personal photographic practice. I’ll still be based in California, I’ll still be freelancing commercially.
What ultimately pushed me to go for it was the time I’ve spent over the last two years working on a photo project that I hope to turn into a book. Hartford’s Photo MFA is centered around the photobook as a final form, and while I fully recognize that one doesn’t need a master’s degree to make one, the quality of work coming out of this program and its alumni speaks for itself.
Applying
It had been ten years since I’d dealt with anything related to transcripts, and since I attended three different schools, retrieving them wasn’t exactly a one-and-done scenario. That ended up being one of the most time-consuming parts of the process.
From there, I moved on to the most creatively challenging part: putting together a portfolio of images. I wanted to pull from one specific project, the one I’m hoping to turn into a book, and submit it as the final component of my application. I haven’t shared many of the photos from this project, so there was definitely some nervousness about how they would be received by faculty.
The process took about a week of sifting through images, editing, and making editorial decisions about sequencing. In a way, it felt like a preview of the kind of work I imagine myself doing if I were accepted into the program.
Waiting
Knowing I wouldn’t be getting any answers until at least March 2025, I decided to also apply to the Stanley/Barker Photobook Masterclass, which took place in Cambridge, UK, in mid-December. I was able to attend, and it reaffirmed that I had made the right choice in applying to Hartford. The three-day intensive workshop and critique felt like a preview of the kind of work I would be doing as part of the curriculum if I were accepted. That focused, immersive work, dedicated solely to art for art’s sake, was something I had been missing for a long time.
Interview
In early February, I was notified that I had been shortlisted as a candidate to join the next cohort, which is what each incoming class is called, and that I would need to schedule an interview with the program director and the incoming program director.
The interview lasted about 45 minutes and focused on my work as a photographer, including my current practice, how I approach my work, and the ways I felt I would benefit from an MFA. They also asked about contemporary photographers I’m into and similar topics. One thing I took away from the conversation was that they weren’t just looking at my portfolio. They wanted to see that I had a perspective and could articulate it. Beyond that, they seemed to be gauging my openness to growth and how willing I was to shift certain aspects of my practice.
Accepted!
On March 12th around 12:30 pm PST, I received an email that an important update had been posted to my University of Hartford application page… I’d been accepted into the Low Residency MFA in Photography program. I accepted the decision and their invitation.
What’s Next?
Over the coming months, it will be work as usual. I’m sure there will be moments of figuring things out for school, but my first in-person session won’t take place until July 27 to August 10. Since it’s a limited residency program and remote, I’ll continue working as I am now while dedicating more of my free time to honing my photographic practice.
I’m also thrilled to share that one of my closest friends and frequent collaborators, Jonah Markowitz, applied and was accepted into the program as well. The opportunity to go on a journey like this with a close friend adds another layer of meaning and excitement. It’s something we’ll both grow from creatively and personally, and we’ll be able to push each other, give honest feedback, and hold one another accountable when needed.
I’m incredibly excited about this next chapter and the chance to continue my post-graduate studies. I’ll do my best to share as much of the process as I can. At some point, I’ll likely introduce some paid-only posts to Ground(ed) Glass as a way to help supplement the cost of attendance and provide deeper insights beyond these broader updates.
Whatever the case, I’m extremely grateful to those who have supported and followed along so far. I’m looking forward to what’s ahead.
