Victoria Porter is an accomplished Marywood alum with an entrepreneurial spirit. In addition to working as a successful event photographer and graphic designer, she’s a bartender by night, likes both dogs and cats, loves to travel, has a green thumb for houseplants including fiddle leaf figs, snake plants, and succulents, and she had one of her designs featured on the cover of Beer Connoisseur Magazine. Meet Victoria!

Victoria Porter

Graduation Year & Degree: 2013 BFA 

Major: Photography

Minor(s): Graphic Design

Marywood Clubs & Activities: CMYKlub, Students for Liberty Club, Zeta Omicron Chapter of the Kappa Pi International Art Honor Society

Current Occupation: Graphic Designer at TeamWorld Inc in Binghamton, NY, and Photographer at Victoria Porter Photography in Montrose, PA.

How long at current job: I’ve been with TeamWorld for 6.5 years now. I luckily found the company in the fall after I graduated from Marywood. I started out as the Art Coordinator and soon enough became one of the veteran designers. I also have my own freelance photography business. I shoot a handful of weddings, engagements, family portraits, and events when time allows.

What was your favorite part about studying art at Marywood?
The professors and facilities are amazing! The professors constructively criticize, and you can tell that they just want to see you grow to reach your maximum potential. They are so insightful and are true artists, like we all want to be when we grow up! The facilities are just remarkable! Honestly the art buildings were probably one of the drawing factors when I chose Marywood. There are so many studios, darkrooms, big open classrooms, galleries, and SO many other resources to use and explore!

How did your art education at Marywood help your career?
Marywood’s art program allowed me to grow as an artist and try new things that I probably wouldn’t have tried otherwise. It expanded my notion of what a working artist could entail and gave me a strong foundation for whatever career path I chose upon graduated.

What attracted you to this career path?
Art and design, and my passion for creating drew me to my career. Both photography and graphic design have very many relevant and prosperous career paths that I didn’t know existed until I was actually thrown in the job market. When I first started at TeamWorld, I had no idea how to make a design and separate it for a screen printed t-shirt, let alone a cylindrical screen printed bottle. These were kinda foreign concepts to me. I learned a lot on the job. As a designer, you learn tips and tricks that enhance your technical and creative skills almost daily.

Did your career path match your vision of a career path? What’s different?
I don’t think it did and that’s okay! Out of college, I wanted to eventually open my own photo studio and solely practice photography. My path led me down a more graphic design-oriented career that I truly enjoy! I’m fortunate for my trajectory because every day I do get to use my design skills to make a client’s vision in their head become reality. That applies to my photography too because I am able to capture the intimate details of a couple’s wedding or big event.

What is your favorite thing about your current job?
I love how every day is slightly different from the last and that there are new challenges to solve. The people I work with are amazing and we work well together which makes collaborating a breeze! And of course, designing! For my photography, I really enjoy the feedback from my happy clients when they finally get their wedding galleries and prints.

What are some of the biggest rewards in your career?
Definitely seeing the final product, whether that is a framed photographic print or screen printed wine bottle. We live in such a digital age where everything is on screen. It’s such a satisfying feeling actually seeing your final design printed on a beer bottle or Nalgene bottle and holding it in your hands and knowing that your hard work became a reality!

What inspires you?
So many things! I draw a lot of my inspiration from packaging and my Instagram feed. I love seeing what others are currently doing My! day job consists of a lot of screenprinted and embroidered promotional products and I always find myself looking at t-shirts and hats at specialty retail shops to see what is current and trendy.

Any advice for current art students at Marywood?
Sometimes the career path you had in mind doesn’t always happen immediately and as quickly as you hope AND that’s okay. If you don’t like the job you landed, hustle and find a new one until something fits what you had in mind and makes you happy to wake up to in the morning. Also, embrace new challenges and trends and don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Your creative career is all about growth! Stay passionate and keep practicing!

Follow Victoria on Facebook and Instagram:

Facebook: victoriaporterphoto
Instagram: victoriaporter

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ARE YOU INTERESTED IN STUDYING Photography or Graphic Design?

Photography – Bachelor of Fine Arts: Design
As a form of visual communication, photography is a prevalent and powerful force in our society. The demand for highly skilled photographers continues to grow. There are a variety of exciting opportunities for creative, enthusiastic, and well-prepared photographers. Marywood’s photography program for undergraduates combines fine art training with commercial applications to prepare you for a career in photography.
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Graphic Design – Bachelor of Fine Arts: Design
Our graphic design program at Marywood will introduce you to a variety of design disciplines. Conceptual development, technical skills and professionalism are emphasized. Students have the opportunity to work independently, with partners, in small groups, with professionals in the field and real clients. Regular class critiques and portfolio reviews are stressed throughout the program.
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Low Residency MFAs in Graphic Design and Illustration are offered through our “Get Your Masters with the Masters” MFA for Working Professionals and Educators in Graphic Design & Illustration. This 60-credit Master of Fine Arts degree is specifically designed for working art directors, designers, illustrators, new media artists and art educators who have to budget their time and resources carefully, while continuing with their full-time occupations. While production and technical skills are stressed, the thrust of our program is on creativity and concept.
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