The inaugural Architectural Photography class began in the Summer of '98, as a unique and enduring hybrid of both the Historic Preservation and Photography departments at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

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Kirk Gittings:

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Alaskan born photographer Kirk Gittings has called New Mexico home for nearly 60 years. He has been a practicing photographer since 1970. Gittings' trained at University of New Mexico in the Photography department. He received his Master of Fine Arts in Photography from the University of Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Gittings has had a distinguished career as an exhibiting artist/photographer, commercial photographer and photographic educator.

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His commercial architectural photography has appeared on over 150 magazine covers and in 95 books, while his black and white art photography is represented in 27 museum, corporate and public institutional collections as well as many distinguished private collections. Over 120 exhibitions of his work have been shown. In addition, he was an adjunct professor at UNM for 11 years and has been contributing faculty for the last 20 years at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He is also currently contributing faculty at the Santa Fe University of Art and Design, and has taught at many workshops Santa Fe Photographic Workshops.

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Select notable achievements in Gittings' career include being the recipient of a major grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, membership in the Polaroid Artist Support Group and appointment to the Freestyle Advisory Board of Photographic Professionals in Hollywood. In 2003 the editors of Through the Lens: International Architectural Photographers selected him as one of the leading architectural photographers in the world. His first book, Chaco Body with poet V.B. Price about the Anasazi ruins at Chaco Canyon, has been critically acclaimed as a major contribution to regional art.

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In 2005 a 30 year retrospective of his photography entitled Shelter from the Storm: The Photographs of Kirk Gittings was exhibited at the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History. In conjunction, New Mexico Magazine published a monograph book by the same name.

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The State Legislature of New Mexico in 2006 honored Kirk for his life's work and in 2015 the University of New Mexico recognized him as a distinguished alumni with a Zia Award.

For a revealing interview with Mr. Gittings see: Insight New Mexico.

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Timothy Wittman:

 

Wittman is Adjunct Associate Professor in the departments of Art History, Theory, and Criticism and Historic Preservation at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. He teaches numerous courses across Art History, Historic Preservation and Photography. His extensive knowledge and courses focus on American Architecture with topics ranging from Frank Lloyd Wright, the history of American commercial and civic architecture, Chicago architecture and public sculpture. He also contributed to the Frederick Law Olmsted: Designing America documentary. Wittman brings historical facts to life with his avid storytelling through both spoken and written word.

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He received his BA from Hiram College, OH, and his Masters of Arts from the University of Chicago. Wittman's professional experience includes, but is not limited to: working as a Preservation specialist and for the Commission on Chicago Landmarks. His work and writings have been published in: View Camera Magazine, Michelin Guide to Chicago; Guide to Chicago Architecture.