Would you like to work as a photographer? What if you could convert your hobby into a full-time business? You may consider taking an online photography course if that thought intrigues you. In this article, I will review the top 9 online photography courses available today if you’re looking for the best ones.
The internet isn’t called the world wide web for nothing. You may get a wide variety of sources on practically any topic by just asking Google. But who has the time to go through all of that? So, to assist you, here are the top ten online photography courses listed in no particular order.
I’m going to review a few online photography courses to decide whether photography is right for you.
Ultimately, I’ll answer some of the most frequently asked questions regarding online photography courses and photography in general.
Alright, so The Best Online Photography Courses doesn’t exactly fit into a nice category.
At the end of the day, photography courses are a… unique way to think about making money.
It’s certainly possible to make money with off-the-wall businesses like this, but unless you’re interested in taking years out of your life to experiment with an unproven business model, I would look elsewhere.
My #1 personal recommendation if we’re talking about starting a fully-online business has got to be the Lead Generation & Ad Agency business models.
There are a handful of programs that teach you the ropes, but my #1 choice that combines both of those business models into one is the Digital Rental Method program
But, if you’re hard pressed to jump head-first into an off-the-wall business model, let’s continue on to my full breakdown of the Best Online Photography Courses!
Can You Get A Photography Degree Online?
It’s never been easier to learn photography or become a professional photographer. As a result of today’s almost unrestricted access to internet education, potential photographers can study the profession without spending even a single dollar.
You may learn everything you need to know from the top free online photography courses I’ve chosen. There is basic or advanced training for every topic, from camera settings and image composition to photo editing and lighting techniques. I have something new for you, no matter how good you are. Listed below are the nine best free photography programs you can find online:
Top 9 Best Online Photography Courses
1. Basics Of Photography: The Complete Guide
Level: Beginner
The first three sections of this extensive, mainly textual tutorial from Lifehacker explain how a digital camera operates and how to use its automated settings and more complex manual controls like shutter speed and aperture. The last two sections provide information on compositional techniques and the best ways to modify your photos during post-processing.
2. Introduction To Photography And Related Media
Level: Beginner
The program includes video lectures from a semester-long undergraduate course at MIT that are easily accessible to everyone through the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) OpenCourseWare initiative. In addition, you will learn the fundamentals of digital photography and the technical aspects of working with analog and digital SLR cameras by taking four photography classes.
3. Your Road To Better Photography
Level: Beginner
This completely free Udemy course aims to make photography “easy.” It comprises ten lectures and 31 minutes worth of instructional videos. Corey Reese, a well-known photographer/filmmaker, provides comprehensive information on using natural light and understanding manual digital camera settings (such as aperture & shutter speed) for various photography applications. Of course, just like with many other digital photography programs, you’ll need a DSLR or a mirrorless camera to get the most out of the lessons.
4. Lighting 101 By Strobist
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
For aspiring commercial photographers or assistants looking to advance their knowledge and abilities in new media, FutureLearn offers this free online course. This calls for looking into both still and moving photography. You will have the opportunity to learn about filmmaking, CGI, animation, and many other topics. Additionally, it will help you learn how to create effective commercial work that is also highly personalized and unique for clients. All of this will be useful if you want to pursue a career in editorial, fashion, or advertising photography.
5. The Art Of Photography (PHOT) With Dr. Shane Hulbert
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Unlike other free online photography courses, the Art of Photography from RMIT Faculty consists of tests and an evaluation at the conclusion of each module. With the aid of academic and photography expert Dr. Shane Hulbert, aspiring photographers will learn about exposure options, the important characteristics associated with a digital camera, the way a lens works, image editing tools, and a lot more. The entire program needs approximately two to four hours of study per week. Additionally, it entails four modules with around four hours and two minutes of video content.
6. CreativeLife On-Air Classes
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
CreativeLife mostly offers web-based classes, though they likewise have a broad range of free on-air classes (at least 1 per day). These classes cover video, design, art, audio, music, crafts, etc., including photography. Viewers are allowed by the site to RSVP to different sessions, which over 50,000 students from around the world can quickly be seen. Be sure to take note of the day and time of the on-air class you would like to consider. You will find numerous different classes each day.
If you think about trying out their paid classes, you can meet instructors and celebrity guests like world-renowned photographer Jasmine Star.
7. Alison Free Online Courses & Online Learning
Level: Beginner to Advanced
Alison provides free online diploma & certificate courses in various disciplines, including a couple of photography programs created to assist shutterbugs of different abilities in taking their photography to new heights. Alison presently has certificate courses for advanced shooters, intermediate-level photographers, and beginners, in addition to a diploma training course on digital photography. This is a great starting point if you want to know more about post-production tools, composition techniques, or exposure settings.
8. Documentary Photography & Photojournalism: Still Images Of A World In Motion
Level: Intermediate
A free online photography training course for aspiring photojournalists, this particular MIT training course from 2016 (also offered on MIT OpenCourseWare) can help you hone your photographic “eye” and abilities by exposing you to the work of several of the best shooters in the industry.
By the end of the program, you’ll have received expert understanding in capturing the heart of a scene. Next, you will effectively convey meaningful messages despite the apparent limitations of a still picture. If you’ve got a passion for pictures telling a story, this program is perfect for you.
9. Professional Family Portraits By Kirk Tuck
Level: Beginner to Intermediate
The program provides advanced but very doable methods for flattering portraits and suggestions on how you can make your subjects (old and young) act before the camera.
Nevertheless, you will have a very excellent knowledge of how cameras work to understand different courses on picture composition, lighting equipment, exposure techniques, and post-processing. The aim is for you to have an excellent idea of how to perform a pictorial – outdoor or indoor – for a whole household. This can also be used in wedding photography. Ultimately, you’ll generate a final item they will hang in their family room and treasure for generations or years.
Tips For Choosing The Best Digital Photography Course For You
With numerous digital photography courses and workshops sold these days, in-person and digital, paid and free, you might feel overwhelmed when searching for the ideal opportunity to develop your photography skills. Below are a few suggestions to help you find the ideal options:
Start Small
If you are just starting, your greatest online photography training course might be pretty simple and concentrate on several essential photography tips.
Ask Around
Speak to your family and friends keen on photos and have the same fundamental experience level. They may be ready to recommend the perfect workshop or class.
Consult The Local Community Or Library Center
Several local public spaces provide beginner photography classes to enable you to get going.
Read Reviews
There are plenty of internet photography classes available. To get the best classes for your passions and experience level, it’s advisable to read opinions from previous students.
Know Your Experience Level
You don’t want to end up in a course for advanced photographers if you’re still learning the basics of photography. That’s why it’s important to reach out to the coach for clarification or ask questions.
Learn Adobe Lightroom And Adobe Photoshop
Learning how you can shoot is just part of the adventure. Learning how to use applications like Photoshop and Lightroom will aid you in polishing your job and solidifying your photography methods.
Research The Course’s Teacher
Professional photographers generally know their stuff and have plenty of insights to contribute to the experience. Make sure to learn a bit about your teacher before joining the photography class.
Find Out What Photography Type You Would Like To Learn
Landscape and nature photography lessons will not generally be presented in the same program as portrait photography. If nature photography is your concentration, find nature photography classes.
When you are prepared to progress beyond free options, think about a travel workshop with an experienced photographer to master advanced methods in the industry. These hands-on experiences will help you be comfortable with the basics of photography and much more advanced photography skills.
One-on-one photography courses are an excellent way to hone your skills further.
Can You Make Money With Photography Courses?
Yes! You can make money with the best online photography courses – but it will take time and dedication to be good at it. You must watch countless video classes and be part of an online photography community. Online photography courses will help you get started.
You can certainly make money with photography, but if you’re gonna put in the amount of grueling work to become a photographer (which, trust me, isn’t easy), you might as well bring in some REAL money.
The program that helped skyrocket my online business to $40,000+ per month teaches some of the same photography skills, but shows you how to monetize them in a much, MUCH more profitable way.
Alternatives To Online Photography Courses?
Yes, there are plenty of other business models to choose from if you want to pursue this making money online. Here are just a few:
Are Online Photography Courses Legit?
Time for the $1,000,000 question: are Online Photography Courses actually a scam?
I wouldn’t technically call it a scam, though others might.
It’s technically possible to make money with this program, so in that sense, it isn’t a scam.
No one is riding off into the sunset with your money, leaving you empty-handed… technically speaking.
But the second, more important question is: are Online Photography Courses actually worth the investment?
My honest answer is that for most people out there, probably not.
There are countless other business models that are proven & easily scalable, so why risk it for… not an incredibly huge payoff?
I’d rather have a program with thousands of successful students & plenty of room for others to join.
If you’ve followed my blog for long, you know I recommend a few different programs depending on your skills & goals.
My current top choice is using the Digital Rental Method, because you have a proven, systematic path to 6-figures, and you can do it from anywhere you want.
I’ve got friends in there that are posting deals from the middle of the woods in a camper-van with their pet pig… which is kinda cool.
What Is My Top Recommendation For Making Money Online In 2022?
Alright, time for me to get real with my lovely readers for a moment:
I’ve personally tried all of the major online business models:
- I’ve sold fidget spinners through Amazon FBA
- I’ve drop-shipped a toilet bowl putting green on Shopify
- I’ve sold women’s health supplements via Clickbank affiliate marketing
And I made money with all of them, so trust me when I say: there is no “perfect” business model.
THAT BEING SAID: I would at least recommend you implement something that is tried and true, because I’ve seen TOO MANY people (including friends and family) get burned by stuff like the Best Online Photography Courses.
They come out of left field with some random idea, make it seem attractive, and then make themselves a quick buck by luring in unsuspecting people.
I’m not saying Online Photography Courses aren’t legit; I’m just saying you need to be very careful.
This is a big reason why I only recommend proven, tried and true business models, like Lead Generation & Ad Agencies.
There are a bunch of programs out there that teach you those skills, but my top choice is the Digital Rental Method program.
Read Our In Depth Breakdown Of The Top 5 OtherOpp Courses For 2024
Why? It has proven leaders with their own 7-figure businesses implementing exactly what they teach you.
I’ve also got over a dozen personal friends in there, so I feel comfortable telling you it works.
Whether you’re a complete newbie or you’ve been around the block before but have never had that “big win” to propel you forward, their program works.
Here’s why:
1)Time: If you’ve got a spare hour or two each day, you can do this. If you want to drop everything and go all-in, you can do this. More time obviously means faster results, but even putting in a few hours per day is enough to see real success.
And because of that flexibility, you don’t need to trade your time for money. Once the income starts, it’s recurring (for the most part).
That means you can take a month off, travel the country, pursue a passion project, chill on the beach, or charter a boat across the world.
But you can only do that once you’ve created an income stream that doesn’t require YOU to be there all day, every day.
2)Big Margins: With most businesses, you’re often going to have really slim margins. That means you need to hit a serious scale to make serious money.
using the Digital Rental Method, your profit margin is nearly 100%. Watch here to learn how.
Just a reminder: these Digital Rental Properties are worth (at a minimum) $500/mo in semi-passive income. And each time you create another one, your income increases, and the effort to create the next property decreases.
Best-case scenario, you have properties bringing in over $3,000+/mo on “auto-pilot.”
3)It’s Effectively Copy-Paste: Here’s my favorite part: once you have your first Digital Rental Property up, you can literally copy-paste another version of it and find another willing “renter” in a few days. DOUBLING your income doesn’t get much easier than that…
If you want to double your income with photography, you must enroll in online photography courses to enhance your skill. And I can guarantee you that’s a lot harder than a few clicks & a phone call.
4)You’re Helping REAL People: My biggest gripe with being a photographer is that you’re basically only helping yourself.
But With the Digital Rental Method, you’re helping solve REAL problems that people are ASKING for help with:
Small local businesses around the world need one thing: customers. Without them, their business would fall apart. If we can provide those customers, they’re going to be really happy – and they’re going to pay you for it.
You’re helping a struggling mother or father put food on the table for their families, put their kids through college, or simply live life a little bit more comfortably.
Having this type of impact on the world is what will help you sleep soundly at night.
So, the rest is up to you. You could keep looking at other off-the-wall business models like online photography courses and maybe hit it big one day.
You could keep researching and researching for the next few months (or few years), never making a concrete decision.
OR, you can look deep inside, think about those dreams, hopes, & desires, and make the decision to ACTUALLY make it happen, just like it has for thousands of other students before you.
Making a fortune while actually helping real people that need it.
If this sounds like you, click here to see how it all works.
