Become a Professional Photographer with Online Photography Classes
If you have the ability to take professional photographs that evoke emotion and/or tell a story, online photography classes can help you turn your talent into a career!
Your artistic creativity and talent will be complemented by courses in graphic design, business, communications, marketing and more, to provide the foundation necessary for a successful career as a professional photographer.
If this sounds exciting to you, here’s what you need to know.
Can you take photography classes online?
Yes! Whether you’re looking to take one or two introductory courses or pursue a photography degree, you can do it online.
Online photography classes will offer flexibility to work around your already busy life. You can continue to work full or part-time, travel, and maintain your commitments to family and friends. Your coursework can be completed at your own pace – anytime, anywhere.
With online learning, you will participate in online forums and get valuable feedback on your portfolio from professors and peers. You will have the opportunity to connect with and learn from professional photographers, not just from your community, but from around the world.
How do you become a certified professional photographer?
A certified professional photographer is one who has completed the Certified Professional Photographer (CPP) program offered by the Professional Photographers of America (PPA).
To become a CPP, you must:
- Join the PPA
- Pass an exam
- Submit images for official review
Earning this credential will set you apart from novice photographers. It will show clients and others that you are knowledgeable, experienced and continuing to develop your skills in photography.
Are there different types of professional photographers?
There are many types of photographers. They work in different settings, capturing different subjects and using different equipment.
For example, there are:
- Aerial photographers
- Commercial photographers
- Drone photographers
- Event photographers
- Fashion photographers
- Fine arts photographers
- Industrial photographers
- Nature photographers
- News photographers
- Sports photographers
- Portrait photographers
- Scientific photographers
When first starting a photography degree program, you may not know what type of photography best suits you, but that’s ok. Throughout your education you will be exposed to a variety of styles and have a chance to try them out yourself.
Are there degrees in photography?
Yes! Undergraduate and graduate degrees in photography are available at many colleges and universities.
You can even find online photography programs that you can customize to your needs. You can opt for an accelerated program that will help you finish quickly, or spread classes out to fit around your already busy life.
Online Certificate in Photography
If you’re not ready to commit to a full degree program, are pursing photography more casually, or just want to brush up on some specific skills, a certificate may be a good option. Some certifications can be earned in just a matter of weeks or months! Look for online certificate programs at community colleges.
Online Photography Associate Degree
An associate degree is a step above a certificate program and generally takes around 2 years to complete. Coursework for this degree will be technical in nature, and provide an introduction to the many styles of photography. This type of program can be found at community colleges, art schools and some universities.
Online Photography Bachelor’s Degree
This degree takes around 4 years to complete and is required for many professional photography positions. It can be earned at a university, art school or design institute. Coursework will provide a more in-depth and hands-on look at the many types of photography. You will also cover things like graphic design, artwork critique, business, entrepreneurship and marketing.
Online Photography Master’s Degree
This two-to-three-year commitment is for serious artists and/or those who wish to become instructors or professors. You will complete intense studio courses and independent study, pushing yourself creatively. You will likely have a hand in designing your own curriculum, and will complete a visual and written thesis at the end of the program.
Whatever level of education you choose, be sure the school you select offers accredited online photography courses. Accreditation ensures that the courses meet a standard level of academic standards. This is often very important to future employers.
What degree is the best for photography?
Which photography degree is best for you will depend on your career goals.
To be a hobby photographer, or to gain an entry-level job, you don’t necessarily need a degree. An online photography class or a certification will be enough to will provide the foundation you need to get started.
But if you want to take your career further, online photography school can offer you a competitive edge.
To work as a professional photographer, an associate degree may sometimes be sufficient. However, a bachelor’s degree would provide a more robust education and diverse portfolio. For some professions, such as photojournalism or commercial photography, a bachelor’s may be required.
A master’s degree would be ideal for very serious artists or those who wish to teach others.
Is a photography degree worth it?
If you are interested in becoming a professional photographer, yes, a degree is worth the time and money. A degree program will provide not only in-depth training in photography, but also the business, management and entrepreneurial skills necessary to be successful in this career.
While earning an online photography degree you will learn to:
- Advertise your services to attract paying clients
- Develop contracts and photo release forms
- Create a fee structure
- Plan the composition of your photographs
- Select the best photographic techniques and equipment
- Work with natural and artificial lighting
- Take various types of photographs: portrait, commercial, news, action, etc.
- Use various photo-editing software programs
- Create and maintain a digital portfolio
- Archive photographs
While you may learn to “take good photos” elsewhere, the skills learned during a degree program can help you turn this hobby into a lucrative and long-term career.
What else could I do with a photography degree?
A photography degree can open the door to all types of photography, as well as to educating others on the art. But that’s not all!
Eventually your experience in photography could lead you down other creative paths. You could gain the skills necessary to become a/an:
- Art director
- Graphic designer
- Video producer
With an artistic eye, your degree could lead you many places! It all depends on your interests and motivation.
How much do professional photographers make?
The salary of a photographer is hard to pin down because the profession is so expansive! The salary of a freelancer taking family photos is much different from a high end fashion photographer or a photojournalist for a national magazine.
How much money photographers make depends on their education, acquired skills, industry, position, length of employment and location. Some may also earn commission or bonuses, or be paid in other ways.
According to Payscale.com, the average annual salary for a professional photographer is $45,000.
Is photography a good career?
Photography is a great career for several reasons.
- It allows you to be creative and express yourself artistically, trying out new subjects and experimenting with things like lighting, composition, editing and more.
- With advances in equipment and technology, and innovative ideas from other professionals, the field is always changing and growing. You will never stop learning!
- It appeals to both introverts and extroverts. You can work in a team environment, interact with colleagues regularly and work directly with clients. Or, you can photograph and edit your work independently, and never work with human subjects.
It’s very flexible. Many photographers are able to choose their rates and schedule themselves.
Is it too late to become a photographer?
It’s never too late to get into photography. It doesn’t matter how old you are or how far into another career you’ve gotten – the camera doesn’t care!
You can enroll in online photography classes, or even go for an online photography degree, at age 18 or age 80! In fact, a mature perspective and more life experience may actually be an asset to your photography.
Is photography a dying profession?
No, it’s not. Let us tell you why.
Some people argue that ultra-affordable DSLR cameras and even advanced smart phones, paired with readily available and easy-to-use editing software, have made professional photography a thing of the past. There are simple camera presets, quick online photography classes, and even YouTube and TikTok videos offering tips and how tos from the pros. Anyone can take a great photo nowadays, they say.
While that is technically true, good photography is about more than just snapping a photo with decent lighting and composition. Good photography requires creativity and passion. The photos tell stories and/or convey emotion. They make people stop, take notice, and think or feel a certain way – just by looking at a photo! If this excites or intrigues you, if this is a gift you may have, you could have a successful career in photography. Check out some of the online classes and degrees you might want to explore in photography and other related fields.
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