Are you looking to take your photography to the next level? If so, you’ll want to consider taking some photography classes. Whether you’re new to photography or have been shooting for years, they’re a great way to improve your skills and learn new techniques. This article will discuss some of the benefits of taking an online photography class. Plus, we’ve rounded up some of the best photography classes in several categories — all recommended or taught by professional photographers.
Why take an online photography class?
Photography classes have many benefits, even if you’re already a photographer. They can help you become a better photographer, expand your knowledge of the craft, and meet other photographers who share your passion.
If you’re on a budget, need to take a class on your own schedule, or simply prefer learning in the comfort of your own home — an online class is perfect for you. You can still choose a class that gives you direct access to your instructor via email or phone, and some classes will come with photography assignments and feedback on your work.
Below are our picks for some of the best online photography classes. We’ve chosen a variety of classes in different genres, all recommended by, or taught by, professional photographers. No matter if you’re a beginner or a seasoned, working pro looking to expand your skills — there’s something on this list for everyone.
1. Annie Leibovitz Teaches Photography
Featured on MasterClass and only available with their membership, Annie Leibovitz teaches an online photography class that covers her process from start to finish. Annie is one of the most prolific photographers of our time, and she’s shot everyone from John Lennon to Queen Elizabeth II. In this class, Annie walks you through how she conceives, plans, and executes her world-renowned portraits.
She teaches you that the thing that makes a photo stunning isn’t your gear, it’s the story. And she’ll show you how to bring those stories to life with your photographs.
Details:
- The class is approx. 3 hours long with 15 video lessons
- Share your work with an engaged MasterClass community
- Price: MasterClass membership is $15/month (includes unlimited access to all MasterClass classes and sessions)
2. The Photography Starter Kit for Beginners by John Greengo
This is the highest-rated photography class on CreativeLive with a 100% recommendation rate and over 28,000 enrolled students. It’s great for beginners as it covers all the basics of photography — from exposure and depth of field to composition and photo editing.
Instructor John Greengo is a professional photographer and teacher with more than 30 years of experience. He makes complex concepts easy to understand with relatable analogies and clear, concise language. By the end of this class, you’ll have a strong foundation in photography that will help you take your skills to the next level.
Details:
- Almost 4 hours of instruction with 16 video lessons plus bonus content
- Lifetime access with purchase
- Share your work with the CreativeLive community
- Price: $24 for this class or subscribe to CreativeLive for access to 2000+ classes for $13/month
3. Transform Your Home into a Professional Photography Studio with Rick Sammon
In this class from KelbyOne, photographer Rick Sammon shows you how to set up a home studio on a budget. You’ll learn how to find the right space in your home, select the best lighting equipment, and create a variety of looks for your portraits.
Instructor Rick Sammon is an award-winning travel photographer and a Canon Explorer of Light. You’ll find his enthusiasm for photography contagious and love his teaching style and sense of humor. Rick makes learning easy and fun. By the end of this course, you’ll be able to take photos that look like they were shot in a professional studio.
Details:
- 50 minutes with 9 video lessons
- Price: Free with KelbyOne’s free membership (includes 26 free photography courses, upgrade for additional classes)
4. The Art of Street Photography with Magnum Photographers
In this course from Magnum Photos, you’ll learn from some of the world’s most celebrated street photographers. Seven world-class photographers – Bruce Gilden, Martin Parr, Susan Meiselas, Richard Kalvar, Carolyn Drake, Peter van Agtmael and Mark Power, plus three industry experts will teach you how to approach strangers, shoot candidly, and tell stories with your images.
You’ll also get an inside look at the workflows and editing processes of Magnum photographers. You’ll discover different approaches to photographing people on the street, how to develop your own voice, and see your instructors in action in a variety of locations. This course is a must if you’re interested in street photography.
Magnum Photos is an international cooperative that was founded in 1947. It aimed to give photographers and artists the freedom to work on their own, without having to follow the agendas of magazines and newspapers. Today, Magnum represents some of the world’s most renowned photographers.
Details:
- 10 on-demand video lessons by 10 instructors
- unlimited access
- Price: $99
5. Fine Art Photography: The Complete Guide with Brooke Shaden
Do you want to create fine art photography that is meaningful and lasting? In this in-depth class from CreativeLive, Brooke Shaden will teach you how to develop your vision, find your voice, and create powerful images. You’ll learn about storytelling, symbolism, creating characters, translating emotion into images, creating a series, and even printing and promoting your work.
Brooke is an award-winning fine art photographer who has been featured in Forbes, Huffington Post, NPR, and TIME. She is known for her evocative self-portraits and unique vision. Brooke’s passion for photography is infectious, and her teaching style is clear and concise.
Details:
- 26 hours of instruction with 138 video lessons and bonus content
- Lifetime access with purchase
- Price: $99 for the class or subscribe to CreativeLive for access to 2000+ classes for $13/month
6. Photography Basics and Beyond: From Smartphone to DSLR Specialization
In this specialization from Michigan State University offered for free on Coursera, you’ll learn everything you need to know about photography, from taking pictures with your smartphone to using a DSLR camera. You’ll start with the basics of composition and exposure, then move on to more advanced concepts like light, color, and depth. By the end of the course, you’ll be able to take amazing photos that capture the world around you.
This specialization is perfect for anyone who wants to learn about photography, whether you’re a beginner with a smartphone or an experienced photographer with a DSLR. The courses are taught by experienced instructors from Michigan State University, and you’ll have the opportunity to practice your skills with graded assignments.
In addition to learning these skills, you’ll earn a Certificate of Specialization from Michigan State University upon completion of the courses. You’ll also get substantial discounts on photo gear from membership partners.
Details:
- The Specialization includes 5 Courses and takes approx. 6 months to complete at the suggested pace of 4 hours per week
- Graded assignments with peer feedback
- Final project assignment
- Price: $49/month
7. From Flat to Fabulous with Scott Kelby
If you’ve ever been excited to shoot a photo and then been let down by the way it looked right out of the camera, this is the class for you. Offered by KelbyOne, Scott Kelby will teach you how to take your photos from basic and boring to vibrant and full of life with post-processing. He takes you through his entire post-processing workflow using Camera Raw and Photoshop to show you exactly how he takes images from flat to fabulous.
Scott is a world-renowned photographer, author, and educator who is best known for his work in the field of digital photography. He’s the president and CEO of KelbyOne, an online education company that offers classes taught by some of the world’s best photographers and instructors. You’ll be inspired by his teaching style and the way he makes everything seem so easy.
Details:
- 2 hours of instruction with 12 video lessons
- Price: $29 one-time fee or $9.99/month for unlimited access to this course and 400+ others
8. Jimmy Chin Teaches Adventure Photography
In this class from MasterClass, you’ll learn from one of the world’s best adventure photographers, Jimmy Chin. He’ll teach you how to capture stunning images in some of the most remote and beautiful places on earth. You’ll learn about composition, light, gear, and planning for a shoot. You’ll also get an inside look at Jimmy’s process for editing and post-processing his photos.
Jimmy is an accomplished photographer, filmmaker, mountaineer, and artist who has been featured in National Geographic, TIME, and Outside Magazine. He’s won awards for his work including the Eddie Adams Award and the prestigious Robert Capa Gold Medal. His images capture the beauty and power of nature, and his work has taken him to some of the most remote corners of the globe.
Details:
- 4 hours of instruction with 20 video lessons
- Share your work with an engaged MasterClass community
- Price: MasterClass membership is $15/month (includes unlimited access to all MasterClass classes and sessions)
Final thoughts
Gone are the days when you had no choice but to enroll in a face-to-face class to learn a skill like photography. Today’s technology has given us the opportunity to learn from the best photographers in the world, in the comfort of our own homes — and at a price well below what it would cost to take an in-person class.
Whether you’re a beginner who wants to learn the basics or an experienced photographer who wants to take your skills to the next level, there’s an online photography class for you. And the best part is, you can get started today!
So what are you waiting for? Start learning and expanding your photography skills today! You’ll be taking a lot more photos, so make sure you’ve got a new, large-capacity memory card loaded and ready to go. ProGrade Digital memory cards are rigorously tested to meet the high standards of professional photographers.
