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Become a Professional Photographer

There's never been a better time to become a professional photographer.

The number of new magazines continues to grow. And all of them need photos.

People continue to get married, and their wedding photos are among their most treasured possessions.

Parents want photos of their children. Schools want team photos. And companies always need photos for brochures and press releases.

Your local newspaper wants photos. And so do the picture agencies. Have you thought about selling your work for calendars or postcards? Or approaching advertising agencies? The list is endless.

But how do you set yourself up as a freelance?

That's one of the many secrets we teach.

Many photography courses promise to show you how to become a better photographer. But far fewer train you to become a pro.

There's a reason for that. Not many people understand the nuts and bolts of the freelance business. The records you keep. How you look for work. How to get paid. And what to charge.

Having a client commission your first assignment is a real thrill. It's surpassed only by the pleasure of receiving a cheque. Imagine getting paid for doing what you enjoy!

Photography courses show you the way. Photography can be your main work. Or it can provide a second income. You can work from home, either part or full time, and you get to meet interesting people. Every day is different.

Click Play above to watch a short video about the course.

About the photography course

The photography course shows you how to become a professional photographer. It gives you the right information when you need it.

The Diploma course is a complete learning package. 'Become a freelance photographer' is crammed full of information, tips and exercises. Everything is beautifully packaged to provide you with your own permanent reference library which you can consult long after completing the photography course.

Constructed by expert photographers, the course distils years of experience, covering all the main kinds of assignments. By taking this photography course, your success as a photographer is assured.

Accredited by NCFE at Level 4

Our course is fully accredited by the national awarding body NCFE, and on completing it you get a national award equivalent to Level 4 of the National Learning Framework.

Our Professional Photography course is accredited with NCFE NCFE is recognised as an awarding body by the qualification regulators ('regulators') for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. The regulators are the Office of the Qualifications and Examinations Regulator (Ofqual) in England, the Department for Children, Education, Lifelong Learning and Skills (DCELLS) in Wales and the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) in Northern Ireland.

To read more about NCFE please go to www.ncfe.org.uk

“I just wanted to let you know that the Met Police have published two of my pictures I took for my business assignment last year! They have used them for a booklet they published about drugs control. Totally cool!

The DI that I was with that day sent it to me with a letter saying I can use them as a reference. The course helped me do that and I am very grateful.”

- Isabelle Kok, Diploma in Professional Photography student

“Since starting the course I have set up a website which sells landscape photographs. Some of which were originally taken for the travel/tourism assignment.

I have also been given an opportunity to exhibit some of my woodland photographs at a local gallery for a two month exhibition entitled Seedling....looking forward to the opening night this Friday.”

- Neil Fawcett, Diploma in Professional Photography student

Personal to you

To help you fully understand the course material, we'll set you assignments. They'll be assessed by one of our experienced tutors. It means your photographs can be checked in a friendly atmosphere before you're exposed to the outside world.

You'll have unlimited access to your personal tutor, who'll give you free advice and suggestions on anything to do with photography, including your own clients. Plus, you can take as long as you want to complete the photography course.

This is what you'll receive when you register

Unlike many photography courses, our course is based on the real world. By the end of it, you'll have met all the main problems that a photographer encounters. So you won't face any surprises when you meet your first client.

Free Guide to Your Camera's Manual Settings

When you enrol on the Diploma in Professional Photography course you'll also receive 'A Guide to Your Camera's Manual Settings'. It covers the following topics:

Getting the right exposure
Aperture settings
Altering the shutter speed
Understanding ISO
How aperture, shutter speed, and ISO work together
Other manual controls

'Institute learner Darran Buckley won the 'Wild Scotland' photo contest with this outstanding picture of a cormorant. We can teach you to succeed, too.'

What does the photography course cost?

The course cost is shown in the registration page. It includes all your course materials, and all your tutoring. There are no hidden extras.

How long does the Diploma course take?

Many students take nine months to complete the Diploma course. If you're busy, it could take you eighteen months. If you have spare time and you're prepared to work hard, you could complete the course in three months. But unlike other organisations, we set no time limit. You can take as long as you want. You study at your pace, not ours.

Read our Diary of a Professional Photographer

Follow the highs and lows of a professional photographer's life, as our freelance photographer reports each week on her experiences in the field. You'll get insights into her day, and learn from her successes and failures. The Diary is available exclusively to our learners.

Your qualification

Photography Course Diploma Students who satisfactorily complete the course are awarded the Diploma in Professional Photography. They receive the certificate, and the right to use the words Dip. Pro.Photo. (Inst. P.P).

We offer not one but two guarantees

1. Examine the course at your leisure for 60 days. And if you for any reason it doesn't meet your needs, just let us know and we'll refund your fees. No questions asked.

2. If, 90 days after completing the course, you haven't recouped the cost of the fees through working as a professional photographer, we'll refund your course fees.

Why do we offer this? Simple. We don't want unhappy former students. We'd rather stay friends. And it stands to reason that no photography course can suit absolutely everyone who registers on it.

Bonus: Get this 'Interview with a Professional Photographer' DVD free when you enrol

Yes, this brand new DVD offers a unique insight into the work of a professional photographer, and it’s yours, free of charge, when you register on the Diploma in Professional Photography course.

The DVD features an interview with a pro photographer who's been in the business 30 years – so he knows what works and what doesn’t.

He’s been through boom and recession years, so he has a huge amount of experience. And you can get that information directly by watching the interview.

To read more about this free DVD, click here.

Free mentoring when you complete the course

Once you complete the course, we’ll give you three months’ free business mentoring.

You’ll have a personal mentor who'll help you set up your own business (if that's your choice).

For three months after getting your Diploma you'll get one-to-one advice and support from an active practitioner.

So if you're unsure on how to launch your own business, this mentoring programme will put you on the road to success.

And because it's all part of the Institute's course, it won't cost you a penny.

"I thought I should inform you that I have been selected as an All Star by the World Press Photo to get international photojournalism training to prepare us for the coverage of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

I am one of the 108 All Africa Stars, 36 Photojournalists, 36 Broadcast journalists and 36 Print journalists who will be covering the World Cup from an African perspective."

- Amos Gumulira, Diploma in Professional Photography student

New! You get a free copy of Business Blueprints

This 47 page book contains complete step-by-step checklists for starting a successful business.

Click here to learn more about Business Blueprints.

Competitions. Prizes!

We hold regular free competitions for our students. You can win prizes, plus a Certificate for your walls and a boost for your CV.

When you complete the course

Once you complete the photography course, we send information about your success to your local newspapers (if you want). It's a good way of telling potential clients that you're available. We'll also put your name on our Register of Approved Freelance Photographers.
It's time to get started

Having read this far, you've got what it takes - motivation. Fill out the enrolment form now, because this is where the adventure and rewards begin. It's easy to start:

Register now for the photography course by clicking here. If you need help or information, contact the Institute. E-mail or post the form and payment to us.
We'll ship the course materials to you within two days.
When you get the course, read the first module. It's laid out in an easy-to-follow format. Then do the simple first assignment. Send it to your tutor for marking. She will return it to you with friendly advice and comments.
Do the same for the other modules, until you reach the end of the photography course. By then, you'll be earning good money as a photographer.