Professional Photography

Learn professional photography skills, from camera control to creative composition and editing, designed for beginners and aspiring photographers aiming to build confidence and practical expertise.

Professional Photography
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Overview of Professional Photography Course

This professional photography course builds strong camera skills training through structured lessons on exposure, composition and lighting. Designed as professional photography education, it suits beginners and aspiring creatives seeking industry-ready skills..

Learners explore portrait, landscape, product, wildlife and event photography while mastering photo editing course tools like Photoshop and Lightroom. These professional photography programs combine creative technique with practical, real-world shooting scenarios..

The course also supports career progression, covering photography business, marketing and content course for photographers. Ideal for vocational photography courses or certified professional photographer prep course pathways, it develops confidence and professional standards.

Learning Outcomes of Professional Photography Course

Method Of Assessment​

Learners complete an assignment designed to evaluate their understanding of the course content. The assignment is reviewed by qualified tutors who provide personalised feedback, allowing learners to demonstrate their applied knowledge and skills.

Certification

one education Certificate

After completing the Professional Photography Course assessments, learners qualify for a CPD QS accredited certificate from One Education.

The certificate is available in two formats: a PDF version for £9 or a printed hard copy delivered by post for £15.

EXAMPLE - QLS Certificate 2020 1

Quality Licence Scheme Endorsed Certificate

Learners also have the option to order a Quality Licence Scheme (QLS) Endorsed Certificate as additional proof of achievement. The QLS Endorsed Certificate can be delivered by post for £129, with an additional £10 postage charge for international students.

Endorsement

This course has been endorsed by the Quality Licence Scheme for its high-quality, non-regulated provision and training programmes. This course is not regulated by Ofqual and is not an accredited qualification. Your training provider will be able to advise you on any further recognition, for example progression routes into further and/or higher education. For further information please visit the Learner FAQs on the Quality Licence Scheme website.

Why Study This Professional Photography Course?

The demand for skilled photographers continues to grow across digital media, marketing, events, and creative industries. High-quality visual content is essential for brands, businesses, and individuals seeking strong online and offline presence, creating consistent opportunities for trained photography professionals.

Studying a Professional Photography Course develops technical camera skills, creative composition, lighting expertise, and photo editing confidence. CPD-accredited learning demonstrates commitment to professional development, strengthens creative portfolios, and enhances career prospects within photography and visual content creation fields.

Course Duration

The Professional Photography Course is designed to be completed over 3 weeks and 6 days. Learners can progress through the modules at a flexible pace, allowing them to balance study with personal or professional commitments while developing photography skills within a structured timeframe.

Requirements

The professional photography course requirements are straightforward and learner-friendly. No formal qualifications are required to enrol. A basic interest in photography, creativity, and a willingness to learn are all that is needed. Learners should have access to a camera or smartphone for practice, along with a reliable internet connection. The course is fully online and can be studied on any internet-enabled device, allowing learners to progress at a pace that suits their personal and professional commitments.

Career Path

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. The course starts with photography fundamentals and camera basics, making it suitable for complete beginners as well as those refreshing existing skills.

No. You can start with any digital camera or smartphone. The course explains camera settings, lenses, and equipment so learners can upgrade confidently later.

You will learn exposure control, composition, lighting techniques, portrait and landscape photography, photo editing, and camera handling for different scenarios.

Yes. The course covers popular photo editing tools such as Photoshop, Lightroom, and mobile editing apps, helping you enhance and professionally finish images.

The course builds essential technical and creative skills that support freelance photography, content creation, and portfolio development, adding strong value to your CV.

Yes. The course is fully online and self-paced, allowing learners to study photography techniques anytime and from any internet-enabled device.

Course Curriculum

Introduction
Introduction to the Photography Masterclass 00:03:00
How Does a Camera Work 00:01:00
Lecture Types 00:02:00
Exposure
Intro to Exposure 00:02:00
What is Aperture 00:08:00
What is Shutter Speed 00:04:00
What is ISO 00:06:00
The Exposure Triangle 00:09:00
Using the Exposure Meter 00:04:00
Metering Modes – Advanced Lesson 00:03:00
Exposure Compensation – Advanced Lesson 00:04:00
Dynamic Range – Advanced Lesson 00:03:00
HDR and Bracketing – Advanced Lesson 00:02:00
Reading a Histogram 00:02:00
What is an Exposure 00:01:00
Exposure Modes 00:09:00
Intro to Activities 00:01:00
Activity – Exposure 00:01:00
Digital Photography Masterclass
Intro to Composition 00:01:00
The Rule of Thirds 00:03:00
Negative Space 00:02:00
Leading Lines 00:03:00
Symmetry and Balance 00:02:00
Perspective and Angles 00:07:00
Backgrounds 00:03:00
Activity – Composition 00:01:00
Advanced – Shooting Portraits with Wide vs Telephoto Lenses 00:01:00
Focus and Depth of Field
Intro to Focus and Depth of Field 00:01:00
Understanding Depth of Field 00:03:00
How to Get a Blurrier Background 00:02:00
Manual vs Auto Focus 00:03:00
Auto Focus Modes 00:05:00
Getting Sharp Focus on Fast Moving Objects 00:03:00
What is Bokeh 00:01:00
Viewfinder Focus 00:01:00
Activity – Fast Objects 00:01:00
Camera Anatomy
Intro to Camera Anatomy 00:01:00
The Main Camera Features 00:05:00
Camera Scene Modes 00:03:00
File Types and Formats 00:09:00
DSLR vs Mirrorless Cameras 00:03:00
The Sensor 00:06:00
Continuous and Burst Modes 00:02:00
Resolution and Quality 00:03:00
White Balance and Color
Intro to White Balance and Color 00:01:00
What is White Balance 00:03:00
The Kelvin Light Temperature Scale 00:04:00
Automatic Balance Modes 00:03:00
Color Modes and In-Camera Adjustments 00:03:00
Light Spectrum and Theory 20 hours ago more 00:02:00
Using Colors Creatively 00:03:00
Black and White Photography 00:04:00
Activity – Creative Color 00:01:00
Advanced – Custom White Balance 00:03:00
Lighting
Intro to Lighting 00:02:00
Using Natural Light 00:08:00
Using Natural Light a Window 00:03:00
Using Artificial Light 00:07:00
Using the on Board Camera Flash 00:03:00
Using an External Flash 00:10:00
Using a Light Kit 00:04:00
Creative Lighting 00:05:00
Activity – Lighting 00:01:00
Mobile Photography
Intro to Mobile Photography 00:02:00
Using a Smartphone Camera 00:03:00
Exposing Properly With the Smartphone Camera 00:01:00
Tips for Shooting With Your Mobile Camera 00:04:00
Shooting in Low Light With a Smartphone 00:07:00
Mobile Camera Accessories 00:02:00
Using Portrait Mode 00:03:00
Equipment - Cameras
Intro to Cameras 00:01:00
Camera Types 00:03:00
What is Your Budget 00:04:00
How and Where to Buy a Camera 00:02:00
What is the Best Beginner Camera 00:06:00
How to Build Out Your Camera Kit 00:03:00
Introducing Our Chats 00:01:00
A Chat About Buying a New Camera 00:21:00
Equipment - Lenses
Intro to Lenses 00:01:00
A Deeper Dive into Focal Length 00:07:00
A Deeper Dive Into Aperture 00:05:00
Primes vs Zooms 00:06:00
Prime vs Zoom – Quality Comparison 00:02:00
Upgrading Your Lenses – Kit vs Pro 00:01:00
Lens Stabilization 00:03:00
Filter Demonstration 00:03:00
Specialty and Creative Lenses 00:04:00
How to Clean Your Camera Lens 00:06:00
Equipment - Accessories
Intro to Camera Accessories 00:01:00
Memory Cards 00:04:00
Batteries 00:02:00
Stabilization 00:04:00
Flashes and Lights 00:02:00
Camera Bags 00:03:00
Hard Drives 00:03:00
Sam’s Favorite Bags 00:03:00
Photo Scenario - Portrait
Intro to Scenarios 00:01:00
Intro and Tips for Portrait Photography 00:02:00
Portrait Photo Demo 00:08:00
Photo Scenario - Long Exposure
Intro and Tips for Long Exposure Photography 00:02:00
Daytime Long Exposure Demo 00:19:00
Activity – Portrait 00:01:00
Nighttime Long Exposure 00:09:00
Activity – Long Exposure 00:01:00
Photo Scenario - Landscape
Intro and Tips for Landscape Photography 00:02:00
Landscape Photo demo 00:07:00
Activity – Landscape 00:01:00
Photo Scenario - Product
Intro and Tips for Product Photography 00:03:00
Product Photo Demonstration with Natural Light 00:07:00
Product Photography with Lights 00:03:00
Adding a Refiection 00:02:00
DIY Light Box 00:05:00
Activity – Product 00:01:00
Editing Product Photos 00:14:00
Photo Scenario - Low Light
Intro and Tips for Low Light Photography 00:02:00
Low Light Demo 00:08:00
Activity – Low light 00:01:00
Photo Scenario - Sports & Action
Intro and Tips for Sports and Action Photography 00:02:00
Sports Photography 00:08:00
Activity – Action and Sports 00:01:00
Photo Scenario - Macro
Intro and Tips for Macro Photography 00:02:00
Macro Photography Demo 00:05:00
Activity – Macro 00:01:00
Photo Scenario - Street & Architecture
Street Photo demo 00:04:00
Activity – Street and Architecture 00:01:00
Photo Scenario - Events
Intro to Event Photography 00:02:00
A Chat About Event Photography 00:04:00
Bring the Right Tools 00:05:00
Be Aware of Your Surrounding 00:05:00
Be Quick With Your Settings 00:05:00
Capture the Details 00:04:00
An Overview of Shooting a Wedding 00:10:00
Activity – Events 00:01:00
Photo Scenario - Aerial
Intro to Drone Photography 00:01:00
Our Recommended Drone Equipment 00:06:00
Drone Tips 00:06:00
Drone Demo 00:12:00
Activity – Aerial Photography 00:01:00
Photo Scenario - Night
Intro and for Night Photography 00:01:00
Night Photo Demo 00:04:00
Activity – Night 00:01:00
Intro to Photo Editing
Intro to Editing 00:01:00
Activity – Photo Editing 00:01:00
Photoshop CC
Intro Photoshop 00:05:00
Opening Photos in Photoshop CC 00:05:00
Cropping in Photoshop CC 00:03:00
White Balance in Photoshop CC 00:04:00
Proper Photo Editing Workflow in Photoshop CC 00:07:00
Exposure Photoshop CC 00:03:00
Color and Saturation in Photoshop CC 00:04:00
Sharpening and Noise Reduction in Photoshop CC 00:06:00
Tone Curve in Photoshop CC 00:03:00
Effects – Vignettes, Grain, Dehaze in Photoshop CC 00:04:00
Saving and Exporting in Photoshop CC 00:08:00
HSL and Grayscale in Photoshop CC 00:05:00
Split Toning in Photoshop CC 00:03:00
Lens Corrections in Photoshop CC 00:06:00
Spot and Blemish Removal in Photoshop CC 00:04:00
Targeted Adjustments in Photoshop CC 00:05:00
Straighten and Transform Tools in Photoshop CC 00:03:00
Graduated, Radial, Brush Filters in Photoshop CC 00:08:00
Range Masks in Photoshop CC 00:07:00
Full Landscape Edit in Photoshop CC 00:15:00
Full Portrait in Photoshop CC 00:11:00
Cropping in Photoshop CC 00:04:00
Layer Panel Workflow in Photoshop CC 00:02:00
Making Photo Adjustment in Photoshop CC 00:11:00
Removing Background from Photo in Photoshop CC 00:08:00
Favorite Tools for Manipulating Photos in Photoshop CC 00:10:00
Exporting from Photoshop CC 00:04:00
Editing Together an HDR Photo in Photoshop CC 00:03:00
Lightroom Classic CC
Intro to Lightroom Classic CC 00:05:00
Importing and Organizing in Lightroom Classic CC 00:11:00
Crop and Rotate Lightroom Classic CC 00:05:00
White Balance in Lightroom Classic 00:08:00
Exposure in Lightroom Classic CC 00:06:00
Color and Saturation in Lightroom Classic CC 00:09:00
Sharpening and Noise Reduction in Lightroom Classic CC 00:07:00
Vignettes, Grain and Dehaze in Lightroom Classic CC 00:06:00
Exporting in Lightroom Classic CC 00:10:00
Lens Corrections in Lightroom Classic CC 00:05:00
Split Tone in Lightroom Classic CC 00:05:00
Removing Blemishes With the Heal and Clone Tools in Lightroom Classic CC 00:08:00
Graduated, Radial and Brush Adjustments in Lightroom Classic CC 00:10:00
Adjustment Brush Presets in Lightroom Classic CC 00:03:00
Range Masks in Lightroom Classic CC 00:05:00
Full Edit – Portrait in Lightroom Classic CC 00:19:00
Full Edit – Black and White Action in Lightroom Classic CC 00:10:00
Lightroom CC
Intro to Lightroom CC 00:03:00
Import and Organize in Lightroom CC 00:10:00
Crop and Rotate in Lightroom CC 00:03:00
White Balance and Saturation in Lightroom CC 00:06:00
Light – Exposure and Tone Curve in Lightroom CC 00:08:00
Color Mixer in Lightroom CC 00:02:00
Effects in Lightroom CC 00:05:00
Split Toning in Lightroom CC 00:01:00
Details in Lightroom CC 00:05:00
Optics in Lightroom CC 00:03:00
Geometry in Lightroom CC 00:04:00
Exporting and Sharing Lightroom CC 00:02:00
Healing and Clone Brushes in Lightroom CC 00:04:00
Brush Adjustments Lightroom CC 00:04:00
Radial and Linear Gradients Lightroom CC 00:05:00
Advanced Options and Presets in Lightroom CC 00:04:00
Full Edit – Night Photo in Lightroom CC 00:11:00
Full Edit – Portrait in Lightroom CC 00:14:00
Editing Photos in Your Web Browses With Lightroom CC 00:03:00
Mac Photos
Intro to Mac Photos 00:02:00
Importing and Organizing Mac Photos 00:07:00
Cropping and Rotating in Mac Photos 00:05:00
Exposure Adjustments in Mac Photos 00:04:00
White Balance in Mac Photos 00:06:00
Color, Saturation, HSL in Mac Photos 00:06:00
Noise Reduction and Sharpening in Mac Photos 00:07:00
Vignettes, Contrast, Black and White in Mac Photos 00:06:00
Exporting in Mac Photos 00:06:00
Full Edit -Portrait in Mac Photos 00:10:00
Full Edit – Landscape in Mac Photos 00:09:00
Google Photos
Intro to Google Photos 00:02:00
Importing and Organizing in Google Photos 00:04:00
Editing Photos in Google Photos in Google photos 00:07:00
Downloading and Sharing in Google Photos 00:03:00
Full Edit – Macro in Google Photos 00:05:00
Full Edit – Landscape in Google Photos 00:06:00
Photoshop Express
Intro to Photoshop Express 00:01:00
Importing and Understanding the Workspace in Photoshop Express 00:04:00
The Editing Workspace and Applying Filters in Photoshop Express 00:03:00
Crop and Rotate in Photoshop Expressle 00:03:00
Editing Photos in Photoshop Express 00:07:00
Red Eye Removal, Text and Frames in Photoshop Express 00:04:00
Removing Blemishes 00:01:00
Saving and Exporting in Photoshop Express 00:02:00
Creating Collages in Photoshop Express 00:05:00
Full Edit – Landscape in Photoshop Express 00:05:00
Full Edit – Product Photo in Photoshop Express 00:05:00
Snapseed
Intro to Snapseed 00:01:00
Opening Photos and Navigating the App 00:05:00
Making Adjustments and Editing Exposure 00:05:00
Cropping 00:02:00
White Balance 00:02:00
Details and Sharpening 00:02:00
Tone Curves 00:03:00
Rotate, Perspective and Expand 00:04:00
Making Edits to Selected Parts of an Image 00:04:00
Removing Blemishes and Healing Brush 00:01:00
Snapseed Photo Styles 00:07:00
Text and Frames 00:02:00
Saving and Exporting 00:03:00
Full Portrait Edit 00:06:00
Sharing Your Photos
Intro to Sharing 00:02:00
Online Platforms for Photographers 00:07:00
Having Success on Instagram 00:07:00
Activity – Portfolio 00:01:00
Creating a Portfolio with Wix 00:17:00
Chat about Having an Online Presence 00:07:00
Chat about Getting More Followers 00:05:00
A Chat about Best Web Platforms for Photographers 00:06:00
Starting a Photo Business
Intro to Starting a Photography Business 00:01:00
Starting a Photo Business 00:04:00
Finding Your First Client 00:05:00
Payments and Accounting 00:02:00
How Much Should You Charge 00:05:00
Contracts 00:03:00
Income and Expense Tracking 00:03:00
A Chat About Getting our First Clients 00:06:00
A Chat About the Gear You Need to Start a Business 00:03:00
A Chat About How Much You Should Charge 00:09:00
Selling Stock Photos
Intro to Stock Photography 00:01:00
The Best Stock Photos Sites to Sell on 00:02:00
Selling Stock Photography on Your Own 00:03:00
How Licensing 00:04:00
Printing
How to Print Your Photos 00:03:00
How Big Can You Print Your Photos 00:02:00
Framing 00:02:00
Wildlife
Intro and Tips for Wildlife Photography 00:02:00
Wildlife Photography Demonstration 00:06:00
Photo Chat – Sam’s Archipelago Trip 00:05:00
Activity – Nature 00:01:00
Conclusion
Thank You and Conclusion Video 00:03:00
Resources
Resource – Professional Photography 00:00:00
Photo Submission
Submit Your Photos 00:00:00
Assignment
Assignment – Professional Photography 1 week, 3 days
Recommended Materials
Workbook – Professional Photography 2 weeks, 1 day
Order your Accredited Certificate directly from CPDQS
Order your Accredited Certificate directly from CPDQS 00:00:00
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