8 Free Online Photography Courses 2025

Photography is an artistic field often underestimated due to misconceptions about the talents and skills required to take quality pictures. Whether you're a complete beginner or a professional photographer, there are always skills that can be learned or further developed to improve your overall photography skills.

Free online photography courses provide learners with the opportunity to learn general fundamental skills or new techniques or software, such as new features of Adobe Photoshop. These courses can also prepare students for affordable online photography degree programs if they choose to pursue higher education.

Free Photography Courses Online

Photography education and training requirements can vary, depending on the position. Learners can find photography courses ranging from general information to specific tutorials on shutter speed, portrait photography, and software tools used in the field. Some of these courses are certificate programs, but most are intended more for personal and professional development instead of a credential for your resume or LinkedIn profile.

1. Profitable Wedding Photography

Wedding photography is one of the most profitable segments in the field. This course includes two hours of on-demand video lessons hosted on Udemy that focus on the business aspects of wedding photography.

Students will learn about professional associations they can join, how to write their contracts, and pricing models. Coursework is more business-minded than photography-focused, but these lessons are still valuable to beginners.

2. Photography Foundation Course

This course on Udemy covers the fundamentals of photography including adjusting camera settings, planning photoshoots, and post-processing and editing. It includes an hour of video tutorials and a practical assignment to hone your skills with camera components like aperture, shutter speed, and ISO.

3. Introductory Photography Course

This program is hosted on Udem and taught by Chris Bray. Students will work primarily on photography concepts, such as aperture and depth of field, lighting, and photo compositions (e.g., the rule of thirds).

Concepts are taught on a DSLR camera, but they will apply to other machines, including digital cameras and even smartphones.

4. Adobe Photoshop CS6 - For Beginners

Adobe Photoshop is the leading photo editing software program used by pros and amateurs. Coursework focuses less on taking pictures and more on the role of post-production in the photography process. Students will work with Photoshop CS6, the most up-to-date version of the program.

Students will need to have access to CS6 to participate in hands-on learning experiences using Photoshop tools, adjusting the histogram, and other skills. This guided tutorial program takes most students just over two hours.

5. Photography Basics and Beyond: From Smartphone to DSLR Specialization

This course is offered on Coursera with input from Michigan State University professors. This multi-module photography tutorial covers everything from making the most of natural light to establishing proper photo composition, as well as features of camera lenses.

All modules are completed at your own pace, and most students take around 90 hours over two months to complete all coursework and projects.

6. Cameras, Exposure, and Photography

The lessons in this program were developed by the faculty at Michigan State University. This course focuses on digital cameras and the basics of photography. Students will work with various settings, such as auto and manual modes, adjusting focal length, and how different devices will be better suited for different types of digital photography.

The videos, readings, and hands-on assignments take most students around 19 hours to complete.

7. Intermediate Digital Photography

This program is offered by Alison's Advance Learning program. Students will work on the process of taking photos and post-production skills. Module one focuses on in-depth looks at ISO, shutter speeds, and lens filters. Students will then move to module two, which focuses on the various tools used in Photoshop to edit and touch up pictures.

This free program can be completed in around three hours and can lead to a certificate.

8. CS 178 - Digital Photography

Stanford University's CS 178 course is offered free online in a combination of 18 YouTube video lectures (totaling over 20 hours of content), as well as lecture notes and assignments offered freely on Stanford's website. This photo class uses the curriculum from Standford's CS 178 class, but completing this program doesn't result in any certificates or college credits.

Our Selection Criteria

Although art is subjective, evaluating online photography courses can be a bit more objective. We used several key criteria to evaluate these programs.

• Course instructor/provider: We primarily looked at who teaches the course. High-quality instructors are the first step to top-tier coursework.
• Skills covered: We selected programs that offer a wide array of skills, whether you're trying to take your current skills to the next level or starting from scratch, there is a program for you.
• Free (or can be made free): Every program on this list was selected because it is either free or can be made free through financial aid programs.

FAQs About Free Online Photography Classes

Online photography classes cover a diverse range of topics. Prospective learners often have common questions about these programs, including whether they can become self-taught photographers, how to get started, and where to find certificate programs.

Can I Teach Myself To Be a Photographer?

Photography, like all forms of art, will ultimately require you to put your spin on the craft, but that doesn't mean you can learn every aspect on your own. If you're looking to go into your own photography business, you might not need a formal degree, but it is advised to take online courses or pursue other learning experiences to gain knowledge from professionals.

That being said, it is possible to learn many of the most important photography skills outside of a formal classroom setting.

How Do You Start Learning Photography Through Online Classes?

Online courses come in three main levels: beginner, intermediate, and advanced. If you're just starting or have limited experience, look for classes with words like ''beginner'' or ''intro in the title''.

You should also look for courses that specify the type of camera or photography you plan to do. For example, if you want to use a film camera, a course on digital photography won't be as beneficial.

Where Can I Find Free Online Photography Courses That offer a certificate upon completion?

Multiple learning platforms offer free online photography courses that can also lead to certifications. Some of the most popular platforms are Coursera, Alison, and Udemy.

One important thing to know is that not all of these programs are free initially, but there are financial aid opportunities that can make them free. In some cases, you might need to make a payment and get a reimbursement, but most will cover costs before you are required to make any payments.

Explore Free Online Classes To Learn Photography Today

Becoming a better photographer doesn't mean you have to enroll in an expensive degree program or online course. Our resources can help you learn more about the free courses available from companies and universities nationwide.

Beyond online courses, you can learn more about online photography degrees and use our contact forms to begin your application process today.