How to Pick the Best Photography Course
Am I saying there are many scam courses, as someone offering a course? YES and it's important to read this.
Avoiding Photography Course Scams
In the bustling world of photography, education can be a key driver of success. Yet, the market is flooded with courses promising the moon but failing to deliver even basic skills. While it may seem negative, my blog is about real conversations with people who choose to learn from me. With that being said, there are many photographers selling courses because they aren’t booking clients, so it’s easier (so it seems) to promise huge returns on their $595 course, $20 LUTS, or whatever else is on the market.
There are good courses from great photographers. They have years of success, failures and they’ve remained! I look up to them, and how I’ve learned about them is Google. They have a track record that’s more than a couple of pages on a website. They’re all over the Internet, multiple websites and countless mentions from a variety of platforms. This is the product of a long and illustrious career. But I’m not talking about them. They’re not the vultures, it’s the ones you’ve never heard of with MASSIVE claims of riches.
The charlatans won’t have anything more than a few pages, some fake followers and big promises. They have a too-good-to-be-true attitude about everything. You can see my video for all of the notes, but for this post I’d like to talk about things to look for before you invest in a photography course.
By the way, I have my own courses. I urge you to research me, just as heavily as you research anyone else. Don’t let anyone get away with fake promises for your money. If you are considering my course, look at my work. If you’re interested after research, then it’s a win for you and a win for me. I’d love to have you in there!
Here’s how to sift the genuine gems from the deceptive duds and ensure your investment in education propels you forward, not backward.
Research the Instructor's Background
Ensure the instructors have proven expertise and are respected in the photography community. Look for real work examples, published content, or a professional history that supports their claims of success. The person offering to mentor you should have many, many years of a successful career. It’s more than just good lighting, it’s knowing how to put out any fire because they have the experience of putting out many fires. Experience is valuable. Make sure the person selling you a course has this experience.
Check Reviews and Testimonials
Authentic reviews from past students can provide insight into the course's effectiveness. Look beyond the course website—check forums, social media, and independent review sites. You’ll often see testimonials from so-called happy clients. Make sure the testimonials are valid and reputable people, and not just a friend helping a buddy out.
Look for Practical Assignments
A reputable course should include practical, real-world assignments that help you apply what you’ve learned. This hands-on approach is crucial in photography.
The Celebrity Photographers
As a person who has photographed many celebrities, I want you to know that I won’t call myself a celebrity photographer. I have in the earlier parts of my career and it’s cringe. My friends who actively photograph celebrities and magazine covers would never call themselves that either. No real celebrity photographer would tout that title around. They let the work speak for itself. The ones without much work will attach a title of “celebrity photographer” to it, because they shot one of the contestants from a reality TV dating show.
Updates and Relevance
The field of photography is rapidly evolving with new techniques and technologies emerging regularly. Ensure that the course content is not only comprehensive but also updated regularly to reflect the latest trends and industry standards. This ensures that you are learning the most current practices and can stay competitive in the field.
Magazines and Brands
Many photographers will say they’ve been published and work with huge brands. Google them. Make sure it’s Fendi the fashion house hiring them, not the local influencer renting a Fendi blouse and wearing it for a photoshoot. There’s nothing wrong with photographing a local influencer! I’m happy for that person, but saying Fendi hired them directly is an untrue story. And those fake courses are littered fake accomplishments. You are responsible for the money in your wallet/bank account. It’s your job to research anyone you wish to invest in, AND THAT INCLUDES ME.
Many scam courses say they’ve worked with big brands or even small brands. Show us. Show us the work you’ve done on the brand’s website because that’s the big tell.
Ethics and Values
Understanding the instructor's approach to ethical issues in photography can be crucial. This includes their standards for editing, respect for model rights, and cultural sensitivity. A course that aligns with your values can enhance your professional growth in a direction that you find personally and ethically satisfying. Research them on social platforms. Do they speak about important topics in a way that aligns with your morals and character? If so, great. If not, run away immediately.
Ensure There Is a Money-Back Guarantee
This can protect you if the course does not meet its advertised promises. It’s simple. If you’re going to make huge promises, then give a money-back promise on it. Reputable courses won’t ever promise you a certain amount. What we will do is promise that you’ll learn from the course and you’ll do much better - but never a guarantee.
Investing in a photography course is a significant step towards advancing your career. By taking the time to thoroughly vet potential courses using the criteria above, you can ensure that your time and money contribute to your growth as a skilled, ethical, and informed photographer.
Remember, in a field where your reputation and skills are paramount, the right education can make all the difference. By no means am I suggesting that some people can have a course while other’s can’t. That’s not it, at all!
What i’m saying is…like any industry there are honest people and then there are scammers. It’s YOUR JOB to make sure no one takes advantage of you.
I’m not the only person offering photography courses. In fact, if there is enough interest in this subject - maybe I will do another blog post about reputable photography courses from a variety of photographers. It’s not a competition, it’s community. If you want that, please leave a comment.
My S.T.E.P. Pricing Course is here
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