10 Websites for Online Photography Classes
Whether you're pursuing a career or just indulging a creative passion, online photography classes are a game-changer—convenient, affordable, and perfectly aligned with your interests. Here’s a curated list of ten standout platforms to explore:
Digital Photography School Online Courses
A photography bookshelf in website form—featuring courses, e-books, tutorials, gear reviews, and forums. Whether you're diving into Dramatic Color, Black-and-White Photography, or Storytelling Through Photo Essays, this site offers a rich mix of free and paid resources.
Coursera Photography Courses
Learn photography through academic-grade offerings—like Photography Basics and Beyond: From Smartphone to DSLR or Images and Historical Interpretation in the 20th Century: The Camera Never Lies. Audit many lessons for free, or pay to unlock full content, assignments, and certification.
CreativeLive Photography Workshops
Looking to get specific—whether it’s Newborn Photography, Wildlife Photography, or Portrait Photography? CreativeLive hosts live-streamed workshops you can catch for free, and often discounts recordings afterward.
Udemy Photography Classes
A massive course catalog, frequent sales, and focused topics—such as Architecture and Real Estate Photography or Mastering Adobe Lightroom—often priced between $10–$20. Quick mini-lessons also provide fast refreshers on Exposure, Lighting, and more.
Skillshare Photography Classes
Bite-sized videos in a vibrant creative community—explore Splash Photography, Street Photography, or Documentary Photography. They offer a 7-day free trial; full access starts at around $99/year with offline downloads.
Alison Online Photography Courses
Structured learning paths range from free beginner modules to paid advanced training, with a Photography Diploma option that covers Photoshop, Focal Length, Bracketing, and more.
Tuts+ Photography Tutorials
Dive into hands-on, step-by-step guides—like Organizing Your Lightroom Library, Planning a Photo Illustration Project, or Enhancing Client Workflows. Great for building specific skills and sparking inspiration.
Fstoppers Photography Tutorials
Learn through focused tutorials like Fundamentals of Fashion Photography or Perfecting the Headshot, explore giveaways and photo contests, and read gear reviews and articles—perfect for precision learning and creative community feedback.
New York Institute of Photography Online Courses
A trusted, mentor-guided photography school—over 100 years strong—offering courses like the Professional Photography Course and Fundamentals of Digital Photography. Access flexible, one-to-one feedback and a 14-day risk-free trial.
Strobist Lighting Tutorials
Lighting expertise at no cost. Explore the classic Lighting 101–103 series on Gear Basics, Light Control, and Color Dynamics, plus the practical Lighting Cookbook.
Bonus Round
Cambridge in Colour Photography Tutorials — Deep-dive topics like Sensor Size, Image Formats, Tone Control, Pixel-Level Detail, and Resizing Techniques.
SLR Lounge Photography Workshops — Workshop-style learning around Flash Photography, Wedding Photography, Maternity Photography, Posing Techniques, Lightroom Editing, and more—from $348/year up to a one-time $999 all-access pass.
Expert Photography Beginner Courses — Clear, beginner-friendly guides and classes on Landscape Photography, Astrophotography (Milky Way), Macro Photography, and Lightroom Editing.
