STUDY A PHOTOGRAPHY COURSE WITH
OUR INDUSTRY EXPERTS
Photography Courses from Beginner- Pro in SA and around the World Online
Why book a Photography Course with EMPC?
- Flexible Learning: Online or On-Site
- Beginner to Pro — All Levels Welcome
- Career-Focused & Hobby-Friendly
- Decades of Professional Experience
- Affordable — Starting from R599
- Live Classes From Home
- Guided Practical Shoots With Feedback
- Breaks At Your Convenience
- WhatsApp & Email Support
- Lecturer Support After Course
- Secure Card Payment
Learn Photography From Scratch — Or Brush Up Like a Pro
You don’t need experience — only your camera. At EMPC, training is now 100% online with Emanuel Maria — award-winning photographer published in major print media. Whether you’ve never taken your camera off Auto, or you’re already shooting clients and want to sharpen your skills, you choose what you want to learn.
Beginners start from zero. Professionals brush up exactly where you need to. All sessions are live 1-on-1 on Zoom / Google Meet from anywhere in South Africa. You get ongoing WhatsApp & Email guidance even after you finish.
Explore All Online Photography Courses Below
Online Photography Courses
Book a 1-on-1 Photography Session with Emanuel Maria — R599 for 1 Hour
Whether you’re a complete beginner wanting to go Pro or a Pro needing a brush-up, get personalized coaching on Zoom. Pay securely with card and choose 3 dates that work for you. Emanuel will confirm your final date and time on WhatsApp or Email after payment.
You can learn from scratch, or pick any niche you want to focus on in your session.
Pick Any Photography Niche You Want to Learn
In your 60-minute session, YOU decide the focus. Mix 2-3 niches if you want.
📷 Camera Techniques – Aperture, shutter, ISO, focus, sharpness. Get off Auto mode. For complete beginners.
⚡ Flash Photography – Bounce, fill-flash, diffuser, balancing flash with daylight. No harsh shadows.
🔍 Macro Photography – Flowers, insects, jewellery, textures. Close-up filters and focus stacking.
👤 Portrait Photography – Natural light, posing, eye-focus, background blur. Family & business.
🦅 Bird Photography – Bird-in-flight, telephoto technique.
🎨 Contemporary Photography – Minimalism, shadows, colour, storytelling for Instagram & art prints.
🌿 Nature Photography – Landscapes, golden hour, composition and mood.
🦁 Wildlife Photography – Mammals, action, safari workflow.
Conversion to CD & DVD service also available
Convert your photos, videos and music from old film to CD/DVD format and preserve your most precious memories. At EMP, we do our best to ensure the best quality restoration. Contact Emanuel Maria via cellphone call, WhatsApp or email for a quote.
When it comes to a photography course, many ask or wonder...
- What is photography?
- What is a photography course?
- Types of photography courses?
- What careers are there in photography?
- Which photography course is best?
- What is required for a photography course?
- How much does a photography course cost?
- Where to study photography?
- Photography schools near me?
- How to sign up for a photography course?
So here's a simple breakdown of these photography course queries
What is photography?
Photography is the art, science and practice of capturing and preserving images by recording light. This is done electronically with an image sensor or chemically with a light-sensitive material like photographic film.
Destin Sparks (award-winning landscape photographer) once said, “Photography is the story I fail to put into words.”
What is a photography course?
It is a course that teaches students camera knowledge & techniques, photography lighting, photography genres, and photo editing.
Types of photography courses
The different types of photography courses are based on the time, level and genres offered.
Time based photography courses:
- Short photography course
- Part-time photography course
- Full-time photography course
Venue based photography courses:
- On-site photography course
- Online photography course
Level based photography courses:
- Basic/beginner photography course
- Intermediate photography course
- Advanced photography course
- Diploma photography course
Genre-based photography courses:
- Flash photography
- Macro photography
- Portrait photography
- Wedding photography
- Fashion photography
- Landscape photography
- Wildlife photography
- Pictorial photography
- Architectural photography
- Food photography
- Product photography
- Sports photography
- Street photography
Career in photography
A career in photography is a good path to take for those who have a passion for it. A photography career is very popular among many age groups these days. As it is no longer considered as just a hobby. This career is also as profitable as it is popular. It is one of those careers that one can enjoy doing while working. Photographers either work for companies, freelance or do both and make extra cash on the side. Photo jobs include taking out stock photos, print media & marketing photo shoots and various types of photography shoots. The various types of photography are Landscape, Wildlife, Nature, Sports/Action, Fine Art, Pictorial, Wedding, Fashion, Portrait and Macro. The photo shoot work environment depends on the type of photography that’s shot.
List of careers in photography
- Wedding photographer – Capturing all events and activities of weddings.
- Portrait photographer
- Commercial photographer
- Photojournalist
- Stock photographer – Taking out high quality photos for stock. Images to be sold for print media, commercial use or other.
- Travel photographer
- Wildlife photographer – Photoshoots of wild animals in their natural habitat.
- Nature photographer – Shooting natural environments around the world.
- Sports photographer – Taking photos of various sports, sport gear and the grounds that they take place on.
- Fashion photographer – Capturing fashion runways, new trends, clothes, jewelry, shoes and other fashion items.
Which photography course is best?
The best photography course to choose depends on the photography level and genre of photography one wants to pursue. For those who are new to photography, a Basic/Beginner’s photography course is the ideal choice. In this course, students learn how to use their cameras, photo knowledge and various creative techniques.
Apart from beginners, some people already know how to use their cameras and have digital photography knowledge. In this case, an Intermediate photography course is the one to go for. This course explores further developed camera functions, techniques, composition and flash.
However, if one is at an Intermediate level already, he/she should book an Advanced/Pro photography course. An advanced photography course covers advanced camera settings, techniques, shoot preps, exposure and lighting aspects.
A person’s photography niche is also very important when choosing a course. Everyone has an idea of the photography genre they want to pursue or enjoy shooting. This is when one should pick a course that’s specifically designed for the genre of their niche. For example, if a person loves to capture portraits, he/she should pick a Portrait photography course.
What is required for a photography course?
Every school has their own needs to be met for courses.
What subjects are needed?
There are no specific subjects needed to study most photography courses in South Africa. However, subjects such as Visual Arts, Mathematics, Physical Sciences and Design are recommended for certain institutes. Subjects may vary per institute and so each institute needs to be contacted for these specific details.
At EMP, no school subjects are needed. An interest and/or passion for photography is more than enough.
What gear is needed?
- DSLR camera
- Camera Tripod
- Remote shutter release
- Prime Lens
- External Flash
- Batteries and charger
- SD memory cards
- Cleaning kit for camera
- Camera strap
- Camera bag
Photography course prices
Photography course prices in South Africa can range from as little as R1800 to R60000 plus. The prices of these photography courses depend on the photography course level, genre, gear, time and venue. Photography course levels are offered from Beginner to Advanced. Photography courses are also offered as a Diploma level course. The photography courses for beginners start from R1800. An Intermediate photography course can range from R1600 to R 11000+ across SA. An Advanced photography course can range from R5900 to R 60000. A Diploma photography course in SA in 2021 ranges from R10000 to R23100+.
Some photography schools save students extra costs by providing them with all the photographic gear needed. Other schools require students to atleast buy a DSLR (Digital single-lens reflex) camera. This is one of the extra photography course costs. Sometimes photography schools also charge a booking fee that they do not refund. As for supposedly free photography courses, they are usually free for only a certain time period.
Where to study photography?
The best places to study photography is at schools, colleges, universities or other institutes that offer photography courses. Each institute offers different types of photography courses. It is best to choose an institute that’s near with in-depth course offers and good prices.
Photography schools near me?
Studying at a photography school nearby is worth it. There’s no stress of travel distance and students receive the attention they need at better times. Many South African cities and towns have good photography schools. These cities include Joburg, Pretoria, Durban, Stellenbosch and Cape Town. A lot of these photography schools offer nearby on-site classes and online lessons as well.
These days anyone can easily find a campus that is nearest to them with a simple Google search. At EMP, nearby photography classes and workshops can also be easily found on the Register/Contact page. Click the page mentioned to have a view.
How to sign up for a photography course?
Signing up for a course is easy and is done within a few steps.
Sign up options:
- Go directly to the photography school and fill in an application form.
- Search for the photography school online and fill in a Register form for the course.
- At EMP, anyone can either call, email, WhatsApp text or fill in the form on the Register page.
How photography can change lives
Firstly, a photograph can inspire many. It can also change someone’s views and shake someone’s ideals. Moreover, photography could educate, and inspire others to act. They may invoke your innermost emotions such as fear and anxiety. Not only do photographs affect personal lives, similarly they can affect the public as well. In other words, it can change your life too.
STUDENT REVIEW
“Emanuel, thank you so much for your services. Having you as a photographer was a wonderful experience! Thank you for all the laughter
will definitely use your services again!”