Interested in a career as a photographer but aren’t quite ready to commit to a full-fledged photography degree program? You may want to instead consider a digital photography certificate program, which can help you build the technical foundation and skills needed to enter the field of professional photography.
Before you enroll in just any digital photography certificate program, though, there are certain considerations regarding choosing the right program and preparing yourself for the realities of working in this competitive field.
Understanding the Digital Photography Certificate
While no two digital photography certificates are exactly alike in terms of course offerings and curriculum, you can generally expect to learn some basics in one of these programs—regardless of whether you take courses online or in-person.
What Does a Digital Photography Certificate Entail?
At its very core, a digital photography certificate should extensively cover the technical knowledge and expertise needed to perform common jobs in the field. This may include coursework on the following topics:
- Lighting
- Digital imaging
- Portraiture
- Post-production photo editing
- Color Management + digital workflow
- Experimental photographic processes
- Photographic tools powered by artificial intelligence
Typically, a digital photography certificate program is available to students with a minimum of a high school diploma or equivalent (such as a GED). These programs usually consist of around 18 credit hours, with credits broken up into topics like photography principles, digital post-production, lighting fundamentals and color management.
As part of a digital photography certificate program, students should also have the opportunity to work with the equipment and software that professionals actually use in the field, including Adorama and B&H Photo.
Choosing the Right Photography Certification Program
As you explore certification programs and consider potential photography career paths, you are likely wondering which certificate program is ideal for you. There are a few factors to keep in mind, so you can make that decision with greater confidence.
First, consider whether the program and/or school you’re considering is accredited. A school that is accredited has voluntarily gone through a rigorous evaluation process to ensure that their programs are meeting high standards for quality. At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, we are proud to be institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
In choosing a certificate program, it’s also crucial to consider how long it will take you to complete. This depends not just on the number of credit hours that you need to graduate but also how often courses are offered. Ideally, a digital photography certificate program should take between six to eight months to finish if you’re enrolled full time in consecutive terms.
Career Paths for Certificate Holders
Wondering what you can do with a digital photography certificate? Fortunately, there are all kinds of potential career paths you could pursue with a certificate—no degree required.
Portrait Photographer
Portrait photographers specialize in capturing images of individuals or groups, applying both technical expertise and creativity to produce flattering and memorable portraits. They may work in photography studios, for portrait photography businesses, or on a freelance basis, hired directly by clients for special occasions such as weddings, family portraits, and corporate headshots.
Being a portrait photographer can be highly rewarding, especially for those with a creative eye and a passion for working closely with clients. These professionals often play a key role in preserving important memories and creating lasting visual legacies. The demand for portrait photographers remains steady, with various opportunities available for those with a digital photography certificate.
Event Photographer
Event photographers specialize in capturing memorable moments at a wide variety of events, including weddings, corporate functions, concerts, and other special gatherings. Their role involves documenting the essence of the event through candid and posed shots, ensuring that clients receive high-quality images that capture the atmosphere, emotion, and key moments of the occasion. Event photographers often work freelance or are hired by event planning companies, and they may be required to travel frequently depending on the nature of the event.
A successful event photographer must possess excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively with clients and guests, as well as strong technical skills in lighting, composition, and post-processing. The ability to adapt quickly to changing environments and capture the essence of the event in real-time is crucial in this role.
This field is ideal for photographers who enjoy dynamic and fast-paced environments, and it offers opportunities to specialize in particular types of events, such as weddings or concerts. The demand for event photographers is often steady, especially for major milestones and public events.
Expanding Into Related Fields
Although some who complete digital photography certificate programs may work directly as photographers for at least some portion of their careers, many also go on to work in related or adjacent fields that allow them to leverage their technical skills in other ways.
Retoucher
Retouchers play a crucial role in the post-production phase of photography, enhancing and refining images to meet the highest standards of quality. Their responsibilities include adjusting lighting, color balance, and contrast, removing blemishes or unwanted elements, and ensuring that the final image aligns with the photographer’s or client’s vision. Retouchers work with a variety of photography genres, including fashion, product photography, and portraits, and use advanced editing software like Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom to achieve flawless results.
This career path is ideal for individuals with a keen eye for detail and strong technical skills in photo editing. Retouchers are often employed by photography studios, advertising agencies, or work as freelancers, offering their services to photographers, brands, and media companies.
Retouching is essential in industries like fashion and e-commerce, where high-quality images are critical for brand image and marketing. It’s a rewarding career for those who enjoy working behind the scenes to perfect visual content.
Photo Studio Assistant
For those just starting their photography career, working as a photo studio assistant can be a valuable opportunity. Photo studio assistants support professional photographers by setting up equipment, preparing the studio for shoots, and managing the technical aspects of a photo session. This role offers hands-on experience and insight into the day-to-day operations of a photography studio, helping aspiring photographers hone their skills and build connections within the industry.
Being a photo studio assistant is ideal for individuals who want to learn the ropes of photography while gaining experience in a fast-paced, professional environment. It can also serve as a stepping stone to more advanced photography roles, such as lead photographer or studio manager.
Entrepreneurial Opportunities
Perhaps one of the best aspects of earning a digital photography certificate is the ability to freelance or even start your own business in this creative field. No matter if you dream of launching your own large photography business with dozens of photographers working for you or simply want to operate as your own boss, there are plenty of opportunities that allow you to put your entrepreneurial spirit to use.
Starting Your Own Photography Business
Some photographers combine the technical knowledge they gain from a certificate program with their business acumen to start a photography studio of their own. These businesses may specialize in a certain type of photography (such as wedding photography or portraiture), or they may offer a range of services from a large team of photographers. Regardless, starting your own photography business can be a great way to work as your own boss and forge your own creative path in this industry.
Freelancing and Contract Work
Rather than launching a full-fledged business, on the other hand, many professional photographers choose to work as independent contractors or freelancers. These professionals can enjoy the freedom and flexibility of working as much (or as little) as they desire while also having a say in their own schedule and availability.
When you work as a freelance photographer or pursue contract work, you might be hired to capture images for a specific event or for a series of events over a set period of time. This path can be a suitable option for free-spirited photographers who want to maintain their independence while building their professional portfolios.
Continuous Learning and Advancement
Regardless of which photography career path most appeals to you, the reality is that this field evolves and changes rapidly. With this in mind, aspiring photographers preparing to enter the field should be prepared for continuous education and ongoing professional development if they want to remain relevant and up to date on the latest techniques and best practices.
Advancing With Further Education
While photographers don’t technically need a degree in order to work in the field, many do end up pursuing a bachelor’s degree in photography or a related field to advance their skills and set themselves apart from others in the industry. If you decide to go this route, consider enrolling in a program like RMCAD’s, where the credits from your certificate program can transfer toward a degree. This allows you to complete your degree program faster while also saving money in the process. At RMCAD, this flexibility makes it easier for students to pursue their academic and professional goals without starting from scratch.
Networking and Professional Development
Whether you decide to pursue a formal degree or not, all photographers should be committed to a lifetime of learning and professional development. This means taking the time to participate in photography workshops, seminars and other special learning opportunities throughout the course of your career.
Additionally, building a strong professional photography network with others in the field (and in adjacent fields, such as advertising and media) can open doors to new opportunities. Attending industry events is an effective way to meet and network, but social media sites like LinkedIn also make it easier than ever to connect with other photography professionals from around the world without even having to leave home.
Learn More About Digital Photography at RMCAD
Completing photography certificate courses and digital photography training can help you enter the field without necessarily completing a degree program. At the same time, it’s essential to remember that taking the time to compare and evaluate your options will serve you well when it comes to narrowing down the best photography certification programs to suit your needs.
At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, we’re proud to offer an online Digital Photography Certificate program that covers critical digital photography skills such as manual camera operation, working with clients, using industry-standard software and much more. Meanwhile, should you choose to advance your education with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Photography down the road, all of the credits earned in your certificate program can be applied to your undergraduate degree at RMCAD. Learn more about any of our programs by getting in touch today, or feel free to get started with your online application for enrollment.
