FAQs

Our main focus is creativity. Unlike most other photography schools, all our courses are project based. That means that instead of just conveying technical knowledge, we apply everything we teach in a realistic context and give it creative value.

The path into the commercial photography market is not clear for aspiring professional photographers, leaving many under the assumption that accreditation is required for a successful career. However, any degree or qualification is completely irrelevant to work in the industry, what counts is the quality of your portfolios, practical experience and branding.

The main differences are:

– The PPC emphasises creating a unique brand for each student, a critical aspect of success in the competitive photography industry. This is achieved through a series of mentoring sessions with creative assignments spaced throughout the course.

– Instead of large groups at uni, the PPC is be taught in small groups of no more than 8 students, allowing for personalised attention and ample opportunity for students to engage with the instructor.

– At about £3,800 the PPC is substantially more affordable than a university degree course which amounts to about £30,000 for a Photography BA.

– Our teachers are established working photography professionals hired as freelancers. This approach differs from universities, who primarily employ full-time or part-time lecturers who often do not have hands-on professional photography experience.

The main differences between the PPC and the Short Courses are:

– The PPC comes with 5 mentoring sessions where we develop your signature style that is then reflected in your printed portfolio and web page. Having your own recognisable style is essential to pursue photography as a career

– The Web Design and Portfolio Printing modules are not available on their own as s Short Courses. These modules equip you with the tools to market yourself and hit the road running after completing the PPC

– The PPC is a much more economical solution, it’s about 20% cheaper than completing the corresponding Short Courses individually

We place a strong emphasis on helping you develop your own signature style through a series of 5 mentoring sessions, included in the Professional Photography Course.

Each session leads to a creative assignment that will help you to understand your vision and the themes you’re drawn to, allowing your creative voice to emerge organically over the duration of the course.

The fact is, no one is born a professional photographer and it is something that everyone can learn.

Regardless of whether you’re an absolute novice or a seasoned hobbyist, we’re equipped to guide you on your journey towards becoming a professional. With our Professional Photography Course, we provide a logical, step-by-step approach covering everything from mastering manual camera operations, conducting on-location shoots, developing proficiency in studio work, acquiring necessary business acumen, and finding your unique style.

Our faculty consists of seasoned professionals who have walked the path you’re about to embark on. They’re committed to sharing their industry insights, providing support and guidance, during the course and beyond.

All courses are taught in English but we do not require a language certificate.

Our Professional Photography Course is built as a coherent whole and follows a didactic progression, but most of its modules can be booked as Short Courses.

We are happy to give you a tour and answer any questions you might have. Please send us an email to bookings@liop.co.uk or call us on 020 8533 5362 to arrange a date and time for your visit.

Of course! We welcome beginners, more advanced participants and professional photographers alike in our various programmes and courses. For beginners, we recommend the Beginners Photography Course or the Complete Foundation Photography Course.

Very varied – some students work in different professions, others are university students and some are self-taught photographers who join our courses to update their techniques.

We recommend starting with the Beginners or Complete Foundation Photography Course for most students, even if you think you know your camera very well. In this workshop you will learn to use the manual settings of your camera and understand the functions properly. If you have been taking pictures for a long time, but still use AUTO mode, P mode or semi-automatic modes, the Beginners or Complete Foundation Photography Course will be suitable for you.

Yes, if you can use your camera in full manual mode, and have a complete understanding of lenses, image quality and size, exposure triangle, depth of field, motion blur and focus. Most students who take the Intermediate Photography Course have completed the Beginners Photography Course, so we’ll expect you to be fluent in the Beginners Course syllabus.

You must have a Digital SLR Camera (DSLR) or a mirrorless camera with Manual Exposure Mode and being able to control ISO, Shutter Speeds Apertures and Focus manually.

Ideally you would learn with your own camera, because different models vary but we have DSLR cameras that you can book for £20 a day.

For photography courses please bring our camera, lens (ideally a zoom lens), fully charged battery, clean memory card, pen and paper. Wear comfortable clothing and shoes as we walk a lot to locations. Check the weather and be prepared for cold, rain, snow and sunshine.

For the Lightroom Classic and Photoshop courses please bring a laptop with charger, a mouse and the relevant software already installed. This can be a free trial version that you you can download here.

We’re based in the vibrant area of Shoreditch, the creative hub of London.

The nearest tube stations are Shoreditch High Street, Liverpool Street and Aldgate East. Our office is open from Monday till Friday from 10.00 to 17.00.

The London Institute of Photography accepts bookings from students of all nationalities, but please note that we do not provide student VISAS. Please make sure you have a valid UK VISA before you apply for our Courses. Unfortunately we do not send invitation letters or help with Visa applications.

Unfortunately, the London Institute of Photography cannot offer any scholarships or financial aid. Please contact your home university, government or private associations with regards to funding possibilities.

The minimum age to join our courses is 18 years old.

No

By default our Professional Photography Course students receive a printed certificate as part of the course. For individual courses and workshops we can issue an e-certificate (PDF file) after successful completion of a course upon request.

We don’t do accreditation. In fact an accredited qualification is irrelevant if you intend to work in the photography industry. You can compare this with the music industry, do you know or care if your favourite brand has a degree in music?

We are focused on the practical skills you need to succeed in the photography industry. We’ll help you by providing insight, connections and exercises to move you forward in your career. You’ll finish your learning armed with industry-ready skills and an impressive portfolio of work, which what you need to break into the industry.