Earn Your Certificate in Professional Photography
College for Arts and Technology’s Certificate in Professional Photography is an engaging 6 month program where you’ll learn both the creative and professional aspects of modern photography. What may have started as a hobby for you, can be morphed into a creative and rewarding career in photography, capturing the important moments for your clients. Weddings, sporting events, editorial campaigns, the career possibilities are numerous! You’re looking for the best digital photography school with interactive, hands-on courses, to get you the skills you’ll need to make this your career!
Our program covers a wide range of applied skills and knowledge necessary for success as a professional photographer, including
- Basic to Advanced Studio Lighting
- Basic to Advanced Camera Operations
- Digital Imaging and Post Production
- An understanding of contemporary photographic trends and styles
- Industry-specific knowledge from an entrepreneurial viewpoint
- Photography industry awareness and best practices for the modern photographer
- Portfolio Production
Our Grads Power the
Arts & Tech Economy
CAT’s creative and technical programs are directly connected to a creative sector that makes a $6 Billion contribution to the British Columbia economy every year. Graduates from our 2D and 3D animation, filmmaking, graphic design, audio engineering and other programs are among the over 120,000 skilled arts and tech workers employed provincially in this vibrant, constantly growing ‘creative economy’. Just in the past several years alone, CAT graduates were named in the credits for many high grossing films and musical scores, capturing numerous industry awards.
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Industry Connections
Professional Filmmakers as your Instructors and mentors.
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Let’s Get You Working!
Well-rounded, focused curriculum to get you successfully working as quickly as possible.
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Top Tech
Latest technology, facilities and equipment in a dedicated Professional Photography studio-classroom.
Here’s How You’ll Build Your Photography Skills
The first quarter immerses you in the essentials of professional photography, distilling the art and science into a robust foundation for your career. Through intensive, hands-on instruction, you’ll master core techniques, creative principles, and professional tools, preparing you for an accelerated 6-month journey to professional excellence.
Course: Principles of Camera Operation (POCO 1)
In this dynamic course, you’ll master your camera through immersive assignments designed to build technical proficiency. You’ll explore the exposure triangle (aperture, shutter speed, ISO), framing, composition, lens optics, and fundamental colour theory. Practical exercises, such as capturing dynamic motion or low-light scenes, ensure you internalize camera controls across diverse scenarios. By studying iconic works from photographic history, you’ll contextualize technical skills within the art form, establishing a versatile foundation for creative and commercial applications.
Course: Lighting for Stills (LFS 1)
This course centres light as a powerful storytelling tool. Using constant lighting sources, you’ll master light-shaping techniques through targeted assignments, such as crafting mood with soft-boxes or grids. You’ll analyze light’s quality, direction, and colour temperature to achieve professional-grade results. By exploring natural and artificial light, this course equips you to manipulate illumination for any creative vision.
Course: Digital Imaging (DI 1)
In this foundational course, you’ll gain proficiency in industry-standard digital graphics software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop and Lightroom and Capture 1) through streamlined, project-based learning. Assignments focus on essential post-processing techniques—colour correction, retouching, and file management—tailored to professional workflows. Simultaneously, you’ll research photography genres (Commercial, Wedding, Food, Family, Real Estate, and Fine Art) to align your technical skills with career aspirations.
The second quarter builds on Quarter 1, refining your expertise through real-world assignments. You’ll develop a professional skill set in studio and on-location settings, preparing you to excel in the competitive photography industry within this condensed 6-month program.
Course: Principles of Camera Operation (POCO 2)
This course builds on POCO 1, applying your camera operation skills to real-world photography genres: Commercial, Wedding, Food, Family, Real Estate, and Fine Art. Through targeted assignments, you’ll adapt technical skills to each genre’s demands. For example, you’ll use precise exposure for product shots in Commercial photography, capture candid moments with dynamic framing in Wedding photography, and emphasize texture and lighting in Food photography. Family portraiture hones subject direction, while Real Estate photography focuses on wide-angle lenses and spatial clarity. Fine Art projects encourage experimental compositions to develop your creative voice. Professional critiques and portfolio-building ensure market-ready work across these genres.
Course: Lighting for Stills (LFS 2)
Building on LFS 1, this course deepens your lighting expertise through sophisticated studio and on-location projects. You’ll experiment with advanced techniques, such as mixed lighting or high-key/low-key aesthetics, tailored to genres like Commercial or Fine Art. Assignments simulate real-world scenarios, such as crafting cinematic portraits or lighting architectural spaces, ensuring you adapt lighting to any creative or client-driven brief. Your work will meet the highest industry standards.
Course: Digital Imaging (DI 2)
This advanced course refines your post-processing skills, emphasizing efficiency and artistry in professional workflows. You’ll tackle complex editing projects, such as composite imaging for Commercial work or colour grading for Fine Art, to elevate your work to a competitive level. Through genre-specific assignments, you’ll refine your unique style while preparing a cohesive digital portfolio tailored to your chosen niche (e.g., Wedding or Real Estate). Peer reviews and industry-inspired critiques ensure your output aligns with market demands.
Course Descriptions
What our grads are saying...
Experience the CAT Difference
Why the Best Choose Us
We understand that choosing a post-secondary school is a big decision that usually involves input from some of the most important people in your life. Tuition considerations, support after graduation and key industry connections – these are all part of choosing the best acting school for you. Here are a few reasons why you’ll be happy you chose College for Arts and Technology:
Finance Options
Hands-on, employment-focused education.
Employment-focused programs delivering the soft skills you need for lasting career success and hands-on experience with the latest, industry-standard techniques. Your acting career starts here!
More one-on-one time with your Instructors and mentors.
Small class sizes mean you get more facetime and critical feedback from your education team, to achieve real growth and success.
Personalized support from start to finish.
Financial guidance? We’ve got you covered. Career advice after graduation? We wouldn’t have it any other way. You’re more than a student number to us. We create a personalized experience that you won’t get anywhere else.
Quality you can fact-check.
College for Arts and Technology holds a full designation through Education Quality Assurance and the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit. You’ll only get the best at College for Arts and Technology.
Professional Photography was reviewed and approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training.
This program is not eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program. Learn more about PGWP eligibility on the IRCC website.