Photography
Developed with input from industry professionals, the Schoolcraft Certificate of Photography provides a comprehensive learning experience for budding photographers and those currently working in the industry. To complete the Schoolcraft Certificate of Photography, students take six core classes and four electives, culminating in a FREE one-on-one portfolio analysis with one of our professional photographer instructors.
Students may take individual photography classes without pursuing the certificate.
This program is made possible in part by funding from the Schoolcraft College Foundation.
Photography Class Offerings
Required Core Classes:
- DSLR Photography Techniques 1
- DSLR Photography Techniques 2
- Fundamentals of Lighting
- Adobe Photoshop for DSLR Photographers 1
- Photo Composition – Learning to See Creatively
- Develop Your Photography Business
Want to pursue this certificate and gain specialized knowledge to elevate your career? Fill out our Declaration Form to get started.
Map to Photography Certificate
Use these sample schedules as a guide to map out your photography journey and see how you can complete the program in 2 years. Many classes are offered only once per year, so students are encouraged to plan and review upcoming schedules when building their certificate schedule.
Fall Start Date
- Fall Semester 2026
- DSLR Photography Techniques I (Required)
- DSLR Photography Techniques II (Required)
- Winter Semester 2027
- Adobe Photoshop for DSLR Photographers I (Required)
- Elective Option
- Spring/Summer 2027
- Photo Composition (Required)
- Elective Option
- Fall Semester 2027
- Fundamentals of Lighting (Required)
- Elective Option
- Winter Semester 2028
- Develop Your Photography Business (Required)
- Spring/Summer 2028
- Elective Option
- Portfolio Review
Winter Start Date
- Winter Semester 2027
- DSLR Photography Techniques I (Required)
- DSLR Photography Techniques II (Required)
- Spring/Summer Semester 2027
- Photo Composition (Required)
- Elective Option
- Fall Semester 2027
- Fundamentals of Lighting (Required)
- Elective Option
- Winter Semester 2028
- Develop Your Photography Business (Required)
- Adobe Photoshop for DSLR Photographers I (Required)
- Spring/Summer Semester 2028
- Elective Option
- Elective Option
- Fall Semester 2028
- Portfolio Review
Spring/Summer Start Date
- Spring/Summer Semester 2027
- DSLR Photography Techniques I (Required)
- Fall Semester 2027
- DSLR Photography Techniques II (Required)
- Fundamentals of Lighting (Required)
- Winter Semester 2028
- Adobe Photoshop for DSLR Photographers I (Required)
- Elective Option
- Spring/Summer Semester 2028
- Elective Option
- Elective Option
- Fall Semester 2028
- Photo Composition (Required)
- Elective Option
- Winter Semester 2029
- Develop Your Photography Business (Required)
- Portfolio Review
FAQ
How will the certificate benefit me?
- Certificate provides a professional credential to use when applying for positions or looking for clients.
- Improves proficiency in the craft of photography through study with master professionals.
- Offers tools needed to create a business plan including :
- Starting a business.
- Pricing, insurance, accounting.
- Creating a marketing plan.
- Preparing a professional quality portfolio.
- Provides insight into different careers and skills needed within the photography industry.
- Finishes with an individualized, free portfolio analysis. Use your completed portfolio to gain clients and get hired.
Do the classes need to be taken in a certain order?
Classes can be taken in any order. However, many of them require CES 3697 DSLR Photography Techniques 1 as a prerequisite.
When are classes typically offered?
Other than DSLR Photography Techniques I and DSLR Photography Techniques II being offered in multiple semesters, the classes below are only available during a specific term, so plan your schedule accordingly.
- Fall Semester
- Fundamentals of Lighting
- Photo Composition
- Wedding & Family Photography
- Outdoor Flash Mastery
- Winter Semester
- Adobe Photoshop for DSLR Photographers I
- Fashion Photography
- Develop Your Photography Business
- Spring/Summer Semester
- Adobe Lightroom Classic
- Detroit Photography
- Dance Photography
I have already completed photography classes at Schoolcraft College. Can those classes be applied to the certificate program?
Any class listed in the Schoolcraft Certificate of Photography that was completed after September 1, 2015 can be counted towards the certificate.
What equipment will I need to complete the certificate program?
A recent DSLR or mirrorless camera, a zoom lens or a set of lenses spanning moderate wide angle to moderate telephoto, a cable release, a tripod.
Are there assignments that need to be completed outside of class?
Yes, many of the classes require you to complete photo assignments to bring to the next class.
Who should register?
This program is ideal for students considering a career in photography and hobbyists who want to enhance their photography skills.
What is the cost?
The cost to complete the certificate program will vary depending on the electives you choose to take. The cost for the core classes is approximately $2,000. The cost for the electives varies from $149 to $285 per class.
Will the classes be graded?
Students completing the Schoolcraft Certificate of Photography must provide two pieces of work for instructor critique and achieve a minimum score of 70 for each piece. If a student’s score falls below 70, they will be given one additional opportunity to resubmit their work after incorporating the instructor’s feedback.
How can I find out more information?
If your question is not answered on this website, call PPL at 734-462-4448 or e-mail [email protected].
Instructor Bios
James Currie
James Currie brings over 15 years of expertise as a wedding photographer and business owner, initially thriving in the competitive Chicago wedding scene. His camera has taken him professionally to over 30 U.S. cities and 3 European countries, capturing diverse moments and inspiring landscapes. Aside from winning several leading industry awards, James has been featured in People Magazine, Cosmopolitan and The Knot. Beyond weddings, he’s successfully ventured into commercial, portrait, family, and senior photography. With a professional background in marketing, public relations, and graphic design, he emphasizes a creative, practical and hands-on approach to learning.
Keith McCoy
Keith McCoy is a photographer based in the Metro-Detroit area who is passionate about providing students with an enriched education and creative experience. His primary goal is to educate and expose students to the art of photography while building foundational skills and confidence within them. He has been practicing photography for 14 years, beginning as a hobbyist in high school and professionally for the last 5 years.
He has experience in event, fashion, portrait, street, and fine art photography. Currently pursuing a Master of Fine Art, he has begun approaching photography and the education of this art form from a new perspective. He aspires to open his own commercial photography studio within the next few years with the goal of positioning Detroit at the forefront of contemporary fashion and art.
John Sobczak, Lorien Studio/Lorien Books
“I have never found anything more challenging than photographing people,” John Sobczak has said. “During the brief moments we are allowed access to an individual we must discover something of his or her true nature and capture it on film. Often we must overcome the individual’s own preconceived idea of themselves to do it.”
John has been a professional photographer based in Detroit for over 30 years. His images have graced the pages of Time, Newsweek, USA Today, as well as many local publications including Hour Magazine, Ambassador Magazine and Crain’s Detroit Business. His commercial work has included billboards, brochures & annual reports for such clients as General Motors Corporation, AT&T, Chrysler, Lear and Ford Motor Company.
His work has been featured in many exhibitions including solo showings, and he has won numerous awards, including a regional and district Addy for a portrait of Jeff Daniels that appeared on the cover of Hour Magazine. An ongoing theme in his work has been his pursuit of recognition for the many talented, creative individuals among us. This led to the creation of two portfolios; the first being a series of portraits of jazz musicians, including Marcus Belgrave, Earl Klugh and Geri Allen, for the Graystone Jazz Museum. The second portfolio was a series of portraits of some of the area’s funniest comedians, including Tim Allen, Dave Coulier and Soupy Sales, for the MS Society of Michigan.
His books have included “The Vision of Words,” a collection of works by Michigan writer with photo-illustrations by John; “Motor City Memoirs,” portraits and stories from notable and interesting Detroiters; “Cleveland Classics, Great Stories from the North Coast,” and “A Motor City Year.” His book of dance photography, “Dance / Box / Lens, Portraits in Motion,” was published in 2016.
In 2007 portfolios of his work became part of the permanent collections of two of the most prestigious museums in the country, the Cleveland Museum of Art and the Detroit Institute of Art.
