How Much Should You Pay For A Photography Class?

Learning photography is expensive which is why it's important to understand how much you should pay for photography classes. After all, you don't want to waste your time or money.

Photography Class Cost

There are a few factors that influence the cost of photography classes. First, if the class counts towards a degree it costs more. Also, if the class is taught live it's more expensive. This is true no matter who the instructor is. Of course if the instructor is famous the class may be even more expensive. Compared to classes which are just a series of videos live classes are often much more expensive.

How much is photography school?

If you choose to get a photography degree from a college or university you can expect to pay the going rate for tuition at that institution. That might not sound helpful but those costs range from around $6,000 to $40,000 depending on where you're studying. Therefore, the cost of photography school, really depends on where you seek your degree.

There used to be for-profit colleges, such as the Art Institute, which charged a premium, had a 100% acceptance rate, and delivered very little in return. Today, those school have mostly closed down. Be wary of any school that is marketing heavily to you and offering big promises.

Accredited or Not Accredited

Colleges and universities offer photography classes for-credit. These classes often count towards a degree. Because for-credit classes are taught at colleges the cost is equal to the school's credit hour and lab fees. This makes it very easy to find out how expensive they are.

Be aware of the reputation of the school. Accreditation doesn't guarantee quality. For example, a huge number of for-profit schools closed after harming loads of students. They were nearly all accredited. However they were essentially scamming student.

What Are Non-Accredited Photography Classes?

Non-accredited photography classes are taught elsewhere. These are photography classes taught at libraries, museums, and cultural centers. For example, I teach non-accredited classes at places such as the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden. In addition I teach at museums, conferences, and photo clubs. Plus I offer private lessons. None of my classes count towards a degree. I'm not accredited by any institutions. That said, my students still find my classes of great practical use.

Photography Class Formats

The format of the photography classes impacts the cost. The more interactive the photo class, the more expensive.

Prerecorded Videos

Classes consisting of pre-recorded videos are the least expensive. They also make it hard to ask questions. That's not to say they're not worth it. In fact, depending on what you want to learn, they might be exactly what you need. However, if you have a question it might be hard to get an answer.

Online or In-Person Live Group Classes

Any photography class, online or in-person where an instructor is present will cost more than a pre-recorded video. How much more? That depends but it's likely significant. A video based photography class might cost $35 to $75 depending on the number of lessons. Whereas in person classes, even online, often start at $75. That said, being able to interact with your instructor is a huge benefit. Too, having fellow students to talk helps.

Quality Matters Too

An instructor who not only knows what they're doing but how to teach is important.  Just as with accreditation, you want to make sure the teacher can help you learn what you want to know. Because nobody likes to feel frustrated make sure you check out the instructor first. Read reviews or talk with other students. Ultimately, finding a good photography teacher can be the difference between learning or giving up.

How Much Do Photography Classes Cost?

You're here because you want to know what you should pay for photography classes. Be aware that photography is an expensive endeavor. This means that the cost of learning will be high. Keep in mind that photography teachers have to pay for their time, expertise, and equipment.

Private Photography Class Costs

As a photography teacher I offer several types of classes. Like most people, I need to make a minimum amount to pay my bills. As a result of this my private classes cost roughly $100 per hour. In addition to being the minimum I need to charge this rate is also based on the number of students I can set aside time to teach.

I teach in Pittsburgh, PA. Pittsburgh is a somewhat more affordable large city. However, the cost of living is climbing. Therefore my rates may need to increase in the near future. If you're search for a photography teacher in a larger city the cost might be higher. Roughly speaking, expect to pay no less than $75/hour for private photography classes. Of course if you find them for less than that be sure to check to make sure the teacher is well respected.

Group Photography Class Fees

For group classes my rates generally need to ensure the same $100/hour. That said, since most group classes are a series the fee covers more time. Too, most group classes are hosted at a location which charges their own fee as part of the class cost.

Ideally, the cost of a private class from the same instructor should be around the cost of a group class. This isn't always true but it's a good place to start. That said, unlike private classes it's hard to know what the teacher is paid. This means that it's more difficult to figure out if the price is right.

Understanding Teacher Pay

Non-accredited photography classes differ in how the instructor is paid. Some locations only pay an instructor a set rate. This means that no matter how many students sign up the teacher gets the rate they agreed to. Whereas other locations pay a percentage of the registration.

Check before registering for a class. Chances are if an instructor is paid a set fee it won't be much. That doesn't always mean the class won't be great. However it could mean the instructor isn't as invested.

Typically teachers who are just starting out will teach these classes. Usually the fees are not enough to make it worth their time. Ultimately they won't stick around. In fact they might quit teaching photography altogether. That said, these can help an instructor get their name out there. Too, sometimes retired photographers will as well. This is why it's important to look up the instructor. Additionally, talk to other students who've taken their classes.

I only teach group photography classes at institutions that share a percentage of the class registration fee. I do this because it's the only way to ensure I'm treated fairly. Organizations that do this understand that. Too they know that it incentivizes the teacher to recruit students.

What Your Photography Classes Should Cost

You want to know what your photography classes should cost. Sadly the answer isn't simple. That said, I hope the information above helps. With it you should have a better understanding of the cost of photography classes near you.