Photography
Apply for September 2025 and get your chance to win $5,000 toward tuition* See details.
Program Overview
Humber's Photography diploma program is one of the most highly regarded and longest-running photographic training programs in the country. In this two-year diploma, you will develop a professional skillset and creative abilities to become job-ready for the visual communications industry.
Through four semesters of study, students learn advanced photographic techniques giving them the ability to bring their visual imaginations to life. Classes are hands-on, and you will develop additional skills in planning, production and post-production. These assets, along with skills in communications and networking, will give students the solid foundation needed for their career ahead.
From advertising photography to editorial, wedding and portraiture, to motion capture and e-commerce imaging, you will graduate from this program prepared to engage fully in a wide range of visual imaging career options. In this program, you will:
- be trained on DSLR, mirrorless and medium format digital cameras, along with professional studio and location lighting and grip equipment
- capture, process and edit content using current software applications such as Photoshop, Lightroom, Capture One Pro and Premiere Pro
- create professional and archival digital prints
- learn historical and alternative processes in the darkroom
- learn the business side of photography including quoting, invoicing and building working relationships with clients
- learn to be an effective visual storyteller across multiple platforms
- produce assets from client layouts for digital and print end use
- produce corporate video and audio for web, social media and other applications
- shoot professional photographic images in both the studio and on-location environments
Courses are designed with industry input, ensuring you are learning current and relevant information in state-of-the-art studios and labs from industry experts – people who know the trends and effective methods of visual communications.
Following a field placement in the final semester, the program culminates with a graduate portfolio show where students network with industry and introduce their skills with portfolios, video footage and large format prints.
Semester 3 |
|---|
| FOTO 213: Video 2 |
| FOTO 217: Professional Practice |
| FOTO 218: Location Photography |
| FOTO 219: Post Production 3 |
| FOTO 220: Illustrative Advertising |
| FOTO 232: Editorial and Documentary |
| Select 1 from the following courses |
| GNED : General Elective |
Work-Integrated Learning
Work-Integrated Learning courses serve as the vital link between academic learning and real-world application. Within this framework, students actively participate in the Professional Practice course, equipping you with the necessary skills and confidence to secure your own field experience. Throughout this journey, a dedicated career & work-integrated learning advisor offers personalized guidance and support.
In Semester 4, students immerse themselves in the Field Experience course, committing 72 hours of practical application within the field. Whether pursuing paid or unpaid opportunities, all experiences undergo approval by your career & work-integrated learning advisor to ensure relevance.
The Humber Advantage
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"Before I took this program, my knowledge of photography was superficial. I just didn't have the environment to learn about lighting before. I was doing a lot of street photography with natural light. After two years, I've learned from industry experts with top-quality equipment."
Gillian, 2011 graduate Professional Photographers of Ontario Judges Choice Award Winner (2011)
Chantal Denne
Chantal Denne, Media Technologist in Humber's Photography program talks about the program and some of the advantages for students.
Patricio Lara
Patricio Lara, a photography student at Humber, talks about why he chose Humber, how Humber has helped him grow, and advice he'd give to photography students.
John Narvali
Meet John Narvali, a graduate of Creative Photography, 1975 and now the president and owner of John Narvali Digital Photography.
Photography Program — How to Apply
Watch the video to learn some useful tips on how to choose images for your application portfolio.
Expert Faculty
Lauren Cheong
Lauren Cheong has been a photography educator since 2011 and has been teaching at Humber College since 2018. She has bachelor of fine arts degree in Visual Arts from York University, a Photography diploma from Humber College and a master of education in Adult Education from Yorkville University. Lauren has been working in the commercial photo industry for years at leading food photography studios and was the in-house photographer for the design company Umbra Ltd.
In addition to working behind the camera, Lauren loves being in front of the classroom sharing her passion for photography and education with others. She was the program and staff development manager at GTA Photography Classes where she created new and exciting courses, trained instructors and expanded the business to multiple cities. She knows the importance of a well-balanced education that promotes both theoretical and practical components to encourage learners to think conceptually as well as technically.
Greg Danbrooke
A graduate of Humber College's Photography program, Greg has been teaching in Humber's Photography program since 2008.
Pouyan Fard
Pouyan Fard (Assoc. CSC) is a Toronto-based cinematographer. After graduating from Mel Hoppenheim School of Cinema, he entered the world of cinematography with a passionate thirst to produce world-class content. With over 15 years of experience in commercials, documentaries, and branded content, along with a history of working with world-class athletes such as Rob Gronkowski, Danica Patrick, Russell Westbrook, and Giancarlo Stanton, Pouyan has established himself as one of the best in his field.
Frances Juriansz
Frances Juriansz is a Toronto-based photographer and video artist who works on both commercial and personal projects. Her work has appeared in Time, Travel + Leisure, Conde Nast Traveler, Ski, The Walrus, and enRoute among others, and has shot for clients such as TD Bank, Fairmont Hotels and Mercedes-Benz. Juriansz specializes in photographing people on location and travel stories, and has been teaching since 2016.
Pam Lau
Pam Lau is a photographer and educator, and an ambassador for Canon Canada and Curatorial Advisory Board member for PhotoED Magazine. The recipient of the Applied Arts Young Blood Photography Award, Pam was named one of five photographers to watch in a 500px spotlight on Asian Heritage Month.
Past clients include American Express, PUMA, General Motors, Microsoft, Shopify, Rogers Media, The Globe and Mail, and Refinery29.
Pam teaches location photography at Humber Polytechnic and has led workshops for ArtReach, Art Starts, North York Arts, Workman Arts, and Cultural Pluralism in the Arts Movement Ontario.
Frustrated with a culture of gatekeeping and lack of transparency, Pam co-founded Ecru, a grassroots educational initiative for those who face financial, cultural and institutional barriers to entering creative industries.
Natasha Nicholson
Passionate about all things food and culinary related. I am grateful to have worked with amazing clients such as McCain, KFC, McDonalds, Olivieri and LCBO. Delivering on-brand content demands a team of dedicated and talented individuals. I am a team player who believes you are only as good as the team that supports you.
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Wayne Salmon
Wayne Salmon is a Toronto-based artist working in photography, film and installation. He completed a BA in English at York University and earned an MFA in documentary media (awarded with distinction) at Toronto Metropolitan University.
Salmon's writings have appeared in various publications. His photographs have been exhibited in Canada, China, and the US.
Sam Sciarrino
Sam Sciarrino is as an internationally known portrait photographer and the owner of Horvath Photography located in Toronto, Canada. A second-generation professional photographer for over 30 years, he holds a Master of Photographic Arts from Professional Photographers of America and a Master of Photographic Arts from Professional Photographers of Canada. He has received the title of Triple Master of Wedding-Portrait Photographers International. He was selected as one of six first Nikon ambassadors in Canada and Album Epoca international master ambassador.
Creativity, technical knowledge and keen attention to his clients' individual tastes has garnered Sam a solid reputation of creating work of exceptional artistic quality. He has been featured in numerous leading photography magazines such as Rangefinder, Professional Photographer, Studio Photography, Photo Imaging, Photo Pro, PPOC Magazine, and Image Maker in the United Kingdom. Sam has lectured and held workshops in Canada, U.S.A., England, Italy, Greece and China. With his vast knowledge of technique and composition, he has enjoyed a personally and professionally rewarding career as respected lecturer on the world-wide professional photography circuit.
David Scott
David is the photography diploma program co-ordinator and a full time professor at Humber, and has been teaching there full time since 2008. Born in Glasgow, David studied photography in the UK and before moving to North America and completing a Communications degree at Wilfrid Laurier University. For the past three decades, he has worked in commercial and editorial photography, along with developing an art based visual practice. David continues his photographic work in altered realism, and remote expedition photography.
Jeff Stephenson
Freelance commercial and event photographer currently working in Toronto.
Study Abroad
Propel your resume and life story to the next level by taking advantage of the global opportunities offered at Humber. Gain academic credit, develop highly valued employability skills, and create connections with people from all over the world through our many offerings: Summer Abroad, Semester Exchange, Humber Global Summer School, and many other opportunities!
To learn more, please visit Humber Global, or contact Jennifer Cleary at Jennifer.Cleary@humber.ca.
Your Career
This program can take you in a number of career directions including:
- assistant photographer
- digital asset manager
- digital technician
- e-commerce photographer
- freelance photographer
- image retoucher
- producer
- social media content creator/editor
- studio manager
- video producer
- wedding/portrait photographer
Related Programs
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Program Availability
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | North | Open |
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | North | Open |
Humber is a publicly funded institution. International students graduating from a PGWP Eligible program at Humber are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
International students in Canada could be eligible for an automatic scholarship*. Apply now!
Check out the step-by-step Admissions Road Map for helpful information and additional resources.
| START | DELIVERY | LOCATION | STATUS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 2025 | North | Open |
Humber is a publicly funded institution. International students graduating from a PGWP Eligible program at Humber are eligible to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit.
International applicants outside of Canada can apply through Humber International. Check out the step-by-step Admissions Road Map for helpful information and additional resources.
Upcoming Recruitment Events
Student Testimonial
Meet Duane Cole a graduate of Humber's Photography program and an editorial photographer who has worked with and been published by the likes of The Globe and Mail, The National Film Board of Canada, CBC, West End Phoenix and Sportsnet.
News Feed
From Behind the Lens to Building Legacies: Meet Desiree Thomas
Fri, February 14, 2025
From two-time Humber Polytechnic graduate to internationally published photographer and brand creator, Desiree Thomas is living her dream.
Alumnus Views Life Through the Lens
Thu, September 12, 2024
Photography grad John Narvali is a strong supporter of Humber Polytechnic.
A Q&A with Kait Rak
Wed, January 27, 2021
Kait Rak graduated from Humber’s Photography program in 2013.
No news at this time.
Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber Polytechnic reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.
