Photography
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 program, you will develop both a professional skillset and creative thinking 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 soft skills in communications and networking, will give you the solid foundation needed for your career ahead.
From advertising photography to editorial 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
- learn to be an effective visual storyteller across multiple platforms
- produce corporate video and audio for the web and other applications
- produce assets from client layouts for digital and print end use
- shoot professional photographic images in both the studio and on-location environments
- print professional archival digital and one-of-a-kind analogue prints
- capture, process and edit content using current software applications such as Photoshop, Lightroom, Capture One Pro and Premiere Pro
- learn the business side of photography including quoting, invoicing and building working relationships with clients
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 work placement in 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 |
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
- Select and use appropriate photographic equipment and techniques to capture quality images* of a variety of subjects, in studio and on location.
- Use post-production techniques to edit and finish images in formats that meet industry standards and the needs of the client.
- Create lighting schemes* using appropriate techniques, equipment and accessories to produce quality images* that meet the needs of the client.
- Employ design elements* and principles* to plan and create visually sound images*.
- Complete all work in a professional and ethical manner and in accordance with legal requirements applicable to the photography industry.
- Develop strategies to maintain currency with evolving photography trends, issues, technologies and industry practices to enhance work performance and guide professional development.
- Select and use digital asset management* tools and strategies to catalogue, store, back up, retrieve and archive images and prints.
- Use business planning and administrative skills to support and maintain a photography business.
- Use a variety of marketing tools and strategies that effectively promote photographic products and services.
- Develop and present a professional portfolio that illustrates one’s creative approach and image conception, capture, editing and production skills.
Work Placement
The program includes a 72-hour work placement, providing you with a chance to apply your skills in a real-life professional setting. The program works with industry for technical support and postings to help students find their placements.
The Humber Advantage
Photography Program — How to Apply
Watch the video to learn some useful tips on how to choose images for your application portfolio.
"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)
Duane Cole
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.
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.
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.
Lisa Hirmer
Lisa Hirmer is an interdisciplinary artist working in visual media, especially photography, social practice, performance, and occasionally writing. Her work finds home in traditional galleries as well as in other public contexts and has shown across Canada and internationally, including at Art Gallery of Ontario, University of Lethbridge Art Gallery, Doris McCarthy Gallery, Kitchener-Waterloo Art Gallery, Harbourfront Centre, KIAC, Peninsula Arts, CAFKA, Third Space, Queens Museum, and Flux Factory, among others. Recent highlights for her practice include solo exhibitions at the Art Gallery of Guelph, Cambridge Art Galleries, and Art Gallery of Mississauga. She has done artist residencies with Arts House Melbourne (TimePlaceSpace: Nomad), the Santa Fe Art Institute (Water Rights), the Robert Rauschenberg Foundation (Rising Waters), the Centre for Contemporary Art and the Natural World, BIGCI, KIAC (the Natural + Manufactured) and Camargo Foundation, and was the 2016 artist in residence for the City of Guelph. She has received numerous grants from the Ontario Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts. She has a master's of architecture from the University of Waterloo.
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 a photography professor at Humber and has been teaching here full time since 2008.
Born in Glasgow, David studied photography in the UK and West Virginia before moving to Canada and completing a communications degree at Wilfrid Laurier University. For the past three decades, he has worked in commercial photography, music 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.
Alexandra Votsis
Alexandra Votsis is a Toronto-based photographer specializing in fashion. She has over 12 years of experience. Her work has been published internationally in various magazines--such as FASHION, Hello! Greece, and Cosmopolitan Middle East--and featured on Vogue Italia and Z!NK, among others. Alexandra is also a passionate educator and mentor who strives to empower novice and experienced photographers to reach their highest potential.
Qirou Yang
Qirou Yang is a Toronto-based multidisciplinary artist originally from southern China. She received her BFA in Photography at OCAD University and MFA in Documentary Media at Ryerson University. She believes that the nature of every medium ought not to be dull and set in stone, but to be sculptable and flexible. She has participated in Vector Festival, Video Fever, UAAC Conference, Digital Art Residency COLLAB-19 in 2020, and Residency Videopoem at the gallery Vidéographe in Montreal in 2021.
Your Career
This program can take you in a number of career directions including:
- assistant photographer
- digital asset manager
- e-Commerce photographer
- freelance photographer
- junior photographer
- post-production specialist
- social media producer
Related Programs
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Program Availability
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 classroom to boardroom: Humber student launches eco-friendly business
Thu, April 15, 2021
Xana Mills is a graduating Bachelor of Digital Communications student. We caught up with Xana via email to hear more about her business and how it developed over her time at Humber.
Grad Feature: Alfredo Films - Alexander, Holly and Shivam
Wed, April 07, 2021
Alexander Henry, Holly Rowden, and Shivam Pandya graduated from the Bachelor of Film and Media Production in 2016.
No news at this time.
News Feed
Senior Dean Update: Media & Creative Arts Anti-Racism Action Plan
Fri, October 15, 2021
In June 2020, I committed the FMCA to seven action items to address the attitudes, behaviours and structures that act as barriers for students from Indigenous and equity-deserving communities.
Update: Humber Music Solidarity One Year On
Fri, October 15, 2021
In June 2020, Humber Music faculty pledged to address systemic racism and gender discrimination in the music programs by working with students, alumni, administrators, and industry experts
No news at this time.
News Feed
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 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.
On October 21, 2019, the Provincial Government of Ontario announced the renaming of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU). Both names may appear on this website.
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HOW TO APPLY
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
EQUIPMENT & DEVICE REQUIREMENTS
FEES & SCHOLARSHIPS
PATHWAYS
CONTACT US
Post-Admission Requirements
Once you have been accepted, and have confirmed your offer, you may need to complete a further set of requirements related to your program (Post-Admission Requirements).
Equipment & Device Requirements
| Details and Specifications | Minimum Specs | Recommended Specs |
| Computer | Laptop: 2.5GHz processor, 16 GB memory, 512GB SSD HD, 13.3-inch monitor | Macbook Pro or PC latptop equivalent. |
| Software | Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Lightroom Classic, Capture One Pro, Adobe Premier Pro CC, Adobe After Effects CC, Microsoft Office | All required software can be purchased through the college. Instructions on how to do so will be sent to students upon acceptance into the program. |
| Camera | Manual mode, interchangeable lenses, hot shoe, sync port, audio in port, must be able to tether to Capture One Pro, must be able to shoot HD video at 60 frames per second | Canon EOS 6D Mk2, Canon Mirrorless EOS R, Canon Mirrorless EOS RP, Nikon D500, Nikon D750, Nikon D780, Nikon D850, Nikon Mirrorless Z6, Sony a7 Mk2, Sony a7 Mk3. *Canon Rebels are not suitable for this program as some models do not have hot shoes that sync with studio transmitters. |
Contact Information
David Scott, program co-ordinator
416.675.6622 ext. 4855
david.scott@humber.ca
Fees
The 2022-2023 fee for two semesters is:
- domestic: $3,760.06
- international: $16,394.00
Fees are subject to change.
Fees by Semester
Domestic Fees International FeesAdditional Costs
Approximately $2,500 - program-specified camera; and $2,100 - Mac laptop. Students also require lenses, tripod, flash meter, professional flash and supplies (as required).
Scholarships
Humber Scholarships
Find out more about scholarships and bursaries that you may be eligible for, visit Student Scholarships. International students can visit International Student Scholarships.
Humber Bursaries
Bursaries are available for Certificate, Diploma and Degree programs primarily based on financial need, visit Humber Bursaries.
External Awards, Bursaries & Scholarships
Find out more information about external scholarships and bursaries, visit External Awards.
Indigenous Student Awards, Bursaries & Scholarships
Humber offers a variety of bursaries and scholarships for Indigenous students, visit Indigenous Student Awards.
Explore Opportunities through Humber Pathways
Humber Pathways include:
- Opportunities to build on your college education and complete your diploma or degree at Humber.
- Degree and graduate study opportunities at other institutions in Ontario, Canada and abroad.
How to Apply
Applications to Humber are made through ontariocolleges.ca. Be sure to submit your application by the equal consideration deadline of February 1. You may apply after February 1, however, post-February 1 applications will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis depending on the availability of the space in the program. To check program availability refer to the Campus/Availability listing on Humber's program pages or ontariocolleges.ca.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
If you’re an international student, you can apply directly to Humber via our International Centre.
