Last year, I got an email from Jake, a frustrated photographer who'd spent over $800 on online photography courses and still couldn't take a decent portrait. "I feel like I'm going in circles," he wrote. "I know all the theory, but my photos still look like garbage."
I completely understood his frustration because I'd been there myself. Three years ago, I bought my first online photography course after seeing an Instagram ad promising to "transform my photography in just 21 days." What a joke that turned out to be.
Here's what I've learned from both failing as a student and succeeding as an instructor who's now taught over 1,000 photographers.
Honestly? Because most of them are created by people who've never actually taught photography before. They know how to take good photos, sure, but teaching is a completely different skill.
I learned this the hard way when I took a $300 course from a famous Instagram photographer. The guy had 100k followers and took stunning images, but his course was just him talking at the camera for hours without any real structure or feedback system.
The biggest problem I see is that most courses treat photography like it's math or history—something you can learn by memorizing facts. But photography is more like learning to play guitar. You need someone watching you practice and telling you when you're hitting the wrong notes.
After taking seven different courses myself (yes, I was that desperate to improve), I can tell you exactly what separates the good ones from the money-wasters.
This is the big one. If a course doesn't include personal feedback on your actual work, you're basically paying for expensive YouTube videos.
In my courses, every single assignment gets reviewed. I look at your photos and tell you specifically what's working, what isn't, and how to fix it. That's how you actually improve, not by watching someone else edit their perfect shots.
Good courses push you outside your comfort zone with assignments that make you think. Bad courses give you busy work that feels productive but doesn't actually build skills.
For example, in my wide-angle course, I don't just tell you to "go take some wide-angle shots." I give you specific challenges like "photograph a building using foreground elements to create depth" with exact criteria for success.
You'd be amazed how many "interactive" courses are really just pre-recorded videos with no actual instructor involvement. I've seen courses where students wait weeks for responses to simple questions.
I check in with my students regularly and respond to questions within 24 hours because that's when you need help—not three weeks later when you've moved on to something else.
This depends entirely on where you are right now, not where you want to be someday.
If you're still shooting in auto mode or can't consistently get sharp, properly exposed photos, start with fundamentals. Don't jump into advanced composition courses when you can't even operate your camera confidently.
My Beyond the Click course is designed exactly for this. We start with the basics but move quickly into making intentional creative choices.
If you're comfortable with your camera but want to get really good at something specific, that's when specialty courses make sense.
Maybe you want to master street photography? My Fearless Faces course teaches both the technical and psychological aspects of photographing strangers.
Or maybe you're obsessed with that classic 50mm look? Unlocking the Power of the 50mm dives deep into making the most of this single focal length.
This is advanced stuff. If you're technically solid but feel like your photos lack personal style or meaning, that's when creative development courses become valuable.
The Artist's Lens helps photographers move beyond random pretty pictures to creating cohesive, meaningful bodies of work.
I've seen every scam and gimmick in online photography education. Here's how to spot the courses that will waste your money.
"Become a professional photographer in 30 days!" "Master photography this weekend!"
Come on. Would you trust a guitar course that promised to make you a concert pianist in a month? Photography takes time to develop, and anyone promising instant results is lying to you.
I'm immediately suspicious of courses that spend more time talking about the instructor's exotic travels and expensive gear than actual teaching methods.
Good instructors focus on student results, not personal branding. Look for before/after examples of actual student work, not just the instructor's portfolio.
If a course can't show you examples of students who've actually improved, that tells you everything you need to know about the quality of instruction.
I'm proud to show my students' progress because that's what matters—not how good I am, but how much better my students become.
Start by being honest about your current skill level. I see too many photographers jumping into advanced courses when they haven't mastered the basics yet.
Don't take a course because it sounds impressive. Take it because it solves a specific problem you're having right now.
Struggling with wide-angle compositions? Take a wide-angle course. Want to get better at adventure photography? Take an adventure course. Sounds obvious, but you'd be surprised how many people take random courses hoping they'll magically become better photographers.
Be realistic about this. A course that requires 10 hours per week won't help if you only have 2 hours available. You'll fall behind, get frustrated, and quit.
Most of my courses are designed for busy people who can dedicate 3-4 hours per week to assignments and practice.
Some people learn better from detailed technical explanations. Others need to jump in and start shooting immediately. Most courses cater to one style or the other.
I try to balance both approaches—enough technical foundation to understand what you're doing, but lots of practical assignments to apply it immediately.
Sometimes group courses aren't enough. If you're stuck on specific problems or want to develop a portfolio for professional work, individual instruction can be incredibly valuable.
My Professional Portfolio Review is designed for photographers who want detailed, personal feedback on their body of work and specific guidance for improvement.
This isn't for beginners—it's for photographers who are serious about taking their work to the next level and want honest, professional assessment.
Before you spend money on any course, get clear answers to these questions:
How much actual instructor interaction is included? Don't accept vague answers like "community support." Find out exactly how much personal attention you'll receive.
What happens if you fall behind or get confused? Life happens. Make sure there's support when you need it.
Can you see examples of student progress? Good instructors are proud to show how their students have improved.
What equipment do you need? Don't find out halfway through that you need gear you don't have.
Teaching photography online has taught me things about the craft I never learned in 15 years of professional shooting. When you have to explain why something works to hundreds of different students, you develop a much deeper understanding yourself.
The best part is seeing students break through barriers they've been stuck behind for years. Last month, Maria sent me a street photo that was so much better than her work six months ago, I had to double-check it was the same person.
That's what good photography education should do—not just give you information, but help you see and create in ways you couldn't before.
Whether you choose my courses or someone else's, make sure you're investing in instruction that will actually challenge you to grow, not just make you feel busy.