30 Total Modules
Build the skills that make you a top professional.
Total Reviews (1,254 reviews)
18 Months Advanced diploma
Recommended Certificate
Study On Campus at ICCA Creative Academy
Gain real experience and become a top creative professional.
Formats: Full-time studio, Part-time evenings, Hybrid creative lab
Camera Operation
Exposure Control
Creative Composition
Studio Lighting
Photo Retouching
Visual Storytelling
Creative Direction
Portfolio Development
Brand Photography
Business Management
Business Management
What's included
Add to your LinkedIn profile and update your CV
Oct 2025
Exhibit your photo projects at leading creative showcases and digital exhibitions to gain professional exposure and industry recognition.
Overview
Aspiring photographers often struggle to reach their full potential because of limited access to professional cameras, studio equipment, and real-world shooting opportunities. Many miss out on crucial experiences like wedding shoots, fashion campaigns, or commercial projects, which are essential for building a strong portfolio. At ICCA, we approach photography education like an entrepreneurial studio. You gain hands-on experience with world-class equipment and work on real events and client briefs, learning not just technique but how to run a professional photography business. Our mentorship-driven program ensures you develop a polished portfolio and the confidence to thrive as a professional photographer, giving you the freedom and skillset to become the artist you are meant to be.
Tools used
Adobe Photoshop
Adobe Lightroom
Capture One
Adobe Bridge
DxO PhotoLab
Affinity Photo
Luminar AI
Prepare for a career as a Digital Photographer
Other Professional tools used in course
Advanced diploma - 30 modules series
Start your career in digital photography with our 1–18 month on-campus program, tailored for beginners and aspiring professionals. Learn essential skills in camera operation, lighting, composition, photo editing, visual storytelling, and creative entrepreneurship, with optional electives in graphic design, video production, interior photography, and motion graphics. Gain hands-on experience through projects like editorial and fashion shoots, commercial campaigns, studio and on-location sessions, portfolio curation, and branded photography projects. Build your professional brand, collaborate with industry mentors, and prepare for entry-level to advanced roles in photography, visual storytelling, and professional photography services.
Become a Professional Photographer & Visual Storyteller in 18 Months
Master the full spectrum of digital photography—from camera operation and lighting to post-production and creative direction. Each stage builds your technical skill and artistic vision through real-world projects.
Stage 1: Foundations (1–3 Months)
Learn the fundamentals of DSLR and mirrorless photography, exposure, and composition. Explore natural and artificial lighting while editing your first photo series in Adobe Lightroom.
Stage 2: Creative Direction & Editorial Photography (3–6 Months)
Advance your skills in studio lighting, fashion and editorial shoots, and creative styling. Develop color correction and retouching techniques in Photoshop while building your first client-ready portfolio.
Stage 3: Brand Photography & Portfolio Development (6–12 Months)
Focus on high-fashion, commercial, and brand photography. Master advanced studio workflows, compositing, and storytelling for campaigns. Curate a professional portfolio that highlights your creative identity.
Stage 4: Visual Leadership & Industry Integration (12–18 Months)
Refine your creative direction and brand identity as a professional photographer. Plan and execute exhibitions or commercial projects, collaborate with industry mentors, and launch your personal photography brand or studio.
Our 18-month Digital Photography program is designed for hands-on learning with real-world shoots, studio practice, and professional mentorship. The schedule balances creative practice, theory, and portfolio development while allowing flexibility for holidays and industry events.
Practical Training (600–650 hrs)
Develop technical photography skills, including camera operation, lighting, composition, and photo editing. Gain hands-on experience in studio and on-location sessions using professional equipment and software like Adobe Lightroom, Photoshop, and advanced lighting setups.
Studio & Industry Projects (100–150 hrs)
Collaborate on real client briefs, editorial shoots, fashion campaigns, and commercial photography projects. Produce professional deliverables such as photo series, campaign portfolios, and styled shoots under expert guidance.
Theory & Business Studies (100–150 hrs)
Learn visual storytelling, brand photography strategy, and creative entrepreneurship. Understand how to manage photography projects, work with clients, secure licensing, and position your personal brand in the professional photography market.
Portfolio & Creative Projects (80–100 hrs)
Build a polished portfolio showcasing editorial, fashion, commercial, and branded photography. Develop professional presentations and curated photo collections to launch your career as a skilled photographer.
At ICCA, we offer an engaging on-campus learning experience enhanced with e-learning support. Students can choose from flexible options 3-month, 6-month, or 18-month certificate programs designed to match your goals while mastering Digital Photography, visual storytelling, and professional photography skills used in the global creative industry.
ICCA offers an engaging on-campus learning experience with modern e-learning support. Choose from flexible certificate options 3-month (₦214,000), 6-month (₦420,000), 1-year (₦850,000), or 18-month (₦1,800,000) designed to fit your personal and professional goals.
Master essential Digital Photography skills: composition, lighting, photo editing, visual storytelling, and portfolio development.
Graduates of ICCA’s Graphic & Web Design program enjoy a wide range of career opportunities in branding, visual communication, web design, UI/UX design, digital marketing, and creative entrepreneurship. Many alumni go on to establish their own design studios, work as freelance web and graphic designers, or join leading creative agencies both locally and internationally.
ICCA’s hands-on, industry-focused training equips students with essential technical skills, real-world project experience, and professional mentorship, ensuring they are fully prepared to succeed in Nigeria’s thriving digital design industry and the competitive global creative market.
"I struggled to get real-world photography experience before ICCA. Their program let me work on live events and client briefs, giving me the exposure I needed to launch my freelance career."
Chinonso M.
"I often struggled to translate ideas from paper to digital screens, especially creating brand assets that actually work online. ICCA’s step-by-step approach and real-world projects made it so much easier to bridge that gap I learned how to take a concept all the way to a polished website or campaign."
Funke A
"Before ICCA, I would spend hours trying to make graphics look 'perfect' without understanding the basics of composition or typography. Their structured training and supportive feedback showed me what matters most in professional design. Now I can confidently create work that looks great and functions well."
Emeka N
ICCA’s Digital Photography course teaches technical skills, creative storytelling, lighting, composition, photo editing, and portfolio development to prepare students for professional photography careers
The program offers flexible options: 3-month, 6-month, 12-month, or 18-month courses, designed to fit different skill levels and professional goals.
Students learn DSLR/mirrorless camera operation, lighting techniques, composition, photo editing in Lightroom and Photoshop, visual storytelling, portfolio curation, and creative entrepreneurship.
Yes. Electives include Video Editing, Interior Decoration Photography, Graphic design & visual communication, and Animation and game design, depending on course duration.
No prior experience is required. ICCA’s program starts with foundational principles and progresses to advanced techniques, suitable for beginners and aspiring professionals.
Absolutely. Students work on live client briefs, styled photo shoots, events, exhibitions, and portfolio projects to gain practical, real-world experience.
ICCA provides access to professional cameras, studio lighting, lenses, and editing software, ensuring students gain experience with industry-standard tools.
Yes. Graduates often work as professional photographers, event photographers, fashion and editorial photographers, commercial photographers, or start their own photography studios.
Yes. The program emphasizes building a professional portfolio showcasing edited images, branded campaigns, and photo series for real-world clients.
ICCA provides mentorship, industry collaborations, and access to events, helping students gain exposure and build a strong professional network.
ICCA offers flexible schedules to accommodate students who may have other commitments, holidays, or work, while ensuring sufficient studio and practical hours.
Students learn Lightroom, Photoshop, DaVinci Resolve, and other professional photography and editing software during the program.
The primary experience is on-campus with hands-on learning and studio access, complemented by modern e-learning tools for flexible support.
Need more help?
"ICCA completely changed how I see design. The hands-on projects and mentorship gave me the confidence to launch my own design studio. I now work on real client briefs and my portfolio stands out in the industry!"
Adaobi E Professional Photographer