Mandatory requirements
This program requires you to provide your own photography equipment and materials, including a DSLR or mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses. Point-and-shoot cameras and mobile phones are not suitable. If you plan to use a mirrorless camera, please confirm that it meets course requirements with your instructor before the course begins. Review individual course pages for detailed technology and supplies requirements.
Overview
Photography can be a powerful tool for communication, storytelling, marketing, branding, and creative expression. Whether you're creating content for an organization, supporting a business, pursuing freelance opportunities, or developing your own photographic practice, strong technical and creative skills can help you produce more purposeful and impactful images.
This certificate of completion provides a progressive introduction to digital photography through three micro-credential courses. You'll develop foundational skills in camera operation, composition, image workflow, and exposure, then advance into lighting, portraiture, action photography, visual storytelling, and portfolio development.
Through hands-on learning and guidance from experienced photography professionals, you'll explore how to create images in a range of photographic situations while developing both technical proficiency and creative decision-making. Along the way, you'll have opportunities to refine your photographic interests, experiment with different subject matter, and build a collection of work that reflects your developing style and goals.
By the end of the program, you'll have a comprehensive foundation in digital photography that can support content creation, professional development, entrepreneurial pursuits, or personal creative growth.
This program is ideal if you:
- want to develop a strong foundation in digital photography and visual storytelling
- create visual content for marketing, communications, social media, or business purposes
- are interested in building a portfolio and developing a specialized area of photographic interest
- are looking to strengthen your photography skills in support of professional or personal goals.
There are no prerequisites or eligibility requirements for this certificate program. However, you should have basic computer, internet, and digital literacy skills, and be comfortable managing digital files and performing basic computer tasks. Experience using Adobe Bridge or Adobe Photoshop is helpful, but not required.
Upon successful completion of this program, you’ll be able to:
- operate a DSLR or mirrorless camera using manual and semi-automatic exposure controls to create purposeful photographic images
- apply composition, exposure, focus, and lighting techniques to create photographs that support communication, storytelling, creative, or business objectives
- manage, organize, and prepare digital image files using established photography workflow and file management practices
- use on-camera and off-camera flash systems to create portraits and other photographic images in a variety of environments
- plan and complete photographic projects that demonstrate technical proficiency, creative intent, and visual storytelling skills
- create and curate a portfolio that reflects a photographic area of interest, personal style, or professional objective
- apply foundational marketing, branding, and self-promotion practices to present photographic work through appropriate digital channels.
SAIT has one of the finest darkroom facilities in Western Canada. I've enjoyed working with hundreds of students over many years in our beautiful space. Works created by students in SAIT's darkroom class have been published nationally and internationally.
George Webber
Published photographer, SAIT Instructor
Program outline
To earn this certificate, you must complete three mandatory courses. Start with PHOT 021 Photography Foundations 1, then take the remaining courses as listed. Note prerequisites.
Interested in other photography topics? We offer the following stand-alone courses:
Required courses and electives
How to apply for this certificate
Once you have registered for any course offered in this certificate, you will be automatically eligible to complete the certificate. You will have up to three years to complete this program. You may track your progression by signing in to your Continuing Education student account.
Certifications and professional designations
Upon successful completion of all the required courses in this certificate program, you’ll receive an electronically issued SAIT Certificate of Completion and transcript. For each SAIT Micro-credential earned, you'll also receive a shareable digital badge.
Costs
This program consists of three mandatory courses with varying fees. Please review the individual course pages for this certificate to determine costs and to learn more about additional learning materials, including textbooks.
Financial support
Financial opportunities are available to help pay for your course fees. Learn more about how to reduce your education or training costs with available awards, bursaries, loans and grants, including the Canada Alberta Productivity Grant.
Careers and opportunities
Photography skills can support creative, marketing, communications, content creation, and entrepreneurial opportunities across a wide range of industries, organizations, and professional settings.
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Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.
SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.