Online photography courses · Vancouver
Short lessons from two working photographers, a practice task with every lesson and a quiz at the end of each module. Learn at your own pace, or join a small group for live critiques, and finish with a certificate you can share.
Most popular · self-paced
Photography Fundamentals
Your progress6 of 9 lessons
Courses
Every course is online, in English, with lessons you can rewatch as often as you like. Buy once, pay monthly or join the club.
Self-paced
Take your camera off auto and make photos you're proud of. Nine short lessons on exposure, light and composition, each with a practice task you can do in an afternoon, and a quiz at the end of...
Self-paced · a module a week
Edit faster and get a consistent look across every shoot. Sam walks you through a complete Lightroom Classic workflow, from import to export, with an editing task after each lesson. One module...
With a group · starts January 14, 2027
Light a portrait with one lamp, then two, then a window, in eight weeks with a small group. You learn the lighting patterns photographers use every day and finish with a portfolio of portraits...
Membership
A monthly membership for photographers who want to keep shooting. Every month brings a new assignment and a short lesson, and members post their photos in the club's discussion for feedback from...
Curriculum
Three modules, nine lessons. Each module ends with a quiz you pass at 70% to open the next one, with as many retakes as you need.
1Your camera, demystified4 lessons
2Seeing light and composition3 lessons
3Your first photo walk2 lessons
Free lessons
These lessons are open to everyone, no account needed. If you like how we teach, the rest of the course is one click away.
Instructors
Portrait photographer · founder of Lumen
Elena has photographed portraits and editorial work for fifteen years and has taught adults since 2016. She teaches Photography Fundamentals, the Portrait Lighting Cohort and the Photo Club, and runs the Thursday critiques.
Photo editor and Lightroom instructor
Sam spent ten years as a photo editor for magazines and agencies. His Lightroom Masterclass is about a fast, repeatable workflow you'll use on every shoot, with an editing task after each lesson.
Student results
Only students who attended a session can leave a review, so every rating here is earned.
★★★★★
Thursday critiques are worth the price on their own. Elena lit a portrait live, then fixed my two-light setup in five minutes.
★★★★★
I finally understand why my portraits looked flat. Clear, patient and very practical, and the group discussion keeps you shooting every week.
★★★★★
Small group, honest feedback and lots of examples. My window-light portraits are the best photos I've taken.
★★★★☆
Great structure and great feedback. I'd love a second critique slot for people on the west coast's early mornings.
Elena Varga: Thanks Owen! A Saturday morning critique is on the list for the Winter group.
Pricing
Prices in Canadian dollars, plus 5% GST. Pay by card on the course page; you get a receipt by email and start straight away.
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Get the courseNext group: Winter 2027, starts January 14, 2027 · 15 seats left
Get the courseLaunch offer: LAUNCH25 takes 25% off Photography Fundamentals.
FAQ
Courses you buy, in one payment or by finishing a payment plan, are yours to keep. The Photo Club lasts while your membership is paid.
Any camera with aperture priority or manual mode, including most phones with a pro mode. For the Lightroom course you need Lightroom Classic.
Each module ends with a short quiz. Pass it at 70% to open the next module; retake it as often as you like, and see the right answers after every attempt.
Yes, for Fundamentals, Lightroom and Portrait Lighting. Finish every lesson and quiz and your certificate appears on the course page, with a PDF, a verify link and Add to LinkedIn.
Choose a start date at checkout. Lessons open when your group starts, you share work in your group's private discussion, and you meet Elena every Thursday at 6 pm Pacific for a live critique in our online classroom.
Yes, any time from the course page. You keep access until the end of the month you've paid for.
Contact
Tell us what you shoot and what you'd like to get better at, and Elena will reply within two working days.
