Free online photojournalism course
My name is Sean Rayford and I’ve been a photojournalist for more than 25 years, working with Getty Images, The New York Times, The Associated Press and many others. I live in South Carolina and I’ll be your instructor for this free online photojournalism course.
Course instructor, Sean Rayford, at work on a personal project about a music club. Photo by Kati Baldwin
In this course, you’ll find a mix of videos and some corresponding text-based lessons. I encourage students to use both of these resources. This course currently features ten lessons specific to photojournalism, five lessons on the broader subject of photography and five additional photojournalism experience videos. You can tackle this in an afternoon. The total video run time is 2 hours and five minutes.
There are two multiple choice quizzes with instant grading. The final test is more complex with written answers and I’ll personally be giving a grade with feedback via email. My time is limited and I can grade ten of these each month — so first come, first served. I recommend taking the quizzes before and after the course.
As I continue publishing new videos and text based lessons I will add them here. If you’d like emails when I update this course with new lessons — and discounts on further education opportunities, you can sign up here.
We now also have monthly assignments where I’ll give feedback.
If you’d like to take your learning further with personalized coaching, I offer one-on-one photojournalism and photography video call lessons tailored to your goals. These private sessions provide direct feedback from a working photojournalist with more than 25 years of experience.
Photo by Sean Rayford
PHOTOJOURNALISM LESSONS
1. What is Photojournalism? (Web LESSON)
Photojournalism is a form of documentary photography governed by ethical guardrails to ensure accurate, unbiased reporting. Because of this, photojournalism serves as a “first draft of history.” It has the power to call attention to those in need and to hold those in power accountable. Modern challenges, including declining newsroom investment, political risks, and the rise of AI and citizen photography, make photojournalism more important than ever.
(VIDEO LINK - What is Photojournalism)
2. Best Camera Gear for Photojournalism (WEB LESSON)
Choosing the right camera gear for photojournalism doesn’t have to be a headache. Practical experience, comfort, and understanding how to use whatever gear you have — are more important than owning the latest technology. Used gear from major brands often provide great value for aspiring photojournalists.
(VIDEO LINK - Best Camera Gear for Photojournalism)
3. Easy Caption Writing for Photojournalism
Caption writing is a fundamental difference between photojournalists and most everyone else with a camera. A bit daunting at first, writing captions in photojournalism becomes much easier when you’ve got a strategy.
Photo by Sean Rayford
4. Photojournalism Tips: Lessons from 25 Years in the Field (WEB LESSON)
I’ve learned a shit ton during my four decades as a photojournalist and this is my best attempt regurgitating that in digestible form. Tasty!
(VIDEO LINK - Photojournalism Tips: Lessons from 25 Years in the Field)
5. How to Build a Photojournalism Portfolio
Portfolios play an important role when trying to pursue projects that interest you and and an important role landing paid gigs. A portfolio will get you access and assignments.
(VIDEO LINK - How to Build a Photojournalism Portfolio)
6. How I Photograph Protests as a Photojournalist
I’ve photographed more than a thousand protests. Here are strategies for covering these events and staying safe in difficult scenarios.
(VIDEO LINK - How I Photograph Protests as a Photojournalist)
7. Storytelling with Photography Made Easy
Photography is inherently a medium for storytelling — but most folks are just snapping pics and dumping photos. We can harness the power of photography for storytelling or we can watch a small group of others do it.
Photo by Sean Rayford
8. Photojournalism in Five Tips
A look at five important tips for new photojournalists. A shorter version of the longer tip video with a some new aproacches to the same subject matter.
(VIDEO LINK - Photojournalism in Five Tips)
9. Candid Photography Tips from a Photojournalist
I don’t like the term candid, but people use this vocabulary to describe my photography. Here’s my approach to capturing real moments with a camera.
(VIDEO LINK - Candid Photography Tips)
10. How Photojournalists Get Assignments
There’s not a lot of money in photojournalism — but here’s how photojournalists get paid assignments.
(VIDEO LINK - How Photojournalists Get Assignments)
GENERAL PHOTOGRAPHY VIDEOS
1.Learn Composition in Photography
Composition is a foundation in photography. If you master light and composition you can master photography.
(VIDEO LINK - Learn Composition in Photography)
2. 53 Photography Tips
If I condensed all my photography advice into 15 minutes, this is the video I would make.
Photo by Sean Rayford
3. What Makes a Great Photograph?
If you listen to bad music, you’re gonna make bad music. Learn about what makes a great photograph so you can choose your best. This is a skill.
(VIDEO LINK - What Makes a Great Photograph?)
4. What Photographers Can Learn from Stephen King
Stephen King got up and did the work. As photojournalists, we can learn a lot from how the horror author structured his life as a creative.
(VIDEO LINK - What Photographers Can Learn from Stephen King)
5. Composition, Light and Storytelling: Photography 101
Harness light, composition and storytelling in your photography to win the Triple Crown.
EXPERIENCES IN PHOTOJOURNALISM
1. Life of a Freelance Photojournalist
I’ve been a photojournalist for more than 25 years — most the time as a freelancer. This is what it like working in the industry.
(VIDEO LINK - Life as a Photojournalist)
2. My First NYT Photo Assignment
My first assignment with the New York Times was a KKK rally at the South Carolina Statehouse. I won’t ever forget this day.
(VIDEO LINK - My First Photo Assignment with The New York Times)
Photo by Sean Rayford
3. Hurricane Helene: A Photojournalist’s Journey
I covered Hurricane Helene for Getty Images from landfall in Steinhatchee, Florida to Chimney Rock, North Carolina where miles of hiking was my only way in. One of my most memorable experiences as a photojournalist.
(VIDEO LINK - Hurricane Helene - A Photojournalist’s Journey)
4. A photojournalists View: NCAA Championship Pool Party
There’s a reflecting pool in front of the library oat the University of South Carolina and nobody is interested in getting in this thing — unless the Gamecocks win a national championship. With Dawn Staley at the helm of one program, she’s been collecting banners.
(VIDEO LINK - A photojournalists View: NCAA Championship Pool Party)
5. BTS: Covering Hurricane Helene as a Photojournalist
A year after Hurricane Helene slammed southern Appalachia, I gathered some of my previously unused cell phone video for a look back at the historic storm.
(VIDEO LINK - BTS Covering Hurricane Helene as a Photojournalist)