Courses

Diploma of Photography

Study a Diploma of Photography at Collarts, where you’ll learn from experts and delve into evolving technologies, creative entrepreneurship, and commercial photography.

8

months full-time

4

units per trimester

STUDY MODES

Online, On Campus

NEXT INTAKE

September 2026

LOCATION

Melbourne (Fitzroy)

Video thumbnail

Study Your Diploma of Photography Degree with Collarts

The first frame of your photography career.

CRICOS Code 105694C (2 years)/105693D (3 years)/105696A (2 trimesters)/105695B (3 trimesters)

Apply Now Download Guide

Explore your creative potential with a Diploma of Photography, and build a career in photography, content creation, or image retouching with hands-on training, evolving tech, and expert mentorship from industry professionals at Collarts. Benefit from the flexibility of Diploma of Photography and study either on campus or online.

You’ll develop skills in lighting, post-production, camera fundamentals, design principles, photographic composting, commerciality, portraiture and mobile filmmaking. You’ll also gain knowledge of the industry and camera fundamentals from academics who have a wide range of experience and expertise in photography.

Whether you’re wanting to upskill or change careers, our student-focussed course will develop your technical prowess alongside your unique artistic vision. Embrace your passion for photography with a Diploma of Photography at Collarts.

Voted as Australia's #1 provider of creative arts courses for Teaching Quality and Engagement, our curriculum is anything but ordinary.

Apply Now Download Guide

Course Information

Course Benefits

Your introduction to the craft of photography

Kickstart your photographic career with a solid understanding of techniques and methodologies, coupled with the tools you need to excel in a diverse range of industries.

Throughout the Diploma of Photography, you will:

  • Develop an in-depth understanding of the creative and technical production elements of professional photography.

  • Get valuable insight into the photography industry from experienced lecturers.

  • Develop your own unique portfolio of photographic content.

  • Collaborate with students across a wide range of other creative courses within Collarts.

  • Study on-campus, or online with access to all of Collarts’ state-of-the-art campus facilities.

Future Careers in Photography

What does life look like behind the camera in the real world? Here are some of the places a Collarts degree could lead you.

Event Photographer

Specialises in capturing moments through high quality photography at events including weddings, parties, corporate functions, festivals and more. Delivers candid and posed images and post-event editing and processing.

Average industry salary*:

$40k - $114k

Freelance Photographer

Start your own photography business as a freelancer. Accept clients for a wide variety of shoot types including portraits, events, commercial work, real estate, content for social media or marketing. Handle everything from photographing , to post-processing and client liaison. Set your own schedule, shoot-rates, and mix of jobs, which gives flexibility.

Average industry salary*:

$55k - $81k

Photo Retoucher/Editor

Edit raw photographs and enhance them using software (colour correction, removing blemishes or unwanted elements, retouching for print/web, compositing, etc.). You can work as part of a studio, agency, or as a freelancer. The role requires a good eye for detail, skill with editing software (e.g. Photoshop, Lightroom), and the ability to meet client or publication standards.

Average industry salary*:

$63k - $120k

Meet your faculty

Christina Simons - Course Lead

Icelandic-American, Christina Simons, is an acclaimed international documentary photographer with over 25 years of experience in the visual arts. Her work has been showcased all over the world. Based in Australia, Christina's photography has been featured in prominent publications like The New York Times, BBC Online, Newsweek, The Wall Street Journal, and The Guardian.

Learn more

Rikki Bunder - Lecturer

Rikki spent more than a decade as a professional commercial advertising photographer, working for a variety of national and international clients, including as an automotive photographer for some of Australia’s leading advertising agencies and automotive companies.

KNOW MORE

Vicki Bell - Lecturer

A Melbourne-based, freelance portrait and fine art photographer with an extensive career spanning 30 years, Vicki is a passionate educator and holds a Diploma’s degree in Education (Art and Craft) and her photography and professional capabilities have been recognised by multiple awards. She has been a member of the Australian Institute of Professional Photography for 16 years and is currently an AIPP Master II Photographer and awards judge.

Learn More

Emma Ismawi - Lecturer

Over 10 years' experience in the creative industry, with expertise in illustration and design, Emma’s work is purposeful and provocative, with the intention to educate, inspire and empower. As Naarm/Birrarunga-ga (Melb)-based visual communicator, she is passionate about accessibility and inclusivity, with her work intentions to educate, inspire and empower.

Learn More

Jason Lau - Lecturer

Jason Lau is a Melbourne based lifestyle and fashion photographer with over 15 years of experience across commercial and editorial projects. He produces campaign imagery, brand photography and professional portraiture for established brands and independent businesses. His work spans outdoor adventure assignments, fashion editorials and studio based productions, often informed by cinematic references.

KNOW MORE

Jessica Ledwich - Lecturer

Jessica Ledwich is a photographic artist whose practice centres on photography as seduction. Drawing from the visual language of advertising, she works with close-up imagery of food, nature, and the body to create visceral, hyperreal compositions that blur the line between the synthetic and the real.

KNOW MORE

Erin Lee Holland - Lecturer

Erin Lee Holland is a portrait & documentary photographer whose work spans a variety of commercial and artistic projects. Currently based in Melbourne | Naarm available for assignments and collaborations within Australia or internationally.

KNOW MORE

Aaron Walker - Lecturer

Aaron Walker is a commercial photographer, educator, and former touring aerial acrobat whose career bridges creative practice, design thinking, and performance. He holds a BA in Theatre and Circus Arts, a BADes in Communication Design, and an Advanced Diploma in Photography, giving him a multidisciplinary foundation that informs both his teaching and industry work.

KNOW MORE

Nicole Marie - Lecturer

Nicole Marie is a documentary photographer based on Wathaurong country in Geelong, Victoria, Australia. She aims to live lightly and respectfully on this country, creating and sharing authentic, diverse and inclusive stories — stories that recognise and appreciate the strange and awesome circumstances of being human, that amplify marginalised voices and connect us as stronger communities, and that carry a heartbeat and a twist in the telling.

KNOW MORE

The Collarts Experience

Experience life at Collarts through a vibrant creative community shaped by industry insight, cultural relevance and real-world learning—explore campuses, events and student life via Collarts Life. This ethos is embedded throughout our courses.

Student Life

Student life at Collarts mirrors real-world creative industries, offering a collaborative, cross-disciplinary environment where students learn alongside peers from across the creative spectrum. From hands-on projects to campus events, students are supported by dedicated wellbeing and academic services throughout their studies. Discover what student life at Collarts is all about and how it shapes your Bachelor experience via Student Life at Collarts.

George St Campus

2/156 George St, Fitzroy VIC 3065

Book a Campus Tour

Collarts Sydney - Waterloo Campus

242 Young Street, Waterloo, NSW, 2017

Book a Campus Tour

Life After Collarts

Sofia - Photography Alumni

"The difference at Collarts is that you get real-life experience, you're taught about the real world."

Video thumbnail

Need more information


Join an online or in person information session to meet your teaching staff, visit the campuses, and ask questions.

BROWSE INFORMATION AND EVENTS

Frequently Asked Questions

Your Diploma of Photography course can’t wait. Neither can you.

Admission Enquiries

Apply now

Download Course Guide

Book a chat with a Course Advisor

Book a Campus Tour

General Enquiry