Earn Your Certificate in Professional Photography in the Okanagan
The Certificate in Professional Photography at Kelowna's College for Arts and Technology is an engaging 6-month program covering both the creative and business sides of modern photography. Whether photography has been a lifelong passion or a recent hobby, this program will give you the skills to turn it into a rewarding career capturing weddings, sporting events, editorial campaigns, and more. With hands-on, industry-focused training, you'll graduate ready to work.
Our program covers a wide range of applied skills and knowledge necessary for success as a professional photographer, including
- Basic to Advanced Studio Lighting
- Basic to Advanced Camera Operations
- Digital Imaging and Post Production
- An understanding of contemporary photographic trends and styles
- Industry-specific knowledge from an entrepreneurial viewpoint
- Photography industry awareness and best practices for the modern photographer
- Portfolio Production
Our Grads Power the
Arts & Tech Economy
CAT’s creative and technical programs are directly connected to a creative sector that makes a $6 Billion contribution to the British Columbia economy every year. Graduates from our 2D and 3D animation, filmmaking, graphic design, audio engineering and other programs are among the over 120,000 skilled arts and tech workers employed provincially in this vibrant, constantly growing ‘creative economy’. Just in the past several years alone, CAT graduates were named in the credits for many high grossing films and musical scores, capturing numerous industry awards.
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Industry Connections
Professional Photographers as your Instructors and mentors.
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Let’s Get You Working!
Well-rounded, focused curriculum to get you successfully working as quickly as possible.
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Top Tech
Latest technology, facilities and equipment in a dedicated Professional Photography studio-classroom.
Department Head
Victor Poirier
Victor Poirier is a seasoned artist, seamlessly blending his passion for fine arts, photography, the moving image, and entrepreneurship in a remarkable, and award-winning career spanning broadcast television and education.
Victor’s artistic journey began at the age of 12, when he picked up a camera and began exploring his surroundings through the lens. This creative exploration eventually led to his first day on set, when, at just 17, Victor landed a position on a National Film Board (NFB) production. Afterwards, Victor went on to attend the University of Ottawa, where he delved into the world of fine arts. His time at the university not only honed his technical skills but also fueled his creative spirit, setting the stage for a lifelong dedication to visual arts.
Embracing an entrepreneurial spirit, Victor founded Erebus Productions and Panfilms, earning national and international awards for excellence in filmmaking. In 2001, he moved to Scotland, directing for BBC, ITV, STV, and BBC Gaelic, creating over 150 primetime television episodes.
Returning to Canada in 2010, Victor led the Film and Photography departments at College for Arts and Technology, reshaping curriculum and facilities with his years of industry expertise. Under his guidance, both departments are flourishing, producing talented graduates prepared for the evolving film and photography landscape.
Victor’s artistic journey continues to evolve, driven by a curiosity to explore new perspectives and narratives. His dedication to timeless storytelling through the lens defines a career harmonizing creativity, technical skill, and a relentless pursuit of excellence.
What our grads are saying...
FAQs
Let's Get you answers
A day in the life of a Professional Photography student at CAT is varied and as a student you may find yourself in a few different classrooms around campus. Schedules vary from Quarter to Quarter, so this is just an example of what you could expect.
If you drive, you'll park your car in our student-designated parking lot and make your way across the Landmark Plaza to our campus! If you've opted to walk, bike or take the bus, you'll find lots of great scenery on the short walk from the bike lock-up or transit stop to campus. You have a lighting class in the studio for your first block, Lighting for Stills 1, so you may need to stop by our Equipment Cage to grab a lens. After signing out your equipment you'll take another short stroll across the plaza to our Sutherland Building, where both the studio and classrooms are located. After a brief lecture from your Instructor, you and your classmates begin creating the lighting setup for the day. Sometimes models from the local agency make an appearance in class and you're looking forward to photographing some unique faces!
After lighting class, you have a free block, so you work on editing some of the images from earlier. Lunchtime! You take a break and hit up one of the many great eateries in the Landmark Plaza area. Mmmmm….pizza is on the menu today.
After fuelling up, you head back to the main campus building for a Professional Development class. Today you're going to be diving into Personality Dimensions and starting on a self-portrait assignment. You'll also be discussing how to find the balance between being a creative individual and securing success for yourself professionally, a topic we take great pride in at CAT. #nostarvingartistshere.
Your last class of the day is Digital Imaging, so you head to the computer lab to greet your classmates. You've been loving learning about post-production skills, so you can't wait to get down to work! After class, you decide to meet up with some friends to take in a world-famous Kelowna sunset downtown. Let's do this again tomorrow, shall we? New day, new classes, new opportunities.
If you're interested in touring our campus and seeing our Professional Photography classrooms, you can do so by completing an online inquiry form. Once submitted, a Program Advisor will follow up with you, so make sure to mention you'd like a tour!
Experience the CAT Difference
Why the Best Choose Us
We understand that choosing a post-secondary school is a big decision that usually involves input from some of the most important people in your life. Tuition considerations, support after graduation and key industry connections – these are all part of choosing the best acting school for you. Here are a few reasons why you’ll be happy you chose College for Arts and Technology:
Finance Options
Hands-on, employment-focused education.
Employment-focused programs delivering the soft skills you need for lasting career success and hands-on experience with the latest, industry-standard techniques. Your acting career starts here!
More one-on-one time with your Instructors and mentors.
Small class sizes mean you get more facetime and critical feedback from your education team, to achieve real growth and success.
Personalized support from start to finish.
Financial guidance? We’ve got you covered. Career advice after graduation? We wouldn’t have it any other way. You’re more than a student number to us. We create a personalized experience that you won’t get anywhere else.
Quality you can fact-check.
College for Arts and Technology holds a full designation through Education Quality Assurance and the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit. You’ll only get the best at College for Arts and Technology.
Professional Photography was reviewed and approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Regulatory Unit (PTIRU) of the Ministry of Post-Secondary Education and Skills Training.
This program is not eligible for the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program. Learn more about PGWP eligibility on the IRCC website.