One of the questions I am asked most often is what free resources are available to improve your photography skills and can you be self taught. Well the great news is the answer is yes to both! Photographers at every stage in  their journey can learn online. I asked a number of photography experts what free resources they would recommend for photographers and I have rounded up their reccommendations below. 

1. Join free Photography Facebook Groups. 

 The photography community can be very supportive and generous and I have found real value in joining photography Facebook groups. I myself manage 2 – one for beginners and one for professionals and we discuss everything to do with photography including shooting, editing, business and marketing. You are welcome to join my groups by clicking on the links below. 

 ” Engaging with other photographers online can also be incredibly helpful for self-taught photographers. Communities like Reddit’s r/photography, Flickr groups, and 500px not only provide inspiration but also allow you to get feedback and ask questions. Sharing your work and participating in discussions on these platforms can expose you to different perspectives and help you improve” Ann Visser, Pet Photographer, AnnVisser Fotografie

 2. Follow photography channels on Youtube

” Photographers can be entirely self-taught; I am a huge believer in the use of accessible resources for learning and growth. Truly amazing is the quantity of free content that’s available today for someone to start in photography. For instance, YouTube has been invaluable; places like Mango Street and Tony & Chelsea Northrup tear everything from camera settings through creative compositions apart. They not only cover technical skills but also provide back-door insights helpful for developing the creative eye.” Renata Lutz, Founder and Photographer, The Portrait Mama

” As a food photographer, I have learned the most by following my favourite food photographers on Instagram and YouTube, watching their behind-the-scenes videos, tips, and tricks, and joining their webinars and free masterclasses (which always contain lots of insights and takeaways despite promoting paid products or services). I have also found that trying to replicate a photograph I admire in terms of composition and lighting is a great way to start. Once you know how to achieve a particular look, bringing your vision to life is much easier”. Liga Vasila, Chief Editor, FoodyWise.com Blog

“YouTube has been invaluable for me. There are countless channels that break down complex topics-from camera settings to editing techniques-into digestible, real-world tutorials. I also found that learning at my own pace allowed me to dive deeper into areas that intrigued me, keeping my passion alive and pushing me to try new techniques. As someone with ADHD, the self-paced structure of online learning was a game-changer. Traditional classroom settings may have dulled my enthusiasm, but online resources let me explore in ways that suited me best. Being self-taught doesn’t mean going it alone-it means embracing a vast community and incredible resources that are just a click away.” James Pearce, Wedding Photographer, Pearce Wedding Photography

” I am a self-taught equine fine art photographer and have over time achieved awards, exhibited my pictures, am working together with several art sellers, and successfully opened my print shop. The most reliable source for me was YouTube. That and following a diverse range of inspiring photographers on Instagram. The combination of these two content sources gave me the inspiration to try new methods and learn new skills, and the information on how to master them. ” Anna Archinger, Owner, Anna Archinger Photography

” My favourite photographer on Youtube is Katelyn James Photography. She puts out so much practical advice for photographers. She has paid courses as well if you want to go deeper into a topic, but her YouTube channel is full of amazing advice to get you going! ” Christine Murphy, Wedding Photographer, Christine Hazel Photography

3. Practice and evaluate your photography

” Anyone getting into photography or learning the business of photography can definitely learn the craft and the business through a self-paced journey. This is how I learned. The largest amount of knowledge I’ve gained has been through watching other photographers’ free training on YouTube. I was able to learn the basics of capturing and processing digital images. Then, once I learned the basics, I was able to continue growing my knowledge base with more advanced topics regarding composition and more creative image processing techniques. However, my biggest growth came by taking what I was learning and putting it into practice. I am a landscape and nature fine art photographer, so I tried to learn as much as I could from other photographers in this genre of fine art photography. Online courses filled in the gaps left from YouTube. Some of my favorite landscape photography instructors are Ryan Dyar, Joshua Snow, Max Rive, and Daniel Kordan. My advice to anyone trying to learn photography is to get out and capture photos as much as possible. Then, evaluate your work with a critical eye, get advice and feedback, find online resources that you connect with and understand, and share your work. Nothing has driven me more than to see how my work impacts others. “

Daniel Forster, Fine Art Photographer, Daniel Forster Photography

4. Take advantage of free courses from Coursea, Adobe & Creativelive 

“Photographers can be self-taught, and many successful ones, like myself, have taken that route. With the wealth of free resources available online, anyone with passion and persistence can develop their skills. For me, YouTube has been a goldmine of tutorials, covering everything from basic camera settings to advanced editing techniques. Platforms like Reddit and photography forums also offer great feedback and advice from more experienced photographers. Additionally, free courses from websites like Coursera or Adobe’s own resources provide structured learning. But above all, the key has been practice-getting out there, experimenting, and learning through trial and error. Killian Page, Photographer/Director, What Gives Media Group, LLC

“I think over 90% of photographers are self taught (at least anecdotally from everyone I’ve ever met in the course of my career). I started out with the standard online sources – SLRLounge, FStoppers, Petapixel then graduated to the free classes on Udemy, Skillshare and CreativeLive. Sub-reddits or forums are also great for getting your questions answered. Then I finally gave in and purchased about $20,000 worth of courses both technical and photography business related when things got a bit more serious. Of course it wasn’t necessary, everything can be found online for free – if you have unlimited time, but for those who want a streamlined course and execution plan you have to go paid. Side note: For most people though, a formal education in photography is pretty worthless for those who want a career. They focus a lot on the history, and a diverse set of techniques like dark rooms and an intro to different lighting setups for every type of photography. It’s very easy to pick a photography students work out of a lineup, there’s no soul to the work. I’d recommend just interning under a working photographer in the niche you want to work in – you’ll learn a lot more relevant stuff and be ready to hire (or even start your own studio) after 2 years. That being said, some of the best photographers in the world came through formal programs – I’m just saying for the average person, this method is better. “

John Ether, Owner, Ether Photography

5. Practice and Shadow Other Photographers

You absolutely can be a self taught photographer – but like anything, it requires you to actually go out and do it! The biggest thing with self taught photography is practice, practice, practice. Learning your manual modes, shooting in various lighting conditions and with an arrangement of people is the best way to learn. Another practical way to learn is to second shoot for a photographer- essentially to shadow them and see how they work. It can be so helpful! Lastly, attending styled shoots and gaining the content you need for marketing is key.

Rose Groves, Photographer, Matlai Photography