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Architectural photography: skills building in a day

  • Level(s) of Study: Short course; Professional
  • Course Fee:

    £250

  • Start Date(s): 17 February 2027, 26 May 2027
  • Duration: Wednesday 9.30 am - 4 pm, one day
  • Study Mode(s): Part-time
  • Campus: City Campus
  • Entry Requirements: More information
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Introduction:

Develop your architectural photography skills in just one day with this practical course designed for professionals working in architecture, construction, property, design or marketing.

Whether you're documenting projects, creating content for websites and social media, preparing award submissions, or building a professional portfolio, you'll learn how to create stronger, more effective images of the built environment.

Through a combination of expert guidance and hands-on practice, you'll develop your understanding of composition, perspective, lighting and specialist equipment, helping you produce photographs that communicate architectural design with greater impact and confidence.

  • Learn the principles, techniques and professional considerations involved in photographing architecture, including legal and ethical considerations.
  • Develop your skills through practical photography sessions across NTU's City Campus, working with a variety of architectural styles, materials and lighting conditions.
  • Gain hands-on experience of photographing interiors and exteriors while exploring composition, viewpoint selection, styling and working with models within architectural spaces.
  • Learn from an experienced architectural photographer, educator and author with extensive professional and industry experience.

Here’s what our previous attendees said:

“Thank you, Martine, for a superb day. Thank you also for being so good at what you do. Have just bought the tilt and shift lens…. Your teaching confirmed it.” A North

“An excellent blend of expert instruction facilitating personal exploration delivered in an informal but very organised way.” R Neale

“Your knowledge of photographing architecture was so welcome and your enthusiasm was contagious. Thank you for a wonderful day.” A Howell

What you’ll study

Based at Nottingham Trent University's City Campus, you'll explore a range of multi award-winning buildings designed by leading architects, including Hopkins Architects and Hawkins\Brown, as well as the listed Newton and Arkwright buildings designed by T. C. Howitt.

The day begins with an introductory classroom session covering equipment, techniques and professional approaches to architectural photography.

You'll then take part in practical photography exercises across NTU's City Campus, photographing a diverse range of buildings and spaces dating from the nineteenth century through to contemporary architecture. Throughout the day, you'll receive individual guidance and feedback to help develop both your technical and creative skills.

The course concludes with a review of your images, group discussion and advice on how to continue developing your photography practice after the course.

Topics covered include:

  • The role of photography in architecture, construction, property and marketing
  • Legal and ethical considerations when photographing buildings and people
  • Selecting the right camera equipment, lenses and support systems for architectural photography
  • Understanding the benefits of specialist perspective-control (tilt-shift) lenses
  • Working with natural and changing lighting conditions
  • Choosing effective viewpoints to communicate architectural design
  • Photographing buildings internally and externally
  • Managing perspective, scale and visual balance within an image
  • Styling spaces and working with models on location
  • Reviewing your images and identifying opportunities for improvement

How you’re taught

This course combines tutor-led learning with practical, hands-on photography experience.

You'll benefit from demonstrations, guided discussion, individual feedback and practical exercises designed to build both your technical knowledge and creative confidence. Working alongside an experienced practitioner, you'll have opportunities to ask questions, explore different approaches and receive personalised guidance throughout the day.

As part of your continuing professional development, the approach focuses on confidence-building and, unlike online learning, facilitates meaningful personalised instruction.

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Tutor profile:

Martine Hamilton Knight D Litt (Hon), FHEA, FRPS is a photographer, educator and author of Photography for Architects (2024) and Fellow of The Royal Photographic Society (RPS).

Awarded an honorary doctorate by the University of Nottingham in 2012 in recognition of her photographic work and named an ambassador in 2013 for global camera equipment manufacturer Manfrotto, the last fifteen years have seen Martine’s practice widen to encompass speaking, teaching and writing. Today, she hosts regular workshops for the RPS and is a senior lecturer on the BA programme at Nottingham Trent University specialising in professional practice for photographers.

Her academic research explores visual representation of the built environment and its styles, together with the impact of visually generative artificial intelligence (AI) images on the traditionally understood world of photography.

Still shooting commercially, Martine also offers a consultancy for practices seeking advice on photographic procurement and management.

Careers and employability

Strong visual communication skills are increasingly important across architecture, construction, property, design, marketing and the wider creative industries.

This course will help you develop practical photography skills that can be applied to project documentation, portfolio development, marketing materials, award submissions, websites, social media content and client communications.

Participants on previous courses have included architects, designers, photographers, property professionals, marketers and individuals with a personal interest in architecture and the built environment.

Certificate of attendance and digital badge

Upon successful completion of the course, you will receive a digital certificate of attendance and a digital badge powered by Accredible.

Your digital credential is more than just a certificate. It’s secure, verifiable, and protected against fraud through encryption and blockchain technology.

They also come with detailed metadata, including an overview of the skills you have achieved on the course, evidence of completion, and assessment criteria if appropriate.

Share your achievements seamlessly with friends, customers, and potential employers online, and proudly add your badge or certificate to social media platforms such as LinkedIn, so all the right people can see it.

Campus and facilities

This course takes place within Nottingham School of Art & Design's award-winning Design & Digital Arts Building, located on NTU's City Campus in the heart of Nottingham.

Joining instructions, including details of where to meet on the day, will be sent by email approximately one week before the course starts.

Entry requirements

Level: Improver

This course is suitable for anyone who is comfortable using a camera in either semi-automatic or manual mode and has an interest in architecture, design and the built environment.

You should have a basic understanding of photography and be looking to develop your skills further through practical experience and expert guidance.

You must be aged 18 or over to attend this course.

Fees and funding

The fee for this course is £250.

Payment is due at the time of booking - ask us if you'd prefer an invoice sent to your company.

Your course fee includes tuition, access to campus facilities and the use of specialist equipment during the course. Canon and Nikon perspective-control lenses, together with tripods, are available for participants to use.

Please bring:

  • A digital camera (DSLR or mirrorless camera recommended) - if you do not own a camera, we will be able to allocate you one for the course but please let us know in advance
  • A notebook and pen
  • Clothing and footwear suitable for indoor and outdoor exploration, including walking on grass and uneven surfaces

Please read our Terms and Conditions before booking your place.

How to apply

You can book your place via the NTU online store:

17 February 2027, Wednesday 9.30 am - 4 pm, one day

26 May 2027, Wednesday 9.30 am - 4 pm, one day

Browse all our photography short courses.

Any questions?

Contact the short course team:

Email: creativeshortcourses@ntu.ac.uk

Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2813

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