Professional Diploma in Creative and Commercial Photography

Course Overview
Want to develop your technical and creative skills in photography?
Delivered by Griffith College's award-winning photography department, this real-world diploma is designed for those looking to build a career behind the camera. It equips photographers with the technical, creative, and commercial skills needed to thrive in today's visual industries.
Photographers will refine their technical and creative skills across storytelling, lighting, post-production, and working with people, gaining industry-ready techniques, and building a standout, career-focused portfolio.
Why Study Creative & Commercial Photography at Griffith College?
This professional diploma is for photographers looking to deepen their practical and creative skills, focusing on lighting (both studio and location), post-production, and professional project development. Modules include client-focused photography, visual storytelling, and a final curated portfolio, culminating at the end of the year.
Whether self-taught, transitioning from a related industry, or growing your freelance work, this course offers structured, real-world application. Ideal for those with a strong interest or foundation in photography. This course supports students in building confidence, refining their style, and expanding their professional toolkit. The blended format suits working adults, creatives, and content creators looking for flexible but immersive upskilling.
Course Highlights
- Delivered by award-winning educators from Griffith College’s renowned photography department.
- Builds on Griffith’s strong reputation for industry-focused, practical training.
- Perfect for freelance or self-employed photographers seeking to advance their practice.
- Tailored for experienced photographers aiming to sharpen technical and storytelling skills.
- Delivered in a flexible, part-time format with evening classes and Saturday workshops.
- Culminates in a curated end-of-year exhibition to showcase learner work.
- Covers respected content across editorial, commercial, and creative photography.
Intake Dates
- Dublin - Blended - October 2025
Course Details
Course Content
This module is designed for those with prior experience of photography, who may not yet be fully confident shooting in manual mode. Learners will build on their existing knowledge by engaging in a more focused and fast-paced exploration of camera operations, creative control, and troubleshooting in challenging lighting situations. Through practical tasks and reflective visual journaling, they’ll improve technical skills while developing more intentional shooting habits. A focus on problem-solving and adapting settings in real-world conditions will help learners become more consistent image-makers.
This module guides learners through creating a personal photo project with a focus on visual storytelling. Learners build on existing experience by exploring composition, narrative, and sequencing to communicate ideas clearly and creatively. They will apply an individual approach while working on real-world subjects, from impactful photojournalism and candid reportage to thoughtful editorial stories. Learners will also practise shooting in dynamic environments such as events, public spaces, and community settings. The module explores creative ways to present work, including sequencing, zines, handmade books, and other outputs to support engaging storytelling.
This module covers the technical and creative skills needed to produce strong, engaging portraits. Learners will work with both natural and studio lighting setups, apply camera settings and equipment for portraiture, and demonstrate confidence in directing and working with people. The module also includes workflow and introductory retouching to produce polished, professional results.
This module explores how photographs tell stories and communicate ideas. Learners will strengthen their visual literacy by analysing composition, context, and visual cues. Through image discussion and creative exercises, they will interpret the meaning in photographs and explore how images reflect personal style and cultural narratives.
This module focuses on practical studio and location lighting, working on client-style briefs for branding, fashion, or promotional use. Create a cohesive body of commercial photography suitable for real-world use. Learners will apply creative direction and technical execution while also creating digital content such as behind-the-scenes stills or short-form videos for online platforms.
This module introduces practical AI tools and time-saving editing techniques. Learners will gain hands-on experience with features such as image selection, enhancement, and background removal using smart software. The module also explores ethical issues, authenticity, and the evolving role of AI in photography.
In this module, learners will complete a self-directed photographic project aligned with their creative or professional goals. With tutor support and group critique, they will plan, shoot, refine, and present a resolved body of work.
This module showcases the learner’s strongest work to date in a professional portfolio. Learners will prepare their work for print, screen, and exhibition while building confidence in presenting themselves and their visual practice.
Lecturers
Teaching Professionals Include:
Sinéad Murphy is an accomplished photographer and educator who has been delivering photography modules at Griffith College since 2004. With a strong background in editorial and commercial photography, Sinéad has been commissioned for work by The Independent on Sunday (UK) and The Guardian. Her photography has also appeared in the British Journal of Photography, The Irish Independent, The Irish Examiner.
Her portraits of comedians, actors, musicians, and other creatives are often commissioned for press, posters, and platforms such as Ticketmaster, festival listings, and show campaigns. Her work has been exhibited nationally in Dublin and internationally in London and Brighton. Sinéad served as a panel member and picture editor for the book The Gathering – Reflections on Ireland and led the image editing team for Today FM’s US2 book.
Robert Ellis is an Irish photographer and lecturer with an MFA in Photography from the University of Ulster and over 15 years of experience in documentary, fine art and conceptual photography. His work has been exhibited internationally, including solo shows in London, Dublin, Belfast, and the United States. In 2024, he exhibited in Changing States: Ireland in the 21st Century at Haus am Kleistpark, Berlin, the largest group exhibition of Irish photography presented outside of Ireland, and in Modern Nature at Cairde Arts Festival, Sligo. He was selected for Plat(t)form at Fotomuseum Winterthur (2014) and his practice has been profiled by The British Journal of Photography and This is Paper.
Robert’s teaching is student-centred and collaborative, encouraging open dialogue, autonomy, and critical thinking. He is passionate about inspiring a lifelong curiosity and commitment to photography beyond formal education.
Michael Durand is a fine art photographer working on public commissions and self-initiated projects. His work can be viewed as a playful enquiry into the everyday, presented through a variety of formats from installation, wall-hung and photographic books. Michael has exhibited in solo and group exhibitions in National and International spaces including the National Photographic Archive, Dublin, the National Portrait Gallery, London and the Cité Internationale des Arts, Paris. He has produced commissioned works for the EU Council of Ministers in Brussels, the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, and Waterford Healing Arts Trust, among other national institutions. Michael’s work has been published as books and catalogues, and his work is held in private and public collections in Ireland, Europe and America. Michael is an enthusiastic and supportive educational practitioner who enjoys the shared creative process that education allows.
Timetables
Timetable:
This course is scheduled to commence on the 15th October 2025 at Griffith College Dublin's Main Campus.
This course will run 2 evenings per week x 30 weeks and 1 Saturday* per month x 8 weeks.
Evening classes from 6.30pm - 9.30pm, Wednesday On Campus and Thursday Online (Live using Zoom)
Saturday classes from 9.30am - 4.30pm On Campus
Block 1
- Oct: 15, 16, 18*, 22, 23, 29, 30
- Nov: 05, 06, 12, 13, 15*, 19, 20, 26, 27
- Dec: 03, 04, 06*, 10, 11, 17, 18
Block 2
- Jan: 07, 08, 14, 15, 17*, 21, 22, 28, 29
- Feb: 04, 05, 11, 12, 18, 19, 21*, 25, 26
- Mar: 04, 05, 07*, 11, 12
Block 3
- Mar: 25, 26
- Apr: 01, 02, 08, 09, 15, 16, 18*, 22, 23, 29, 30
- May: 06, 07, 13, 14, 16*, 20, 21, 27, 28
Please contact professionalacademy@grififth.ie for further information.
How to Apply
Entry Requirements
Mature Students (Over 23 Years)
Direct entry
Under 23 Years
5 O6/H7 grades in the Irish Leaving Certificate or equivalent award.
OR
FETAC Level 5 Full Award
English Language
It is recommended that applicants have a good understanding of both written and spoken English.
*Non-native English speakers are not required to submit a copy of IELTs test results or take an English-level test as part of the application process.
All applicants must have a good working knowledge of DSLR or mirrorless camera operation, including basic camera settings and exposure.
If you do not yet have experience using a DSLR or mirrorless camera or are unfamiliar with manual settings and exposure, we recommend completing our 2-Day Digital Photography for Beginners before enrolling in this diploma programme.
Photography Equipment
Students must acquire the following:
- DSLR or mirrorless camera with full manual controls
- The camera’s manual
- Fully charged battery
- An empty memory card
- External hard drive (recommended)
- Lightweight tripod (for some classes, if owned, not essential)
- External flash (for some classes, if owned)
- Adobe Software (Creative Suite) for use off-campus - Available at student rate (approx. €20 per month)
Fees
Please note that not all study modes may be offered at all times; for confirmation, refer to the Intake dates on the Overview tab.
Tuition Fees
Study Mode: Blended
Dublin Main Campus
EUR 2750.00
Flexible Payment Options
Students wishing to avail of an instalment plan should contact professionalacademy@griffith.ie
Sponsorship
Is your company paying for your course?
They will need to complete a Griffith College Sponsorship Form(PDF file) and send this to professionalacademy@griffith.ie
Progression
Career Progression
This diploma supports career development in the visual arts, with a strong focus on freelance and commercial photography. It is well-suited for individuals seeking to upskill, change careers, or formalise their existing photography practice.
Ideal for:
- Freelancers and sole traders
- Career changers entering the photography or creative industries
- Creatives looking to professionalise their skills
- Professionals in roles involving photography, such as content creation, marketing, social media and internal communications.
