Commercial Photography (15–18 years)

Ages: 15–18
Term: Summer
Length: 2 weeks

Overview

Are you eager to explore life through a lens? Could your passion become a profession?

This dynamic 2-week summer course is designed for young photography enthusiasts aged 15–18 who are eager to explore the world of commercial photography. As visual communication continues to dominate the digital landscape, the demand for professional images that sell products, brands, and ideas is ever growing.

During this course students will take part in pre-application reviews where they'll receive feedback on their portfolios and could even be offered a place at AUB!

What you need to know

Teaching

Monday 3 August – Friday 14 August 2026 (including Saturday)

Weekdays (Monday – Friday), 09.00-17.00
Saturday 8 August, 10.00-16.00

Accommodation

Sunday 2 August, from 14.00 – Saturday 15 August, up till 10.00

Age

All students must be aged between 15-17 years at the time of attending the course. 

Experience or qualifications required

There are no formal academic entry requirements or qualifications needed to study this course. We only ask that you come with a passion for animation and plenty of enthusiasm! 

English language

This course will be taught in English. We don't require you hold an English language qualification; however, we recommend you have an intermediate level of English to benefit fully from your experience and be able to communicate with your tutors and fellow students. 

If you'd like to discuss if this course is suitable for you, get in touch with us: academy@aub.ac.uk or 01202 363222.

Package	Price	25% deposit
Course fee only	£1,799	£450
Course fee, accommodation and catering	£2,635	£659
Course fee, accommodation and catering plus airport* taxis	£2,970	£742

*Applies to London-based airports only.

Optional extras

You can choose to add the following optional extras to your course fee:

Accommodation and full-board catering
Accommodation and full-board catering plus private return taxi transfer to/from any London airport

See below for further details about our residential package.

Deposit

You can secure your place on the course today with just a 25% deposit of your total fee. Choose this option when you book your place. Refer to the table above for prices. 

A camera or mobile phone to record evidence of personal work
Suitable clothing for creative activities
Notebook and pens/pencils to take notes
Plenty of warm clothes – it's the UK and although it’s the summer, it can still get cold! – there will be outdoor activities throughout
We advise bringing any work you wish to include in your portfolio for review
You'll receive a welcome pack containing more detail of what to bring if you're a residential student

Residential packages for 2-week summer courses (13–18yrs and 18+ yrs)

Experience life as an AUB student by booking a residential package as part of your Summer Course. You can even stay in AUB accommodation...

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FAQs for 2-week summer courses

These FAQs have been carefully curated to answer any questions you may have about studying a creative summer course with us here at AUB.

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Terms and conditions for 2-week summer courses (13yrs+)

Please read our terms and conditions before booking a summer course and contact us if you have any questions.

About this course

This course offers an immersive, hands-on experience in the fundamentals and creative techniques of commercial photography, combining both studio and outdoor shoots, digital editing, and project presentation.

Participants will develop a strong understanding of how to craft compelling commercial images across various platforms – from advertising campaigns to social media content. Whether aspiring to a career in photography, marketing, or visual arts, students will leave with a professional portfolio that showcases their emerging skills, ready to support applications in further education or creative pursuits.

Throughout the course, students will engage in practical projects that mimic real-world commercial assignments, guided by expert instructors. They will learn to use industry-standard equipment, explore lighting, composition, and styling, and hone their editing skills. Group collaborations and individual projects will emphasise creativity, problem-solving, and the development of a personal artistic voice, all within a friendly and inclusive environment.

You will be supported by a series of inspirational talks by your tutor throughout the course, which will culminate with a special showcase to celebrate your own and your fellow students’ imagination, skills, and creative growth.

An introduction to the history and evolution of commercial photography
Principles of branding, marketing, and visual storytelling
Techniques for studio and outdoor portrait and product shoots
Mastery of lighting, composition, styling, and post-production editing
Practice with industry-standard cameras and editing software (e.g., Adobe Photoshop & Lightroom)
Exploring digital platforms and social media as delivery and promotion tools
Creative problem-solving within brief-based projects
Development of a professional portfolio demonstrating commercial photography skills
Group projects and peer critiques to foster collaborative and reflective learning
Visit to a local commercial photography business and/or advertising agency
A full itinerary of extracurricular evening and weekend activities, including a weekend cultural excursion at no additional cost

This course aims to:

Build confidence in technical skills and creative vision
Foster an understanding of commercial photography as a business and communication tool
Develop teamwork and collaboration through group projects
Encourage experimentation with lighting, styling, and editing to craft compelling images
Provide skills and portfolio material to support further education or career pathways in photography, marketing, or design
Cultivate critical thinking, self-evaluation, and professional presentation skills
Inspire a personal photographic style suited to commercial contexts

Will I be assessed?

You'll be continually assessed in a variety of ways including practical tasks, observations, assignments, presentations, and portfolio work.

Work produced during the course will be collated into a portfolio and/or digital journal for students to add to their portfolio or for future development.

Your course tutor will offer guidance and support you with your creative applications, as well as feedback on your work and offer advice for your future creative studies.

All students with 100% course attendance will be issued with an official AUB Summer Course Certificate detailing course contents and study hours.

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Book your place today

Book now

Future options to study at AUB

During your time with us, you can attend a session to talk more about our Foundation Diploma in Art and Design or BA (Hons) undergraduate degree courses, and discuss your personal portfolio with an expert academic. You may even be eligible for a pre-application interview, to secure your future place at AUB!

Each year, we’re proud to offer many of our summer students places on AUB’s incredible full-time creative courses. Explore courses that you may wish to consider below.