How To Create A Photography Course Outline: Step-By-Step

HOME → GUIDES → COURSE OUTLINE

Follow this step-by-step guide to learn the process of creating an online photography course outline in CreativeMindClass, a free tool used by top creators.

→ Start your photography course outline

How to create a photography course outline in 5 easy steps

Plan each lesson you need.

A course outline is a great way to prepare for an upcoming online photography course. It ensures that you'll have all important things listed so you won't forget a thing.

It's similar to a do-to list of every video you want to make on the day of filming the course. It usually contains a list of specific lessons with notes about content details and learning outcomes.

In this guide, you'll learn the pragmatic approach to creating a course outline using CreativeMindClass. You can create the outline and reference it on the video recording day. Plus, there is a free template that will help you get started in minutes.

1. List the things you're covering

Start by listing the core subjects and elements you want to cover in your photography course. These could be introducing yourself, showing your best works, course overview, gear, lighting, hands-on project, post-production editing, and conclusion. Don't get into specific details yet. What could you cover in 3-10 minutes video lessons?

How to do it in CreativeMindClass

Create a new class for your course outline.
Click LESSONS tab to open it.
Click ADD LESSON button to create a new lesson.
In Lesson page tab, type LESSON TITLE. For example "About me".
Add 10-20 lessons to your course. For example "Course overview", "Equipment", "How to master composition", "Editing", "Conclusion" etc.

PRO TIP: It's best to list the subjects quickly and type the lesson titles without overthinking. You can change them later.

2. List the individual learning outcomes

This is the heart of the course outline. It's where you list all the important points for each lesson you want to record. Think about specific learning outcomes and content that answers your audience's questions or figure out the gaps not met by your competitors.

No worries, no need to wonder where to begin. Below you can find a blueprint you can use for creating the first lessons of your photography course.

How to do it in CreativeMindClass

Navigate to "Course overview" lesson.
Type LESSON DESCRIPTION to create your lesson outline. For example "Course plan, gear, lighting, location, project, editing ".

3. Use the course outline blueprint

Struggling with creating your course outline? Below we've prepared an easy-to-follow blueprint with three online photography course lessons examples to help you start.

1. Create "About me" lesson outline

Introduce yourself and show your best work.

Creating your first lesson can be quite fun, and it doesn't need much preparation. Start by introducing yourself and showing your best work. What do you want your students to know about you as a photographer? Is there anything specific that inspires you? What lead you to the decision to become a photographer? This helps new students learn essential details about you as a photographer.

Alongside introducing yourself, show your photographs examples. What are your most special photos? Which ones represent your style and the type of work you do? Maybe you have any awards or mentions? It's no place for modesty here. The powerful self-introduction positions you as an experienced photographer and makes a lasting positive impression.

How to do it in CreativeMindClass

Create a new lesson.
Type LESSON DESCRIPTION to create your lesson outline. For example "My background, inspirations, photos showcase, the award I've got last year, the magazine that wrote about my work".

PRO TIP: Next to introducing yourself, show your photographs portfolio. Carefully select 8-12 best images.

2. Create "Course overview" lesson outline

Say what this course will be about, and mention the exercises.

In the course overview, you run down the course format, mention the hands-on project(s), inform if it has downloads and materials, and make a preview of what people will learn. What the course is about? What gear will they need? This makes your students excited about the course, helps them prepare, and manages their expectations.

How to do it in CreativeMindClass

Create a new lesson.
Type LESSON DESCRIPTION to create your lesson outline. For example "Course plan, shooting project, lighting, location, editing files".

3. Create an outline for your instructional lessons

Transfer your knowledge and skills.

It's time to work on lessons based on the things you want your students to learn from you. For the next lessons, think about learning objectives and the topics you will cover to meet these objectives. Plan your lessons content around clearly defined learning objectives and exercises. Here you define what your students are supposed to understand and remember and plan activities that will support it at each step. What do your students need to learn? What are the topics that cover it? What are the hands-on exercises you could create?

How to do it in CreativeMindClass

Create a new lesson.
Type LESSON DESCRIPTION to create your lesson outline. For example "How to simplify the scene, What's the rule of thirds, How to use negative space" (in the"How to master composition" lesson).

PRO TIP: Write short points and use them as a to-do list during the filming day.

3. Go from messy to organized

You might have created a course outline that you find now is too long or not clear. If you have lots of information to cover, consider breaking your course into sections. Discard the lessons without a clear learning outcome. Try to be ruthless at this stage so it doesn't become a time-consuming exercise.

How to do it in CreativeMindClass

Click Add Section button to create a section.
Type Section title. For example "Introduction" section for "About me" and "Course overview" lessons.
Add more sections to group your lessons .

PRO TIP: Group together your similar themes, tips, and ideas into sections. Order the lessons within those sections in the most logical manner.

4. Reference it on the video recording day

Traditionally you'd print out your to-do list to refer to on the filming day. But these days, a to-do list can be accessed on phones or laptops. This way, you can check off each lesson or adjust it as you need.

And you're done!

Now that your course outline is complete, you have a clear plan for your video recording. Use the template below to get set up in minutes or check out our full guide on how to create an online photography course.