Faqs

MatadorU’s Travel Photography program is designed to allow someone with very little or even no photography experience to be able, within 3 months, to have a solid foundation in travel photography, to know how to pitch or query an editor, to build an online presence and audience, and, in general, to begin working as a new-media professional, whether a freelance photographer, blogger, or unique mix of jobs that allows one to live off of travel and photography.

At the same time, the course material, assignments, recommended reading, and in particular, the photo labs and interaction via the forums, are set up in such a way that veteran travel photographers too will benefit from their experience in MatadorU.

MatadorU is only available online for several reasons. The first is simple: our instructors and students live, work, and travel all over the world.

The second reason is subtle but important: working online or “location independent” is itself standard practice for many travel photographers and new media professionals in general. We wanted students not just to “learn” this but to actually immerse themselves in it. Participating at MatadorU via the forums, becomes more than just “study” — it literally begins increasing your online visibility, relevance, and network as a travel photographer.

The third reason MatadorU is online as opposed to a specific offline location is that it allows you to take part in an ongoing, open-ended community. Once you join, even if you’ve completed the course, you can still continue participating in forums, interacting with colleagues, and using the resources to further network, promote, and advance in your career.

Check out a comprehensive overview of the travel photography course here.

Absolutely. One of the reasons we’re so proud of Matador is that it has been a launching pad for dozens of passionate travelers who now work full or part time as travel photographers.

These are folks who were just getting started when they found Matador and are now paid contributors to mainstream blogs, regularly get published in large newspapers and magazines, and are frequently offered spots on free press trips all over the globe.

Check out some examples success stories here.

The course is delivered one week at a time. This way prevents students from being overwhelmed, fosters camaraderie and networking between students who begin the course at similar times, and encourages comprehensive study and completion of each chapter.

Once you sign up, you’ll get instant access to the Introduction and Chapter One.

Each week’s lesson has anywhere from 4-7 chapters, a key term primer, as well as suggested reading outside the course material. It shouldn’t take you longer than 45 minutes to an hour to read through the main material but we suggest you take the time to complete the reading and writing assignments, as well as remain active in the Student Forums.

If you take full advantage of the entire platform, this course will be a tremendous step towards your success as a travel photographer.

Again, that depends on your own passion and commitment. If you simply read the lessons and complete the assignments, it should take between 2-3 hours per week. But the more time you invest in the community forums–networking, promoting your work and colleagues’ work, and in general, just interacting with other students–the bigger the benefits of participating in MatadorU.

No worries! Your lessons are delivered each week, but you can still go at your own pace. You can wait until you have time, then blast through the material. Or you can dedicate a block of time each week. It’s entirely up to you. You’ll have access to the entire 12 week curriculum for life.

No. Most of our current students are either working full time or are university students. The assignments can be completed from anywhere, including home.

Basically zero tech skill. Two things we know to be true regarding technology and the internet: many people are intimidated by it, and trying to “keep up with all of it,” is extremely time-consuming. Knowing this, we’ve created lessons that break down concepts and terminology into easy to follow (and apply) sections so that even students who don’t normally work via the computer can still benefit from MatadorU. We’ve created the course for people who have almost no tech experience.

A point and shoot is definitely fine. The curriculum comprehensively covers photographic techniques for both point and shoot and DSLR (traditional SLR information is by default, explained as well.) The most valuable part of MatadorU is the fact that once you begin, you’ll have lifetime support for your photography questions, so as you expand your equipment and techniques, you’ll be able to continue receiving guidance.

The course is essentially adaptable to any kind of software, but we do have specific modules on Raw processing software like Lightroom and Aperture, and more extensive post production tools like Photoshop and Photoshop Elements. If students use other software we will be active in the forums to help advise. We also cover workflow, cataloging and keywording in the course.

MatadorU is a self-guided course, meaning that you control the pace at which you complete the lessons, reading, and assignments. Instead of a single teacher guiding you through the course, various members of the Matador editorial team check in with students every day via the forums, plus weekly photo labs give teachers an opportunity to provide direct feedback on selected work.

You will continue to have access to the course material, student forums, and pro modules. You will also get a discount towards signing up for other MatadorU courses!

The Market Blog is updated daily with fresh leads on photography gigs and jobs, online and off. This is a one-stop resource for you to check on a daily basis so that you can be among the first to send in a proposal. Having access to this exclusive resource will allow you to spend all of those hours you would be spending searching the Web for gigs and jobs, focusing on your photography.

The forums are designed to allow students to discuss each lesson of each chapter with other students as well as Matador editorial staff. This is also a place for collaboration. It can be utilized to grow a network of people for mutual promotion of your individual blogs, or simply to find and collaborate with other talented, driven people like yourself.

We don’t like to unnecessarily ask people for their mailing addresses but for those who request a certificate upon completion of the course, we do offer one.

There are no hidden conditions about our guarantee. Simply, if you are within the first week of beginning the course and you decide it’s not right for you or you are dissatisfied with the curriculum or the platform, all you have to do is send us an email and we will revoke your membership and refund your money the same day.

Again, as long as the 2nd week material has not been unlocked, you’re eligible for a refund. We’re providing this guarantee to our students because we are confident you’ll look back on this as the best investment you ever made and we want to give you the confidence to get started.

When you’re ready, head over to register and gain instant access to your first lesson, the student forums, and the market leads.

More Questions?

Don’t let a question stop you from enrolling! Send us an email school@matadornetwork.com and we’ll get back to you shortly.

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