Course Overview

Unlock the full potential of your smartphone and learn how to create professional-quality images that engage audiences, tell compelling stories, and support business goals.

This practical, hands-on course is designed for aspiring photographers, content creators, entrepreneurs, and professionals looking to elevate their visual content without investing in expensive camera equipment.

You'll develop the skills to plan, capture, and edit striking commercial images using your smartphone, while learning industry techniques for composition, lighting, directing subjects, and creating visual impact. Through real-world projects, you'll build a commercial-grade portfolio that showcases your creative and technical abilities.

By the end of the course, you'll have built a portfolio of commercial-quality smartphone photography and gained the skills and confidence to create professional content for business, employment, or creative opportunities.

Locations Rotorua, Tauranga
Next intake Sep 2026 View more details
Study options

part-time
Total credits N/A
Eligibility View entry criteria

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Topic Overview

  • Composition principles for creating strong, engaging images
  • Professional smartphone editing software and tools
  • Lighting fundamentals using natural and artificial light
  • Posing, directing, and working confidently with models and clients
  • Editing techniques to create mood, strengthen narrative, and maximise impact
  • Capturing movement and action effectively

Course Fees

Your final fee may vary if:

  • you have a choice of topics/papers to study
  • the qualification excludes GST
  • there are extra course materials to purchase
  • student levies apply

We’ll let you know if any of these apply to you.

* Important fee information, and hints and tips

Fee Help

Are you Eligible for Free Fees?

There are several ways to take advantage of free study at Toi Ohomai. Find out how on our Fees Free FAQ page.

Student Loans and Allowances

This course does NOT meet the requirements for student loan or allowance applications through StudyLink.

Find out more at studylink.govt.nz

Course Entry Information

Entry Criteria

Standard Entry Criteria

Admission, entry, selection, and enrolment into programmes will be in accordance with the Academic Regulations and/or, where approved, specific programme regulations.

English Language Requirements

Level 3 certificate IELTS General or Academic score of 5 with no band score lower than 5 or completed New Zealand Certificate in English Language Level 3 with an endorsement of either General, Workplace or Academic, or meets a relevant English Proficiency Outcome as outlined by NZQA.

Course Locations and Intake Information

Location Campus Start Date
Rotorua Mokoia Campus 21 Sep 2026 Apply now
Tauranga Windermere Campus 16 Oct 2026 Apply now

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Important Dates

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