This intensive Visual Storytelling program provides intermediate and advanced photographers with a structured environment to acquire essential knowledge, techniques, and artistic insights for creating and effectively publishing documentary essays through visual storytelling.

Ethically and socially conscious storytellers document human experience with the aim of informing or challenging perceptions, sharing their unique perspectives creatively. Through a blend of lectures, assignments, critique sessions, workshops focused on visual storytelling, and lively class discussions, students delve into the ethical, social, and visual dimensions of the genre. They study methodologies employed by industry leaders and embark on developing their own long-term documentary projects. Photographers nearing publication of their visual storytelling work benefit from practical editing and sequencing techniques and invaluable recommendations. 

The Visual Storytelling Intensive is available entirely online, with additional onsite courses tailored for students residing in or visiting New York City.
 
Topics of study include:

  • Identifying and developing story ideas
  • Research and investigation
  • Building authentic community ties
  • Ethical and responsible photography
  • Storytelling strategies and tools in visual storytelling training 
  • Image selection and sequencing
  • Textual components and approaches of visual storytelling in photography 
  • Documentary photography best practices and strategies

Expected Outcomes:

  • Understand the social and ethical aspects of working with and photographing people when creating documentary photography 
  • Create meaningful personal documentary projects
  • Acquire editorial and storytelling skills from visual storytelling courses
  • Adopt industry-leading methodologies and practices
  • Develop your portfolio and personal style
  • Prepare your work for publication

Special Benefits:

  • Official ICP digital visual storytelling certificate (see requirements below)
  • $150 total savings after completing all courses 
  • Exclusive early registration period before each term
  • ICP One Year Certificate Programs pre-application portfolio evaluation (upon request)
  • ICP One Year Certificates Programs application fees waived 
  • ICP One Year Certificates Programs early acceptance notice

Program Structure

Framework & Courses

Important Notes

Prerequisites

The Visual Storytelling Intensive is an intermediate-advanced program: You are comfortable using your camera, whether film or digital, and with your photographic practice. You have experience using Adobe applications such as Lightroom or Photoshop. You may want to understand how to utilize your camera in a more thoughtful and articulate way, practice creative methodologies, or learn how to utilize theoretical concepts in relation to your portfolio of work for photography storytelling workshops. Students must meet the prerequisites of each course they register for as part of the program.

Tuition

Enrollment to the Visual Storytelling Intensive is open throughout the year. Once enrolled, students may select their preferred courses (see ‘Register for Upcoming Courses’ above). Use the ‘Enroll in Intensive’ button below to submit your online application form (no preparations are needed). 
 
Depending on students’ course selection, the total tuition can range between $1375–$2640 and includes: 
•  A non-refundable registration fee of $300 
•  The discounted fees of the selected and studied courses. Courses’ fees range between $430–925 and enrolled students receive $150 discounts on each of their courses (total discount of $450). 

As a limited promotion, ICP may approve and credit courses previously taken at ICP towards completion of the Intensive, and adjust the registration fee and remaining discounts accordingly (see Special Promotion).

Certification

Students must pass all required courses before receiving ICP certification. All courses must be completed within a period of 1-year from the date of registration (excluding approved past courses). Additionally, to receive their certificate, students need to present an edited and sequenced selection of 10-20 pictures from their personal project. Once a student completes the requirements, a request for the certificate should be submitted using the button below.

Portrait photo of a girl on the floor Image by ICP faculty member Tom Griggs
Image by ICP faculty member Alexey Yurenev
A black and white image of 2 kids outside with the girl facedown on the floor Image by ICP faculty member Karen Marshall
Image by ICP faculty member Ilvy Njiokiktjien