Photography is a lifelong pursuit.
Photography school shouldn't be.

You're reading this because you love photography. You've tasted the exhilaration of capturing beautiful images. You've probably had friends and family say, "You should be a photographer." But you're also smart enough to know it's not that simple. Becoming a photographer requires years of training. But what if it didn't? What if you could come to a school with a proven curriculum that gave you the foundation—the technical, creative, and business skills—to be a professional photographer in a single summer?

That's RMSP!

We know your time is valuable and we won't waste it. We've developed a unique program that strips away the fat from traditional photography school. You won't find classes only three days a week here. And we don't spend weeks on theory—we spend it taking pictures. Our world-class instructors and cutting-edge curriculum teach you the skills of a professional photographer in the most immersive, efficient way possible. It's the fastest way to become a pro.

We've proven that our Career Training continuum—made up of Summer Intensive, Professional Studies, and Advanced Intensive—can effectively teach both the technical and creative in a remarkably short period of time. We do it by immersing you for 21 weeks in a supportive, non-competitive community of students and teachers with a singular focus on photography. For those 21 weeks, photography will be your life. Morning, afternoon, and even some nights you will be laser-focused—with constant, caring attention from our instructors—on mastering your camera, improving your skills, and developing your own unique vision.

Don't be surprised if an instructor or assistant stays after class hours to help you understand one of your camera's technical nuances. Or if you find yourself out at night with a group of fellow students honing a new technique you learned that morning. There's a reason why photography professors from traditional four-year programs have candidly admitted that RMSP graduates have greater technical knowledge than graduates from their schools. Not bad for 21 weeks.

Take it from John Miller, a 2010 Career Training graduate who now spends his time traveling the world and photographing endangered wildlife. He says, "Everybody has the opportunity. When you read the RMSP catalog and you're thinking ‘I really love photography and would love to be a photographer,' then jump on it. Because RMSP will give you everything you need to make it happen in the shortest time possible."

Experience Career Training

If you dream of becoming a professional photographer, RMSP's Career Training program is your express ticket. In only 21 weeks, our flagship program delivers a remarkably well-rounded education in the creative, technical, and business aspects of photography. Based at our school in the welcoming city of Missoula, Montana, and positioned at the bleeding edge of technology and technique, Career Training is a spirited, five-month, super-education in the art and commerce of photography.

While any segment can be taken on its own (assuming prerequisites are met), we strongly encourage aspiring professionals to take the entire Career Training program. Each step builds on the previous in a time-tested continuum that teaches you the skills and tools to be a successful pro. Taken as one cohesive curriculum, we've designed Career Training to help you to choose a career path in photography that fits you as a person. Whether it's portraits, weddings, commercial, photojournalism, or nature, we want you to have a career that is rewarding and sustainable.

Graduates of the complete program can expect a foundation in professional photography skills, a professionally critiqued portfolio, a practical business plan, and the know-how to put it to use. Here's how it works.

Summer Intensive. Eleven weeks.

This is your 11-week foundation in all things photography. You can come to RMSP with minimal photographic knowledge and finish 11 weeks later with a command of the basic technical and creative aspects of the craft.

Professional Studies. Four weeks.

Think of Pro Studies as your photography school "majors." Taken in the month following Summer Intensive, these focused, one-week courses are your chance to explore a variety of photographic disciplines—architecture, advertising, adventure, nature, fashion, studio, wedding, and more—with leading professionals. RMSP offers 11 different courses, each taught by practicing experts in their field.

Advanced Intensive. Six weeks.

The final—and many say vital—piece of the Career Training puzzle. Advanced Intensive is a six-week masterclass in the business and advanced techniques of professional photography. It's one thing to know how to take a good picture, it's another thing entirely to know how to be a professional photographer. That's why you take Advanced Intensive.

The Career Training Experience