This Intensive Visual Narrative offers intermediate and advanced photographers a structured and supportive learning environment for acquiring the knowledge, techniques, and artistic background needed for creating and effectively publishing documentary essays focusing on visual storytelling. Socially and culturally conscious storytellers document the human experience aiming to inform or challenge our perceptions by creatively sharing their perspectives. Through lectures, assignments, critique sessions, visual storytelling workshops, and class discussions, students examine ethical, social, and visual aspects of the genre, learn methodologies practiced by leaders in the field, and develop their own personal long-term documentary projects. Photographers nearing the publication of their work in visual storytelling can benefit from utilizing practical editing and sequencing techniques and adopting useful recommendations and practices.

The Visual Storytelling Intensive can be completed in its entirety online. Additional onsite visual storytelling courses included in the program are offered for students visiting or living in New York. 
 
Topics of study include:

  • Identifying and developing story ideas
  • Research and investigation
  • Gaining access and building contacts
  • 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
  • Personal consultation by ICP staff (upon request)
  • 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
  • The opportunity of having your work highlighted by ICP (website, social media, etc.)

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 $1325–$2285 and includes: 
•  A non-refundable registration fee of $450 
•  The discounted fees of the selected and studied courses. Courses’ fees range between $365–$830 and enrolled students receive $200 discounts on each of their courses (total discount of $600). 

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