In-Person Program
Photography Certificate
Program Overview
The UT Photography Certificate provides fundamental and specialty skills for achieving success in photography and related professions.
Developed by a committee of Knoxville-area photographers, these courses provide the opportunity to develop new skills or build on existing skills in this rapidly changing field.
Courses may be taken by students who are not in the certificate program.
Learn from the region’s leading photographers.
Field trips included with most courses.
Sharpen your skills in a supportive environment.
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Students must complete the following major requirements in three years to earn the certificate:
+ Fundamentals of Digital Photography I; and
+ other designated photography elective courses and workshops to achieve a total of 160 hours.
Please note that students are required to attend and participate in a minimum of 70 percent of the class sessions.
Program Courses
Please click the course titles below for details.
Fundamentals of Digital Photography (Jan. 27-March 17, 2025)
NEW! Photoshop Tools & Techniques for Photography (Feb. 11-March 25, 2025)
NEW! Street Photography (Feb. 13-April 3, 2025)
NEW! Learning Lightroom (Feb. 18-April 1, 2025)
Nature & Travel Photography (March 13-May 8, 2025)
Fine Art Photography – ONLINE (April 1-May 6, 2025)
NEW! Creative Night Photography (April 26 & May 3, 2025)
Close-Up Photography (July 15-Aug. 12, 2025)
NEW! Learning Photoshop (Aug. 5-Sept. 1, 2025)
Portrait Photography (Aug. 19-Sept. 23, 2025)
Fundamentals of Digital Photography (Sept. 11-Nov. 6, 2025)
Basic Lighting & Posing for Family & Friends (Sept. 30-Nov. 4, 2025)
Meet Your Instructors
Kendall Chiles
Kendall Chiles is a freelance nature photographer with more than 25 years of photography experience.
His photos have appeared in numerous books, magazines, and brochures, and he has taught various photography workshops for many years.
Rick Elliott
Tennessee Rick Elliott is a retired teacher, guidance counselor, and school administrator who now spends his time behind the lens of a camera.
Elliott is a certified professional photography by the Professional Photographers of America.
Elliott earned a B.S. degree in education from the University of Cincinnati and a master’s degree from Xavier University.
Grayson Martin
Grayson Martin is the media specialist for the Town of Farragut, Tennessee, as well as a freelance event photographer.
His work has appeared in the Turchin Center at Appalachian State University, the Emporium Center in Knoxville, the 2023 ORNL Calendar, and more.
He is a member of the Professional Photographers of America and Professional Photographers of East Tennessee (PPETN). Grayson holds a degree in public relations from the University of Alabama.
Jack Retterer
Jack Retterer, an award-winning photographer, is a current member of the Professional Photographers of America, the Professional Photographers of East Tennessee, the Tennessee Artists Association, and the Knoxville Arts and Culture Alliance.
He has over 40 years of teaching and instructional design experience with a wide range of business topics.
Retterer earned a B.S. degree in psychology at Loyola University and a master’s degree in educational counseling at Roosevelt University, both in Chicago.
Stephanie Richer
Stephanie Richer is the owner of Stephanie Richer Photography in Knoxville. She specializes in wedding and portrait photography and also volunteers her services as a photojournalist for the Catholic Diocese of Knoxville.
Richer earned a B.A. degree in political science and M.S. in mathematics, both at the University of California, Irvine, and a juris doctorate at Loyola Law School in Los Angeles.
Wade Tipton
J. Wade Tipton owns and operates Gallery Portraits in West Knoxville with his wife, Joy. He is a certified professional photographer by the Professional Photographers of America.
In 2015 Tipton was inducted into the Tennessee Professional Photographers of America’s Hall of Fame. He holds a bachelor’s degree in business management from Mississippi State University.
Jen Willis
Jen Willis is the owner of Jennifer Willis Portraits. With a career rooted in the veterinary industry, Jen’s love for animals shines through in her photographic work. She is a Certified Professional Photographer through the Professional Photographers of America (PPA) and a proud graduate of the UT Photography Certificate program.
Jen currently serves on the board of directors of the Professional Photographers of East Tennessee (PPETN) and as treasurer of the Tennessee Professional Photographers Association (TNPPA).
She is a firm believer in the power of continuing education and is excited to return to the UT program as an instructor, sharing her expertise in lighting. Her passion lies in pet and portrait photography, where she expertly captures the profound human-animal bond.
Her goal is to help photographers elevate their skills and achieve a deeper understanding of lighting techniques that will transform their images. Whether you’re just starting or looking to refine your craft, Jen’s knowledge and enthusiasm will guide you to new levels of creativity.
Steve Zigler
Steve Zigler grew up in the Midwest and has lived in Knoxville for more than 30 years. Steve got his first camera as a gift from his uncle when he was a kid. It changed him forever. He still has that camera.
Steve has never been a professional photographer, and he rarely sells a photograph. Instead, he makes his living as a Ph.D. chemist working in the development of radiopharmaceuticals for diagnostic PET scans.
Although Steve loves all genres of photography, his personal pursuits include landscape, nature, and night photography. He thrives on learning about photography and creating new images, but he also loves to share his experiences and photographic learnings with others. Steve especially enjoys doing this through teaching and workshops. He says it’s rewarding to help others avoid some of the mistakes and pitfalls he has encountered over the years (and still does!).
Register Today
Explore your interest in photography as a hobby or for professional growth and development.
