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Event Photography Basics

Shoot weddings, owambe and corporate events for real money — gear, settings and pricing.

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About this course

Learn to photograph Nigerian events the practical way: the gear that actually matters, the camera settings that survive a dark reception hall, a shot list so you never miss the kiss or the cake, and how to price, deliver and get paid. By the end you'll have a complete event-photography pack you can show clients to land your first paid booking.

You don't need a ₦2 million camera to start earning. You need the right kit for the job and the skill to use it — and most of your money belongs in glass and light, not the body.

Who this course is for

For anyone with a camera — or access to one — who wants to earn from Nigeria's endless calendar of weddings, owambe, birthdays, naming ceremonies, church programmes and corporate events. Hobbyists who want to go paid, phone photographers ready for a camera, and assistants who want to run their own bookings all fit.

What you'll learn

By the end you will be able to

Pay, demand and the market in Nigeria

Nigeria hosts hundreds of thousands of celebrations a year and photography is a fixed line in every budget. In 2026 beginner event photographers charge ₦50,000 to ₦150,000 per event, established ones ₦200,000 to ₦800,000 for weddings, with premium studios well above ₦1 million, plus album, print and video add-ons. Corporate events, conferences and church programmes pay day rates of ₦50,000 to ₦300,000. Two to four bookings a month is a solid income; December alone can carry a quarter of the year.

Tools and what it costs to start

A used entry-level DSLR or mirrorless body with a kit lens (₦250,000 to ₦600,000 in 2026), a 50mm prime, a speedlight flash, spare batteries and cards, and free or low-cost editing software (Lightroom mobile, Snapseed, or a laptop with Lightroom or a free alternative). The gear lesson shows how to start by renting or partnering before buying.

Course syllabus — 7 lessons

  1. The event photographer's kit: what to buy, borrow and skip12 min
  2. Camera settings that survive a fast-moving event14 min
  3. The shot list: never miss the moments that matter12 min
  4. Lighting and capturing moments in any condition13 min
  5. Working with clients and running the event smoothly12 min
  6. Editing and delivering galleries clients love13 min
  7. The Nigerian event market, pricing and getting booked14 min

Your project

Your Event-Photography Pack

A single shareable link to a document (or gallery) containing your event brief, full shot list, 8 edited sample photos, and your tiered pricing + delivery plan.

Your event-photography pack: an event brief, a full shot list, eight edited sample photos and a tiered pricing and delivery plan, shared as one link. It is graded on technical quality, on the completeness of the shot list and on a pricing plan that a client would sign.

Certificates on Skillnaija are earned, not issued for attendance: you submit this project, it is graded against a rubric, and passing issues a certificate anyone can verify. See the full project brief, rubric and free workbook →

Frequently asked questions

Is Event Photography Basics free?

Yes. Event Photography Basics is completely free on Skillnaija. You need a free account to open the lessons, and there is no charge for the course, the project, or the certificate.

How long does Event Photography Basics take to complete?

5 weeks · ~4 hrs/week. There are 7 lessons, about 2 hours of material in total. You learn at your own pace and your progress is saved.

Do I need any experience to start Event Photography Basics?

Beginner-friendly. You can start from scratch — no prior experience is assumed.

What will I learn in Event Photography Basics?

You will build practical skills in Choosing and using event gear on a budget, Manual camera settings for fast action, Building and working a shot list, Shooting in dark halls and harsh sun, Working with clients and the event flow, Editing and delivering galleries, Pricing and getting paid in naira. Every lesson is written for a Nigerian context, with examples drawn from how the work is actually done and paid for here.

Do I get a certificate for Event Photography Basics?

Yes, but it has to be earned. You complete the course project — Your Event-Photography Pack and submit it for grading. Passing the project issues a verifiable certificate; finishing the lessons alone does not.

Can I start event photography with a phone?

You can practise composition, shot lists and client work on a phone, and the Smartphone Photography course covers that. Paid event work in dark halls almost always needs a camera with a flash; the course shows how to rent one for the first bookings.

How much do event photographers charge in Nigeria in 2026?

Beginners ₦50,000 to ₦150,000 per event; established photographers ₦200,000 to ₦800,000 for weddings, with premium studios above ₦1 million. Corporate day rates run ₦50,000 to ₦300,000. The pricing lesson helps you set tiers.

How do I get my first paying event?

Second-shoot for an established photographer, shoot two events free for people you know and deliver galleries fast, and build the pack this course ends with. The market lesson covers Instagram, referrals and event planners.

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It's free, it's self-paced, and it ends with something you can show an employer.

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