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AOP Presents: CLIMATE AWARE PHOTOGRAPHER - September 2026 Course

How as photographers, can you communicate about climate change? Designed and delivered by Helena Lee, the aim of the Climate Aware Photography course is to gain awareness of the cl...

Online Monday 21st September 2026, 6:00pm–Monday 5th October 2026, 7:30pm

How as photographers, can you communicate about climate change?

Designed and delivered by Helena Lee, the aim of the Climate Aware Photography course is to gain awareness of the climate crisis – by understanding the science, policy areas and environmental impacts of climate change. Thereby encouraging individuals to consider their own practices and to identify areas in which they can reduce their own impacts, alongside how as photographers, they can communicate about climate change.

The Association of Photographers is delighted to offer this course in co-operation with Helena Lee. Recognised by the Carbon Literacy Project – which is itself recognised by the United Nations at the COP 21 (Paris), this course is specifically aimed at photographers and will help you assess your carbon costs and impacts so that you are able to make decisions that will effectively reduce your emissions.  

Specifically aimed at Photographers

The course is delivered by three ‘live, in-person’ online Zoom sessions over the course of three weeks. Attendance is required as it is designed to be interactive, engaging and to get you thinking about your own unique circumstances.  You’ll also have a piece of work to submit which is assessed by the Carbon Literacy project - you’ll need to pass this to receive your certification.

“I'm delighted to have worked with the AOP on the inaugural Climate Aware Photography course for members. It was such a pleasure to meet members who were curious and passionate about developing a low carbon photographic practice. Each learner identified practical steps that they can and want to commit to in order to have positive environmental impact, also how they can work with others to support them in this process. I look forward to seeing how each photographer will carry out their commitments and how we can grow a low carbon photographic sector.” Helena Lee

What Did our AOP Members think? - Feedback from the first AOP cohort

“... exceeded expectations, was very insightful & learned so much.”

“Very nice mix of activities : Information given to us - challenging team tasks to undertake - homework to undertake .... all given in a supportive atmosphere. Great notes / resources list.”

“I found the course to be well structured and highly informative as well as interactive. I felt the participatory element was very useful as it was used to reinforce and generate further thinking around the topics covered. It helped me to refine the ideas I already had, in a much more informed and structured way in relation to my planned business and helped me see the wider picture in different ways.”

“Thank you to Helena and Chris, for providing the very informative Climate Aware Photography sessions. Not only was it a revelation but I also enjoyed the journey realising how my actions need to change and, working with the group, how I can change them.”

“I had become very aware that travelling was having an impact on the environment but with so much conflicting information and lots of ‘sound bites’ I need to get to the real facts and how I, as a photographer how I could commit to a low carbon way of working and identify positive environmental actions.”

“This is really an introduction to the subject, the real work comes in after as I seek to implement - (how we work), build and develop on what we've begun to learn here, The resources we amassed during the course are great and will facilitate that work also The breakout sessions were especially helpful and I can see how the community the AOP brings together can take this further.”

“I think the sessions were well structured in a thought provoking way to help us learn about the impact of our businesses and make us discuss in the group how that can be reduced.”

Why take this course?

As clients increasingly ask for credentials on managing your carbon impact, this course will give you the edge above your competitors, allowing you to demonstrate knowledge and ability within your professional practice in the field of carbon reduction. Successful completion of this course will give you certification provided by the unique and award-winning Carbon Literacy Project.

Course Aims

To gain awareness about the climate crisis and how the photographic sector can take action and communicate about climate change.

To gain knowledge and skills to reduce your carbon footprint.

To understand the value and impact of your actions.

To gain certification from the Carbon Literacy Project and a digital badge as a Climate Aware Photographer.

How the course is run

The course consists of three 2.5-hour sessions and is delivered online by Helena Lee.

The sessions include case studies and learning from peers through discussion.

After each session participants are given homework to help them reflect on their practice and develop actions they can take both individually and as a group to reduce their environmental impact.

At the end of the course, participants will end up with an action plan to reduce their carbon footprint, which will be submitted to the Carbon Literacy Project to obtain the accreditation.

Once accredited, participants will be a certified as Carbon Literate and a Climate Aware Photographer. The Carbon Literate certification and Climate Aware Photographer digital badge can be used to demonstrate commitment to reducing impact on the environment. This can attract the attention of commissioners and buyers who want to work with the most environmentally sustainable photographers.

We don’t believe that there is another such course like this, that is aimed at the photography community – we’ve looked and searched!  

Course dates

SEPTEMBER Course dates

Start time

Duration

Monday, September 21st

17:00

2.5 hours

Monday, September 28th

17:00

2.5 hours

Monday, October 5th

17:00

2.5 hours

  Important: You must be able to attend all three sessions.If you are unable to attend all three sessions, please do not sign-up as this will result in you forfeiting your accreditation and fees

These sessions are separate and not interchangeable.

[This course will also run again in November: From Friday November 6th - Friday November 20th - 2pm to 4:30pm. See here.]

Certification

Upon successful completion and review by the Carbon Literacy Project, you should receive your official certification within a few weeks.

Cost

The total cost of the course is:

Members: £90.00  [Discounted fee with AOP Member promo code]. 

Non-members: £120.00 

You must be able to attend all three sessions of the course that you have signed up for.  If you are unable to attend all three sessions, please do not sign-up as this will result in you forfeiting your accreditation and fees.

Note:

Tickets are non-refundable unless the event is cancelled by the organiser

Any questions about the event advertised please contact us at info@the-aop.org 

Only AOP members are eligible for the discount price. All purchases made using the AOP Member promo code will be verified.

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