You figured buying a decent camera would be the hard part. It turns out that learning how to actually use it is worse.
Everywhere you look, there’s a flood of tutorials, gear reviews, and creators throwing around terms like “bokeh” and “histogram” like you’re supposed to know what they mean. If you're a beginner, it's easy to feel like this and get stuck before you’ve even started.
However, when you follow the right people on YouTube, it's one of the easiest and most effective ways to learn photography. Not just the technical stuff, but how to see light, frame a shot, and build real skill.
I’ve arranged a curated set of teachers who explain things clearly, show their process, and help you get better. This isn’t a random list of popular channels.
Where to Start Based on Your Style
Here’s how we’ve organized this list so you can jump in wherever it makes the most sense:
- If you’re new to photography and don’t know where to start, begin with beginner-friendly channels. They’ll help you get comfortable with your camera and understand the basics without overwhelming you.
- If you’re into nature, landscapes, or travel, we’ve pulled together creators who shoot outdoors and walk you through the entire process, from location scouting to editing.
- If you’re drawn to creative, portrait, or lifestyle content, we’ve got channels that focus on visual style, storytelling, and posing without making it feel like a fashion shoot.
- If you want to learn editing, we’ve included some of the most trusted names in Photoshop and Lightroom tutorials.
- And if you care about the why behind good photography, the final section talks about theory, history, and the artistic aspects of the craft.
Start with what excites you. The rest will follow.
General Photography & Beginner-Friendly Channels
If you’re still figuring out how your camera works or trying to understand why your photos don’t look the way you imagined. These channels can help you get started. They focus on the basics: exposure, composition, lighting, lenses, and gear.
But more importantly, they teach you how to use that knowledge to take better photos, not just memorize settings.
1. Peter McKinnon
Good for: Beginners who want to learn without feeling like they’re in a traditional classroom setting.
Peter McKinnon is one of the most well-known photography creators on YouTube for a reason. He creates content that’s easy to watch, yet still packed with value, whether it’s how to shoot B-roll, use natural light, or edit for impact. He talks to you like a friend, showing you the ropes, not a lecturer throwing around jargon.
- Covers: Camera basics, editing tricks, storytelling, creative direction
- Style: Cinematic, high-energy, very beginner-friendly
- Why follow: He makes photography feel fun and easy.
2. Tony & Chelsea Northrup
Good for: Learners who want structured, detailed explanations.
This duo is known for their deep-dive tutorials, side-by-side gear comparisons, and well-explained breakdowns of photography concepts. They’re especially helpful if you’re trying to figure out which camera or lens to buy and why it matters.
- Covers: Camera reviews, shooting techniques, photo critiques, Lightroom tutorials
- Style: Straightforward, technical when needed, very practical
- Why follow: They’ll help you understand not just what to do, but why it works.
3. B&H Photo Video
Good for: Individuals exploring various types of photography and equipment.
B&H is a retailer, but its channel goes far beyond product promotion. You’ll find interviews with working professionals, behind-the-scenes workshops, and deep dives into everything from astrophotography to portrait lighting setups.
- Covers: Pro interviews, lighting setups, gear demos, niche topics
- Style: Professional, broad-range, community-focused
- Why follow: You’ll get exposed to real-world techniques and styles across the photography world, not just the YouTube bubble.
Nature & Travel Photography Channels
If you're more excited about misty mountains, golden hour landscapes, or street scenes from places you've never been, this is your corner. These creators don’t just show their final shots. They walk you through the entire process, from scouting locations to planning the lighting, choosing gear, and editing with intention.
Whether you’re dreaming of travel photography or simply want to improve your shots in natural light, these channels are a great way to learn by watching professionals work in real-world conditions.
4. Thomas Heaton
Good for: Landscape lovers who want a thoughtful, process-driven approach.
Thomas Heaton takes you out into the field, literally. His videos aren’t filmed in a studio. He’s out in the rain, hiking with a backpack full of gear, waiting for the right moment to shoot. If you want to learn how to photograph nature with patience, intention, and a strong eye for composition, this is where to start.
- Covers: Landscape photography, travel setups, camera gear in the wild
- Style: Calm, introspective, educational without being dry
- Why follow: You’ll learn what actually goes into capturing a good shot outdoors—not just the final image.
5. Nigel Danson
Good for: Learners who want technical tips wrapped in storytelling.
Nigel’s content is equal parts tutorial and visual journal. He’s a former scientist turned full-time photographer, and that shows in his analytical but highly approachable teaching style.
He’s especially good at breaking down why a landscape photo works (or doesn’t), and how you can start thinking that way too.
- Covers: Landscape shooting, photo critiques, editing breakdowns
- Style: Friendly, humble, deeply informative
- Why follow: He teaches you how to see as a photographer, not just how to use the gear.
Creative & Stylish Photography Channels
If you're not just trying to get the exposure right, but want your photos to feel a certain way, this section is for you. These creators focus on styling, direction, posing, color, and storytelling.
They show you how to create a mood, develop your visual style, and shoot portraits that don’t feel forced or overly technical.
6. Mango Street
Good for: Beginners who hate long-winded tutorials.
This duo (Daniel and Rachel) specializes in short, sharp videos that get to the point. Their tutorials cover everything from posing couples to shooting in tight spaces, all without the usual YouTuber fluff.
It’s perfect if you want to learn fast and apply what you see without getting overwhelmed.
- Covers: Portraits, posing, natural light, creative composition
- Style: Minimal, stylish, no-fuss delivery
- Why follow: You’ll actually retain what they teach, because they don’t waste your time.
7. Matti Haapoja
Good for: Creators who want to blend photography with cinematic storytelling.
Matti brings a filmmaking sensibility to photography tutorials. His channel covers gear, shooting techniques, and creative mindset, all wrapped in strong narrative content.
If you like the Peter McKinnon style but want a slightly more technical breakdown, Matti hits the sweet spot.
- Covers: Travel shoots, cinematic photos, gear guides, creator life
- Style: Energetic, polished, a mix of vlog and tutorial
- Why follow: You’ll learn how to think like a visual storyteller.
8. Irene Rudnyk
Good for: Anyone learning portrait photography with natural light.
Irene’s channel is all about creating soft, elegant portraits, usually outdoors or with simple setups.
She shares her entire process, which includes choosing locations, working with models, directing poses, and editing to preserve a natural look. It's a great example of how to do more with less.
- Covers: Natural light portraits, posing, beginner-friendly shoots
- Style: Romantic, editorial, clear, and calm delivery
- Why follow: She shows that great portraits come from connection and direction—not fancy gear.
Editing & Post-Processing Channels
Shooting the photo is just half the job. What you do in post-production, such as adjusting light, color, sharpness, and tone, can make or break the final result.
Whether you want to refine a portrait, create a cinematic look, or correct exposure issues, these YouTube channels will teach you how to edit with purpose. They explain why each step matters and how to avoid common beginner mistakes, such as over-editing or losing detail.
9. PHLEARN
Good for: Structured, start-to-finish Photoshop learning.
Aaron Nace, the face of PHLEARN, teaches Photoshop and Lightroom with a clarity that’s hard to beat. His tutorials are highly visual and methodical, ideal for those new to editing or looking to delve deeper into retouching, masking, color grading, or compositing.
- Covers: Portrait retouching, layer masking, color correction, and photo manipulation.
- Style: Clean, easy to follow, organized into beginner and advanced levels.
- Why follow: You’ll learn the actual tools, not just how to copy someone’s preset.
10. PiXimperfect
Good for: Photoshop users who want to push beyond the basics.
Unmesh Dinda’s tutorials go deep, often 20–30 minutes per video, but they’re worth it. He explains the how and why of every adjustment, from fixing skin tones to building complex masks.
If you’re past the beginner stage and want to understand Photoshop inside out, this is your channel.
- Covers: Skin retouching, Lightroom workflow, content-aware tools, realistic composites
- Style: Technical, passionate, always explained with visual context
- Why follow: He doesn’t dumb anything down, and that’s exactly what makes it useful.
Theory, Philosophy & the “Why” Behind Great Photography
If you’re the kind of learner who likes to slow down and ask bigger questions, this section is for you.
11. The Art of Photography (Ted Forbes)
Good for: Photographers who want to develop taste, not just technique.
Ted Forbes is like a photography professor you actually want to listen to. He covers everything from classic photographers and photo books to visual theory and creative blocks. His videos won’t teach you how to use your camera; they’ll teach you how to see.
- Covers: Photo history, composition theory, photo book reviews, visual style
- Style: Calm, thoughtful, educational without being academic
- Why follow: You'll develop your eye and visual thinking, not just your gear setup.
12. Fstoppers
Good for: Advanced learners and aspiring professionals.
Fstoppers is a team of working photographers who share behind-the-scenes looks at commercial shoots, lighting setups, and creative decisions.
Their videos are less about “How to shoot a sunset” and more about how professionals solve real problems with lighting, location, and workflow.
- Covers: Studio setups, pro lighting, retouching, business advice.
- Style: Technical, real-world, focused on working photographers.
- Why follow: You’ll learn how to think through a shoot, not just follow a tutorial.
Community Picks (Laid-Back, Quality Vibes)
Digging through Reddit, we found more creators who don’t shout gear specs, don’t push flashy edits, and don’t feel performative.
“Grainy Days, Willem Verbeek, negativefeedback, Brae Hunziker… laid back, photography‑focused videos with a story, not (only) trying to sell me gear.”
These voices pop up again and again when people say, “I just want someone to talk photography like we’d chat on a walk.”
Best YouTube Channels to Learn Photography
Here’s a summary of all the YouTube channels we’ve mentioned:
Start With One, Practice With Intention
You don’t need to follow all 12 channels. You need to pick one that matches where you are right now: beginner, portrait shooter, traveler, or editor, and start practicing.
Here’s a simple way to begin:
- Choose 1–2 channels from this list that match your style or goals.
- Watch 2–3 videos and try replicating a shoot or edit.
- Save playlists or videos you find helpful and build your own learning path.
- And most importantly, go shoot. Don’t just watch tutorials. Use them.
Every creator in this guide teaches something different. Some will help you get comfortable with your camera. Others will help you find your creative style or fix mistakes in editing. The more you watch and apply, the faster your work improves.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which is the best YouTube channel to learn photography?
There’s no single best channel; it depends on your learning style. If you prefer quick, visual lessons, Mango Street is a great place to start. For outdoor shooting and thoughtful breakdowns, Thomas Heaton is a strong choice. If you're focused on editing, PHLEARN and PiXimperfect are both reliable. Start with a channel that matches your interests and stick with it for a while before jumping around.
2. How can I teach myself photography?
Start by watching beginner-friendly content on YouTube and applying what you learn immediately. The key is to practice intentionally, don’t just shoot randomly. Focus on mastering one concept at a time, whether it’s lighting, framing, or camera settings. Over time, you'll begin to spot patterns and make decisions with greater confidence.
3. Can I learn photography in 3 months?
You can build a solid foundation in three months if you’re consistent. You’ll be able to shoot in manual mode, edit with a basic workflow, and learn how to frame a shot effectively. You won’t become a pro overnight, but you’ll be good enough to start developing your own style.
4. How should a beginner practice photography?
Pick up your camera and shoot every few days with a specific goal in mind, whether it's capturing natural light, trying new angles, or recreating a shot from a tutorial. Review your photos, determine what worked and what didn’t, and continue experimenting. Don’t wait to “feel ready”; you get better by doing, not by watching.
