If you have spent any time in wedding photography circles online, you have probably heard of the Amy and Jordan course. Amy and Jordan Demos are well-known wedding photographers who teach posing, shooting, editing, and the business side of photography to other photographers. Whether you are weighing their program or any other online class, the real question is the same: will this course actually make you better, and is it the right step for where you are right now? This post is our framework for answering that.
A quick note: Jaz & Theo is not affiliated with Amy and Jordan or any course creator, and nothing here is sponsored. Course content, formats, and prices change, so check the current details on the creator's own site.
Why so many photographers learn online
Photography used to be learned mostly through apprenticeships, workshops, and trial and error. Online courses changed that. Today you can watch an experienced photographer pose a couple, see their camera settings, and follow their editing process from your kitchen table. For a new photographer, that can compress years of guesswork into a few months.
The benefits are real:
- Seeing the process, not just the result. Finished portfolio images hide the hundred small decisions behind them. Good courses show those decisions.
- Learning at your own pace. You can rewatch a posing sequence ten times before your next session.
- A clear structure. A well-built course moves from fundamentals to advanced work in a logical order.
- Business context. Many courses include pricing, client communication, and workflow, which are rarely taught anywhere else.
The limits are real too. No video can stand next to you during a chaotic family photo session. A course is a tool, not a substitute for practice.
What to look for in the Amy and Jordan course, or any course
Before you buy any photography course, run it through these questions.
1. Does the teacher's work match where you want to go?
This sounds obvious, but it is the most common mistake. If you love dark, moody, film-inspired images, a course built around bright, airy, emotive light may teach you a lot about posing but leave you frustrated in editing. Look at the teacher's most recent work, not just the highlights on the sales page.
2. Is there a detailed syllabus?
A trustworthy course tells you exactly what you will learn: module names, lesson topics, approximate length, and whether it includes live shoots, editing walkthroughs, or downloadable resources. Vague promises are a warning sign.
3. Can you see a sample?
Free webinars, sample lessons, or a creator's free content online tell you a lot about their teaching style. Some brilliant photographers are not great teachers, and some modest photographers are excellent ones.
4. What is the refund policy and access period?
Know whether access is lifetime, time-limited, or subscription-based, and whether there is any refund window. Read the terms before you buy.
5. What do past students say, independently?
Testimonials on a sales page are curated by definition. Look for honest discussions in photography groups and forums, and ask photographers whose work you respect what helped them.
Posing, shooting, editing, business: which course first?
Most wedding photography education falls into four areas. The right order depends on your weakest skill.
| Area | Take it first if… |
|---|---|
| Posing and directing | Your couples look stiff, or you freeze when you run out of ideas |
| Shooting and lighting | Your exposures are inconsistent, or you struggle in harsh sun and dark receptions |
| Editing | Your images look different from session to session, or editing takes far too long |
| Business | Your work is strong but bookings are slow, or you are not sure how to price |
If you are considering the Amy and Jordan course specifically, use this table to decide which part of it matters most to you right now. A posing course often gives new photographers the fastest visible improvement, because natural, connected couples make even simple light look good. A shooting and editing course becomes more valuable once your posing is solid and you want consistency.
How to actually get value from a course
Buying the course is easy. Finishing it and changing how you work is the hard part. Here is a routine that helps:
- Block a regular time each week for lessons, like any other appointment.
- Take notes by hand, and write down one technique to try at your next session.
- Schedule practice shoots with friends to test new posing prompts.
- Edit one session using only the new workflow before deciding whether you like it.
- Compare your work from before and after the course side by side.
- Rewatch key lessons a month later; you will notice new details.
Practice beyond the course
The fastest-improving photographers we know combine education with deliberate practice.
- Second shoot. Working alongside an experienced wedding photographer teaches you timing, pacing, and calm under pressure.
- Do styled or model sessions. Practice in low-stakes situations where you can experiment.
- Get photographed yourself. Being on the other side of the camera makes you a better director. We wrote more about that in our anniversary photo ideas post.
- Study light every day. Notice how sunlight changes through the afternoon. Our golden hour photography guide is a good starting point.
A note on style and originality
Learning from someone you admire often means your work starts to look like theirs for a while. That is normal. Over time, the goal is to absorb the methods, such as how they prompt, how they read light, and how they structure a day, and then let your own taste take over. Clients book photographers whose work feels personal and consistent. Your own way of seeing is the thing no course can sell you.
Our weekly adventures, and why learning never stops
This blog has always mixed photography with the rest of life: road trips, home projects, and small weekly adventures. Learning fits into that rhythm. Some weeks are full of shoots and editing; others are for slowing down, rewatching a lesson, and trying something new on a walk with a camera. If you are still deciding whether to pursue weddings at all, browse our wedding guides to see what a full day really involves, and our post on how couples find their wedding photographer to see the process from the client's side.
Questions, answered
Is an online course enough to become a wedding photographer?
A course can teach technique, posing, and workflow, but it cannot replace time behind the camera. Pair any course with second shooting, styled practice sessions, and honest feedback on your work.
Should I take a posing course or an editing course first?
If clients feel awkward in your photos, start with posing and directing. If your images are well composed but inconsistent in color, start with editing. Fix the weakest link first.
How do I know if a photography course is worth the price?
Look at a detailed syllabus, sample lessons, the refund policy, and whether the teacher's current work matches the style you want. Talk to past students you find on your own, not just testimonials on a sales page.
Do I need to copy my teacher's style?
No. Learn their methods, then adapt them. Clients ultimately hire you for your own way of seeing, and a straight copy of someone else's look is hard to sustain.
Amy and Jordan Business Course Jaz & Theo Weekly Adventures
First published in Sep 2017 and fully rewritten and updated for 2026. Details like permits, fees and hours change — confirm them with the venue or land manager before you go.
