Joel Grimes Photography Review: Worth the Price?

With so many photography tutorials available online, finding one that truly delivers depth can be difficult, especially if you’re no longer a beginner. That’s where Joel Grimes photography courses enter the picture.

A commercial photographer with over 40 years of experience, Joel Grimes is known for his cinematic portrait style and practical teaching approach. His courses go beyond basic techniques, offering a structured way to think, shoot, and edit like a professional.

But with prices ranging from 19 to over 3000 dollars, are his courses really worth it?

In this review, we’ll explore what sets Joel Grimes’ training apart, who it’s best suited for, what you’ll learn, and what students say after taking his courses - the highlights and the drawbacks. Whether you’re considering a full bundle or just one class, this guide will help you decide if it’s the right fit for your goals in photography.

Overview of Joel Grimes Photography courses

Purpose: Mastering photography
Instructor: Joel Grimes
Best for: Intermediate photographers
Price: $19 – $3,651
Recommended: Yes but not for everyone

Joel Grimes’ photography courses may come with a high price tag, but the depth and quality of instruction make them a worthwhile investment for serious learners. Unlike free tutorials that often skim the basics, his training dives deep into lighting, composition, creative thinking, and real-world workflows.

If you’re looking to develop your unique style and elevate your skills beyond fundamentals, his courses deliver significant value. That said, it’s wise to start with his free YouTube videos to see if his teaching style matches you.

But there are 2 things you need to keep in mind before taking courses:
1. His training is for experienced level photographers.
If you are a newbie and want to learn the basics, start with Mark Hemmings courses instead.
2. His best-selling courses don’t come with a cheap price.

Without a discount, his bundles can cost up to $3K.

In short, if you already have experience in photography, want to get into photography techniques, then his courses might be the right choice for you.

For beginners or casual learners, starting with free resources or more accessible options is a more practical first step.

About the instructor

Before diving into some of Joel Grimes’ most notable courses, it’s helpful to know who he is and why his training is so well-regarded.

Joel Grimes is a Canon Explorer of Light and an accomplished photographer with over forty years of experience. He brings together deep technical knowledge and a strong artistic vision to help learners grasp the fundamentals of photography. His teaching style focuses on practical application and real-life scenarios, presented in a way that is both inspiring and easy to follow.

As a commercial photographer, Joel is known for producing powerful and visually striking work. He has a unique talent for turning even simple subjects into compelling imagery through both his camera techniques and post-processing skills.

As a teacher, he is well-respected among students for his clarity, generosity, and motivational approach. His goal is not just to teach photography but to help others grow into confident and creative visual storytellers.

Joel shares his expertise through a wide range of video tutorials. These are grouped into two main categories:

- Pro Training
- Master the Art (Bundle Courses)

Please note that it is not necessary to purchase the entire bundle. Each course is also available individually, allowing you to choose the lessons that best fit your learning goals.

Joel Grimes’s Photography Courses

Joel Grimes Photography provides several courses, from training programs, master classes (about landscape, urban, portrait) to bundles for specific kinds of photography (essential tools for Photoshop, all skills for a pro photographer). There are 2 full-pack courses we recommend are:

1. Beginning Photography Masterclass

If you own a camera but still rely on Auto mode, or you’ve always wanted to understand how to take better photos but feel overwhelmed by technical jargon, Joel Grimes’ Beginning Photography Masterclass may be the perfect entry point for you.

This course is designed to demystify photography and help you build a solid foundation, even if you’re starting from zero.

Priced at $9 (discounted from $157), the value is exceptional for the quality and depth of instruction provided.

https://www.joelgrimes.com/begin-photography

In 30 days (or at your own pace), you’ll gain the skills from this course to:

• Understand manual mode, exposure triangle, and light metering
• Choose the right lenses, tripods, and equipment for your needs
• Master composition to guide the viewer’s eye and create impact
• Learn Photoshop basics for simple but powerful retouching
• Apply your knowledge in field shoots at iconic locations like Santa Monica Pier and London Bridge
• Explore HDR, focus stacking, natural light portraiture, and more

Each lesson builds your skills step by step, moving you from “taking pictures” to creating photographic art.

What makes it stand out

Joel Grimes teaches from experience, not theory. His lessons are grounded in real-life scenarios and peppered with insight from decades of professional work. His ability to simplify complex concepts without dumbing them down makes the material accessible without being superficial.

Another good point when taking his course is excellent customer support and a community of learners who often report noticeable progress in a short time. You can share your images and discuss with other photography enthusiastists about what is great and can be improved from your image.

Who this course is for

You’re a great fit if:

• You’re new to photography or frustrated by complex tutorials
• You want to build confidence using your camera in manual mode
• You enjoy learning from stories, examples, and hands-on teaching
• You want to go from “random snapshots” to intentional compositions

You may want to skip if:

• You’re looking for highly technical or academic-level instruction
• You already shoot professionally and want specialized, advanced techniques
• You prefer animated visual simulations over instructor-led field work

Related training options

If you’re ready to advance beyond the fundamentals, Joel offers a series of focused training courses priced at $57 each. These include:

• The One Light Masterclass: create dramatic studio portraits using just one light source
• The Dramatic Portrait Masterclass: learn Joel’s signature cinematic portrait lighting and character-based shoots
• The Beauty Portrait Masterclass: master soft light setups, skin retouching, and beauty-focused editing techniques
• The Landscape Photography Masterclass: composition, exposure, and post-processing for stunning natural scenes
• The Urban Portrait and Location: how to use city environments creatively for portraits, both natural and flash-lit

These courses are designed to help you develop deeper mastery in specific areas and are a natural next step after completing the beginner masterclass.

2. Master Photography Course: The Complete Pack

https://www.joelgrimes.com/master-of-photography-complete
If you want to master photography, Joel Grimes offers a complete pack covering all skills you need to take different kinds of photos such as portrait, fine-art, landscape and more.

This bundle gives you access to over 45 hours of video training through six in-depth masterclasses, each focusing on a core photographic discipline:

• Dramatic portrait masterclass: Learn cinematic lighting and creative posing to craft powerful, emotion-driven portraits. (9h43m)
• Beauty portrait masterclass: Master soft light, composition, and post-processing for beauty and editorial portraits. (8h11m)
• One light masterclass: Understand the science of light and how to shape it using just one light source. (5h24m)
• Still life masterclass: Create fine-art imagery at home using minimal equipment and professional retouching techniques. (4h45m)
• Landscape masterclass: Learn to capture natural landscapes with dramatic lighting, composition, and storytelling. (7h45m)
• Urban landscape masterclass: Transform city scenes into visual art using light, timing, and advanced editing workflows. (9h57m)

You’ll also gain access to Joel’s full post-processing workflow, behind-the-scenes footage of real shoots, and breakdowns of both successes and mistakes.

What you learn is not just techniques but also unique insight into the actual creative and technical process from Joel Grimes who has over 40 years of practical experience.

What makes this program unique

Joel’s teaching style is immersive, honest, and approachable. Rather than hiding the messy parts of photography, he shows you what went wrong, how to solve it, and why it matters.

You’ll learn from him:

• How to define a visual goal before every shoot
• How to light anyone, anywhere, using any camera
• How to pose confidently and creatively
• How to turn raw captures into gallery-worthy artwork through retouching
• How to build a workflow that works every time, from idea to finished image

All lessons are accessible for life, streamable on any device, and available for download. The entire pack, normally priced at $1,182, is currently available for just $199.

The extra two important bonuses include Joel Grimes Facebook Academy and Monthly Q&A with Joel.

It’s important that you get all kinds of support as you possibly can.

And don’t underestimate being in a thriving, active, and engaging private FB community. Your fellow ‘comrades’ will be there for you should you have any specific questions or seek feedback.

Being surrounded by passionate photographers will help you increase your own potential and gain more inspiration.

Related training options

If you’re ready to expand your photography journey beyond the core masterclasses, Joel offers a collection of focused training bundles designed to deepen both creative and technical skills. These include:

• Vision to Reality: master the full photography process from concept to completion — ideal for building a repeatable, professional workflow
• Signature Brushes: enhance your post-processing with Joel’s custom Photoshop brushes to add dramatic light, texture, and creative effects
• Complete Tools Library: access over 600 downloadable tools including overlays, textures, presets, actions, and more to elevate your editing
• Complete Academy: follow a structured photographer’s roadmap that helps you identify your goals, refine your skills, and stay on track
• Create Your Style: learn artistic principles and editing techniques that help you develop a consistent, recognizable visual style
• The Professional: turn your photography into a business with lessons on client pitching, pricing, portfolio building, and sustainable growth
• Landscape Photography: refine your approach to landscape photography with techniques for creating gallery-worthy images

These programs are ideal for photographers looking to specialize, build a signature style, or take concrete steps toward a creative career. They complement the core training and help you continue growing as an artist and professional.

If any of the above describes you, we recommend starting with Joel’s individual, skill-focused masterclasses. These allow you to dive deep into one technique or area of interest, such as dramatic portraits, lighting, post-processing, or landscape photography, without the commitment of a full training system.

You can view some of these single-focus courses in the Related Training Options section above, each priced accessibly and designed to deliver value in a concentrated format.

What could be improved

While many students walk away from Joel Grimes’ courses with new techniques, inspiration, and a clearer sense of direction, some have also pointed out a few areas where the learning experience could be enhanced. These reflections come from learners who appreciate the overall value of the training but believe it could be even better with a few adjustments.

Presentation quality can be inconsistent
A number of students mentioned that the quality of production varies between lessons. In some cases, the instructor seemed underprepared, for example, referencing tools that weren’t available during filming, or mixing up key terms like referring to “18% gray” as “50%.” Others wished for more visual demonstrations, especially when complex concepts were being explained.

Course navigation feels disjointed
Another common frustration was how scattered the learning experience can feel. Since different classes are hosted across multiple websites like joelgrimes.com and creatorsfoundry, students found themselves jumping between platforms just to access content they had purchased. Several commented that a single, centralized learning dashboard would make a big difference.

Basic concepts not always clearly explained
Some learners who were hoping to brush up on foundational topics like the exposure triangle or camera settings found those sections harder to follow. They noted that these lessons were sometimes delivered in a more off-the-cuff style, without clear visual aids or step-by-step breakdowns, making it difficult to grasp if you were hoping for structured review.

Overlap with free YouTube content
A few students with prior experience in photography felt that some course material overlapped with content already available for free on Joel’s YouTube channel. While they acknowledged that the paid courses offered more depth and structure, they felt this overlap slightly diminished the uniqueness of the experience, especially at a higher price point.

Despite these concerns, most students agree that Joel Grimes delivers high-value content, especially for those who are visual learners and want to see the full creative process from concept to post-production. Still, these insights from past learners suggest that refining presentation consistency, improving the platform experience, and enhancing the clarity of foundational lessons could make the courses even more impactful for future students.

Is it worth learning?

The short answer: it depends on your goal, experience level, and budget.

There’s no denying that Joel Grimes photography course is among the more expensive options in the world of online photography education. However, it’s also taught by one of the most respected photographers in the industry, known for his expertise in lighting, composition, and storytelling. If you’re looking to elevate your existing skills and are ready to invest in your growth, his courses may be a great fit.

The main training bundle comes at a premium price, but many students choose to purchase individual courses instead. This makes it far more accessible, allowing you to focus on specific topics that interest you most without committing to the full package.

For those who want to test the waters before investing, Joel also offers free tutorials, and some of his more affordable classes are available on platforms like CreativeLive. These can be a good starting point to experience his teaching style.

And if you’re still undecided, it’s worth noting that Joel provides a free masterclass open to everyone. It’s a great way to get a feel for what he offers before diving in.