Mentorship Programs

© R.J. Kern and Alexa Becker

HCP Mentorships offer photographers personal guidance at the highest level from HCP’s international network of masterful photographers and leading professionals including working artists, photojournalists, editors, curators, book publishers, consultants, etc. Mentorships are designed for image-makers looking to develop their photographic work, edit and sequence personal projects, improve their marketing and online presence, design or publish a photobook, prepare for an exhibition, or any other professional aspiration.

HCP’s list of Mentors

Mentorships are a great option for:

  • Emerging artists looking to get their work exhibited or get a gallery representation

  • Aspiring photojournalists and editorial photographers

  • Photographers working on a long-term project, a photobook, or upcoming exhibition

  • Photographers looking to improve their craft or online presence (website, social media)

  • Professional photographers looking for guidance on how to enhance their career

Process:

  1. Please submit you Mentorship Program Application (see below).

  2. If needed, HCP will reach out to you to clarify your goals and and discuss recommended mentors.

  3. HCP will confirm the availability of the preferred/selected mentor.

  4. Pending the mentor’s approval, you will be invited to order your preferred/recommended Mentorship Package (see below).

  5. Once your order is received, HCP will introduce the mentor and mentee, inviting you to schedule your first session.

  6. Following the first session, the mentor will inform HCP about the agreed upon goals and plan for the mentorship.

Available Mentorship Packages:

Notes:

  • Mentorships are pending approval of mentors’ availability.

  • Meetings will be scheduled at the mentor’s and mentee’s discretion to fit both their schedules.

  • Meetings may take place online, at HCP, or at any location agreed upon with your mentor at your mutual convenience.

  • Mentorships must be completed within a 3 month period (5-hour program) or 6 month period (10-hours program).

  • Please review the Mentorship Programs Policies and the FAQs section below for additional information.

Mentorship Program Applications

FAQs

  • Mentorship offers image-makers a professional fast track to develop their photographic work, edit and sequence personal projects, improve their marketing and online presence, design or publish a photobook, prepare for an exhibition, or any other professional aspiration. HCP’s Mentorships are the most affordable of their kind, offering you a real opportunity to receive guidance and develop your work with the support of leading local, national, and international professionals.

  • Absolutely. Mentorship Programs complement our Certificate Programs and offer you one-on-one, tailored guidance with a leading professional best suited to help you develop your work and achieve your goals. Mentorships are especially beneficial if you want focused feedback on specific projects or individualized coaching toward developing your artistic career. Advanced Photography Practices Certificate Program students receive a 15% discount on Mentorship Programs.

  • HCP offers mentorships with masterful photographers and leading professionals including working artists, photojournalists, editors, curators, book publishers, consultants, etc. You can choose to mentor with any of our Mentors or instructors teaching in the Advanced Photography Practices Certificate Program.

    Please email us at education@hcponline.org if you would like to inquire about mentorship opportunities with any other leading photography professionals.

  • To start the process, please submit your Mentorship Program Application and share with us your background, relevant examples of your work, and goals for the mentorship. After reviewing your application, HCP will contact you to clarify your goals and discuss recommended mentor(s) and the length of your mentorship. HCP will then reach out to the selected mentor to inquire about their availability and invite you to enroll once receiving their approval.

    Additionally, you can choose to book 1-hour Portfolio Review sessions with mentors you are considering working with before applying for a mentorship. During this meeting, you will be able to discuss the goals, process, and format of a potential mentorship program.

  • Our application process is designed to pair you with the mentor that best fits your goals and needs. If you have any concerns after your first meeting with your mentor, please email education@hcponline.org and share the reasons for your concern. If needed, HCP will do its best to match you with another mentor who is a better fit for your goals and expectations.

  • Please submit your Mentorship Program Application and provide us with your background, relevant examples of your work, and goals for your mentorship. After review, HCP will guide you through mentor selection and next steps.

  • Applications for HCP Mentorship Programs are free of charge.

  • Applications for HCP Mentorship Programs are open year round.

  • HCP offers the most affordable mentorship programs in the market, enabling photographers to receive guidance and develop their work with leading local, national, and international professionals. HCP mentorship programs are available in two packages to choose from: 

  • Upon receiving your mentor’s approval, we will email you a link to complete your payment via HCP’s website using a credit card. Other forms of payment are not available at this time. The full program fee is due at the time of enrollment before any sessions are scheduled.

  • HCP does not offer payment plans at this time. The full program fee is due at the time you enroll in a mentorship program.

  • HCP Members (Individual+ level and above) receive a 10% discount. Advanced Photography Practices certificate program students receive a 15% discount. We currently do not offer scholarships toward Mentorship Programs but hope to be able to do so in the future.

  • Meetings can take place online, at HCP, or at any location agreed upon with your mentor at your mutual convenience. 

  • Meetings will be scheduled at the mentor’s and mentee’s discretion to fit both their schedules. Meetings can be one hour or longer to facilitate the most effective work process.

  • Mentorships must be completed within a 3 month period (5-hour program) or 6 month period (10-hours program). Your mentorship schedule will be designed between you and your mentor at your mutual convenience.

  • Please review our Mentorship Programs Policies. All mentorship program payments are final. Any requests for refunds due to inability to complete a mentorship program will be considered on a case-to-case basis.