"THERE IS AN ARTIST IN EVERYONE"
Martin Osner Photography School & Art Academy
Welcome to the Martin Osner Photography School & Art Academy, an internationally recognized institution dedicated to fine art and photography education. Co-founded by Martin Osner and Ralf Armbrüster, our academy offers a dynamic learning experience through online courses, live Zoom classes, and specialized workshops. Whether you're a passionate beginner or an experienced artist, our programs provide expert guidance to elevate your creative vision and photographic artistry.
Our Teaching Approach: A Structured Path to Artistic Growth
The Martin Osner Photography School & Art Academy offers a flexible yet structured learning experience, combining live mentorship, self-paced courses, and interactive challenges to help students grow both technically and artistically.
✔ Live Zoom Classes – Real-time feedback and guidance from Martin Osner in an interactive learning environment.
✔ Self-Paced Online Courses – Learn at your own pace with structured lessons designed for deep artistic and technical development.
✔ Community & Mentorship – Access to the Inspire Community, class groups, and creative challenges for ongoing growth and connection.
✔ Hands-On Projects – Practical assignments that encourage experimentation and real-world application of skills.
“Creativity cannot be taught—it can only be guided, encouraged, and nurtured.” – Martin Osner
Through this structured yet personal approach, students refine their skills, push creative boundaries, and discover their unique artistic voice.
Welcome to our Photography School and Art Academy
Our Story: A Legacy of Excellence in Photography & Art
The Martin Osner Photography School & Art Academy has its roots in one of Southern Africa’s most established photography institutions. In 1993, Martin Osner co-founded the National College of Photography, which became a premier destination for full-time and part-time photography education. Today, the college continues under AdvTech (PTY) Ltd’s Vega School, but Martin’s passion for education led him to open his specialised photography school in Hout Bay, Cape Town, in 2009.
For over a decade, the Osner Photography School welcomed students eager to explore photography, art photography, and fine art photography, offering hands-on studio-based teaching and specialised workshops, including landscape photography masterclasses.
Then, in 2020, everything changed. When the COVID-19 pandemic forced traditional education to move online, Martin transitioned to live Zoom classes, unlocking the potential of a global audience. What began as a temporary shift became a transformational evolution, allowing students worldwide to experience his renowned teaching style from the comfort of their homes.
The Birth of the Art Photography Academy & Online Learning Evolution
In 2023, Martin Osner and Ralf Armbrüster co-founded the Art Photography Academy, based in Germany, to better serve Martin’s growing international student base. With the launch of an interactive community portal and app, students gained access to class groups, mentorship sessions, and the Inspire Community—a space designed for creativity, collaboration, and learning.
What started with live Zoom classes soon expanded to include standalone, self-paced online courses, allowing students to learn at their convenience. Martin discovered that by structuring lessons into smaller, highly focused modules, students were now able to revisit concepts repeatedly, leading to even stronger creative results than in traditional classroom settings.
Despite the shift to online education, Martin remains personally connected with students through meetups, creative challenges, and live mentorship sessions, ensuring the academy fosters a strong sense of community and artistic growth.
Why We Teach: A Passion for Art & Photography
At the Martin Osner Photography School & Art Academy, teaching is more than just delivering knowledge—inspiring creativity, fostering mentorship, and guiding artists to find their unique voices. Over the years, students from diverse backgrounds have joined the academy, each bringing their vision, challenges, and aspirations. Some seek to refine their technical skills, while others pursue a deeper artistic connection.
From the beginning, Martin Osner believed the best way to teach photography was through hands-on studio sessions. For years, this traditional approach formed the foundation of his teaching. However, through years of experience, he realised that exceptional photography—and art in general—is not simply about technical ability but about understanding and developing a creative process.
"If you want to truly understand a subject, teach it." This philosophy has profoundly influenced Martin’s journey as an educator. He frequently reflects on how much he has learned from his students, particularly in the realm of fine art photography, where experimentation with craft techniques and artistic expression continues to shape his approach.
A deep commitment to student experience is at the heart of the academy. Ralf Armbrüster, co-founder of the Art Photography Academy, oversees systems and student onboarding, ensuring every student receives the guidance and support they need from the beginning.
The transition to online learning in 2020 was a turning point. Initially uncertain whether remote teaching could be as effective as in-person instruction, Martin was soon convinced by the remarkable results. He observed that students engaged in online learning produced work that was often more refined, expressive, and technically sound than those in traditional classroom settings. He believes this is due to the structured, modular approach of online courses, which allows students to learn at their own pace, revisit lessons as needed, and absorb complex techniques more effectively.
Despite this evolution in teaching, the academy remains deeply connected to its students. Through live mentorship sessions, creative challenges, and interactive meet-ups, Martin continues to guide and inspire his students, ensuring that personal engagement remains a key part of the learning experience.
At its core, the Martin Osner Photography School & Art Academy is built on the belief that photography is not just about capturing an image—it is about telling a story, expressing a vision, and creating meaningful art.
EXPLORE OSNER ART GALLERIES
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