ART 257 Photography as a Profession

Lecture Hours: 4
Credits: 4

Develops the professional skills necessary to succeed in a photography business. Covers business records, marketing, promotion, employment skills, and education-related topics to establish an understanding of the career and business aspects involved in being a successful photographer.

Prerequisite: Previous photography course work; or experience as determined by instructor.
Student Learning Outcomes:

Complete the business and tax records required to legally operate a photography business.
Create a business marketing plan.
Write a professional résumé, cover letter, and artist’s statement.
Discuss and evaluate promotional materials including business cards, promo cards and stationery.
Discuss and evaluate online promotional opportunities including a web site and social media.
Create and organize a professional portfolio.
Relate the legal issues and rights that are of concern to photographers.
Identify photographic career and educational options available to the photographer.

Content Outline

Photography as a Business
- Photography as a business
  - Realities of being a business person
  - Determining market niche
  - Determining equipment needs and depreciation
- Deadlines
- Professional demeanor
Promotional Materials and Methods
- Résumé and cover letters
- Business cards
- Brochures and promo cards
- Working with printers
- Artist statements
- Portfolios: online and print
- Web site and email
- Social networking
Legal Issues and Record Keeping for the Artist
- Business documentation
- Document retention and methods
- Digital Asset Management
- Tax record keeping and filing
- Copyright issues
- Contracts
- Licensing
- Model releases
- Ethics
Business Planning and Marketing
- Business plans
- Marketing plans
- Social Media
- Pricing
  - Day and Hourly Rates
  - Estimating