PHOT 275 - Business Practices and Portfolio Development

(R only)

This course surveys the usual and customary practices in the field of photography, both as salaried employment and as an independent contracting enterprise. Topics include the role of professional organizations in photographic business; staff and freelance work; self-assessment and self-marketing strategies; forms of business organization; differentiation of types of business expenses for billing purposes; estimating and pricing of photographs and photographic services; use rights fees and licensing; the design of contracts; release agreements; the ownership of photographic images and of related intellectual property; copyright; stock photography; First Amendment and privacy issues; and the new business aspects of digital imaging. Individual and group portfolio and print critiques lead to improvement in the marketability of the student’s portfolio, and of the student, through strengthening of image quality and variety and improvement of job interview and portfolio presentation skills. PREREQUISITE(S): Advanced standing (PHOT 201 plus one other 200-level photography course) or consent of curriculum coordinator. Three hours lecture and discussion each week, plus scheduled individual conferences.

3 semester hours

Course Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, a student will be able to:

Identify a variety of client opportunities by doing market research.
Create a business development strategy.
Create a cost/benefit strategy based on prevailing market factors.
Create targeted promotional campaigns using the web and direct mail.
Create an invoicing structure.
Write effective job estimates.
Create a client list.
Create overhead cost analysis for a generic business model and specific assignments.
Develop effective job interview strategies.
Create portfolios targeted to a specific clientele.

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