2019 VISUAL STORYTELLING FOR THE COMMERCIAL PHOTOGRAPHER
YEAR AT A GLANCE:
VISUAL STORYTELLING
For The Commercial Photographer
This is a year-long program for photographers working or wanting to work in a commercial capacity who apply a documentary approach to their pictures. This includes family, birth, wedding and event photography. The goals of this one year program include expanding your knowledge and understanding of documentary photography, identifying your picture making strengths and weaknesses through group critique, exploring other types of photography for the purposes of opening creative blocks, initiating a personal project for each student, diving into the business of documentary commercial photography and assisting in creating a strong presence in your market. This will be an ongoing, long term class that will give you the tools you need to succeed in a saturated industry by creating emotional, dynamic, thought provoking, affective and emotive imagery of people and their environments.
THE YEAR OVERVIEW
JANUARY
“Intro to Photojournalism”
-we will explore the history of photojournalism, its purpose through history and discuss important photographs through time.
-Critique- Because the origin of photojournalism is news and event centric, you will be asked to share a picture from a current event where you live.
-interview with a working photojournalist today.
-suggested reading & video
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FEBRUARY
“Documentary Photography”
-Unlike photojournalism where the photographer is shooting for one picture that tells the story of an important issue or news worthy event, most documentary photographers are working to make a series of pictures that create a visual narrative. We will explore some of the best documentary stories of the past and introduce you to some incredible documentary photographers.
-Critique- submit 5 documentary images from one story. This can be from a DITL session, personal project, assignment, personal travel, etc. The goal is to see a strong narrative.
-interview with a current, working documentary photographer
-suggested reading and video
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MARCH
“Personal Photo Essays/Projects”
We will explore the process of brainstorming and carrying out personal projects. We will take a look at some of the strongest personal projects of 2017 and discuss their importance and influence on the photographer as well as the viewer.
-critique- You will be submitting an image that is personal to you, from you’re life.
-you will all be coming up with a personal project that you will be working on until the end of the year.
-interview with a published photographer whose personal project made impact
-suggested reading and video
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APRIL
“Photos That Emote”
“Don’t Shoot What It Looks Like, Shoot What it Feels Like” ~ David Alan Harvey
-We will explore some of the most emotionally provocative pictures in history, discuss why and how they set themselves apart from other pictures and identify how to include your own pictures.
-critique- your most emotive picture
-interview with a prominent photographer
-suggested reading and video
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MAY
“The In Home Session”
-This month we are going to focus on making photographs in the home that tell the story of day to day life for families. For those that shoot Day In The Life sessions, you will be given actual assignments, particular goals to work for in the home. For those new to the genre, you will be required to simply work on making real life pictures in a family’s home.
-critique- You will submit picture from your in-home session.
-interview with a working photographer
-suggested reading and video
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JUNE
“The World Around Us”
-This month we will be exploring the world of street photography, the art of telling a story of our outside world and the fear of photographing strangers. You will be introduced to some of the most prolific and talented street photographers and we will use their pictures as examples of strong visual narratives through light, composition and moment.
-critique- you will be required to go out and make pictures in your neighborhood, in a city, in a park, etc. The goal is to push yourself outside your comfort zone and create a compelling picture of strangers and their environment.
-interview with a working street photographer
-suggested reading and video
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JULY & AUGUST
“Business”
-This will be 2 months on the business of documentary photography and how to earn a living with moment based photographs. This month we will be talking about all the different ways in which you can use documentary photography to earn a living from family, wedding and birth to corporate, community events, funerals and NGOs. – Social media, direct and indirect marketing strategies, pricing, sales, SEO, networking. . . you name it, we are going to talk all about it. Additionally I am going to provide you with my entire workflow. We will help get you all on track in terms of running a successful business. We will talk about the benefits of outsourcing and hiring assistants, on-line business management companies and what to do on your own.
-critique- Open month, share one picture you would like feedback on.
-interview with a working photographer
-suggested reading and video
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SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER
“My Conceptual Reality”
-I cannot tell you how many photographers I have met that are unable name a painter, sculpture, dancer, writer or singer that has influenced their photography. Or how painful experiences can be healed by working through them photographically. Equally so, the topics we are most passionate about are sometimes best expressed through artistic impression as a way of changing the how someone else thinks about their world. Why would this be important? Because creativity should come from within and externally. Conceptual photography is a less concrete, tangible form of picture making and storytelling yet can be some of the most moving collection of images a photographer can make. We are going to take a look at some of the world’s best conceptual artists and study their stories. The purpose of this month is to help you let go and loosen up, to explore how to tell a story through feeling and metaphor, representation and collectives.
-critique- You will be asked to submit a 10 picture or less conceptual story based on something personal.
-interview with a working conceptual photographer
-suggested reading and video
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NOVEMBER
Student’s Choice
-We will be having 3 additional critiques this month to go over your personal projects.
-critique- Open critique. Submit one image you would like feedback on.
-interview with a working photographer
-suggested reading and video
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DECEMBER
“Your Voice”
-Throughout the year you will be working on a personal project. I will be checking in with everyone through the forum and directly as to the status of how your are doing with your project. You will be sharing your stories with the class and providing each other with feedback. This month we will be putting your projects together and viewing them as a complete essay.
-critique- Share your essay with us (up to 20 pictures)
-interview with a prominent photographer
-suggested reading and video-submitted Q&A on anything!