Sharing My Expertise: Facilitating a Workshop on “Skills for Freelance Photography” with The Photography Foundation
June 12, 2024Last week, I had the honour of being invited by The Photography Foundation to facilitate a workshop for their students on the subject of “Skills for Freelance Photography.” It was an incredible experience to share my knowledge and insights with aspiring photographers. The workshop was structured to cover a broad range of essential topics that every freelance photographer needs to master. Here’s a breakdown of the key discussion points:
How to Get Started We kicked off the workshop by exploring the first steps in launching a freelance photography career, from identifying your niche to setting initial goals.
Equipment A deep dive into the must-have gear for photographers, including cameras, lenses, and accessories, as well as budget-friendly options for those just starting out.
Your Brand We discussed the importance of developing a unique personal brand that reflects your style and values, and how to communicate this effectively to clients.
Portfolio Tips on curating a compelling portfolio that showcases your best work and appeals to your target market.
Lead Generation Strategies for finding and attracting potential clients through networking, social media, and online platforms.
Pitching How to craft persuasive pitches that win clients, including writing proposals and preparing presentations.
Alternative Ways to Share Your Work Exploring non-traditional platforms and creative methods to showcase your photography.
The Importance of Personal Work The role of personal projects in developing your style, keeping your creativity alive, and attracting clients.
Advertising Jobs How to find and apply for photography jobs through various advertising channels.
Treatments Creating visual proposals that help clients envision your ideas and secure projects.
Lighting Assistants Understanding the role of lighting assistants and how they can enhance your shoots.
Invoicing and Pricing Best practices for pricing your work, creating invoices, and managing your finances as a freelancer.
Contracts Essential components of a photography contract to protect your rights and ensure clear agreements with clients.
Q&A’s An interactive session where students could ask questions and get personalised advice on their concerns and challenges.
Mini Brief We concluded with a hands-on mini-brief, allowing students to apply what they learned in a practical exercise.
This was my first time facilitating a workshop, and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Sharing my skills and expertise, having worked as a photographer for over 13 years, was incredibly rewarding. The workshop was very successful, and I received positive feedback from both the students and tutors.
I’m grateful to The Photography Foundation for this opportunity and look forward to more collaborations in the future. Seeing the students’ enthusiasm and eagerness to learn was inspiring, and I’m excited to see how they will apply these skills in their own freelance photography careers.