Revised 8/2023

PHT 228 - Professional Practices for Photographers (3 CR.)

Course Description

Prepares students of photography and video to start and operate a professional practice. This is an advanced course for students who wish to be self-employed as photographers and/or videographers. Lecture 3 hours per week.

General Course Purpose

Introduces fundamentals of professional practice for self-employed photographers. Includes planning, pricing, contract negotiation, digital asset management, marketing, and legal concerns specific to professional photography and video services.

Course Prerequisites/Corequisites

None.

Course Objectives

Upon completing this course, the student will be able to:

  • Create a viable plan for self-employment as a photography professional
  • Price photography + video services and negotiate contracts with clients in creative fields
  • Manage assets for photography and video services
  • Employ sound legal concepts when licensing image rights and obtaining releases
  • Make effective marketing decisions for photography + video services
  • Choose appropriate professional advisors

Major Topics to Be Included

  • Planning a sole proprietorship or limited liability company for photography and video practices
  • Pricing and negotiating rates and fees for photography and video jobs
  • Photography and video equipment selection, digital asset management, and insurance
  • Copyright law as applied to visual image licensing and contracts, model releases
  • Portfolios, websites, and social media for photography and video services
  • Legal, banking, and accounting resources for self-employed photographers and videographers

Optional Topics

May be included per the discretion of the instructor.