PHO 234 Syllabus Fall 2009 copyright Natalie Fobes
Instructor: Natalie Fobes
Office Hours: By appointment before or after class on Fridays. Email me at Natalie@fobesphoto.com or nfobes@sccd.ctc.edu or call me at 206.937.9375.
Credits: Three (3)
Text/Supplies: ASMP Best Business Practices, 7th Edition. Assignments are to be turned in as both digital files and hard copies. BLOG: Assignments, lecture notes and other resource material will be posted at www.fobesphoto.com/blog
Time/Location: Thursdays at 10. Lab after lecture. 5158
Course Objective: To develop an understanding of real-life photography business practices. By the end of the quarter you will have learned what is considered when setting your fees, you will have shot a corporate assignment, created all paperwork associated with that assignment and written a business plan that you can use when you graduate.
Classroom standards
• My expectations will be based on real world business behavior, services and products
• Don’t schedule shoots or appointments until after class.
• As stated in the student contract, late assignments are not accepted and are graded as zero unless you have extreme circumstances.
• Absences not emailed or called in before class starts are unexcused
• Poor grammar and misspelling in assignments will be considered. Choose a partner to help you edit your assignments.
• I suggest you “Dress for Success” when guest speakers visit
• I suggest you take notes in class and don’t rely on handouts
• Check the blog regularly.
• No active cell phones except for designated security person
• I expect active involvement and participation and it will be part of your grade
• I expect respect for every person in class. Please pay attention to others who are talking.
• No side conversations please. If you have something to say please say it for all to hear
• Any questions or concerns please make an appointment to meet with me.
• Please review the Student Code of Conduct
To get the most out of this course you must be:
• willing to work hard with a professional attitude
• aware that each assignment is a potential portfolio piece
• motivated to learn more than required for class
• willing to take the responsibility to research on your own
ADA Accommodation: If you need course accommodations based on a documented disability, have any emergency medical information I should know about, or need special arrangements in case of building evacuation, please let me know at beginning of the quarter or as soon as possible.
Schedule: While this schedule reflects my plans for the quarter, I reserve the right to adapt the curriculum as needed. I will let you know if and when any changes occur.
Week 1: Oct. 2
Introduction of business practices
Review difference between commercial and retail photography
Discuss licensing for stock and assignment and work-for-hire contracts
Discuss jobs in photography but not as photographers
What it takes to be in business: licenses, insurance, online banking,
money accounting system like Quicken or Money
Establishing fees: using CODB, COGS and Personal needs
Discuss additional considerations: other photogs rates, stock prices for images
READ: Section 1: Chapters 1-4 Professional Business Practices
ASSIGNMENT: 1. Create CODB and target fee for assignments. Due Oct. 9
2. Corporate Portrait assignment part 1 due Oct. 16
Week 2: Oct. 9
CODB review
Resources for pricing information: Editorial Photographers, ASMP, sethresnick.com
Basic Business Forms: Estimate, change order, delivery memo, invoice, thank you
The importance of license (usage) agreements, scope of work and terms
Creating an estimate with scope of work, license (usage), creative fee, expenses and terms
READ: Chapter 5: Chapter 23-26
ASSIGNMENT: Estimate due Oct. 16. Will be reviewed in class.
Week 3: Oct. 16
Review of estimate
Sequence of a job and paperwork tracking
Licensing terms that apply to both stock and assignment
READ: Section 3: Chapters 12-13
ASSIGNMENT: Portrait Project Estimate with fee, usage, expenses (including markup) and terms due Oct. 23
Week 4: Oct. 23
Quiz on business forms
The importance of copyright and metadata
Online registration of copyright
Creating a web gallery: Lightroom makes it simple
READ: Section 2: Chapters 5-8, 11
ASSIGNMENT: Shoot corporate portrait and post online for client to select
Week 5: Oct. 30
Invoice and thank you note
Review web galleries in class
ASSIGNMENT: Final prints and web files due Nov. 6
Week 6: Nov. 6
Corporate Portrait Assignment due
Professional review 9:30-2:30 All students must be here the entire time
Week 7: Nov. 13
Business plan in depth
Handout business plan outline
ASSIGNMENT: Business Plan due Dec. 4
Week 8: Nov. 20
Business plan questions and further clarifications
Setting up your business accounts
Week 9: Dec. 4
Business plan presentations: Half in the morning, half in the afternoon. Presentation of 10 minutes each. Everyone must be here all day.
READ: Section 10: Chapters 50-52
Week 10: Dec. 11
Introduce the process of negotiation
Use Smithsonian as example of process
Use Nature Conservancy as example of waiting for them to quote first
Negotiation scenarios break into groups and practice
Quarter Review
Week 11: Goals review
Grading Standard:
The following grading standard is from Seattle Central. The final grade will be based on assignments (90%) and class participation (10%).
A 3.9 – 4.0 Excellent
A- 3.5 – 3.8
B+ 3.2 – 3.4
B 2.9 – 3.1 High
B- 2.5 – 2.8
C+ 2.2 – 2.4
C 1.9 – 2.2 Average
C- 1.5 – 1.8
D+ 1.2 – 1.4
D 0.9 – 1.1 Minimum
D- 0.7 – 0.8
E 0.0 – 0.6 No Pass
Grading criteria:
1.Each assignment will be graded on how well you follow the instructions and whether you complete the task.
2. Written assignments will be marked down for poor grammar and spelling errors.
3. The business plan and the presentation grades will be evaluated using real business considerations.
4. The more time and thought you put into your assignment will pay off.
5. The assignments are based on real business situations you will need to know in the future.
6. If you do not understand an assignment or need more help please schedule a meeting with me asap.
7. Assignments are to be turned in both digital and hard copy formats.
Assignments: Both digital and hard copies please!
Corporate Portrait Assignment due Nov. 6 40% of grade
Business Plan Assignment due Dec. 4
Written plan is 40% of grade
Presentation of plan is 10% of grade
Ten percent of the quarter’s grade will be based on class participation and quizzes.
Winter Quarter topics
Selling yourself and your photography
Marketing and promotion
Taxes
Insurance needs
Retirement planning
You will be required to have a state and city business license.
You will be required to join a professional organization like ASMP or PPA.
You will need the book “Selling 101” by Zig Ziglar