GROUP DISCUSSIONS 2022
The Bridge is a mentorship program for emerging photographers, combining real world experience with group discussions and in-person mentorship.
We are seeking working artists and creatives, as well as other professionals essential to the photography industry, to be guests and join our real-work group discussions with students of The Bridge.
If you’d like to mark your interest / availability for any or all discussion, please indicate on this form. We may not be able to include everyone interested in each particular date, so please indicate any available dates on your schedule.
Discussions are scheduled for 3:30 - 5:00 pm, on Mondays or Thursdays, and most of them are on Zoom. For an outline of discussion topics please read on below.
Discussion Topics
Mon July 18: Class 3 - Working With Clients
LOCATION: ZOOM
GUEST DISCUSSION: 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Discussion Topics:
Who are Clients? Where can I find them?
Your Needs / Client Needs
Developing effective communication
Negotiation and compromise
Resolving Creative differences
Evaluations of Success
Thu July 21: Class 4 - Expression, Communication, Audience
LOCATION: IN-PERSON NYC
GUEST DISCUSSION: 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Discussion Topics:
Understanding audience. Defining audiences.
Who are you making your work for?
Expression vs Communication
Target audiences / clients
Different worlds - Different needs - Different genres
Impact of Demographics: Is this an accurate reading of an audience?
Mon Aug 1: Class 7 - Evolving Creative Practices
LOCATION: ZOOM
GUEST DISCUSSION: 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Discussion Topics:
What is your Creative Process?
How did that process become practice?
Who or what inspires you? How do you respond to inspiration?
Evolution of an idea
Challenges and pitfalls
Developing a unique Creative Point Of View
Thu Aug 4: Class 8 - An Inside Look at Studio Work
LOCATION: Available Work Locations
TIME: 2:00 - 6:00 pm
This session we will bring our students to artist studios, local businesses and creative environments that serve the Industry. If you can host our class in Manhattan/Brooklyn for about 45 min between the hours of 2:00 - 6:00 pm on The Aug 4, please indicate your availability above
These studio visits are designed to expose students to real working environments
Ideally the proprietor or a representative for the work studio can introduce the students to what kind of work is being done there, and have time for some questions.
We will be traveling with a party of up to 16.
Our visit will last about 45 minutes in each location.
Mon Aug 8: Class 9 - Gaining Visibility in the Attention Economy
LOCATION: ZOOM
GUEST DISCUSSION: 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Discussion Topics:
What are your goals?
What is the value/cost of attention?
How can we make money, create sustainability, in an Attention economy
How do we make healthy choices with regards to Visibility and online media?
What does success mean to you?
The Past and Future of Sharing - Social media and beyond
Leveraging platforms and building an audience
Are you a Brand?
How to be aware and protect yourself
Mon Aug 15: Class 11 - Protect Yourself, Protect Your Work
LOCATION: Zoom
GUEST DISCUSSION: 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Brand maintenance
Industry “Standards” and how to navigate them
Defining your Boundaries
Insurance and liability
Copyright
IP and Legal Protections
Contracts
Enforcement
Thu Aug 18: Class 12 - Protect Your Wallet
LOCATION: In Person
GUEST DISCUSSION: 3:30 - 5:00 pm
Negotiating Rates, Usage, Rights, etc
Insurance and liability
Business plans, cost of doing business, budgeting
Agreements, model releases, Invoicing, using simple means? Starter Kits? Business in a box
When things go wrong how do photographers deal with it, learn from it, etc
Not paying, late payment, late fees,
Conflict from agreements and misunderstandings
Unclear language or expectations
Communication mindset and strategies
For more information about this program, contact us!
