Welcome To
The Premier Workshop For Freelance Photographers
Founded in 2013 by Todd Bigelow, the course has been hosted by universities & professional organizations nationwide.
About The Workshop
Open To The Public, The Workshop Has Been Hosted By The Following Professional Organizations & Universities
I've proudly worked in collaboration with the following universities, colleges and professional photography associations nationwide:
- UCLA: As the base for the workshop, UCLA has hosted the course twenty times.
- National Press Photographers Association's (NPPA) Northern Short Course (three times)
- American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) Oregon (twice)
- American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) San Diego
- American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) Atlanta/Southeast
- American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP) New Orleans
- Press Photographers Association of Greater Los Angeles (PPAGLA)
- Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar
- FotoFusion
- San Francisco State University (twice)
- University of Arizona
- San Diego State University
- Otis College of Art/Design
- Brooks Institute
- Pierce College
- Sierra College
- California Center For The Digital Arts
Who Should Attend?
This business minded photography workshop is open to the public & geared toward photographers with an interest in a career producing images for various media outlets, nonprofits, foundations and corporations. Open to the public, it provides practical, timely advice and information addressing the many business issues that freelancers must contend with on a daily basis and provides you with knowledge to help you manage your freelance career. I have a strong desire to maintain small classes to maximize discussion time over traditional lecture time. From my experiences in the classroom, a smaller learning environment facilitates better teacher/student interaction.
There is no disputing that the evolution of the profession has resulted in a fundamental shift in employment standards in this country. In years past, photographers emerging with newly minted degrees, or veteran photographers merely wishing to change locations, could readily find employment as staff photographers at any number of newspapers, wire services or non-profits and concentrate almost entirely on creating strong images. That is no longer the case. According to data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the vast majority of photographers will forge their way as freelancers without the safety net of a guaranteed paycheck. As a result, a strong foundation in skills that go far beyond just creating striking photographs are required if photographers wish to financially sustain themselves.
As I see it, your skill set as a photographer will be instrumental in gaining clients, but your business skills will keep you in business for the long run.
Why You Should Attend
- I have nearly thirty years of freelance work for national and international publications, corporations, non profits and foundations. My experience serves as the foundation for the course.
- I created this seminar in 2013 and have grown it into a nationally recognized seminar hosted by major universities and leading photography organizations nationwide. UCLA serves as the Los Angeles based home for the course and they’ve held it nearly twenty times. Others include NPPA, ASMP, San Francisco State, University of Arizona, Brooks Institute of Photography & San Diego State.
- I know how important retaining exclusive control of your images is to surviving long term in the freelance field because I’ve advocated for retaining all rights from day one. There’s assignment work available without signing away image rights, but it's vital that freelancers understand the short and long term implications of signing Work For Hire agreements.
- I provide real, practical and timely information derived from my own experiences. This includes real photo contracts provided by publications, corporations and non-profits as well as real licensing contracts, infringement situations and more. In other words, this is not a course designed with vague references to what you will encounter; it's real.
- You will leave with a true perspective on the business skills necessary for a freelance career.
“Over the course of a weekend, every confusing thing about copyright laws, licensing images, contracts, creating quotes and operating as an independent contractor has been demystified. I finally understand the steps I need to take to build my business, and it no longer feels overwhelming."
Courtnay Robbins, Workshop Student
