The Art and Business of Photography (https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/uwt/pdc/art-business-of-photography) master class offered through the UW-Tacoma approaches the idea of photographic business success as personal, doable and requiring focused hard work.

My love affair with taking pictures started seriously in my twenties. I had no concept that I could earn a living from my photography.

In the mid 70s, I was on a path to becoming a psychologist. In the US Army during Vietnam, I was assigned to a hospital’s psychiatric ward as a “social work specialist” which for all intents and purposes meant a therapist for the patients.

After my two year stint, I moved to Seattle to earn my PhD in Psychology and start a career of counseling. Once in the program, I discovered it wasn’t a good match. Visiting New Orleans on a spring break I met a guy from Rochester, NY who was getting a degree in “Bio-medical” photography. I loved working in a hospital and combining that with photography seemed a perfect fit.

He mentioned he thought there might be a school near Seattle. It turned out to be in Bellevue, WA, a stone’s throw from Seattle. I returned and immediately applied. Three weeks later I was accepted. Dropping out of the UW, I began my studies in Bio-Med.

My first job as a professional bio-medical photographer was as supervisor for the U of Alabama’s medical photography department. Missing the NW, I was fortunate to land a bio-medical photography job at Madigan Military Hospital in Tacoma, WA. Then a short bounce and change of jobs landed me back in Seattle. I was hired by the UW as their chief campus photographer. Bio-med was left behind for a broader undertaking of “university photographer”.

In 1980 I returned to Seattle. By 1982, I was itching to expand my work to start a part-time commercial photography business.

Wanting to start my own full time business but with zero understanding of “how,” I began to explore while working at the UW. After six years as chief staff photographer, I went part time in order to establish my business presence. In the mid-80’s I joined the ASMP (the American Society of Media Photographers) to learn about the “business of photography”. I didn’t know a graphic designer from an art director. Or an “annual report” from a “kids report card.” Among many, two important questions then, as now: “How to find clients?”, “What to charge?”

Concurrent to my ASMP experience I took a long series of business classes: sales, bookkeeping, estimating, collecting, presentation. Often these classes were offered by BBB, SBA or the UW extension and had nothing to do with photography and everything to do with running a successful small business. On a whole they were very helpful. In the late 80’s and early 90’s, after being president of the local ASMP chapter, I volunteered to be the regional coordinator for a new business series from ASMP national called “Strictly Business”. It was then I began to add business workshop to my blooming teaching schedule.

Personally I see myself as an artist very skilled in the business of photography. I have many hats to wear. At times it’s difficult to remember which one to slip on. I rarely if ever speak only one language or wear only one hat.

The early years of my business concentrated on corporate, editorial and advertising photography. Then, from around 2000 until 2017, my two primary focuses were commissioned portraits and my creative work. In the 2000s I was invited to attend as a guest and lecturer a masters workshop for In Person Sales. A week long focus on the business of photography and in particular selling to clients. What I discovered hiring me for my portrait services was money well invested. During the portrait sessions, I provide a unique experience for my clients. Afterwards, I provide my clients with photographs of enduring quality that draw on decades of photographic experience.

I have studied and succeeded with difficulties of starting and maintaining a business. When people ask "what have sort of photography do I do, I jokingly comment, “I’ve done every type of photography but underwater.”

Over my career, I have taught, lectured and supported many NW photography institutes. To name a few ASMP/NW, The Photographic Center Northwest, Art Institutes photo degree program, Seattle Central’s Professional Photography program, and the UW’s Continuum College.

This is the background I bring to you. The Art and Business of Photography master class offered through the UW-Tacoma approaches the idea of photographic business success by covering three areas. The three “Cs”: Confidence, Creativity and Commerce. These three broad areas are the cornerstones to a financially successful photography business.

Check it out here: https://www.tacoma.uw.edu/uwt/pdc/art-business-of-photography

If this resonates with you, join us this Fall.

I look forward to seeing you. Questions? Please reach out.