RedEye

It is a not for profit organisation run by photographers.

What do we do?

·        The broad picture of photography

·        Networking and advice

·        Information and opportunities

·        Talks, portfolio reviews ad surgeries, seminars, workshops

·        Hothouse. Short take about project they (photographer) are doing.

·        Big projects: Lightbox (people who just graduated and interested in exhibitions.) national photography symposium, look festival 

·        Volunteer, contribute (3 to 6 new volunteers per year; helping events and working on projects – evenings, weekends and daytimes; blogging and writing; selection process; career benefits.

·        Ethics and good practice

·        Membership (A Redeye membership offers opportunities designed to help you advance your photography and your career. It's aimed at anyone who is serious about photography, whether or not you are a full time or part time photographer, artist, collector, lecturer, tutor, gallery owner or curator).

Membership features:

·        A showcase for your work, with your own page on Redeye's website

·        Savings – substantial discounts on most Redeye activities, and on a range of other activities and services

·        Access to commissions and other work opportunities distributed exclusively to members

·        Information – member-only content including essential support for career development

·        Involvement – members get priority access to all Redeye services, can attend the AGM and focus groups to have a say in how the network is run.

Working in photography

What level will your photography reach?

·        Aspiring photographer

·        Professional

·        The great photographer

Professional basics:

·        Respond promptly

·        Listen carefully to what a client needs and expects

·        Respond thoughtfully and creatively to a brief within the clients constraints

·        Are personable and polite

·        Deliver what you agreed before the deadline

To get work and build your career:

·        Deliver consistently, good work, exceeding expectations

·        Are aware of who is doing what in photography and where you fit

·        Are continuously progressive (testing your work all the time. Do something every day.)

·        A standout, compelling body work

·        Understand your business and start to explore your business model

The great photographer

·        Interests, knowledge and research – the photographic economy, and the world

·        Marketing;  talking and writing

·        A strong voice or style

·        Personality – building relationships with clients, buyers and curators

·        The work ethic and good business

·        Long term commitment; motivation

·        Craft and ideas - work that gels, resonates, reflects and surprises

·         

Overview of the photography market

·        Photo businesses halved in 10 years

·        Royalties down 80 % 2005-11; more now

·        Staff photographers declining

·        Internships/ unpaid work increasing

·        Well-run businesses mostly fine

·        Photographers retaining copyright earn 33 % more

·        Fine art print prices, particularly vintage, increased over 30 years

·        Cross-boundary work increasing

·        It was not just a recession

Market overview: ways of working

·        Staff / employee

·        Commercial and advertising (1 income)

·        Social / High street(2 income)

·        Editorial (2 reputation)

·        Personal / “auteur” (3 reputation)

·        Projects ( 1 reputation)

·        Assisting / production

·        Education (3 income)

·        Stock / library photography

 

Business essentials

·        Employed v freelance

·        You and your business

·        Get some business help

·        What is your USP?>

·        Increasingly, a menu of projects with collaboration

·        Ethics: growth or sustainability

Innovative photography business models

(Film “under fire”)

·        Karen Mcbride (music photographer)

·        Andy Sewell (book)

·        Rob Hornstra (A paradise Lost)

·        Stephen Gill (book: Coexistence)

·        Esther Teichmann

·        Christian Payne

·        Liz Hingley

·        Daniel Meadows (Photobus)

·        Susan Meiselas

·        Chromasia.com

·        The caravan gallery

·        Arnold Daniel (instagram)

Working together

·        Cross critique

·        Mutual support

·        Ideas

·        Work creation

·        Project delivery

·        Distribution

·        Broomberg and Chanarin

·        Document of Scotland ( 4 core members, weekly skype meetings)

·        RCA alumni peer group

·        POC (Piece of Cake collective)