Are you a budding photographer about to sign your first job and feeling confused about how to negotiate your fees?
Or perhaps you’ve just been offered an exciting licensing deal or gallery representation, but you don’t have anyone to help you decipher the legalese in your T&Cs?
Maybe you’re just looking for ways to optimise your social media presence and convert your network into paid opportunities?
In this one-of-a-kind weekend-long event, hosted by LONDNR Magazine in partnership with The Photography Foundation and Photobook Café, we were able to help fellow artists brush up on all the ‘boring bits’ of being a professional.
Think workshops on everything from agency agreements, to copyright, to amplifying your brand through marketing… basically a full toolkit to make sure they’re being fairly compensated for your talent.
The weekend was split into a day dedicated to:
SATURDAY 9th: ‘Emerging’ professional level
SUNDAY 10th: ‘Early Stage & Aspiring’ professional level
Emerging Level Photographers and Image Makers
Saturday 9th September
The emerging level workshops were for:
Professionals who are ready for the next step in their career
Those looking for representation
People who want to know how to use the skills + success they already have to make more money
Information on how business works
The Talk Schedule
BECOME YOUR OWN IMAGE RIGHTS EXPERT
Time: 11:00am–12:30pm
Join this talk if you want to:
Get to grips with the legalities around licensing
Be confident about protecting your copyright
Understand the detail of how image rights & IP Law work
SPEAKER BIO:
Peter Adediran of PAIL® Solicitors is an experienced specialist photograph copyright lawyer specialising in using photographic images in media including online media.
Peter’s practice areas include modelling, TV, and video content branding law. His practice has involved all types of image copyright issues including defending and bringing claims in the courts and negotiating and drafting the best contractual terms for his clients.
Peter’s workshop plan will be based on his article on Photographic Images Copyright published in 2022.
AGENCY REPRESENTATION: WITH GERMAINE WALKER
Time: 1:40pm–3:00pm
Join this talk if you want to:
What a commercial advertising photographic agent looks for in a photographer
Get insights on self-promotion that will help you level up
How to market yourself to get client attention
SPEAKER BIO:
Germaine Walker is a small, female-led talent representation and production agency with a tightly curated roster of 7 award-winning, exceptional photographers & directors, handpicked for their unique creative vision and talent.
Founded by Germaine Walker more than 3 decades ago, the agency has become one of the most respected and experienced in the industry, discovering, supporting and representing world-class talent and working with agencies, brands and charities across the world. Building on Germaine’s deep experience, Morgan Evans now directs the agency with a new, progressive and bespoke approach.
HOW TO WORK WITH A PICTURE EDITOR
Time: 1:40pm–3:00pm
Join this talk if you want to:
Gain a 360 understanding of what a picture editor does and how they work with photographers
Get tips and insights that will make your project pitches irresistible to editors
Learn more about how to build up a documentary story, and develop an idea into a full blown piece of photojournalism
SPEAKER BIO:
Marta Montaña is a Spanish London-based freelance picture researcher working for the Wider Image desk, the home of Reuters’ in-depth visual storytelling.
Marta and her team work with photojournalists worldwide, directing, editing, and building documentary stories that highlight different issues and phenomena around the globe.
Interested in the sociological side of visual storytelling, she’s also a freelance photojournalist and documentary photographer highly focused on Spain’s and London’s political and social issues.
UNLOCK THE POWER OF SOCIAL MEDIA TO ELEVATE YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY CAREER
Time: 3:10pm–4:20pm
Join this talk if you want to:
Get comprehensive training designed exclusively for photographers & creatives
Learn the art of crafting captivating visual narratives & strategically leveraging platforms like Instagram, Tik Tok and Pinterest
Gain the skills to showcase your unique style and turn your passion into a thriving online presence
SPEAKER BIO:
Aubrey Brooks is a dedicated and skilled Data Analyst with a strong passion for delivering impactful and data-driven solutions within the realm of digital media and creative industries.
Throughout her professional journey, she has honed her expertise in developing community engagement strategies for both non-profit and profit-making organizations and individuals.
Her current role at Buttermilk focuses on leveraging strategic mindset and knack for fostering connections to create captivating and immersive data-driven strategy.
Early-Stage Photographers and Image Makers
Sunday 10th September
The early-stage workshops are for you if:
you’re just getting to grips with how photography and image-making can be a career,
you would like a strong legal / business introduction to make sure you don’t get taken advantage of in your first jobs,
you’d like to be aware of the pros and cons of the industry – and how to benefit from or avoid them,
you’re still a student, hobbyist, just aspiring, or a content creator
Talk Schedule
(please note there are two events running at the same time for some of the slots, so be careful not to double book)
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: AN INTRO TO CONTRACTS, LICENSING & IP LAW
Time: 11:00am–12:30pm
Join this talk if you want to:
Learn what to look out for in contract agreements so you don’t get taken advantage of
Get a strong intro to copyright, licensing, and IP law
Know your basic rights as image-makers!
SPEAKER BIO:
Alexia Ogden is a multi-lingual lawyer, qualified in England and Wales. Alexia provides commercial and regulatory advice in relation to all areas of art, culture and heritage.
Alexia advises on artist/gallery agreements, commissions and loans/exhibitions, IP, as well as sale and purchase agreements. She also advises on regulatory issues in the art market including consumer rights, data protection and anti-money laundering obligations.
Alexia is Canvas’s expert in digital art and Art & Tech, having led multiple NFT projects with tech founders, advised digital artists and supported collectors in navigating digital art acquisitions and commissions.
WHAT’S BEING FREELANCE IN THE CREATIVE INDUSTRY REALLY LIKE?
A conversation with Mathushaa Sagthidas
Time: 1:30pm–2:30pm
Join this talk if you want to:
Participate in an open, non-judgemental and friendly chat with Mathushaa, and hear her experiences in the industry
Get her top tips and hot takes for getting ahead
Discuss diversity, how to find work, and getting noticed
SPEAKER BIO:
Mathushaa Sagthidas is a London based freelance photographer, stylist, set designer and art director (studied at Camberwell College of Arts, UAL) with interest in fine art and contemporary fashion.
Identity, authenticity and representation are important to her because of her parents’ upbringing and experiences during the Sri Lankan civil war.
Her photography work spans a range of brands including: Amazon, Fashion United, Deezer and Bloomsbury; publications such as Creative Lives, Glass Magazine, The Photographer’s Gallery, gal-dem, Hypebae, Fashion Minority Report, THIIIRD Magazine, Campaign Live, Dishoom, It’s Nice That, The British Library and exhibitions such as Tate Britain, PhotoFusion, Rankin x Maryland Studio, including billboards across the UK and a solo show with Bow Arts.
GET CONFIDENT USING INSTAGRAM & TIKTOK FOR YOUR CAREER
Time: 1:30pm–2:30pm
Join this talk if you want to:
Harness the power of Instagram & Tik Tok for a long-term career
Find out what it takes to create a successful social media strategy
Gain insights into audience building and business development
SPEAKER BIO:
Chris Chin is a content creator and digital agency owner currently based in London, originally from the U.S.
His personal profiles (insta & tik tok: @SeptemberMondays) have over 170k+ followers combined.
He’s created content for brands such as Nike and PUMA, and his digital agency, Polished Agency, has helped small businesses across the U.S grow their social media presence through content creation, strategy, and consultation.
OPTIMISING LINKEDIN FOR WORK & CONNECTIONS
Time: 2:30pm–3:30pm
Join this talk if you want to:
Understand Linkedin better, so you can find paid work and stand out
Learn new tips and tools to get the best results
Build your network and connect more effectively by optimising your profile
SPEAKER BIO:
Elinor Honigstein has spent the past decade building communities and strategic partnerships in the private, public and social sectors.
She works at LinkedIn’s Business Development, responsible for building strategic partnerships to increase member value.
Elinor is on LinkedIn’s Social Impact Board where she delivers workshops and 1:1 mentoring on how to build our professional brand on LinkedIn.
Passionate about the intersection of technology and gender diversity she acts as a facilitator of Google’s #IamRemarkable initiative, training over 400 women on how to promote themselves effectively.
GALLERY REPRESENTATION: HOW DOES IT WORK?
Time: 2:30pm–3:30pm
Join this talk if you want to:
Understand the right time to seek out gallery representation, and what it involves
Learn how to catch the curator’s eye
Know what to expect from a gallery when you’re planning a show
SPEAKER BIO:
Sofia is the co-founder of the London based art gallery Doyle Wham, which was founded in October 2020 with an itinerant programme of physical and digital exhibitions.
Doyle Wham launched its first permanent location in Shoreditch, London, in February 2022. The focus of the exhibition programme is photography by both emerging and established from Africa and across the African diaspora.