Staying Relevant and Working in Photography Today

Sep 132015

archive : 2015

Staying Relevant and Working in Photography Today

How do freelance photographers continue to make a living in the industry? What conscious professional and business choices did they make and why?

Presenters: Katja Heinemann Amanda Jasnowski Stephen Mayes Amy Wolff

Moderators: James Wellford

Location: Brooklyn Bridge Park – Emily Warren Roebling Plaza

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How do freelance photographers continue to make a living in the industry? What conscious professional and business choices did they make and why? What models and approaches are antiquated? How do independent photographers continue to explore relevant topics in unique, innovative formats? When and how does an editorial photographer move successfully into fine art or commercial work? In a frank discussion among photographers, editors and industry professionals, we will explore these ideas and many more.

Presenter Bios

Katja Heinemann

Katja Heinemann is a Brooklyn-based German photojournalist and documentary photographer who regularly produces multi-media features, photo essays and portraiture for editorial, commercial and institutional clients in the U.S. and abroad. She is represented by Novus Select photo agency in New York City, and laif Agentur für Photos und Reportagen in Germany.

Katja’s personal work focuses on topics such as illness and stigma, youth culture and immigration. Her new media documentaries on HIV/AIDS, On Borrowed Time, about the lives of children and teenagers in the U.S., and The Graying of AIDS on the global aging of the pandemic, illustrate how a personal body of work can grow from an editorial concept into an advocacy and educational tool, utilizing various platforms and media to have maximum impact in reaching diverse audiences. She is currently working on a new long-term body of work chronicling the aftermath of the 1993 Golden Venture human smuggling ship disaster.
Amanda Jasnowski

Spanish born Ohio raised, Amanda Jasnowski is a photographer based in Brooklyn, NY. She works primarily with photography but her practice extends into other mediums such as sculpture and video. She has exhibited work in New York, London and Los Angeles.
Stephen Mayes

Stephen Mayes is a strategist working with institutions and individuals to develop effective visual communications in a fast changing media environment. With broad experience at top levels of the photographic industry my practice embraces all aspects of creative management including project design, execution, distribution strategies and business structures. My perspective is informed by a rich mix of experience in the fields of photojournalism, fashion, commercial and art photography.
Amy Wolff

Amy Wolff is the Director of Photography at Hearst Enthusiast Group, overseeing both print and digital content for Runner’s World and Bicycling. She is also the co-founder and art consultant of CoEdit Collection, co-producer of Inspired Live, and serves as a volunteer mentor for students at NYC SALT.

Moderator Bios

James Wellford

James Wellford was a senior photo editor at Newsweek magazine. He has collaborated on a number of award-winning projects recognized by World Press Photo, the Overseas Press Club, and at the Visa Pour L’Image. Additionally, he has curated a number of exhibitions including Projections of Reality (Moscow), Darkness Visible, Afghanistan by Seamus Murphy (VII Gallery, New York City), and is a co-founder of the group SeenUnseen, a series of programs that explores in-depth visual stories addressing controversial political issues. Wellford teaches at the International Center of Photography in New York.