Southeast Missouri State University
Department: Industrial and Engineering Technology
Title of Course: Practices in Commercial Photography
Course No: PG325
Revision: New
I. Catalog Description and Credit Hours of Course: Study of principles and
practices in commercial photography. Topics include photography copyrights laws,
metadata, photographers insurance, estimating, bidding, contracting, fee negotiation, and
invoicing practices. Additional topics include licensing agreements, model releases and
general protocol and ethics in commercial photography. 3 Credit Hours (2 Hours Lecture
and 2 Hours Lab)
II. Prerequisite(s): GM286 Commercial Studio Photography
III. Purposes and Objectives of the course:
Upon completion of this course, the student should be able to:
1. Understand digital asset management and rights under the U.S. Copyright Act
2. Register photographic images with the U.S. Copyright Office.
3. Self-promote and marketing work to prospective employers.
4. Understand various levels of usage rights, licensing and a client “buy out” in
Commercial Photography.
5. Bidding and estimating photography jobs.
6. Develop price-negotiating skills with clients for Photography jobs.
7. Issue appropriate contracts and model releases for photography jobs
8. Invoice photography jobs.
9. Understand insurance and special coverage for photographers
10. Analyze and judge case studies dealing with copyright ownership and usage in
commercial photography.
11. Relate and communicate effectively with clients.
IV. Expectations of Students:
A. Complete all assignments on time. Late assignments will not be accepted.
B. Class participation and attendance are mandatory as there will be in-class debates
and case studies
C. Students are expected to conduct necessary research to fulfill classroom assignments
D. Take notes from reading in textbooks and classroom lectures.
E. Use professionalism when dealing with faculty, staff and students.
V. Course Content or Outline
1.
2.
Introduction
1
The Market and Self-Promotion
3
Hours
3.
Assignment Photography versus Stock Photography
3
4.
Estimate: Bidding, pricing and estimating photography jobs
4
5.
Protecting your work: Copyright Law
4
6.
The Photographic Licensing Model
4
7.
Contracts and model releases for commercial photography
4
8.
Planning for Production and Expenses
4
9.
The Art of Negotiating Prices for Photography Jobs
4
10. Handling Infringement and Breach of Contract
11. The Client Photographer Relationship
12. Archiving and Digital Asset Management
13. Ethical issues in Photography
14. Role-playing: photographer and client
15. Case Studies and Debates
4
4
6
3
4
8
VI. Textbook(s) and/or Other Required Materials or Equipment
Best Business Practices for Photographers Second Edition, 2009, by John Harrington,
Course Technology PTR, ISBN: 1435454294
VII. Basis for Student Evaluation
A. Debates on Case Studies
B. Quizzes
C. Midterm
D. Research project
F. Final
30%
10%
20%
20%
20%
VIII. Grading Scale:
A =100 – 90%
B = 89 – 80%
C = 79 – 70%
D = 69 – 60%
F = Below 60%
IX.
Academic Policy Statement:
Students will be expected to abide by the University Policy for Academic Honesty
regarding plagiarism and academic honesty. Refer
to:http://www6.semo.edu/judaffairs/code.html
X.
Student with Disabilities Statement:
If a student has a special need addressed by the Americans with Disabilities Act
(ADA) and requires materials in an alternative format, please notify the instructor
at the beginning of the course. Reasonable efforts will be made to accommodate
special needs.