Understanding the business side of photography is vital for success.
By R. Eguia
sac-ranger@alamo.edu
Freelance photographer Mark Greenburg will speak to the Photography Club about freelance photography at 6 p.m. Thursday in Room 100 of Loftin Student Center.
Greenburg has been published in The Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, ESPN, National Geographic and San Antonio Magazine. He is also the former president of the Austin-San Antonio chapter of the American Society of Media Photographers.
ASMP is a unique association that focuses on helping photographers with start-up businesses. Greenburg said photographers benefit from joining trade associations like ASMP by learning skills from other photographers they meet.
In the meeting, Greenburg will discuss contracts, marketing and pricing, which will provide a quick introduction to what goes on in a freelance business.
“Many people have this idea of photography being glamorous, and it is so far from that,” he said. “Taking pictures is a small part of what I do; more of it (his job) has to do with the backend business things.”
Photography lab technician Mark Magavern said photography is competitive and a photographer’s portfolio will determine if the photographer gets a job. He said freelance work is all about, “selling yourself and being a good business person.”
Magavern encourages students to attend the meeting prepared to ask questions concerning photography as a business.
Students do not have to be enrolled in photography courses to attend. Students are encouraged to arrive early, as the meeting will only last about 30 minutes.
