30 Day Portfolio Slam

TABLETOP AND FOOD PORTFOLIO

The goal of this workshop is to build a portfolio and develop a frame for doing it again or at scale. The process and system are definable, and they can be used again and again to develop a portfolio, book, project, or presentation. We will be focusing on tabletop, food, and small product.

We start Saturday, September 2, 2023.
Five live meetings, one per week.

Meeting times are Saturdays, 9 am, Pacific Time

If you want to grow in your career or start a career as a photographer, nothing is more valuable, than having a mentor and a community to draw inspiration, feedback and challenge you to do better, grow bigger and pursue your photo dreams. I love being assigned random subjects for photos, that I would never normally pursue on my own. Seeing what my fellow mentees come up with, in our weekly video chats, is so much fun. Not only do I get to learn from my work being critiqued, but I get to learn from the critiques of others. We are 15 weeks in and the experience has been invaluable!
Thanks Don!

Jessieana Lake Photography

Jessiena Lake

Owner, Jessiana Lake Photography

Doug Adams Testimonial

“Frankly, I don’t write references very often, not because I don’t want to but typically I’m underwhelmed or in some cases just disappointed by the service.

Don is not one of those individuals that will disappoint you.

Don’s no-nonsense approach to commercial photography may not be in line with the group hug therapy crowd, they’re not making any money either. If you’re looking for someone to help you make it in commercial photography, how to find clients, effectively produce the project, and all-around make you a better photographer Don is that guy.

His agency background and shooting experience provide a unique set of skills to tap into, he’s not going to tell you pie in sky stories like you’ll be shooting for Dior next week, his approach is realistic, attainable, and refreshing. If you think because you can push the button that you’re ready for commercial clients, your about to get an eye-opener. One last thing he’s a really nice guy.”

Doug Adams

Owner, Doug Adams Studio

Daniel Sigg Testimonial

“I learned about Don through his tabletop product photography class on CreativeLive (highly recommended by the way!). I immediately loved his style, his tremendous knowledge, his approach, which included his strong emphasis on lighting and particularly “subject-centric lighting” (his term), his strong sense for design (yes, he’s a designer as well), and his tremendous knowledge and experience on the business side of photography as both a photographer and a previous owner of a large ad agency.

I was looking for a mentor who can assist me with my launch in commercial photography and found that in Don: Don assisted me in helping me develop a professional product / still life portfolio, while sharpening my lighting as well my editing / retouching skills, and my overall creative vision and aesthetic; Don designed and developed my web page and marketing materials (including logo). Don’s knowledge, and experience in both the technical aspects of commercial photography, but importantly also the marketing/business side have been invaluable to me.”

Daniel Sigg

Owner, Daniel Sigg Photography

Judy Doherty Testimonial

I love Don’s workshops! They took my photography way past the “next level”! Each class is designed to bring you an awareness of style and standards for commercial photography. But you spend a lot of time learning and doing and then seeing everyone else’s work and hearing the questions. I learned so so much. Highly recommend! I want more!

Judy Doherty

CEO, Chef, Photographer, Judy Doherty Photography

Bret Doss Testimonial

Don is a natural-born mentor — it’s in his DNA. His style is persistently positive, honest & fair, and the value of critique sessions with him cannot be overstated. Don teaches real-world methods of successful commercial photography, from image-making to finding and keeping clients. If you want to get better at everything you need to know to be a successful commercial photographer, look no further: you’ve found the right teacher.

— Bret Doss

Don offers easy to understand, actionable steps you can implement with resources available to you right now. This works without having to wade through tons of fluff, and my photography business continues to grow because of it.

— James Eisele

James Eisele

Owner, James Eisele Photography

Think, Imagine, Create, Show

The goal of this workshop is to build a portfolio and develop a system for doing it again or at scale. The process and system are definable, and they can be used again and again to develop a portfolio, book, project, or presentation.

What are we talking about when we use “portfolio” for this course?

A portfolio is a curated set of images that show the photographer’s style and aesthetic vision within a defined set of images.

We are not using the term to describe all of the photographer’s work, but one section of it.

Think of a tab on your website. Or a small project or book. This is our target.

01

Plan your Portfolio

02

Create a Smooth Production

03

Polish the Work for Presentation

OnLine Consultations

Four Live Calls

In addition to the video tutorials, written materials, and templates, there are four live ZOOM calls for discussion, questions, clarification, and making sure you are on the right path. We also want to motivate you and keep you focused on the end product – a new portfolio.



Plan Production

What do you need.
Acquisition of tools, props, or access
Working with sketches.
Planning the shoot



Initial Shoot Proofs

Working with an image on set.
Creating more than one great shot per session.
Finding your voice as you shoot.
Maximizing your output.



Checking In

Sharing project picks
Editing the shoot.
Filling in the gaps
Peer and instructor feedback



The Presentation

Review of images (24 minimum, 32 maximum)
Discuss reshoots if necessary
Find the aesthetic that ties the work together
Discuss image flow.
What to do next.

An Opportunity to Make Something Powerful

This class is for those of you who want to build out something finished in a short amount of time. And then use what you have learned to do it again. And again.

I am limiting the class to 10 participants.

There are four live shows with you in attendance.

They will be recorded for your easy retrieval.

Also included are five video lessons, templates, examples, and industry best practices.
We will be in touch through live video and either a Facebook or LinkedIn group – TBD.

I am looking forward to what you come up with and seeing a lot of wonderfully creative work.

Each week you will have access to new videos, written materials, inspirational links, ideas, and helpful info to keep you focused and on track.

These classes will be accompanied by a weekly live show on Zoom for the workshop attendees to meet each other and get valuable peer review.