The Editorial Portrait: Production Process from Start to Finish

It’s rare to get a behind-the-scenes view at the world of editorial and commercial portrait photography. On Saturday, October 22, contemporary portraitist Celeste Sloman takes you on a deep dive into her world. She demystifies the ever-changing professional world she lives in every day, lending insights on all aspects of her career, offering practical takeaways, and importantly a greater understanding of the realities of working in the industry.

Celeste offers her perspectives on the importance of pitching, preproduction, working with an agent, getting a team together, choosing lighting, the actual execution of the shoot, and post-production. She answers your questions, and discusses topics to include but not limited to:

Getting the Job: Breaking into the photo industry; getting your work in front of prospective clients; building your website, portfolio, and social media presence; client relationships; choosing an agent, and knowing the right time to do so.

Prepping the Job: Estimating editorial jobs; contracts, pre-production and working with a producer; organizing the shoot, hiring assistants, renting a studio, creative meetings with clients; renting vs. owning equipment; building shot-lists and lighting diagrams; and location scouting.

Shooting and finishing the job: Creatively shooting stills and video to fulfill the client’s assignment and beyond; custom printing and retouching; editing, delivery of images; and billing practices.

More Things You Need to Know: The importance of personal work; editorial work that leads to commercial assignments; creating a healthy work/life balance; and keeping the passion and creative spark alive in your photography.

Join our SFW community for this engaging, thought-provoking, informative, and fun program with Celeste. In doing so, get ready to leap forward in your photo career or simply learn more about how to create compelling portraits at a high professional level. Even if you can’t make this live program, a recording of it will be available for two weeks for all those registered.