Create Powerful Photo Essays & Personal Projects

The most powerful way to establish your voice and distinguish yourself as a photographer is to conceptualize and shoot a photo essay. Photo essays are compelling, dynamic, vivid mission statements of your work — every photographer should have a working knowledge of this narrative art form. Join David Wells to learn how to create a captivating photo essay from start to finish.

This course shatters the myth that photo essays are only for photojournalists; you’ll learn how all photographers can use photo essays to tell the story of any subject, in any style. You’ll learn how to present your unique point of view and communicate a coherent aesthetic through a compelling photographic essay. You’ll build strategies for tackling the complex task of assembling, editing and presenting a large photo project that speaks to its viewers. You’ll also learn about the techniques that are essential for keeping yourself inspired and organized while maintaining an effective workflow.

By the end of this course, you’ll have the skills it takes to stand out in a crowded marketplace and create a compelling project that showcases your skills, communicates your style, and helps others understand your personality, passion, and talents.

• Class Introduction
• Pivotal Essays
• Redefining the Client and Other Pivotal Projects
• Career Path Part 1
• Career Path Part 2
• Defining Your Skillset
• Seeding the Project
• Mirrors and Windows
• Creativity Quotes and Ideas
• The Evolution of Foreclosed Dreams Part 1
• The Evolution of Foreclosed Dreams Part 2
• How to Write a Project Proposal
• Color vs Black and White Formats
• Linear vs Portfolio and Choke Points
• Student Proposals
• Analyzing Photographs
• Experiment to Define Format
• Editing Exercise
• Grants and Funding Part 1
• Grants and Funding Part 2
• Mechanics of Developing Your Project Part 1
• Mechanics of Developing Your Project Part 2
• Elevator Pitch
• Executing Your Project
• Gear
• Shooting Approach
• Shooting Q&A
• Instant Editing and Time Use
• Editing Exercise with Students
• Workflow Part 1
• Workflow Part 2
• Organization and Model Releases
• Reinvention as a Career Path
• Online Resources and Closing Thoughts
• Final Q&A and Feedback