“Assuming you need to generate income from photography, the big challenge is balancing your business – finding a way to earn from the work you want to do and build your quality and reputation in a time of constant change.”
Paul Herrmann, director of the photography network Redeye, is discussing some of the broader concerns for photographers in a drastically changed economy, as he gears up for the sixth edition of the UK’s most important forum on photography, The National Photography Symposium. “Many photographers, even the most successful ones, have needed to reinvent or reposition themselves, subtly or dramatically, in the past decade.”
Organised by Redeye and this year taking place at the new Library of Birmingham from 12-14 June, the symposium aims to equip photographers with knowledge of the latest developments and take the lead in exploring issues pertinent to those working in the field. Delivered in collaboration with GRAIN, the photography hub and network for the West Midlands, this year’s edition looks at the idea of ‘integrity’ in relation to photography. Across the three days this will be addressed in a programme of talks, debates, discussions and seminars.
“Integrity needs to be a cornerstone of photographers’ business models,” explains Herrmann. “Photographers, particularly those just starting up, are finding it increasingly difficult to navigate the flood of opportunities – competitions, showcasing websites, agencies, courses and more. Many of these are set up with good intentions, but there are certainly a few sharks who take the opportunity to extract value from photographers in an underhand way.”
Blatant offenders in this respect, says Herrmann, are copyright-grabbing photography ‘competitions’. “Luckily there’s the great Artists’ Bill of Rights website drawing attention to the worst cases, and photographers’ associations are coming together under the British Photographic Council umbrella to make the case for photographers to be considered when new laws are drafted.” He is also a strong supporter of a-n’s Paying Artists campaign for exhibition fees.
Creating new value for photographers’ work
One of the symposium’s main sessions looks at what’s on offer for students and emerging photographers, and which of the many portfolio reviews, open submissions and online services are worth signing up for – and, crucially, who benefits from them. Speakers include Jon Levy, Foto8; Richard West, Source; David Drake, Ffotogallery; and Nathan Tromans, Birmingham City University. There will be two keynote talks from curator Val Williams and photographer Simon Roberts.
The event will also explore new kinds of business models and collaborations that allow photographers to retain creative integrity, as well as the opportunities and constraints of ethical practice and environmental sustainability. Those contributing do this discussion include Stephen Mayes, visual communication strategist; Fiona Rogers, cultural and education manager for Magnum London and founder of Firecracker; and Jonathan Shaw, Centre for Disruptive Media.
Herrmann explains that discussions take a lead from Stephen Mayes’ assertion that photographers need to redefine their product to create new value for their work – and that integrity is one valuable attribute among many.
“I would say it’s one of the most valuable,” says Herrmann. “Certainly in areas such as news, photojournalism and visual storytelling, where truthfulness is central; but also in commercial photography more generally, where customers are increasingly knowledgeable and well-informed, where content marketing replaces advertising, and corporate social responsibility is becoming essential.”
The National Photography Symposium takes place at the Library of Birmingham, 12-14 June. redeye.org.uk
