If you are still looking for a present for the photographer’s friend, consider a gift certificate for a workshop. If they don’t have one, give a VISA or AMEX gift card with a printout of the website to tell them you are giving them the funds to go to the workshop.

Difference between Photography Workshops/Seminars and College Programs

First, most photography workshops and seminars are held by working pros. Second, most college programs have people teaching who have academic credentials.

Some college programs do have working professionals teaching, but this is the primary advantage of a workshop and seminar. You can talk to the pros shooting for National Geographic Magazine or Sports Illustrated.

They will teach you tips for improving the use of your existing equipment, and their recommendations for new gear will help you make your next purchase.

I continue to attend workshops and help organize them. I just participated in the Atlanta Photojournalism Seminar earlier this month. That was an excellent refresher and a chance to talk to other pros doing what I am doing.

Advice to Students

If you are in a college program, you must attend a workshop or seminar to meet people in the industry. You may find an excellent place for an internship.

I have learned more in a week-long workshop doing nothing but photography than I did in college classes. One of the best reasons for this is that photography is all you do when you are there.

You don’t stop after an hour and then take an English and later a history class. You don’t work on other papers and projects at night unrelated to photography.

One of my favorite programs is the Youth With A Mission’s School of Photography. This 12-week photography program features guest speakers who give the students hands-on training.

Many of the students have gone on to create businesses in photography and have incorporated photography into other careers.

Tips to make the most of a workshop/seminar

• Always have business cards. This allows you to share with the speakers and those in class.
• Always have a portfolio with you. With iPads, Laptops, and photo books, you should not have your most recent portfolio to show for feedback and to help you grow.
• Eat with the instructors if you can. Ask them if they have meal plans and take them to lunch. This will be your best investment ever. Ask questions and listen. Please don’t take them to lunch to tell them all about you.
• Take notes.
  • Write down notes from speakers.
  • Audio record them if they will let you. Always ask first.
  • Take notes with your camera. (Again, ask)
• Get to know as many of those in your class as possible. Sometimes, the people sitting next to you are just as valuable a resource as the teachers.

Cost-saving tips

• Register earlier to take advantage of discounts.
• Find the workshops’ social media pages. This is a great way to share rides or even rooms. Many college students can fit a few people into a hotel room and save money.
• Find out if Nikon, Canon, or sometimes a camera store will provide free camera cleaning. They may limit the number of items they clean, but cleaning two cameras can save you $30 to $50 for each camera.
• Try eating at the meeting space rather than driving for lunches and dinners. Many of the speakers eat right on-site to save time. You can pack a sandwich and get something small to sit at their table with other attendees.
• Always let people with potential jobs in the area know you are going. If you go to a college, be sure to check to see if any of the sports teams are playing nearby. Going early or staying late may allow you to tag on a paying assignment, which will help lower your costs.

Southwestern Photojournalism Seminar’s
2-Minute Shows 

This is March 1 – 3, 2013, in Fort Worth, Texas. They still have some slots left for the student practicum from February 28 to March 1.

2-Minute Shows: The conference has a great opportunity that I don’t know any other seminar or conference offers. The first 45 to sign up can show their work to everyone in 2 minutes or less. This is a great tradition, and everyone loves seeing everyone’s work.

If you come to SWPJC and do not sign up for the 2-Minute Show, you will miss a great opportunity, especially if you are trying to get jobs or do this professionally in the long run.

My suggestion to any photographer who wants to be sure their loved ones know what they want for Christmas is to forward this email and suggest a workshop you might want to attend.