You asked for it, and after months of careful preparation we are proud to offer you what we believe is one of the most comprehensive, informative and currently viable workshops on the topic of business for photographers.

Dan Kozma of Koz Photography, based in Western Canada, has been shooting professionally for 2 decades. He's created compelling images throughout North America and shot on European soil. From frozen oil rig decks to Mexican beaches to Scottish castles, he's created commercial, industrial and editorial images for a wide range of clients such as the Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Blood Services, Royal
Bank of Canada, Investor's Group, Sony BMG and Country Music Television, as well as a host of regional and local companies. His images have been published in the Wall Street Journal Magazine, Western Living Magazine, Avenue Magazine & Vex Magazine, to name a few.

In this much anticipated workshop Dan will cover all of the 'must know' aspects of
running a successful commercial photography business including business planning,
image licensing, understanding the importance and application of copyright, building
estimates, pricing your photographic services and finally, how to create and maintain a
successful marketing strategy.

This workshop will feature 2 expert guest speakers; an intellectual property lawyer
who will discuss copyright law in Canada and another established local photographer
who will present their knowledge and expertise on subjects such as how to source and
work with photographer's agents/representatives or how to successfully navigate social
media marketing. Both speakers will present viable and invaluable information
pertaining to the current state of the industry.

There will be lots of time to answer your questions, and the weekend is not over until
we discuss ways to find inspiration and develop your unique photographic style.
The material covered in this seminar comprises roughly 80% of the day-to-day
requirements a professional commercial photographer. Give yourself the best shot at
success in today's image creation industry and a leg up on the competition. Register
today for the next seminar!

Photographers of all levels are encouraged to participate. The workshop will be especially valuable for the emerging as well as working professional.

Please see the detailed workshop outline below for further details and topics covered.

Saturday 10am - 1pm:

Introductory lecture - Business planning:
- Basics about CODB (Cost of Doing Business)
- Various methods of pricing (flat rate, day rate, creative fee, usage only)
- Value-added services and client perception

Licensing - Hows & whys:
- Stock licensing vs. assignment licensing
- Different types of licenses (commercial, editorial, retail)
- Terms to know, reference websites

Lunch 1pm - 2pm

 

Saturday 2pm - 5pm:

Copyright - Guest speaker, copyright lawyer
- Photographer's Terms & Conditions example
- Q&A to follow

Working with a Rep - David Ellingson as guest speaker (TBA)

 

Sunday 10am - 1pm:

Building Estimates - Various pricing methods (detailed with real-world samples):
- Do's & Don'ts (undercutting, ballparking, digital production charge, etc)
- Information you must have from client
- The power of 'NO' & client relations

Lunch 1pm - 2pm

 

Sunday 2pm - 5pm:

Intro to Marketing - Building a marketing strategy & campaign:
- Various marketing tools (web, portfolio, mailers, etc)
- Networking & social sites, blogs


Closing - Finding inspiration (let's not forget why we create images)

Level:

Beginner/Intermediate/Professional. All levels are welcome but this seminar is geared with particular interest for the emerging as well as already working commercial photographer.

Enrollment:

Maximum 16 participants.

Equipment Needed:

Bring Notebook and pen.

We Provide:

Workshop description and schedule as detailed above.

Early-Bird Discount:

Most of our courses and workshops offer a 10% discount is applied automatically if you register before the Early-Bird Discount deadline date listed in the registration table below.

Some courses and workshops offer a discount if you're among the first 3 people who register. This discount will replace the 'standard' Early Bird Discount mentioned above, and will be applied automatically during the online registration process (as long as it is available). Check the course/workshop listing page for more details.

Group Discount:

A 5% discount will be appplied if 3 or more people register at the same time for the same workshop. (All 3 tuitions must be paid for by one credit card to be considered a group registration.) Please follow the instructions on the online registration page.

In order to provide the best learning environment possible VPW keeps class and tour sizes limited to 10-15 people (depending on the workshop). This is but one reason that we count on you to attend your chosen class or tour, once you have registered for it.

If you must withdraw for any reason please be aware of our refund policy as follows:

For our Local Lectures, Seminars, and Workshops valued at or under $100, VPW is unable to provide a cash refund. Transfers are limited to one transfer to either the same event at a later date, or a different event of equal value. VPW requires 48 hours written notice in order to make such a transfer (email notice is acceptable). The event you are transferring to must occur within 6 months of the original event you registered for. A $15 fee will be applied to all transfers.

For our Local Workshops, 1 to 5 days in length and our Local 4 to 10 Week Courses, VPW requires 30 days written notice (before the event start date) of your withdrawal in order to provide a refund. (Email notice is acceptable.)

For our Master Photographer Series workshops, 1 to 5 days in length, VPW requires 60 days written notice (before the workshop start date) of your withdrawal in order to provide a refund. VPW may retain 15% of fees paid or $150 minimum in processing your refund. If the tuition is less than $500 the minimum fee drops to $75.

Within 45 days of the Master Photographer Series workshop date all fees paid are non-refundable.

For our Photo Tours (national and international), the following charges will apply:

• If you cancel up to 3 months before the tour start date and we can fill your space, your reservation (or deposit) fee will be refunded
• There is no additional cancellation fee up to 8 weeks before the start of your tour
• From 8 weeks to 4 weeks before the tour: 25% of your balance
• From 4 weeks to 1 week before the tour: 50% of your balance
• From 1 week to 72 hours before the tour: 75% of your balance
• If you cancel within 72 hours of the start of the trip, no refund can be paid
• Transaction charges incurred on accepting and refunding payments will be deducted from the refund amount
• In the (unlikely) event that we cancel the Photo Tour, all monies paid will be refunded in full

We highly recommend that you take out travel insurance to guard yourself against monies lost due to unavoidable cancellation by either party.

Transfers (for all events over $100): If you wish to transfer to a different workshop date, VPW requires a minimum of 30 days written (email) notice. All transfers are based on availaibility, and subject to approval by VPW staff. For courses/workshops with tuition above $101, the transfer fee is $35.

Transfer Fees as based on event pricing:
Tuition of $100 and below, the transfer fee is $15
Tuition of $101 and above, the transfer fee is $35

VPW can give no refunds:

If you registered for any event valued at or under $100
If you do not show up for your registered course.
If you register for a course beyond or below your skill or ability level.

Refunds for all events valued at $101 and above (excluding Master Series Workshops):
If a student wishes to cancel their registration for any of VPW's events, and has provided written notice within the appropriate timeframe, a refund less a $50 administration fee will be provided.

Course Cancellation:

Occasionally, we may have to cancel a course due to low enrollment. In this case, we will issue a full refund of all monies paid to VPW up to that time.

Instructor Replacement:

In the event that a listed instructor is unable to participate because of a change in his or her professional schedule, we will replace the instructor with someone of equal or similar credentials. If we cannot find a replacement in due time before the course is about to start, a particular class may have to be rescheduled.

Liability

In the event that we cancel your course, for any reason, the extent of VPW's liability is limited to the return of all monies paid. We will do everything we can to register you in another equivalent course. VPW will not be responsible for reimbursement of travel expenses of any kind.

Please note: An administration charge of $50 applies to all refunds

Read complete refund and liability policy

The Business of Photography Weekend Workshop is taught by the following instructor:

Dan Kozma

Featured Guest speaker will be:

David Elligsen

Please click on the links above to check out Dan's and David's websites and find out more information.