Movin’ on Up

You may have heard some talk about WSP finding a new space, or noticed buildings being torn down all around us, for quite a while now.  At long last, we are thrilled to announce that WSP is moving to some terrific new digs in Rockville, Maryland.  Below is the press release with all the details.  Extra, extra, read all about it!

Partnership of Two Montgomery County Nonprofits Creates New Arts Center
Numerous Art Studios and Offices Provide Unprecedented Workspace

The Washington School of Photography and Capitol Arts Network invite photographers and artists to an informational meeting about forthcoming opportunities for affordable studio workspaces.

WSP and CAN will soon jointly occupy facilities in Rockville, MD, expanding space for the landmark photography non-profit and creating a new home for the arts education organization. This remodeled 25,000 square foot facility will feature photographer offices and studios and artist studios, providing affordable workspace for individuals without studio and gallery space.

The Washington School of Photography will feature six classrooms, three shooting studios, a gallery, public darkroom, conference rooms and office/studio space for up to 12 photographers. Within the same facility, Capitol Arts Network will feature a gallery, studio space for up to 30 affiliate artists, meeting rooms, classrooms and space for many arts groups to meet with synergy, activity and interaction.

These two organizations have historically taught, among other courses, the business of photography and the arts. They will now provide studio and workspace for photographers and artists to work, network and collaborate with clients. This partnership will host gallery exhibits and opening receptions, classes, and will be open 70 hours a week, seven days a week with classes and events.

Photographers and artists interested in resident artist or photography office/studio opportunities are highly encouraged to attend one of two informational sessions at the Washington School of Photography:

 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM, Wednesday, September 5th
 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM, Saturday, September 8th

Representatives of the Washington School of Photography and Capitol Arts Network will offer floor plans and photographs of the building, an information packet, application and overview of both groups and our collective vision.

With studio space for approximately 30 artists and 12 photographers, and a multitude of photographers and artists needing space, we expect to fill quickly! So plan to attend one of these informational meetings!

To attend, RSVP by Tuesday, September 4th to Judith HeartSong of Capitol Arts Network:
Judith@capitolartsnetwork.com

*Let us know if you would like to be added to our mailing list for shows and opportunities.

Informational Meeting Location:
Washington School of Photography
4850 Rugby Avenue
Bethesda, MD 20814
301-654-1998

For additional questions, please call Judith HeartSong of the Capitol Arts Network at 301-661-7590.
PLEASE pass this information along to your artist and photographer friends, your networks and your artist groups and guilds!

Capitol Arts Network was founded in 2003 to bring arts opportunities and information to the Metro DC area. Through CAN, artists have sold work, displayed work, networked and learned valuable lessons about business and legal issues critical to working artists.

The Washington School of Photography has been developing photographers since 1976. A 501-C-3 nonprofit organization, WSP is committed to photographic education from the beginning photographer to the aspiring professional, as well as established professional photographers seeking to enhance their knowledge base.

Each year, WSP provides instruction to more than 2,000 members of the general public through 140 short courses from introduction to digital photography to advanced studio lighting. More than 100 students annually enroll in our flagship program, a one-year course of study leading to a certificate in professional photography.

The Price of Pricing

Like most creative professionals, photographers can benefit from having a little bit of a split personality – one personality that brings the creative energy, and another personality that takes care of the business end of things.  One of the hardest management tasks for many photographers is setting prices for their work that will enable them to sustain their business over the long run.  Setting prices brings up all sorts of issues, from concerns about the economy to fears that one’s work simply isn’t good enough to charge for.

I recently had some photographs hanging in a gallery show.  I fell into a conversation with a very experienced and successful ceramics artist, who looked at my work and my prices and said to me frankly, “You’re not charging enough for your work.”  I wanted to hear more, so she explained that if I really looked at the time and money that I spent creating the images, at the prices I had set, I would end up paying myself about minimum wage.  Well.  I certainly didn’t get into this business to make minimum wage – it would be nice to be able to upgrade my equipment someday!  Not to mention pay my mortgage, provide for my children, save for retirement…you get the picture.

So, I significantly increased my prices for the next show.  We’ll see how it goes.  And, I don’t mind telling you, it was not an easy thing for me to do.  I can still hear the refrain in my head, “No one is going to buy that print at that price.”  But I’m standing firm, and, like I said, we’ll see how it goes.

So, for me, there’s a repeated recalculation to try to set all of my rates so that I can make enough money to sustain my business, and an ongoing struggle to know my own worth, and to keep insecurity about the quality of the work from getting the better of me.

Here are a couple of things that I have found helpful when working on setting rates.  First, a detailed blog post by the terrific Maryland photographer Jodie Otte of Black Horse Studio:

http://www.mcpactions.com/blog/2009/10/12/how-should-i-price-my-photography-words-of-advice-from-jodie-otte/

And, also, an extremely handy Cost of Doing Business Calculator on the National Press Photographers Association website.  WSP instructor Sam D’Amico turned me on to this, and I’ve used it over and over again, while trying to get things right.  Here’s a link with their intro:

http://www.nppa.org/professional_development/business_practices/cdb/

Or, to go directly to the calculator, click here:

http://www.nppa.org/professional_development/business_practices/cdb/cdbcalc.cfm

I hope you find these resources useful to keep your business head on straight, and charge what you’re worth.