| Learning Objectives | Notes |
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33.1 To know the major requirements of operating a small business.
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Have students explore the necessities to start their own photography business.
For additional information that would be useful when creating an entrepreneurial venture see the Entrepreneurship 30 Curriculum Guide.
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33.2 To explore different types of photography business opportunities that exist.
(IL)
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Have students visit:
- retail photography and camera stores
- one hour photo shops
- commercial studios
- photo processing and finishing labs
- photographic artists
- photography galleries
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33.3 To develop a filing system suitable for maintaining slides and negatives. (IL)
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Many photographers make a significant portion of their income by selling reprints and stock work that they have on file. It is important to have a filing system that will track the location of these materials.
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33.4 To know the necessary time management skills for operating a small business.
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Have students prepare a list of steps to follow to help them manage time effectively. These steps may include:
- determine what work is to be done with clear instructions from the client (contract)
- follow a timeline established by a supervisor
- review procedures required to complete the work
- prepare supply lists for equipment and materials (office, film and darkroom supplies) needed
- estimate accurately the time required
- complete the task within required time constraints.
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33.5 To maintain accurate, legible, and complete business records.
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Have the students record all the business activities they may need to carry out in a month. Include studio rental, utility costs, material and equipment costs as well as a reasonable salary for their work.
Business records need to be maintained for accounting, banking and taxation purposes. Refer to the Accounting 10, 20, 30 Curriculum Guide for details.
Students should recognize that the purpose of doing business is to generate income. As a general rule, have the students calculate their business earnings as:
- 1/3 materials and overhead
- 1/3 labour costs
- 1/3 profit to the business
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33.6 To demonstrate a professional attitude and behavior toward the work the business conducts.
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The student must adopt an attitude of self-confidence and professionalism to gain the confidence of the intended client.
Have the students role-play looking for a contract emphasizing correct professional behaviour when dealing with clients.
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33.7 To develop a fee structure for photographer services.
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Students can research photography studios on the Internet to determine what fees are charged for various photographic services. A schedule of fees should include studio sittings, location photography (outside the studio), and costs for production of proofs as well as a price structure for finished photographs in different sizes, unframed and as finished framed prints.
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33.8 To develop a plan for marketing a type of photography.
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See notes in Objective 31.2.
In order to be successful, it may be important to develop a service specialty; for example, a landscape photographer who markets the photographs at craft fairs, or sells the photographs on consignment in galleries, gift stores, souvenir shops, or on display in restaurants and other similar locations.
Have students research the publication of photographs in book format as a means of marketing the photographs of a particular artist dealing with a single theme. Check the bibliography for information on books of published photographers.
A large number of professional photographers maintain websites on the Internet to advertise their services and to display their work in online galleries.
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