Alternative Careers in Photography

Overview

While photographers get most (if not all) the glory it is the collaboration with skilled behind the scene production professionals that help shape the final image. Behind the scenes production specialists can include artist representatives who "land" the job to producers who manage all the moving pieces of a project to retouchers who composite or enhance the final image for publication. These disciplines are part of an integral team that help a photographer achieve their artistic and business vision.

On Thursday, November 19 APA member and professional photographer Dave Rentauskas will moderate a panel discussion with five (5) in-demand production professionals. We’ll dissect each production specialty and answer the following questions:

• How each panelist got their start in the business
• Education requirements for each specialty
• How to add value on set
• Best practices building relationship
• Ideas for marketing yourself
• How to be a problem-solver on set
• Tips for ensuring your called-back

Learn more about making a career in commercial photography as a production specialist.

Panelists

Dave Rentauskas, Photographer (Moderator)
Dave Rentauskas is an award-winning editorial and advertising photographer based in Chicago. Dave has been taking photographs most of his life, having gotten his start on a Polaroid at age nine. In the years since, he has evolved into a commercial and creative photographer of note. Dave’s photographs give equal treatment to subject, color and texture. Any casual viewer of his portraits is likely to recognize the care of composition that attends to every image. Whether his subjects are everyday people or celebrities, Dave always manages to maintain a balance of dignity and purity. And his eye for people having fun is undeniable.

Artist Representative: Andrea Donadio, RAD Represents
Andrea Donadio was born and raised in Upstate NY and has the love of chicken wings and pizza to prove it. A graduate from the Rochester Institute of Technology's Photography department, Andrea has always had a love or art and working with artists. Quick to move to the big apple after graduation, her first job was at the Museum of Modern Art where she got an all access pass to culture and some pretty fun parties too. After interning in Chelsea galleries and seeing the up close effects of the Recession, Andrea thought it prudent to make a move while she was still a spring chicken. Off to Chicago in 2011 and right to studio managing for the contemporary artist Dzine. Through friends she dipped her toe in the Advertising world and decided to give it a whirl. 2 years with Kim Knight and a lot of problem solving later - RAD represents launched in 2012. Since then life has been a whirlwind of artists shoots, meetings and work work work! When not chatting up buyers or throwing fun industry events - Andrea enjoys cooking, painting, reading and spending time with her precious cat - Bunny Baby. Check out radrepresents.com to see her amazing team of photographers.

Producer: Brenda Whaley
Brenda Whaley is a Chicago based advertising producer with over 15 years of industry experience. With a background in photography and digital imaging she is well versed in all aspects of advertising. Always willing to do what it takes to get the job done right, on time and on budget and doing it all with a smile.

Digital Tech: Samantha Hylla
Samantha is a Digital Tech, Retoucher, and Photographer based in Chicago. She graduated from Columbia College and has worked in all genres of photography from fashion to food, and is Phase One Certified. You'll never see her without an energy drink in hand, and she knows the importance of great on set playlists.

Wardrobe/Prop Stylist: To be announced

Retoucher: Fred Muram, Paradigm Color Studios
Prior to founding Paradigm Color Studio in Chicago’s Westtown neighbor, Fred Muram worked for large printing and industry leading pre-media companies, including Iridio (Seattle) and QueNet Media (NYC). During his tenure at these companies his production responsibilities included ELLE Magazine, Forbes, YM Magazine, AVON, HBO, PlayStation, Sony Music, Restoration Hardware, Nordstrom, Brooks Brothers, Eddie Bauer, Donald J Pliner, Smith & Hawken, and REI. At Paradigm Color he has distilled the best technologies and workflow techniques of those large companies and made it possible for a boutique production house to handle large projects. At Paradigm Color, Fred’s projects include retouching, CGI, and production for companies that include Herman Miller, USG, ULTA Cosmetics, Gatorade, Skittles, Reebok, Cottonelle, The Steppenwolf Theater, Motorola, McDonald’s, Walgreens, and Jim Beam. Fred holds degrees in photography and visual art from Indiana University and University of Washington.