March 28, 2015, 10am – 7pm
NPR
Washington, DC
The world’s leading photojournalists from VII Photo have teamed up with the technology specialists from AbelCine to present an immersive, two-day educational program: The VII Evolution Tour. This program examines the technology, craft and business practices of today’s successful visual storytellers. The event is structured as a combination of seminars, panel discussions, hands-on workshops, and networking.
The VII Photographers who will be taking part in the Washington, DC event are: Jessica Dimmock, Ashley Gilbertson, Ron Haviv, and Ed Kashi. On day one of the program, VII members, AbelCine instructors, and industry professionals will present a variety of seminars and panels. They will lead discussions on a variety of topics from the business to the the craft of photojournalism. A free reception will follow. Register for the full day of seminars HERE.
Canon Professional Services (CPS) members will receive a signed VII photographer’s 8×10 print (valued at $100) at the event. When registering, please be sure to include your CPS member number.
Student discounts available, with valid ID at the door.
Schedule of Events:
10:00 AM Keynote Address
A look at the future of photojournalism from a thought leader within the industry.
Tom Kennedy (Executive Director, American Society of Media Photographers)
10:45 AM The New Market: Still and Motion
Media outlets traditionally reserved for photography have stretched their borders to include video essays and mixed media presentations, and photographers are often the creators. The New York Times Op-Docs, Red Border Films at Time and short films on the New Yorker are all places where photographers are showcasing their video work. Additionally, for the past several years, documentary films at Sundance or Academy Award nominees have been created by photographers. This is no accident – photographers excel at this visual language. The new market means that photographers are not only shooting in new ways, but that storytelling opportunities that previously excluded us are now open. This panel will use concrete examples of work being created using the same sensibility (and often the same tools) from our photographic training. The panel will also explore the opportunities available in a variety of formats – mixed media, short form video, narrative length film.
VII: Jessica Dimmock, Ed Kashi
Panelist: Julie Winokur (Talking Eyes Media)
11:45 AM Lunch Break
12:45 PM Evolving Audiences, Changing Markets
This is a period of intense transition in the field of photojournalism and, in particular, how we create, share and ultimately reach clients and audiences. This seminar will explore new ways to effectively work in the whirlwind of change, create interesting projects, find new clients and reach ever broader audiences with photography and visual storytelling. There will be a special emphasis on the uses of social media to be creative and effective in the development of your vision, career and outreach.
VII: Carlos Barrionuevo (Moderator/Chairman), Ashley Gilbertson, Ed Kashi
Panelists: Kainaz Amaria (NPR), Ben de la Cruz (NPR)
1:45 PM Balancing Advocacy, Journalism and Funding
As the support and space for meaningful visual journalism has shrunk in the editorial world, there are now new ways to create stories with impact and purpose, in collaboration with advocacy groups and like-minded organizations, whether large institutions or small NGOs. This seminar will provide examples of how you can make a difference and make a living.
VII: Ashley Gilbertson, Ron Haviv
Panelist: Pete DiCampo (Everyday Africa), Nathalie Applewhite (Managing Director, Pulitzer Center for Crisis Reporting)
2:45 PM Break
3:00 PM Getting Your Job Done (Safely) in a Changed World: Security and Awareness
Photojournalists put a human face on crises that too often remain hidden, but the human costs of covering those areas have multiplied as media resources have shifted. This panel of journalists, editors and freelancers will speak about the challenge from all sides to keep journalists safe.
VII: Ron Haviv
Panelists: Delphine Halgand (Reporters Without Borders), Neal Jackson (Founder & Executive Director, Trauma Training for Journalists)
4:00 PM Equipment Evolved: Photographer Toolbag
This seminar will discuss the tools you need to produce hybrid visual works for the new markets and opportunities opening up to photojournalists and documentary storytellers today.
VII: Jessica Dimmock, Ed Kashi
Panelist: Jeff Lee (AbelCine)
5:00 PM Reception
