Course Description
This 10-week course for emerging and working photographers ready to build the professional infrastructure their practice demands. Rooted in the instructor's own experience across fine art, editorial, documentary, and public art photography, the course takes a hands-on approach from day one: students begin researching and applying to real opportunities (grants, residencies, open calls, and public art commissions) in the first week, and that process drives everything that follows. As the course progresses, students build the full architecture of a working practice: cloud storage and digital asset management systems, CV, bio, artist statement, and project documents, pricing and licensing frameworks, contracts and releases, and strategies for connecting with curators, editors, and art directors. Each session includes dedicated work time so students leave with real systems in place, real applications submitted, and a clearer, stronger practice than when they arrived.
Instructor
Jonathan Michael Castillo is a 2026 Guggenheim Fellow in Photography, 2026 Joyce Foundation Artadia Awardee, and photographer, visual artist, and educator based in Chicago. He is also a 2019–2021 Diane Dammeyer Fellow in Photographic Arts and Social Issues, and his work is held in multiple museum collections. Permanent public installations include O'Hare International Airport and Chicago's City Hall, and his photographs have appeared in The New Yorker, Wired, and the Chicago Tribune.
DEtails
Virtual (Google Meet)
September 13th - November 18th
Wednesday Nights
6:00 - 9:00 PM
Requirements
Laptop
Google Drive / Dropbox
Adobe Acrobat & InDesign