Researching and Networking Local Talent

Hello Students,

Your next assignment is to research photographers that live in Santa Cruz County. Developing skills in networking is essential to future opportunities beyond school and college. After researching your artist you will contact them and ask them to visit our class as a guest speaker. Hopefully we will have a good number of willing participants to visit our class.

Networking is a valuable skill, it can give you insights into different industries and open job opportunities that may not have been available to you.

Researching and Networking Project:

• Use the internet to find and research 2 local photographers. You can use google to refine your search. You could even try looking in the phone book. Look up the artists website, portfolio or even if they have an office location in town. They could be commercial photographers, journalists, fine art photographers, portrait artists etc. Take time doing the research and find someone who's work interests you
• List the artists name, website and links to any work they have done as a new page in your portfolio, add the informational interview here as well if you conduct one
• Contact the artist via email or telephone, refer to the script below as a guide to introduce yourself and ask questions, above all be professional. 
• If the artist can't make a public appearance, ask them if they would be willing to give an informational interview either on the phone or via email. Type up the results of your interview and post to your blog.
• We want to know how the artist got their training? What is their education? How long have they been working? Who are their clients and how do they find new clients? How do they keep their skills current?
• If you are conducting an informational interview, here are some more questions you can ask

Sample Introduction Script:

Dear _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

My name is (your name here) and I am a digital photography student in the Regional Occupational Program at Santa Cruz High School. I am researching local photographers and artists as part of a class assignment. I really like your work and would like to ask if you would be interested in being a guest speaker in my digital photography class. Our class meets M-F from 12 to 1:30 PM, just let us know what date would be best and we will send along details. If you are unable to make an appearance than I would like to conduct an informational interview with you either through email or on the phone if possible. Please let me know if you can spare any time. Thank you very much for your time and I look forward to hearing from you.

                                              - Sincerely

                                                 (Your Name Here)

                                                 (Your Email Address Here)

                                                  Santa Cruz High School Graphic Design Student

                                                  http://ropdigitalphotography.blogspot.com