For photographers and visual journalists across the globe
#BlackWomenPhotographers #HireBlackWomenPhotographers
Welcome to The Essentials: free online classes presented by Black Women Photographers, The Everyday Projects, and PhotoWings.
Season 7: October 24-25, 2026
DAY 1 — October 24:
Building Stories that Matter with Miranda Barnes - 10am-11:15am ET
This course will highlight how to move beyond single photographs in order to build visual narratives that tell meaningful stories. From researching and developing a story before even picking up the camera to sharpening your skills of observation and anticipation, you’ll learn how to imbue depth into your photography. Whether working on a personal project or assignment, this class will take you from idea to finished story with a stronger, more intentional eye.
The Ethics Lab with Daniella Zalcman - 11:15am-12:30pm ET
Every image carries a responsibility and this class will provide a clear ethical framework you can bring to every story you tell. In this session you’ll explore how to seek meaningful consent, work respectfully with vulnerable communities, and practice trauma-informed journalism that puts people’s dignity first. And, with AI touching nearly every corner of our lives, you’ll also learn more about how to use these tools honestly and with transparency.
Photography 101—at every stage—with Alyssa Pointer - 12:30pm-1:45pm ET
Strengthen your fundamentals with a hands-on introduction to lighting, composition, and the core techniques behind a compelling photograph. You'll also learn how editors think, how to sequence images to build a compelling story, and how to choose your strongest work when editing your portfolio. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, this class will be enlightening to all levels.
DAY 2 — October 25:
Positioning, Relationships, and High-Stakes Assignments with Tolani Alli
- 10am-11:15am ET
This session will delve into how to position yourself professionally, build client relationships, and prepare for high-stakes assignments while honing your business and people skills. Whether taking on your first paid work or looking to bump your career up to the next level, this class will give you the practical strategies to thrive long-term by building a sustainable photography business.
Getting Field Ready with Adriana Loureiro Fernández - 11:15am-12:30pm ET
Prepare for the realities of working in the field with tools for staying safe while covering sensitive stories. In this course, you'll learn how to assess risks, protect yourself and the people you photograph, and build a well-prepared kit with everything you need before heading out on assignment. Just as important, this class will also highlight earning people’s trust in order to tell stories responsibly with care and respect.
Avoiding Burnout and Nurturing Sustainability with Gabriel V. Cárdenas
- 1:00pm-2:15pm ET
Achieve a fulfilling photography career that lasts by learning how to invest not only in your work but also yourself. This class will outline how to stay motivated, recognize the early signs of burnout, and build self-care practices that protect your well-being both on and off assignment. You'll also learn how personal projects can reignite your passion, sharpen your visual voice, and open new doors.
Being Nimble While Being Yourself with Annice Lyn - 2:15pm-3:30pm ET
Expand your career by learning how to move between editorial, commercial, and sports photography while staying true to your voice. Exploring how to successfully approach and build lasting relationships with brands, partners, and sponsorships, this class reveals how to create a well-rounded, diversified practice that supports long-term growth. You don’t have to step away from work that matters to you in order to diversify your career—and this class shows you how.
SEASON 6 FULL PLAYLIST
OCTOBER 18-19, 2025
DAY 1 — October 18:
“Covering news topics through a sensitive—and prepared—lens” with Taiwo Aina
In this course you’ll learn how to approach difficult topics with care, as well as how to prepare logistically, emotionally, and ethically before, during, and after an assignment. Whether for personal work or a commission from a client, this class will take you step-by-step from start to finish on how to be prepared for approaching tough topics with compassion.
“How to make your pitch break through the noise” with Nicole Tung
This class will prepare you to pitch stories that reach editors and audiences in an impactful, meaningful way. News cycles are always unpredictable, but we will show you how to propose stories that matter, even when the headlines are focused elsewhere. Our tips and tricks as well as advice on how to build rapport and relationships with editors will help you sell your ideas with confidence.
“Navigating the ups and downs of self-marketing” with Raquel Natalicchio
Social media! Newsletters! Websites! Oh my! In this break-it-down course on self-promotion, we’ll walk through how to increase engagement, build a followership, and create community in ways that lead to positive outcomes. This class will highlight how to use platforms to creatively promote your work—and how to get through the difficulty of doing so.
DAY 2 — October 19:
“Breaking down a successful grant application” with Sarah Perlmutter and Nada Harib
In this session, Magnum Foundation’s Sarah Perlmutter and Magnum Foundation grant recipient Nada Harib will walk through how to build a successful grant proposal, including common mistakes made (and learned from!), and how to keep yourself on track with all the moving parts.
“Commercial work: where to even start?” with Angela Ogunfojuri
The world of commercial photography can feel daunting. This course will show you where to start, how to build up a clientele and portfolio, and how to leverage the strengths you already have to score more commercial opportunities.
“Makin’ money moves” with Hallease
Advocating for yourself financially is one of the hardest parts of freelancing. We will help you learn how to navigate bulky contract language, build personal and work budgets, and ask for more money. We’ll go over the questions to ask, the language to use, and the methods for growing and sustaining a thriving business—even during hard times.
“Edit like a pro!” with Alicia Vera
Whether for a portfolio review, book, website, or social media, learn how to select and sequence images with intention. Through the lens of one body of work, you’ll see how different platforms can alter editing outcomes—and why that matters. This class will also discuss how photography’s limitations can lead to conceptual storytelling approaches.
SEASON 5 FULL PLAYLIST
OCTOBER 19-20, 2024
DAY 1 - OCTOBER 19, 2024:
Creating a sustainable practice with Bethany Mollenkof
Bethany uncovers how to create a multidimensional practice that not only lends itself to creating dynamic work across different genres but also provides various income streams for a sustainable career. She’ll let us in on how to approach and secure clients, how to navigate client expectations and your creative vision, networking and how to position yourself for success in a variety of visual storytelling fields.
Engaging with community through photography with Haruka Sakaguchi
Haruka discusses the many forms of a community-engaged practice as well as the magic that happens when people’s voices are intrinsically incorporated into the photography. Through a documentary lens and conceptual approach, Haruka showcases how to think creatively outside the box and how to successfully produce imaginative work.
SEASON 4 FULL PLAYLIST
OCTOBER 28-29, 2023
DAY 1 - OCTOBER 28, 2023:
“BREAKING INTO THE INDUSTRY + CREATING A LASTING CAREER”
Drawing on experiences that range from being a photographer for some of the highest-circulating newspapers in the United States to leading a photo team at a nonprofit news organization, Marie D. De Jesús shares insights into her path as a photojournalist and how she was able to reach these achievements. Marie has covered tragic events such as natural disasters and mass shootings as well as uplifting stories that reflect the resilience of humanity—in this class she will impart what she learned along the way.
“TACKLING EDITING—FROM ASSIGNMENTS TO PROJECTS” WITH SAIYNA BASHIR
Drawing on her assignment work for The New York Times and projects with National Geographic, Saiyna Bashir shares how she tackles one of the hardest parts of visual journalism: editing down your work to build a cohesive, comprehensive, poetic story. Through personal examples, she’ll delve into her process and share advice on how to get all the details right: from sequencing images to writing captions. While Saiyna goes over the challenges of editing your own work, she also shares tips on how to overcome those challenges and put your best images forward.
“THINKING OUTSIDE THE EDITORIAL BOX” WITH LYNSEY WEATHERSPOON
In this class, Lynsey Weatherspoon reveals how to diversify your income stream as an editorial photographer through commercial and corporate gigs. With clients such as MGM, Warner Brothers, GoDaddy, and WebMD, Lynsey discusses how to find and get clients, how to negotiate rates and usage, and how to build a comprehensive portfolio showcasing various genres. Through her success as an editorial photographer and beyond, Lynsey's class inspires you to stretch your limits and horizons.
DAY 2 - October 29, 2023
“BEYOND THE HEADLINES” WITH MARÍA MAGDALENA ARRÉLLAGA
Photojournalist María Magdalena Arréllaga, whose work has been published in outlets such as The New York Times, Le Monde, and The Washington Post, discusses how to cover news through an ethical lens and to look for the moments beyond the headlines — even on fast-paced assignments. María will also touch on both logistical and visual preparedness, such as what you need before heading out on an assignment and how to think about translating the story's narrative into visuals. She’ll also highlight vital aspects of storytelling: consent and challenging misconceptions and stereotypes through your work.
“JUGGLING PHOTOGRAPHY AND PARENTHOOD” WITH ZAKIYYAH WOODS
If you’re a visual storyteller as well as a caretaker or are considering having children, this class is for you! Zakiyyah Woods divulges all her knowledge on how to navigate busy schedules, childcare, and the rollercoaster that comes with being both a parent AND a successful photographer. She’ll touch on what has worked for her, such as how to handle last-minute assignments, and how parenting has changed her perspective and priorities as an artist.
“FROM PHOTOGRAPHY TO FILMMAKING” WITH JANET JARMAN
Photojournalist Janet Jarman explains how she has successfully incorporated documentary filmmaking into her repertoire to create impactful, far-reaching work. She’ll share her process of approaching long-term documentary work in terms of her vision, planning, support, and execution. With years of experience in both the photojournalism and filmmaking worlds, Janet shows how it’s possible to work within both genres.
“WORKING WITH AND IN COMMUNITY” WITH MAHEDER HAILESELASSIE
Photographer Maheder Haileselassie showcases how to incorporate the concept of community in your work and within the industry. In highlighting her project “Between Yesterday and Tomorrow,” Maheder reveals how to reflect on the history and identity of a community as a way to process present day realities. Beyond her own personal work, she’ll discuss her role in community-building within the visual media industry of Ethiopia and how she fosters growth and connection for a better tomorrow.
SEASON 3 FULL PLAYLIST
OCTOBER 15-16, 2022
DAY 1 — OCTOBER 15, 2022
“SO YOU GOT AN ASSIGNMENT, NOW WHAT: THE PHOTOGRAPHER’S PERSPECTIVE”
You’ve put in all the work to pitch, make connections with editors, and you’ve landed a commission. Now what? A prolific photographer with ample assignment experience, Annie Flanagan will share their know-how on what to do in preparation for the assignment (both logistically and photographically), how to communicate with editors, and stay safe in the field. They’ll also talk about the crucial side of assignment work that’s not brought to light enough: rates, budgeting, expenses, and contracts. And, Annie will give tips on how to maintain relationships with editors even after the assignment is over.
“DO NO HARM: ETHICS” WITH CHERISS MAY
In this session, prominent photographer and adjunct professor at Howard University Cheriss May explores one of the most—if not the most—important aspects of making honest and compelling work: ethics. She’ll teach about the many layers of consent, avoiding stereotypical or sensationalistic approaches, establishing trust with people you photograph, and how to control the use of your images and how to have those conversations with editors. Cheriss will also showcase examples of social impact through photography and walking the line between activism and photojournalism.
“NAVIGATING THE INDUSTRY” WITH M’HAMMED KILITO
While the various ins and outs of building a career in photojournalism can be overwhelming and bewildering, M’hammed Kilito, through his own experiences navigating the industry with grace and success, reveals how to get your work out there through applying to grants and contests, attending workshops and portfolio reviews, and reaching out to editors. He’ll also highlight creating community and a personal identity while supporting others in the industry.
“SUPPORTING YOUR LONG-TERM VISION” WITH JAMES RODRÍGUEZ
Accomplished photographer James Rodríguez will unpack the difficulties around sustaining long-term projects by illustrating how to create a unified vision, how to build and maintain relationships with communities, and how to seek various avenues of funding and support for the same project over time—whether through assignments, grants, or outside sources such as NGOs, commercial work, fixing, and video assignments. In this session, James will divulge his tips and tricks for achieving success with ongoing projects and how to create continuity and avoid burn-out.
“BOOK-MAKING DEMYSTIFIED: FROM START TO FINISH”
WITH GABRIELLA ANGOTTI-JONES AND SMITA SHARMA
Decorated photographers Gabriella Angotti-Jones and Smita Sharma, who’ve recently traversed the world of book-making, will demystify this process from start to finish. In this class, they’ll answer oft-asked questions, such as: When is the right time to make a book? How do you put together a book proposal? How do you find the right publisher, designer, editor, etc.? How do you fund and market a book? By setting long-term goals for your work, Gabriella and Smita reveal how this milestone in a photographer’s career is both possible and accessible.
“THE HUSTLE IS REAL: SELF-PROMOTION AND SIDE GIGS” WITH JOSUÉ RIVAS AND TASNEEM ALSULTAN
While photojournalism can feel like a constant hustle, it can be an incredibly enriching career—and who better to teach this closing class than the dynamic, ever-evolving Josué Rivas and Tasneem Alsultan. Together they’ll tap into successful self-promotional practices in a constantly-changing social media landscape, diversifying your income by pursuing projects and work in addition to editorial clients, and how to stay forever motivated, inspired, and inspiring.
SEASON 2 FULL PLAYLIST
OCTOBER 2021
SEASON 1 FULL PLAYLIST
NOVEMBER 2021
“Expanding Your Vision” with Yagazie Emezi
In this class, Yagazie Emezi will guide us through her personal projects and finding her own creative voice in photography. As she guides us through this aspect of her career, she will talk about the process of learning to trust her own vision, what others can learn from her journey, and how she then applies her personal style to assignment work. This class builds on Yagazie’s previous class in The Essentials, “Be Your Own Manager".
Yagazie Emezi is a Nigerian artist and self-taught photojournalist focused on stories surrounding African women and their health, sexuality, education and human rights. Having worked extensively across Africa, Yagazie also covers stories on identity and culture, social justice, climate change and migration. Her art practice uses photography and sculpture to construct visual critiques of Nigeria's socio-political state and the roles media play in it, pulling from history and current events. You can follow her @yagazieemezi.
“Managing Risk, Safety, and Trauma as a Journalist” with Alison Baskerville and Tara Pixley
This session discusses key elements of risk assessment, safety and security planning, and the management of bio/psycho/social impacts in the work of journalists, understanding those experiences and the realities of the job through an intersectional lens. By recognizing how identity, environmental, organizational, and operational variables impact our health and safety for every assignment, we are better prepared to enter any space or experience.
Tara Pixley (she/her) is a visual journalist and educator with 20 years of experience as a freelance photographer and photo editor for news organizations such as the New York Times, Newsweek, CNN, Wall Street Journal, ProPublica, and many others. She is currently an IWMF NextGen Fellow in journalist safety and risk assessment and a professor of journalism at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. Tara was a Knight Visiting Fellow at Harvard’s Nieman Foundation of Journalism, an inaugural awardee of the World Press Photo Solutions Visual Journalism Initiative, and holds a Ph.D. in Communication from the University of California San Diego. You can follow her @tlpix.
Ali Baskerville (she/her) is a documentary photographer and a media safety trainer and advisor with a focus on freelancers. A former-soldier-turned-photographer, Alison is able to blend her military experience with her career as a conflict photographer to translate into realistic safety training for the media community. As a photographer she uses her experience to comment on, document and question the military experience that aims to make work reflecting on important contemporary issues such as social inequality, military occupation, gender identity and safety as well as the long-term consequences of emotional trauma through conflict. You can follow her @ali_baskerville.
“Demystifying Digital Security: Practical Guidance for Journalists” with Ela Stapley
From surveillance to identity theft, journalists face a range of digital security threats as they go about their work. Knowing what steps to take to better protect themselves and their sources is more and more important. From secure communications to protecting online data, this session will teach journalists practical tips that they can use to increase their security. If you have doubts about WhatsApp security or have ever wondered if it is safe to store your passwords in your browser, then this session is for you!
“Building Your Career” with Sarahbeth Maney and Sarah Waiswa
Careers in photography have no roadmap, and a common question is, how do I get started? How do I make my first contacts in the industry, get my first assignment, work on my first projects? Photographers Sarahbeth Maney and Sarah Waiswa will use their own passion projects and reporting projects to walk you through the start of their careers and highlight some of their most important learnings along the way. Coming from different points of their career and different backgrounds, Sarabeth and Sarah will showcase what they were able to do with limited support and discuss what it was truly like to get their careers off the ground.