professional PHOTOGRAPHY
proven Training for Commercial photographers
Hi, I’m Don Giannatti, and my Project 52 Pro System has taught hundreds of photographers the ins and outs of commercial photography. I created this unique class to help photographers build a business and make money as professional photographers.
This is not an ‘art’ class or about weddings and family photography. This is commercial, and we focus on the business of making photography for clients large and small.
Photo credit header: Rob Scamp
This class is closed forever.
Former Students Speak Out
About Project 52
In the mid-2000s, I started teaching photography online: first through Flickr, and then through a variety of websites called Project 52. I would create 52 real world assignments, give them out with professional briefs, and give them the kinds of instructions real clients would throw our way as commercial photographers.
The students would spend a week on the assignments, create the image, and meet back a week later for a LIVE group review. I had it down to a science by 2015, and the classes were full of amazingly talented, hard-working photographers. We established a Private Facebook Group and that has become a valuable arena for ideas, strategies, and peer-to-peer help in commercial photography. I am thrilled to be a part of this no-troll, highly engaged group.
I put Project 52 on hiatus last year, taking 14 months to work out what I wanted to do next, and have totally redesigned this reboot of Project 52.
Commercial photography is going through a lot of changes, and I want those changes to be reflected in the kinds of assignments and projects the students work on. I have saved a few of the previous assignments, but nearly 30 assignments are brand new, with new parameters, client needs, and more. Project 52 Pro is designed for 2025 and beyond.
Photo credit: Mark Lunn Jr
My Story
I have been a working photographer for over 50 years. And I know stuff.
From working as a freelancer to owning my own commercial and advertising-based studio, I have shot everything from fashion to automotive, jewelry to food, and lots of products.
I added design to my studio in 1987 and by 1994 it had morphed into an ad agency that would become the second-largest (by billing) in the year 2000. I was an owner, partner, and creative director.
When I left the advertising world to do more creative work with my boutique agency, I continued to shoot and design for a multitude of clients.
Having been on both sides of the desk – as a photographer and as a creative director – I know the many challenges we both face as we work toward our creative goals.
I have taught at CreativeLIVE, Udemy, and produced over 100 live workshops all over the country (and Asia).
Project 52 is one of the most important things I have done. Working with photographers and watching their work and dreams come to fruition is rewarding and inspiring
You can find out more about my one-on-one mentorship programs at my website.
What We Do
It's Real World
We put together real-world assignments based on the types of assignments photographers work on daily. Food, product, industrial, editorial. You get a taste of it all.
We meet live once a week to review the work that has been submitted and go over the next week’s assignment. This is not a passive workshop.
The people who have undergone my training are amazing and very helpful for anybody working to create better photographs.
Commercial photography is a business and we focus hard on the ways to get your business off the ground the right way. We even include a printed business book.
Our Focus
We look at the many types of assignments that working commercial photographers and visual creators get assigned every day.
We cover food, tabletop, product, architecture, portraiture, and editorial storytelling.
IMPORTANT: This is not a consumer photographer training. We do not cover weddings, family portraiture, or baby photos.
I keep the classes very small. Limiting the class to 12 people allows me to know each student, and we work to make the images you need to develop your portfolio. This is not a cookie-cutter “do it this way” class, this is a solution-oriented class. Working to find the solutions to the visual challenges we get is far better than thinking there is only one way to make an image.
I also create ways for the students in this class to find and get assignments that pay. You can more than make up the tuition fee if you follow the course and create the work. This is important to me, so I prioritize it.
If you have any questions, please send me a note to don.giannatti@gmail.com
The workshop fee is $1250 and includes a business book shipped directly to you from Blurb.
The new and updated Project 52 Pro System starts on August 7, 2024
Enrollment begins June 1, 2024.
Those who enroll in June 2024, will be enrolled in a free lighting class for Project 52. Those classes begin on July 9, 2024, and run for four consecutive weeks.
Our classes will be held on Wednesday mornings, at 9 AM Pacific.
There will be a Saturday morning meeting once per month for catch-up reviews and business.
Saturday meetings will be at 7 AM Pacific.
Food and Beverage
Food, beverage, pour shots, and food styling tips to establish your workflow.
Photo by John McAllister
Tabletop Photography
Tabletop and still-life photography is a staple of many commercial photography gigs.
Photo by Kurt Moore.
Architecture
From large buildings to small offices and interiors, this is a steady genre.
Photo by Derrick Rose
Products
Product photography in studio and on location can be a big draw for small and medium businesses.
Photo by Greg Kindred
Portraiture
Portraiture for corporations and businesses ranges from environmental to headshots.
Photo by Kevin Karzin
Editorial
Editorial for magazines or web is a constant way to keep your photography fresh and new.
Photo by Catherine Vibert
My Teaching Philosophy
Working Together to Find Solutions
I am 100% sure I can teach anyone to make better, and more professional photography by showing them what they do correctly and having them see what they could have done to make the shot better. I do not have a ‘mean’ critique’ style preferring to help the students understand how to improve the image as that shows them how to create solutions instead of being blocked by problems.
Finding ways to make photographs under adverse conditions is both an art and a science, but there are ways to mitigate challenges that arise in the everyday work we do. This class is designed to show you how to think about a solution, not be stymied by unexpected situations. It is not a gear issue, or a lack of experience, it is fundamentally a skill of visualizing and creating the image that leads to success.
FAQs – Questions You May Have
What Do I Need for This Class
Camera: 35mm, 50mm, 85mm (FF Equivalent)
2 Lights (continuous or strobe – speedlights are fine)
Off-Camera Triggers for Strobes
1 Boom
3 Stands
A Table to Shoot On
Tripod
Two reflectors (white/shiny, white/black)
1 Medium Sized Scrim, 3ft Square is perfect (we have instructions for DIY)
Assorted clamps and other items for tabletop photography
What Do I Need To Know?
You need to know:
- How to make a photograph with your camera.
- Shutter speed / Aperture / Iso
- How to use your lights (control the power, use off camera)
- Normal Photoshop skills (select, modify, adjust)
- Use a tripod, light stands, boom
I Am Older, Will My Age Be a Problem?
Nope.
I work with people of all ages and countries. You are perfect for this class if you are motivated and want to improve your game. Many of my students are over 35, and the majority are over 45. I generally run a 50-50 ratio of women to men as well.
How Much Time Does This Require
You will have one assignment per week, and should expect to spend about 4 hours on average for a shoot. If you want to do more, you can, and I expect you will want to do a bit more each week to build your portfolio.
Are The Live Meetings Recorded?
Yes.
I try to make them available by the Friday after our Wednesday meeting. They are found on the assignment page, and you are free to watch them as many times as you want.
What If I Miss an Assignment?
Well, as in the real world, if you miss it – you miss it. Hey, stuff happens and that is just life. However, you can always do the shot and submit it for one of our monthly review/business classes. Never get behind. If you need to miss the class, watch the video, learn what you can and move to the next assighment.
Why Project 52 is different
Project 52 Pro System is Unique in Several Key Ways That Benefit You and Your Business. There Is No Other Training Like It.
Real world assignments, not art class fun. Assignments pulled from what is happening right now gives you an edge.
LIVE Reviews and Assignment Instructions means you get your questions answered in real time.
Small Class sizes mean a more personal approach. It’s like having a personal business and photo coach.
- All meetings are recorded and archived for you to return to whenever you wish.
- Every assignment has behind the scenes shots so you learn from each other.
- We are not gearheads, we are solutions-based photographers… we get it done.
- Portfolio Building is a huge part of the course.
- Help with website and social media strategy.
- Learn to add motion to every job you get for more client engagement.
- A business book for establishing your business the right way.
- A workbook for the workshop to keep notes, critiques, and lessons learned.
- We cover Photoshop, Lightroom, Capture One, and additional apps to help you stay current.
Articles
The Blog
PAINTING WITH LIGHT: AARON JONES METHOD
LIGHT PAINTING WITH A HOSEMASTER BITDSorry, the last video never made it to YouTube. But I think you can get some great ideas from these. We have modern tools like Lume Cubes and Small Rig lights that can help us craft amazing light-painted images. Give it a shot and...
WHAT TO PHOTOGRAPH WHEN THERE IS “NOTHING TO PHOTOGRAPH”
A dilemma that we all face from time to time. https://youtu.be/UTeeptpaRNc
SHOOTING REFLECTIVE PRODUCT
I would say that doing a better job of lighting the label or getting a frame with the label lit would be another way of doing this, but take a look at how this photographer does the post on a relatively easy product shot. Attention to detail is one of the most...
The workshop fee is $1250 and includes a business book shipped directly to you from Blurb.
If you would like to go directly to the enrollment page, you can do that here.
If you have additional questions or to speak to me directly, use the form on the right and I will get back to you ASAP.