GEM FLETCHER: "SURVIVAL STRATEGIES: HOW TO CULTIVATE OPPORTUNITY" WINTER ONLINE CLASS

REGISTRATIONS ARE CLOSED

GEM FLETCHER: “SURVIVAL STRATEGIES: HOW TO CULTIVATE OPPORTUNITY”
JANUARY 11-29, 2026, ONLINE CLASS

Making great work is only one part of building and sustaining a career in photography. This class will explore how photographers successfully develop opportunities and an audience for their practice, gaining the fundamental skills needed to thrive in today’s visual competitive media landscape. Students will leave with a better understanding of how to position themselves in the marketplace [commercially, editorially and in the art world], honing the necessary skills to articulate their practice authentically and strategically in order to cultivate new opportunities. The course is suitable for photographers in the first decade of their careers, or for those looking to pivot into a different part of the industry.

Class structure:
4 group sessions + 1 individual meeting: Artist-led lectures and group reviews/conversations plus one-on-one meetings (30 minutes per participant)
A list of materials to prepare, along with upload portfolio page links and Zoom classroom logins will be provided a week before the start of class.

Schedule:
Meets online from 1-4pm EST (New York time), 6-9pm GMT (London, UK time) on:
Sunday January 11 + Thursday January 15
Sunday January 18 + Thursday January 22
Sunday January 25 (1:1 group A) + Thursday January 29 (1:1 group B)

ABOUT GEM FLETCHER

Gem Fletcher is a writer, consultant and Podcast host. Her work has been published in The British Journal of Photography, Foam, Aperture, Dazed, Creative Review, It’s Nice That and An0ther, and she has written book texts for Rhiannon Adam, Maggie Shannon, Juan Brenner and Flora Hanitijo, amongst others. Before writing, Gem spent fifteen years working in the commercial and editorial sector as an art director and photo director. Supporting emerging talent has also been a vital part of her practice, and over the last decade, Gem has mentored hundreds of artists worldwide, guiding and supporting them in pushing their practice forward and realising their goals. Her approach is practical and direct, holding space for open and honest dialogue about what it takes to build a career in photography. In addition, Gem hosts The Messy Truth podcast, a series of candid conversations that unpack the future of visual culture and what it means to be a photographer today. Now in its eighth season, Gem explores reflections on community, mental health, longevity, starting out, survival and success with guests like Antwuan Sargent, Catherine Opie, Farah Al Qasimi, Carmen Winant, Charlotte Cotton, Quil Lemons, Brea Souders and Laia Abril.

@gemfletcher

Cover image © Harper Stone, Caress, 2022. Published in JRNL 16, Spring 2023 Issue.

DETAILS & FAQ

TUITIONS & APPLICATION DEADLINES

CLASS FILLED: OCT. 7 WAITLIST APPLICATION DEADLINE

TUITION & APPLICATION DEADLINES:

In the event that one seat becomes available again, new applicants invited to register will be required to send a full regular registration payment to secure their participation.

Regular: $745 USD

APPLICATION PROCESS & REQUIREMENTS

Applications to register are free (no fee to apply). Enrolment is limited to 10 participants – with currently no open seats left, so only waitlist applications are accepted at this time. Photographers from all educational backgrounds and at all career stages are welcome to apply (film & digital). A portfolio of 10-20 images focused on past and/or ongoing projects must be submitted as a prerequisite for consideration (please include images from no more than 2 different series/projects).

Applications are reviewed weekly and on a first-come first-served basis, with regular email communication from reception to final decision. The entire review and acceptance process usually takes 5-7 days from the day an application is received. Submitting your application as early as possible is recommended for greater chances of participation.

REGISTRATION PAYMENTS & DEADLINES

REGISTRATION DEPOSITS
Registration deposits are no longer accepted at this time.

PAYMENT PLANS
Payment plan options are no longer offered at this time.

CANCELLATIONS & WITHDRAWALS

The deadline to withdraw your participation and request a refund is Monday, October 27, 2025. Please note that a $250 USD cancelation fee remains then applicable. Cancelation and refund requests received after October 27 will not be accepted.

In the event the program is not meeting minimum enrollment, or needs to be canceled for any other reason, paid tuition will be refunded in full without any cancelation fee.

QUESTIONS/CONTACT

For any questions or inquiries, please contact FotoFilmic Co-Director Bastien Desfriches Doria directly at bastien@fotofilmic.com