Learning Lab

This program offers Made in NYC members to receive professional lifestyle photography of their products against a dynamic, real-world background outdoors. You’ll receive five high-resolution images, tailored to your product’s style and the varied compositions chosen. Participating businesses will be required to bring their own model to the shoot, and are encouraged to bring props and other materials to infuse character.

Our spring shoot date will take place in Prospect Park on Monday, June 10, 2024, with a rain date of Monday, June 17. Each participating member will be assigned a one-hour time slot and must arrive for their shoot time with their model dressed and ready.

Participating businesses will be required to bring their own model(s) to the shoot, and are encouraged to bring props and other materials to infuse character. Each business is allowed a maximum of three people at the shoot, including any models. This is a strict requirement.

Outcomes For Participants:
* One-hour session of professional lifestyle photography for participants suitable for press, social media and websites
* A deeper understanding of photoshoot logistics from prep to finish
* Creative problem solving for how to photograph your product by working in a photo environment which embraces learning

Please note that the rain date will be Monday, June 17. By completing the application form you are confirming availability for both June 10 and June 17.

With photography being a significant cost for businesses, this special opportunity is designed to deliver top-quality product photography for free to NYC-based manufacturers and makers, while allowing participants to experience firsthand what goes into a photoshoot and ask questions in a space for learning.

During a one-hour photo session, participants will have their product photographed professionally on a white seamless backdrop and will receive 5 high-resolution images of their product. Participants can bring in additional materials and props to style their product. If captured, additional raw unedited files will be available for the participant to retouch on their own.

Outcomes For Participants:
* Professional product photography for participants suitable for press, social media and websites
* Deeper understanding of photoshoot logistics from prep to finish
* Creative problem solving for how to photograph your product by working in a photo environment which embraces learning

Registration for spring 2024 studios has been filled. New registrants will be placed on a waitlist and will be contacted only if a spot becomes available.

Through our Factory Photography program, selected members will work with a photographer capturing what makes your factory/manufacturing space unique. Participating businesses will schedule a short photoshoot and sit-down interview with our team on-location. This photoshoot will capture your manufacturing capabilities, unique offerings, as well as your team in action. These images will be available for each factory to use and share freely. Made in NYC will produce a feature for the Made in NYC website based off this interview and photography as part of our Member Stories: Factory Tours series, also to be featured on our Instagram.

Being flexible is helpful, as the Made in NYC team will coordinate shoot days in locations with multiple nearby members. Following registration, the Made in NYC team will review applicants and will prioritize members with unique manufacturing services who have not recently received photography opportunities.

Outcomes For Participants:
* Professional photoshoot of your manufacturing space, including processes, personnel, and more
* Access to all photographs from the shoot to use for promotional purposes
* A sit-down interview to form a website feature and social media campaign by Made in NYC

This two-part workshop series offers lessons for enhancing your photography skills. Choose from sessions in photographic capture and post-production editing, with both workshops offered in Fall 2023 and Spring 2024. Participants may choose whether to take one or both sessions.

Camera Controls and Lighting focuses on the basics of camera settings, whether on a phone or digital camera, and the importance of managing and knowing how to manipulate light. Participants’ existing photography practices will undergo constructive peer review, crafting strategies to enhance product representation on websites and social media. Explore creative strategies for product and editorial photography, enriched by practical demonstrations of cost-effective styling solutions.

Photo Retouching is dedicated to demystifying the post-production process, focusing on basic photo editing and retouching skills using both free and subscription-based editing software. The workshop aims to empower participants with the essential tools necessary to elevate and refine their company’s images and visual assets, enhancing and correcting them effectively. Participants will learn how to correct common problems with color and contrast as well as object removal, and are encouraged to bring in their own images to practice with during the session.

Both classes will take place at Pratt Institute’s Manhattan campus. Participants are welcome to join one or both sessions.

Registration deadlines:
* Camera Controls and Lighting: Thursday, March 7, 2024
* Photo Retouching: Thursday, March 21, 2024