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.

Each participating member will be assigned a one-hour time slot and must arrive for their shoot time with their model dressed and ready. 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 for the September shoot will be Friday, September 27; and the rain date for the October shoot will be Wednesday, October 30. By completing the application form you are confirming availability for both the assigned shoot date and the rain date.

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 session, participants will have their product photographed professionally on a white seamless backdrop and will receive 5 high resolution images and a professional portrait, with the option of receiving the unedited raw files for participants to retouch on their own. Participants are encouraged to sign up for the DIY Photography workshops, but will also be advised on affordable services to edit the additional files.

Outcomes For Participants:
* Professional product 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

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 half-day workshop is a hands-on introduction to the basics of DIY video production, with the goal of demystifying video for Made in NYC members. We’ll explore some tools that are currently available to level up your phone-based content capture, and we’ll discuss techniques and approaches for achieving your communication objectives. Participants will leave the workshop empowered to create effective video content that connects with their audience AND builds their brand.

This workshop will take place in-person at Pratt Institute’s Manhattan campus on Friday, November 22 from 2pm to 6pm.

Outcomes For Participants
* Identification of video communication objectives and needs
* Gain working knowledge of some tools available to elevate cell phone video quality
* Learn tips and tricks to get the most out of a video shoot
* Understanding of how to cater video approach for various styles/genres/platforms
* Familiarity with available editing tools

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 2024 and Spring 2025. Participants may choose whether to take one or both sessions.

The Camera Controls and Lighting workshops give manufacturers the opportunity to receive hands-on assistance navigating their camera device whether a dslr (digital camera) or phone camera and demos on lighting techniques for daylight and artificial lighting.

The Photo Retouching workshops address post-production and retouching using phone apps for phone camera users as well as computer-based software such as Lightroom, Photoshop and the free software Photopea. Participants are encouraged to share their own images to begin the learning process from questions and problems they have already experienced.

The Camera Controls & Lighting workshop will take place in-person at Pratt’s Manhattan Campus, and the Photo Retouching workshop will be on Zoom.

The application deadline for Camera Controls & Lighting is November 17 and the deadline for Photo Retouching is November 24.