Frames from the Frontier: A Visual History of Early American Photography

A conversation on the preservation and study of photographic archives, the fine art print side of the industry, and the responsibility photographers have in preserving their own bodies of work. Bringing together practical, academic, and digital preservation perspectives, the panel covers how historical collections inform contemporary visual storytelling, how photographers choose labs, papers, and formats, and how print sales factor into a sustainable photography business.

How do you get hired by brands? How do you price a shoot that includes both photo and video? And what do the people making those hiring decisions actually look for? This panel brings together photographers, advertising producers, and brand marketing leads for a conversation about how commercial photography really works, from the first email to the final deliverable.

A deep dive into the history of photography, exploring the development of photographic processes throughout the nineteenth century and the visual culture of the American West. Drawing on her doctoral research from the Université de Paris, Jessica examines how technological innovations, photographic practices, and visual representations shaped the medium during a period of rapid change.