Contemporary Long-Form Photographic Storytelling - Spring 2025

Join award-winning photojournalist and visual storyteller Erika Schultz for a course examining the development and craft of long-form photographic storytelling. During the class, students will work with Erika to identify the themes, narratives, and visual storytelling approaches through documentary photography, still life and/or portraiture. In addition, the course will explore the ethics of contemporary photography and the importance of a strong research practice. The class will include presentations, case studies and conversations with visiting artists, as well as group dialogue and critiques of ongoing individual project development. In addition, the class will look at what is involved with preparing a project for publication and/or exhibition.

About Erika Schultz
Erika Schultz is a staff photographer for The Seattle Times and a member of their Climate Lab team. As a photographer and videographer, she focuses on news and longform stories about human connection and community, health, climate change and the environment.

Her visual storytelling has been recognized by Pictures of Year International, the Casey Medals for Meritorious Journalism, National Edward R. Murrow Awards and the ASNE Community Service Photojournalism awards. Supported by the International Women’s Media Foundation, her immersive digital stories exploring asylum, deportation and women's rights on the U.S.-Mexico border earned a National Emmy, an Online Journalism Award and recognized by NPPA’s Best of Photojournalism. She also was part of The Seattle Times’ 2010 Pulitzer Prize winning team for Breaking News Reporting.

Erika has taught photo and video storytelling at University of Washington, Photographic Center Northwest and coached at Mountain Workshops. Understanding the increasing risks journalists face online and in the field, Schultz completed a Hostile Environment and First Aid Training. She is also certfied FAA Part 107-certified drone pilot.

IMPORTANT NOTES FOR STUDENTS

• Weekly attendance is vital to student success in PCNW courses. We require that students attend the first meeting in order to retain their spot in the class. A waiver may be granted if permission is given by, and subsequent arrangements made with, both the PCNW Registrar and Faculty. Please see our Education Policies for details about attendance policies and academic expectations.
• Intermediate and advanced courses have prerequisites which students must satisfy prior to enrollment. Prerequisites may be waived based on experience or prior courses taken through other institutions. To verify that you meet the prerequisite(s) for a course, contact Jennifer Brendicke, Registrar at jbrendicke@pcnw.org.
• Students are required to provide their own camera, unless otherwise noted in the course description. If you have questions about camera equipment or resources, contact us at pcnw@pcnw.org.
• PCNW adheres to a strict payment, cancellation and refund policy. Please review our Payment & Refund Policies prior to registration.
• Additional materials and supplies, not covered by a materials fee for a course, are the responsibility of the student. Detailed information about course expectations, required texts and materials will be provided at the start of the quarter.
• Students should prepare to spend several hours per week completing assignments outside of class, which may require use of the PCNW facilities; view our Rental Rates for details about additional fees. Rental fees for use of PCNW Facilities are a separate cost from tuition.

Images © Erika Schultz