This is the email I shared with all KLC fotos photographers who have covered for Cal Athletics. Sharing here in case I missed anyone, and because a handful of non-photographers who follow Cal and know me, have been asking.

Hello,

Many of you have been reaching out about Cal since they announced Strawberry Creek Studios. What does this mean for KLC fotos?

TL;DR 

My most honest answer is, I don’t know.
My overall outlook is optimistic.

INSIGHT, PREDICTIONS, PLANS
I was told our contract would not be renewed in favor of an in-house role but they still hope to partner with KLC fotos for supplemental coverage. This was not a surprise. It's something Cal has long hoped for, and honestly, needed. We are closing this chapter on very good terms. It was a surprise to see the layoffs across communications, marketing and creative that followed. This google docoutlines the structure of Strawberry Creek Studios and shows that there is a -to be posted- Director, Strategic Photography role. Looking at the other open roles, I imagine this role will lean heavily on AI and student-interns. I can't make any promises on how much work KLC fotos will get under this new model, but I am optimistic.


REASONS FOR OPTIMISM
Plenty of Opportunities Remain: Our contract with communications (media days, FB home and away, MBB/WBB home and 2 games per sport for all other sports) was a fraction of KLC fotos total assignment fees. Even if they don't hire us to supplement any of what used to be contracted coverage, there are plenty of other assignment opportunities. Both within athletics, general campus, and beyond! 

More bandwidth to grow KLC fotos: The contract was purely assignment-fee based, it was not billed to account for the managed service they grew to expect. Freeing up my time spent managing the contract and archive can be better spent furthering KLC fotos' broader mission to support photographers, which I am VERY excited about.

WHAT THIS MEANS FOR YOU

There is no action needed on your end at this moment. KLC fotos will continue to offer assignments through the portal as they come up. If Cal continues to utilize the platform to offer volunteer opportunities, you will see them on the Open Calendar. (If they do not, feel free to reach out to Cal directly about coverage) I encourage you to keep your KLC fotos profile up to date and check the site regularly.

If you are interested in applying for the photographer position, you can keep an eye out on the UC system job board here - Narrowing search by Keyword: Athletics and Campus: Berkeley. I do not plan to apply and am in full support of any KLC fotos photographer applying for the position.

THANK YOU

Regardless of what the KLC fotos/Cal future looks like, I wanted to say a big “Thank You”, to every one of you who helped KLC fotos with our Cal coverage. Both those who helped establish KLC fotos as a legitimate agency capable of taking on such a large contract, and those who helped cover Cal assignments. What a run! As an alum who got my start in sports photography while a student at Cal, having the company I started earn the Cal contract, was so rewarding for me personally and professionally. In the 8 years since, A LOT has changed and I’m proud that our game day fees reflected those changes. We started at $200/game in 2017 and have increased to $500/game and as much as $900/game for football. I could not have advocated for increasing our rate, without the value and dedication that you showed when covering Cal Athletics for KLC fotos. But more than that, I’m proud and honored to have watched the KLC fotos community grow. The way you have been generous mentors and enthusiastic learners, all supporting each other… that isn’t going anywhere!

I look forward to this next chapter! Thanks for being along for the ride!

SAVE THE DATE - JUNE 13th - 11am

I plan to have an informal Cal Creatives Hang Out at Headlands

(Coincidentally this is International Axe Throwing Day 🪓)

Thanks and Go Bears!

Kelley