Professional Experience
Photographer, Artist, Academic Director
PROFILE
Ric Peterson’s career as a photographer has spanned more than thirty years. After a brief couple years working as a training photographer for a busy wedding studio, Ric began his commercial career as a fashion photographer. With a studio in Minneapolis Ric photographed people, lifestyle and table top imagery primarily for regional and national clientile through advertising agencies and graphic design firms. Ric has owned/operated studios in Minneapolis, MN, Portland, OR and Seattle, WA.
Currently, Ric is the Academic Director for the Photography and Digital Film and Video Production programs at the Art Institute of Seattle.
Ric remains available for commercial and editorial assignments in addition to promoting his fine art images.
CORE QUALIFICATIONS
Vision, Strategy & Execution
Financial Planning & Analysis
Business Development & Growth
Project Management
Employee Development & Mentorship
P&L and Operations Management
Budget Management & Cost Reduction
Strategic & Tactical Marketing
Brand Development and Re-Brand Positioning
Internal & External Customer Relations
Award Winning Photographer
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
ART INSTITUTE OF SEATTLE, Seattle, WA 2007-Present
ACADEMIC DIRECTOR
Director managing the Photography and Filmmaking programs. Oversight, management and revisions of curriculum, faculty and students, scheduling and coordination between Academic Affairs and all other campus departments, all AI campuses, industry professionals and the community. Member of Key Management Group.
UNIVERSITY OF WASHINGTON, Seattle, WA 2009-Present
INSTRUCTOR
Instructor Advanced Digital Imaging Certificate Program. Five person team for strategic planning, ciriculum development, set up, organization and implementation of program
UNIVERSITY OF PHOENIX, Seattle, WA 2007-Present
INSTRUCTOR
College Instruction to undergraduate and adult learning students in the areas of Marketing, Advanced Marketing, and Business Strategy and Ethics courses.
ARSCENTIA, Seattle, WA 1998 to 2008
DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS & PHOTOGRAPHY
Member of corporate executive team responsible for the development of photography division, design division and turnaround of lab and display division. Lead a team of 21 in daily operations. Business development and sales oversight, employee recruitment and retention. Responsible for operations, portfolio development, presentation, project management and client engagements. Strategic planning, branding, marketing, customer and vendor relations.
PARALLEL PRODUCTIONS, Minneapolis, MN 1994-1998
GENERAL MANAGER
P2 PHOTO PRODUCTIONS DIVISION
Responsible for the business development, sales and operations of P2 division of Parallel Productions. Complete financial and P&L responsibility, planning, marketing and growth strategies. Increased sales in excess of 50% per year for four years. Initiated digital imaging capabilities and digital asset management systems. Recruited, and directed staff of four. Coordinated strategy, planning and budgeting with Parallel Productions.
WATERMARK STUDIOS, Minneapolis, MN 1980-1992
PRINCIPAL, PRESIDENT
Sole principal and president of company responsible for all facets of operations. Award winning photographic imagery, directed four photographers and support staff of eight through business development, sales, production, planning, forecasting and project management. Managed operations and photographic assignments in specialized markets of fashion, executive portraiture, annual reports, lifestyles, catalog, table top, automotive, leisure, hospitality and food. Directed business development, client engagement and retention, strategy, planning, marketing, financials, projects and staff.
EDUCATION
MBA
University of Phoenix, Seattle, WA
MBA program
University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, MN
BS
Major in Business Administration
National American University, St. Paul, MN
BS program
University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
PROFESSIONAL AFFLIATIONS
Treasurer, Past President_Seattle Chapter, American Society of Magazine Photographers (ASMP)
