Jim Larson has been part of the international publishing and photography community for over 30 years, initially working in Paris as a photographer before advancing to become the Managing Photography Editor for Playboy Magazine.

Jim has developed numerous industry relationships, built contract language and negotiated multi million dollar agreements and budgets with photographers, celebrity management, unit production contributors and model agencies worldwide.  He has collaborated with print, electronic and broadcast media editors and art directors inside and outside of the company and has developed and produced editorial and advertising still photo and video concepts from start to successful completion, both as an executive producer and on location line producer/art director. He has regularly contributed to the promotional and public relations planning for many of the magazine’s celebrity projects.

In addition, Jim’s management responsibilities have included overseeing the staff of Playboy’s in house photo studio, the Playboy photo lab/digital imaging area and the Playboy Photo Library which includes 10 million plus images comprising the historical Playboy Photo Archive.

Jim attended the University of Missouri School of Journalism earning a Bachelors Degree in editorial writing. Additionally he completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in photography at the Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, having been elected to the Dean’s List of his class. He has guest lectured at the Northwestern University Medill School of Journalism, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago and the DePaul University Institute For Business and Professional Ethics. Jim is an avid explorer with extensive international travel experience and concurrently writes of destinations as well as topics of interest to men.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

PLAYBOY ENTERPRISES, INC., PLAYBOY Magazine, Chicago, Illinois1977 – present 
$240M global multi-media entertainment & licensing company.

Managing Photography Editor 

Develop content, attract photography talent and oversee production of original photography for acclaimed international monthly consumer publication and media company.

•Collaborate with editors and art directors, assign, budget and supervise both staff and freelance photographers and unit production contributors for the completion of location and studio photography: covers, celebrity features, pictorials, sports, automotive, travel, food/drink, gift and editorial story illustration.

•Oversee additional photography production for internal Corporate, Legal and Promotion areas of the company.

•Coordinate partner photography projects with Playboy’s 26 International Editions, Playboy.com, Playboy TV and Playboy Licensing.

•Manage production of cooperative advertising photography:

Mini Cooper, Patrone, Miller Lite, Chronicle Books, Taschen,
World Wrestling Entertainment, Bacardi, Jose Cuervo, Crystal Vodka, Captain Morgan, Coty

•Develop contract language and negotiate fees and publication rights and usage with celebrity management, model agencies and photographers both in the U.S. and internationally.

•Source, evaluate and develop new photography talent.

•Responsible for direct expenditure of $5 million annual budget.

•Supervise in-house Photo Lab/Digital Imaging and Photo Library/Archive staff:

Evaluate annual staff performance and finalize salary reviews, recommend increases and title upgrades to management.

Consult with Lab and Library managers regarding procedure, technique and approval of equipment acquisitions.

•Maintain proficiency with current photo technology.

PHOTOGRAPHER 1976-1977 Paris, France

•Photographed editorial and advertising fashion and beauty content for Vogue/Italia, Marie-Claire, Depeche Mode, 20 Ans, Chaussure and Zoom magazines.

ASSISTANT PHOTOGRAPHER 1975-1976 New York, NY

•1st Assistant Photographer to Conde Nast editorial fashion photographer Arthur Elgort.

EDITOR/PRINT PRODUCTION COORDINATOR 1974
     Windsor Publications
     Woodland Hills, CA

Substantive Text Editor for promotional city commerce publications.

•Coordinate layouts, imposition and photography with printer.

•Judge and correct press proofs.

ACTIVITIES

Guest lecturer at Medill School of Journalism, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL, School of the Art Institute of Chicago and Depaul University Institute for Business and Professional Ethics, Chicago, IL.

US Playboy representative and workshop presenter to Playboy’s Annual International Editions Conference

Protocol, negotiation, international business culture and decorum advisor to photo industry colleagues

Story development, editorial travel and men’s interest writer

EDUCATION

Art Center College of Design, Pasadena, CA
Bachelor of Fine Arts, Photography
Deans List

University of Missouri, Columbia, MO
Bachelor of Journalism, Newspaper and Editorial Writing
General News reporter for Columbia Missourian