‹ Home

An interview with Mary Virginia Swanson, creative consultant on making and marketing art. Written for our friends at APA National.

MVS:  Today, introducing your work to new audiences or keeping in touch with those whom you’ve met should be consistent in brand identity and intention whether it is in print or via email.  Depending on the market segment you are targeting, using social media such as Facebook and Twitter may be appropriate.  Regardless, your website should be the anchor of your marketing, featuring a tight edit of images, and a clear message, with simple navigation.

MB:  With all this change, and a move toward disintermediation in the world in general, how have you seen the role of the gallery change, and where do you feel the relationship between artist and gallery is headed in the future?

MVS:  Few traditional galleries are taking on new artists, a direct consequence of the global financial challenges.  The idea of “gallery” extends beyond the brick-and-mortar spaces, and the notion of representation may or may not include responsibility for marketing of fine prints.  Today’s gallery representative may also handle commissions and licensing opportunities for the artists they work with.  At the same time, we see a rise in photography being featured in interior design and décor projects, as well as art in public places such as airports.  While diversification is wise in challenging financial times, I believe you should be represented by individuals who are excellent at what they do, have a clear understanding of conducting business of any and all market segments and have the respect of the professionals within the fine art, advertising, editorial, or corporate markets.   It is rare to find someone who has a current perspective on all markets, and more common that photographers will have someone who may handle one part of their professional life, and that they themselves with be their best representative to other markets.

MB:  I know a lot of commercial photographers who do personal work that they would love to have up in a show or sell to a collector.  Do you work with people who do both commercial and fine art photography?

MVS:  YES.  An increasing number of my clients are finding a place for their personal style within commission assignments, and interest in acquisition of collectible prints produced for clients.

MB:  Is it difficult for them to tap into their creative side after working on client work?

MVS:  In the best-case scenario, commissioned work is a creative collaboration, one that is engaging for all parties.  I find those whose commissioned work is not necessarily within the subject area of their personal work making a commitment to their personal projects, keeping engaged and stimulated and making new work for themselves.

MB:  There are many photographers I know who have been working in the same way for many years, and have huge archives of beautiful work like Stephen Salmieri, and are just getting comfortable with the idea of marketing online.  The first step is often creating a website, but then there is the challenge of driving traffic to the site.  Do you encourage any specific strategies to address this issue?

MVS:  SEO strategies are proven; don’t ignore the potential for launching a website that is poised to communicate your message.  PRINT is the most important companion to marketing the presence of one’s website.   Marketing via print mailers is down dramatically, but in my opinion the impact and the experience is preferred to an e-announcement.  Network!  Be present at industry events, where you will give out your promo card personally. And of course social networks are the logical first form of communication for some clients,some markets, and some locations.

MB:  What would you say are the most important things for a photographer to do when trying to gain traction in the fine art world?

MVS:  Target your audience, research online and in person, network online  and in person and most importantly MAKE NEW PHOTOGRAPHS FOR YOURSELF EVERY DAY.

MARY VIRGINIA SWANSON helps photographers find the strengths in their work and identify appreciative audiences in today’s diverse marketplace. Her lectures on industry awareness and marketing opportunities in the arts have aided countless photographers in moving their careers to the next level. She is the author of The Business of Photography: Principles and Practices. Swanson and co-author Darius Himes have recently completed Publish Your Photography Book (Princeton Architectural Press, Spring 2011).  Her website can be found at www.mvswanson.com.