| The definition of fine art, as defined by the | | | | or portrait photographer. So how does the |
| Merriam-Webster dictionary, is "art concerned | | | | relationship work? Normally the sales rep |
| primarily with the creation of beautiful | | | | will already have their own business, and |
| objects". With such a "wide" definition of | | | | they will work for you on a commission only |
| "beautiful objects", the beauty is in the | | | | basis. You will pay them approximately 30 |
| eyes of the photographer. Virtually anything | | | | percent of the assignment fee, that is the |
| can be fine art, a simple household item such | | | | net fee, not the final figure with expenses |
| as a fork, a nude body, travel, landscape, | | | | added on. |
| wildlife, a landscape. Not everyone will | | | | |
| agree on what constitutes fine art, many | | | | How to work out if this relationship will be |
| years ago I was awed by the sight of the | | | | advantageous to you, balances many factors. |
| Sydney Opera House, and thought it was the | | | | If you have developed a highly personalised |
| most beautiful building In Australia. However | | | | style as a photographer, then you need to |
| I remember thinking that it perfectly | | | | target specific areas to sell the |
| complemented Australia, it would look pretty | | | | photographs. Perhaps you do not live in a |
| silly in the centre of Madrid. However if | | | | large city and have the right contacts. You |
| you don't like the Sydney Opera House, then | | | | have already made a portfolio of work that |
| it does not matter how great the photo you | | | | you would like to specialise in. It may not |
| are not going to like it. So whatever | | | | be cheaper for you to hire a rep, because you |
| constitutes Fine Art photography is a pretty | | | | may still have to advertise locally to |
| subjective decision. | | | | maintain your own business that you have |
| | | | developed, but you are paying a rep on extra |
| School of Photography give you a good idea of | | | | sales that you did not have before. It will |
| what will constitute in their view Fine Art | | | | certainly increase the profitability of your |
| photography. | | | | business if you have no time to devote to |
| | | | increasing the number of your clients. |
| For many photographers this is an ideal line | | | | |
| of work, because it allows you to represent a | | | | You have decided that this path is for you, - |
| part of your personality, through your work. | | | | how do you go about it. |
| It is possible to make a political statement | | | | |
| by being a fine arts photographer. A clear | | | | One idea is to investigate the names of the |
| analogy here would be the emergence of the | | | | best advertisement agencies nearest to you, |
| acceptance of the gay male in photography, | | | | your local reference library can be of |
| over the last thirty years. In it's wide | | | | assistance here, as can yellow pages. You can |
| ranging definition it is possible to be more | | | | phone them direct and ask them the names and |
| creative, and in this creativity be more | | | | the contact numbers of their reps. The |
| personal. | | | | Writer's Digest publish an annual |
| | | | "Photographer's Market Book", this book now |
| There are a lot of resources on the Web | | | | lists photographic reps, and it will also |
| regarding fine art. One of the better ones | | | | help you market your work with lists of fine |
| concerning resources and links is There are | | | | art reps, as well as galleries and stock |
| excellent links to photographers' web sites, | | | | agencies. |
| as well as grants available to the | | | | |
| photographer. Because the definition of Fine | | | | However you choose to market your business, |
| Art photography is so wide, it has perhaps a | | | | the essence of what you need to do is to |
| more specific marketing need. Fortunately | | | | widen your client base. There is certainly |
| there are more ways to market them than just | | | | more work in the marketing of certain |
| stock photographic galleries It may be | | | | photographs. However in today's market place |
| advantageous for you to think about engaging | | | | communication is as much as an art as |
| the services of a full time sales | | | | creating the photographs. Not only is it |
| representative. A sales representative will | | | | important that you keep abreast with market |
| work with clients in the advertisement | | | | trends, but you have to be in constant |
| industry, the travel industry, and also | | | | communication with your clients. Certain |
| graphic design firms. The advantage of | | | | photographers' enjoy the "Cut and Thrust" of |
| employing a sales rep is that it leaves you | | | | aggressive marketing. If you don't, then |
| free to create without the hassle of "cold | | | | consider paying someone else to do it for |
| selling". If you are not a natural | | | | you. Never underestimate the power of |
| salesperson, it may be better for you to | | | | marketing, it is a very potent tool to help |
| consider someone else doing the selling. That | | | | get your work shown to the people who are |
| person should also be a!ble to evaluate the | | | | most likely to purchase it. |
| true value of your work, be experienced | | | | |
| enough to know where to get the prices, as | | | | Do you really know as a photographer what you |
| well as having a proven track record in | | | | have to sell and it's value. As a freelancer |
| negotiating the best prices. | | | | you can learn a great deal from advertising |
| | | | clients, They determine a niche for the |
| There are other advantages as well. Companies | | | | product and then work on it's development to |
| using a wide and diverse range of | | | | promote it. A product is always promoted with |
| photographs, such as advertisement agencies, | | | | a very specific client in mind. You must know |
| will have more time for a sales rep, who has | | | | your strengths as well as your weaknesses. |
| a large portfolio of work, from different | | | | For instance if you have a passion for taking |
| clients, than from one single photographer. | | | | seascapes, then it is pointless to advertise |
| By the nature of their work sales reps are | | | | yourself as a portrait photographer. You need |
| normally found in larger cities and towns, | | | | to find a way of getting your unique |
| they will have a large client base of their | | | | photographs to where they are going to |
| own, and will probably promote your work in | | | | maximise your profit. |
| specialised areas, such as food photographer, | | | | |