In this half-week classroom-based seminar (Wednesday evening - Saturday noon) Mary Virginia Swanson provides insights into the most effective avenues for photographers to introduce their work to gallery and museum professionals and others seeking to acquire or display original artwork.
Through a series of lectures and presentations Swanson will discuss the value of entering national and international juried exhibitions and participating in portfolio review events. Important gallery trade shows are discussed from the perspective of helping artists assess prices and edition sizes, and research the marketplace towards potential venues for their work. Effective self-promotion materials are shared with participants, as are the professional practices necessary to successfully present their work. She will also discuss 'talking points' when given the opportunity to sign with a gallery for representation.
In addition to discussing the collecting marketplace, in response to a growing use of fine art photographs as illustration on music packaging, book jackets and diverse print media, Swanson provides experienced insights issues relating to granting the rights to reproduce (license) photographs from personal bodies of work, and related negotiations. One session within this information-filled workshop is dedicated to group sharing; participants are invited to bring several samples of their work to share with the class (not required).
Swanson's book “The Business of Photography: Principles and Practices" will be provided to all participants as the course workbook.
Who should attend: This workshop will be of value to those who wish to bring their photographs to professionals and individuals interested in original artwork. Participants need not have completed entire bodies of work before taking this workshop, but will benefit most if they are interested in understanding the path towards their work being exhibited and collected.
A scholarship is available for this workshop. Click here for details.
Level: Intermediate/advanced.
What should participants bring: It is suggested that participants bring materials to take notes, and while not required, participants may bring a selection of ten images (print or via digital projection) to share with the group. There will not be any field work in this workshop, however participants are encouraged to bring their equipment to make some work in the New Orleans area while they are here. A detailed letter from Mary Virginia outlining preparation for this workshop will be sent to all participants upon registration.
| Schedule: | |
|---|---|
| Wed April 14 | 6pm - 9pm |
| Thurs April 15 | 9am - 4pm |
| Fri April 16 | 9am - 4pm |
| Sat April 17 | 9am - noon |
Class limit: 15 participants. No portfolio is required.
This workshop is now full. Please only use the paypal interface below to settle your balance if you are already registered. If not and if you wish to be placed on the waiting list, please call us at (877) 316-0009.
| Tuition | $495 |
Deposit: A $150 non-refundable deposit is due with the application. The balance is due on April 7th, one week prior to the start of the workshop. Scholarship: A scholarship to cover the $495 tuition is available. Click here for details. |
| Materials Fee (†) | $40 | |
| Total | $535 | |
|---|---|---|
| (†) The materials fee covers the purchase of Swanson's book “The Business of Photography: Principles and Practices". | ||
© 2009 Athena Londsdale
Mary Virginia Swanson makes it her goal to help guide photographers towards the strengths in their work and to identify appreciative audiences for their prints, exhibitions, editorial and licensing placement. Swanson has a diverse professional background, having coordinated educational, publication and exhibition programs for a wide range of institutions and businesses in our field.
Swanson is considered an expert in the area of marketing and licensing fine art. It was during her tenure heading special projects at Magnum Photos, that she recognized the opportunities for artists to develop second markets for their work and in 1991 she founded SWANSTOCK, an innovative agency that managed licensing rights for fine art photographers.
Swanson currently works with photographers as a marketing consultant, and is a sought-after portfolio reviewer at events such as Review Santa Fe, Review LA, FotoFest, PhotoNola and PhotoLucida, among others. She also consults with business and agencies in our industry, assisting in their awareness of contemporary photography.
Her seminars, workshops and public lectures on the subject of marketing opportunities have aided countless photographers in moving their careers to the next level.
Swanson contributes articles to many print and online publications, including Photo District News (PDN) and PDNEDU, Digital Journalist, Nueva Luz, The Education of a Photographer and teachingphoto.com, among others in the U.S. and abroad. She aids numerous other organizations in an advisory capacity, including Blue Earth Alliance and National Geographic's ALL ROADS Photography Program, and contributes seminars annually to many events including the Society for Photographic Education's national and regional meetings.
Swanson maintains a popular blog about marketing photographs at: marketingphotos.wordpress.com. She is the author of the self-published THE BUSINESS OF PHOTOGRAPHY: PRINCIPLES and PRACTICES.
"Taking a marketing workshop with MVS was a life changing experience" -- Alec Soth
