So you wanna be a fine art photographer? I’ve seen worse brand propositions. But think about this. How many clients really know what fine art is? Sure, it implies something valuable. But it also suggests esoteric and arty. Which could be sophisticated and creative. But it could be pretentious and odd. It depends on who you ask. But, let’s face it. Most people don’t really know, care, or agree about what fine art is, and the last thing you want is to define your brand by is something no one can agree on. Yes, it works for some (you know who you are), but I suspect not for most.
We might like the thought we’re artists, but how much does it matter to our clients?
Aside from the fact that more often than not, most work labelled as fine art wedding photography bears a stronger resemblance to a bastard love child between Thomas Kinkade and Strobist than to actual fine art (or even the common public perception of fine art), the thing to think about is where you want to go with it. Do you really want to tether your brand to something at once both vague and overused? It’s innocuous, granted. But it’s innocuous. And that’s really the thing of it. You want something with bite.
You may be an artist. And if so, then you know every artist is about something. Let your clients in on that something. That’s the foot you want to put forward. Do it right, and it will be worth a whole lot more than a the label itself.
Usually I’m totally on board with you, Spencer… but I feel that this post paints the industry with a sweeping brush. I 100% agree that the tagline ‘fine art photography’ when applied to portraits or weddings or something is INSANELY overused. In my mind, ‘fine art’ is not related to your skill level, how many clients you have, or how much you charge. It is really a mindset about conveying a message… not just ‘the story of the day’, but using your medium to present and discuss an issue or topic that speaks to your gut. I don’t think it is impossible for some wedding or portrait photographers to produce work of that nature, but they are definitely few and far between. I’m happy to come right out and say I’m not one of them. I’d like to get there one day, but I know that I’ve got a long way to go. A really long way. Lastly, for those who do some fine art projects in addition to their portrait/wedding work… well, we wouldn’t want to leave them out – especially if it helps foster and enrich their paid work. 😉 Anyway, just my thoughts. Thanks for getting my mind going!
Thanks for sharing, Kristin! Certainly not my intention to say that no wedding photographers are fine artists (despite the title).
Rather, my point here is that I don’t think it’s a strong brand position for most people. If someone isn’t producing something that fits their target market’s expectations when they see the term fine art, which I do think is often the case, then I think there are better marketing angles to use. In other words, it doesn’t matter if the photographer thinks it’s fine art. It doesn’t even matter if it is fine art. If their audience doesn’t see it that way, the job of a business owner is to position their work in a way that the audience understands.
But, also, I think a lot of people like to use the term “Fine Art,” and they really miss out in doing so. Because fine art is exactly driven by heart and mind, just like you said, and people are short-changing their brand by choosing a label, when they could be choosing from the things that more directly speak to what drives them.
Thanks for the response, Spencer! That does clarify things for me…. and yes, I agree. 🙂
What a great post! I am so impressed that you were able to make these vegetarian. Although I am not, it is good to know for others I know that are.And, I am also impressed that you could make the pasta in under a half an hour. It took me longer, but I have never made pasta before. I was reading the instruction book as I went along. Now, I have something to shoot for.Tia
Thank you so much for sharing this. A friend and I were just talking about this yesterday at church. Its funny how we really do get caught up in the mix of serving GOD which isn’t bad but when we forget to focus on our relationship with GOD thats when we get too tired and want to give up. How can we pour out if were not being poured into by the Holy Spirit and GODS word..