11.12.2009

MARY VIRGINIA SWANSON: Fine Art Photography Guru

Mary Virginia Swanson, Marketing Consultant,
MV Swanson and Associates Photograph (c) ACP

Photographer Debbie Fleming Caffery with MVS at Review Santa Fe's
Center For Contemporary Arts Public Portfolio Viewing

MARY VIRGINIA SWANSON is committed to helping photographers advance their careers by providing insights into the most effective ways to introduce their work to gallery and museum professionals.

After receiving an MFA in Photography from Arizona State University (ASU) in 1979, she served as workshop coordinator for The Friends of Photography, an organization founded by Ansel Adams, Beaumont Newhall and other key figures. Swanson headed the expansion and management of its educational programming, including the famed Ansel Adams Workshops, bringing hundreds of eminent photographers to teach in the programs at FOP
.

In 1984, Swanson relocated to New York City to direct Special Projects for Magnum Photos, the landmark photojournalism Cooperative founded by Henri-Cartier Bresson, Robert Capa, David “Chim” Seymour and George Rodger at the end of World War II. It was during her tenure at Magnum that Swanson became aware of the increasing market for image licensing rights and reproduction. In 1991, Swanson launched SWANSTOCK, a landmark alternative agency, managing licensing rights for fine art photographers. Well, you need to read her impressive bio for all the rest!

Swanson currently works with photographers as a marketing consultant and is a sought-after portfolio reviewer at events such as Review Santa Fe, Fotofest and PhotoLucida. Her workshops and lectures on the subject of marketing opportunities and awareness have aided photographers in moving their careers to the next level. Swanson maintains a popular blog, Marketing Photos, and is the author of a self-published book, The Business of Photography: Principles and Practices.

If you are in NYC Monday November 16th, do not miss MVS's lecture hosted by the American Society of Media Photographers, info below. And check her website for upcoming lectures in a city near you.


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MVS Talk 11.16.2009
PRESENTING YOUR WORK TO THE FINE ART COMMUNITY
Studio 385 • 385 Broadway (White x Walker) • NYC ($20. / Students $5.) Register HERE

During this presentation, Mary Virginia Swanson will provide insights into the most efficient and effective avenues for introducing your work to industry professionals towards presenting your work in the collectible fine art market. She will discuss the strategies surrounding submitting work to national and international juried exhibitions and portfolio review events such as FotoFest, Photolucida and European festivals. Art fairs such as AIPAD and Photo LA will be discussed from the standpoint of assessing market trends and helping artists determine which dealers will be most appropriate for their work. Swanson will also cover the professional practices necessary to effectively present your photographs in the market, as well as sharing examples of effective self-promotion materials in print and on-line formats. Handouts with related information will be shared with participants.

4 comments:

dianasfaria.com said...

Wow! thanks for this info.

LemePhotography said...

You have not reached your full potential until you meet this woman! I attended a couple of her lectures at PDN conference in NYC last month and came out of it with sooo many ideas that I don't even know where to start – Alex Leme

http://www.lemephotography.com/

ikki said...

informative post. Thanks

liz.blog said...

Update: I attended MVS's Talk at ASMPNY. Swanson covered an enormous range of solid, inspiring, informative facts and information. I'm in awe of her knowledge and gift for sharing it! She is not to be missed if you are in the Fine Art Photography field.