Fine Art Reproduction Part 3: Getting and Keeping Customers - Professional Photography -
Professional Photography » Fine Art Reproduction Part 3: Getting and Keeping Customers
Fine Art Reproduction Part 3: Getting and Keeping Customers

By David Saffir 

 

Now that we’ve discussed why fine-art reproduction is a good business for photographers (Part 1) and what types of equipment you need (Part 2), let’s talk about how to market your business. I’ve found that most artists producing flat art still believe that they must invest large sums of money to create reproductions of their art, and that individual prints are very expensive. Very few are aware of new technology available and of the improved costs involved.  

So, one way to attract customers is to help artists become more aware of what you can do for them. You can educate potential customers through a combination of web-marketing and snail mail. During the first 6 to 12 months that you’re in the art-reproduction business, you’ll also need to build relationships through some face-to-face time. You can either join a local arts group, or offer to make a presentation at one of their meetings.  Many of the artists you’ll meet at these groups will have created a body of work and have thought about creating an edition of one or more pieces. But they’ve just never believed it would be economically feasible.  

If you can dazzle a few of these artists with your printmaking (and print on-demand) capabilities, they will recommend you to their colleagues, and other artists will start making inquiries.  

At some point, you may get customers who have hired a digital printmaker in the past but have been disappointed with the results. That’s because some companies that are equipped with wide-format inkjet printers aren’t always attuned to all of the nuances of color and detail that artists care so passionately about. A shared appreciation of color and detail can give a professional photographer a competitive edge in the art-reproduction business.  

When you meet artists who are skeptical, show them a sample of your work, refer them to a satisfied customer, or make a few promotional prints for them. If you are accustomed to using studio lighting and a light meter, and you have a good camera with good glass, it probably won’t be difficult to differentiate yourself from other digital-printing companies.  

Emphasize your professional photography experience in all of your marketing messages to the local art community and your new art-reproduction services are likely to get off to a fast and prosperous start.  

 

Posted 08-11-2008 4:25 PM by Eileen Fritsch
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Comments

Maribel wrote re: Fine Art Reproduction Part 3: Getting and Keeping Customers
on 03-21-2009 11:33 PM

Great Work Thanks!

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