Archive for Thomas Werner
Letting Go is Hard to Do
Posted: December 19th, 2011
[by Thomas Werner] Personally this past year was one of extraordinary change. One of the most difficult aspects of this transition was the re-examination of my business, and evaluating what portions should be held onto and what should be let go of. A number of hard decisions had to be made regarding where and how [...]
Wikileaks and You
Posted: November 7th, 2011
[by Thomas Werner] During the initial release of government documents via Wikileaks I had the pleasure of sitting in on a panel discussion addressing the ramifications of the event. There were the expected comments; one part of the panel celebrated the release stating the government needing to be more transparent and that people deserved to [...]
What is a fashion photograph?
Posted: October 17th, 2011
[by Thomas Werner] Great fashion photographs are a reflection of the moral, social and economic imperatives of our time in a way that other photographic genres are not. From war time to economic booms fashion photography has shown us where our boundaries were and how we alternately sought to embrace or break them. Beyond addressing [...]
We Are The Product
Posted: September 26th, 2011
[by Thomas Werner] As image makers we frequently talk about the change in the market place, the ability for so many to make and distribute imagery, and the falling value of our work. As we know, one of the main reasons for this trend is the spread of technology that has allowed a greater number [...]
Working Abroad: Plan Ahead but Leave Time for the Unexpected
Posted: September 22nd, 2011
[by Thomas Werner] When traveling and working abroad good pre-production is essential. Produce your shoot and travel details as thoroughly as possible before leaving on your trip. Coordinate as many details as you can with your local partners, and develop and deliver a timeline to keep your schedule tight and your team on the same [...]
Easy Travel Tip
Posted: July 11th, 2011
[by Thomas Werner] Keep your bags light and your travel simple. When traveling abroad you do not need to carry a heavy voltage converter or plug for battery operated items like your laptop, camera, and so on. You only need to carry a simple converter for your plug from US to whatever country you might [...]
Social Media Tip
Posted: June 2nd, 2011
[by Thomas Werner] Be sure to keep your message focused when using social media, facebook, twitter and linkedin all serve different purposes. For instance, don’t forward your tweets about where you are having dinner or partying to LinkedIn. LinkedIn is a business platform, be aware of the impression that you are creating. Thomas Werner; Educator, [...]
Photography Isn’t Dead, The Business Model Is
Posted: May 27th, 2011
[by Thomas Werner] Photography isn’t dead, but the old business model is. While you will find many people mourning this disappearing model and trying to figure out what to do next, you will find many more who are problem solving the issues that face us. People become frustrated in the face of change, but it [...]
My 3 A-Ha Moments
Posted: April 18th, 2011
[by Thomas Werner] There were three Ah-Ha moments for me when it came to Strictly Business 3. The first was seeing the light in people’s eyes as they gained insight into an aspect of their business that they have been struggling with, or gained clarity in terms of what they wanted to do next with [...]
Do You Overuse Email?
Posted: February 15th, 2011
[by Thomas Werner] Overly frequent e-mail promotions and updates can have an effect opposite of what you have intended. It may only be e-mail, but if you are not sending a new project, or have another relevant update, stick to a once every two, three or four month mailing. You don’t want a simple e-mail [...]
Quick Tip for Assistants
Posted: January 24th, 2011
[by Thomas Werner] If you are looking for assisting work an introductory e-mail, or snail mail, with your resume and other qualifications is nice to receive. Sending a reminder e-mail every three or four months is nice as well. Monthly or more frequent e-mails maybe keep you from working with some photographers and they can [...]
Breaking Through The Digital Clutter
Posted: December 17th, 2010
[by Thomas Werner] E-mail is a beautiful thing, it is quick, free, lists are easily updated, and you can automate your promotion process so that mailings go out on a regular basis. The downside of email is “delete”. No one ever has to open your note or look at your imagery before is has been [...]
Video Quick Tip
Posted: December 10th, 2010
[by Thomas Werner] When working with video internationally be aware of the changing standards from country to country. We work with NTSC in America, other countries work in PAL and other standards. Look into the methods, costs, and quality of transferring video from one version to another before working abroad. Thomas Werner; Educator, Lecturer, Curator. [...]
I Don’t Need a Release Because I Would Win in Court
Posted: September 8th, 2010
[by Thomas Werner] “I don’t need a release, I would win in court….” I frequently hear this comment while discussing releases during presentations to students and working photographers, who then point to landmark cases that support their claim. There are many reasons that this logic is faulty, here is one case to illustrate the point. [...]
Stay in Touch?
Posted: August 17th, 2010
[by Thomas Werner] When an art buyer, editor, gallerist, says, “Stay in touch”, they are asking you to send them updates on your new projects or work. They are not asking to you to be part of their fab five, or go to lunch on a regular basis. It is a just friendly way of [...]
You Are Not a Photographer
Posted: August 5th, 2010
[by Thomas Werner] You are a producer, casting agent, editor, retoucher, creative director, manager, businessperson, curator, creative partner, educator and art director. You are a social media manager, pr person, advertiser, filmmaker, videographer, relationship manager, student, activist, and more…. I can hear people thinking, well, that is what a photographer is….no, these are just [...]
Use Social Media to Reinforce Your Message
Posted: July 30th, 2010
[by Thomas Werner] So you have your Facebook account set-up, are adding business connections on LinkedIn, and are Tweeting from time to time. You spend “x” number of hours a week posting and building your base, you have “friended” and “connected” and “follow” your fellow photographers, favorite web sites, blogs and Facebook pages, personal gurus, [...]
Fine Art Print Viewing
Posted: July 20th, 2010
[by Thomas Werner] If you want your prints to stay clean, always bring a set of new white gloves when dropping off your portfolio or meeting with a gallery or reviewer, to take a look at your work. Never assume the person viewing your work will have them, they most likely will not, and please [...]
Step Up
Posted: May 24th, 2010
[by Thomas Werner] Soon after taking over the ASMP New York Chapter in 2001, our city and our industry was thrown into a dramatic state of change due to 9/11. Work virtually stopped as ad agencies and magazines did not know what to do next, photographers were lowering their rates in an alarming fashion just [...]
Copyright Is Important, But Not Like It Used To Be
Posted: May 14th, 2010
[by Thomas Werner] Copyright is an important right, it affirms ownership, allows us to protect our rights, helps control usage, and gives us the ability to collect damages when our imagery is misused. Though too few do so, as a content creator copyrighting your images, video, animation, etc., continues to be good business. What has, [...]
Museum Portfolio Reviews
Posted: April 14th, 2010
[by Thomas Werner] You can drop off your portfolio for review at a museum. Just call to find out what their policy is, and be aware that they may keep your portfolio for up to 6 months or more. You should also know that in most instances a junior staff member will be reviewing your [...]
As a Fine Artist You are Only Selling the Print
Posted: March 10th, 2010
[by Thomas Werner] Whether selling editioned or uneditioned prints at a gallery, store, or as an individual it is important to remember that when you set the price for your work you are only setting the price for an individual print. Mounting, matting, framing, laminating, shipping, or other expenses should be charged accordingly. This may [...]
Social Media: Relax…
Posted: March 5th, 2010
[by Thomas Werner] Much has been made of social media and it’s importance in terms of building your market and creating greater visibility for yourself and your business. While I agree social media has become essential to a well-rounded marketing a program, I find the emphasis many have placed on this topic a little extreme. [...]
What is a Professional?
Posted: January 26th, 2010
[by Thomas Werner] A lot of people with guitars can play guitar. The person who plays at the coffee shop is a professional to some, the person who plays at the wedding is a pro to others, the guy doing tours of local or national clubs is a pro to others, and then you have [...]
Think Different
Posted: January 21st, 2010
[by Thomas Werner] Think of video as more than documentary or an interview; think about how you can use video to create physical and emotional space, architecture, think of ways to immerse people, control their experience. Begin to use video in more ways than just a moving version of your still imagery. Get one step [...]
What About Flickr?
Posted: December 9th, 2009
[by Thomas Werner] Art buyers and art directors look for photos in the places they are most familiar and comfortable with. Put your photos up on Flickr, a large number of art buyers and photo researchers look for, and purchase, images there.
Make it Personal or It Isn’t a Gift
Posted: December 2nd, 2009
[by Thomas Werner] When giving a gift to client don’t give something that is too expensive and don’t give something that is a self promotion. Expensive may make a client nervous, and self promotion really isn’t a gift. Try a small ten or twelve dollar book of photography. It feels more personal, can be tailored [...]
A Week Focused on Creative Thinking
Posted: November 2nd, 2009
[by Thomas Werner] This is an artists statement from an exhibition at my gallery a few years ago. The only time that I used an artists statement in promoting an exhibition was this one. I came across it again the other day and think that it addresses something essential about our work and wanted to [...]
Get Out of Your Routine
Posted: October 27th, 2009
[by Thomas Werner] Take 6 friends, drive into the forest, desert, to the ocean, a lake, and just photograph each other all day….feed off the energy, creativity and community, and do not worry about the outcome of the shoot.
Take a Look
Posted: July 30th, 2009
This is not the usual group of portfolios, whether you find it commercial or not I will leave up to you, but I will say that some of these photographers are very successful….
Creativity
Posted: July 17th, 2009
Learn to trust yourself, trust your talent, trust what your heart tells you to make and do, have faith in the future and things that you cannot see or yet imagine. Learn to believe again in the possibilities of the unknown.
Looking for a Little Work as a Photo Instructor?
Posted: July 7th, 2009
I always suggest sending a resume, either mailed or online, or both, right after January, and in the middle of August, right before the spring and fall semesters begin. These are both times where a photo program may find themselves needing a good instructor or two on short notice due to someone moving, getting a [...]
It’s Not About Going to a Movie
Posted: June 25th, 2009
As a professional Tweeting isn’t about going to a movie or where you are having dinner, it is about letting people know that you and your business is alive and vital. It is letting people know that you are shooting a job, making new work, traveling to different places, helping them understand what you can [...]
Signing Your Prints on the Reverse, Part 2 of 3
Posted: June 1st, 2009
As noted in my last post, photographs exhibited in higher end contemporary galleries are signed on the back, or reverse of the print. In addition to contemporary practices, there are two other reasons that you should consider when deciding whether to sign the back of your print as opposed to the front, these are; market [...]
Signing Your Prints
Posted: May 20th, 2009
Photographers exhibiting in contemporary galleries sign their prints on the back of the print, also called the reverse, or verso, and not on the front of the print. (more on that in another post) Sign in the upper left hand or lower right hand corner of the print, inside the print area (remember on the [...]
Let’s Work Together!
Posted: April 22nd, 2009
I spent an afternoon two weeks ago meeting with the owners of one of the largest studio and equipment rental houses in New York. Halfway through the afternoon they showed me a presentation that they give to new clients, the presentation and the accompanying conversation were eye opening. It turns out that studio rentals to [...]
Maybe it is Time to Reconnect
Posted: April 10th, 2009
Trying to decide how to change your business? Thinking about how to find new clients and reach into new markets? Stop for a minute. Walk over to your book shelf, dust off your books and look at the pictures that you love. Go online and look at pictures from contemporary photographers that you have never [...]
