Private Mentoring:
Buisness Practices of Fine Art Photography
Empower your artistic journey with the essential skills needed to thrive in the competitive world of fine art photography with R. J. Kern. Gain invaluable insights on marketing strategies, licensing, contracts, pricing your work, and building a sustainable business model with immersive and practical online mentoring.
The act of photographers helping each other builds community and results in a better, more robust art world. From this foundational premise, R.J. Kern is offering his help to other photographers as they navigate the business of fine art photography. With private mentoring and in his workshops, R. J. imparts the essential career tips that allow emerging fine-art photographers to grow creatively while also growing their businesses.
R. J. Kern at his desk, waiving!
R. J. offers guidance on everything from landing gallery representation to structuring limited editions and pricing work—not to mention staying happy throughout it all. He speaks in-depth about the pillars of business that strengthen an art career, like branding and marketing (including developing an online presence), putting together a portfolio, knowing how to use certificates of authenticity, exploring potential exhibition venues, and much more.
Because cultivating the right audience for your artwork can make or break your business, we also examine subjects such as how to find a publisher and acquire financing for your book project—that is, of course, assuming you wish to publish one at all.
Whether you are wondering how to nurture a gallery relationship (that includes knowing when it’s time to quit) or why it’s important to differentiate between a completed project and one that is ongoing (some last for years), R. J. shares an invaluable perspective honed over decades, one you won’t find taught in MFA programs.
Interested in mentoring with R. J.? Email rj@rjkern.com, call the old-fashion way (303) 474-0983.
What people are saying:
“R. J. is a true wealth of knowledge when it comes to approaching the intricacies of building a touring exhibition, as well as managing packaging fine art for shipments and the ins and outs of editioning work. His experience and approachability make him a wonderful mentor that will push you toward facing the challenges that seem daunting, but with help are completely attainable. Couldn’t recommend R. J. more!”
“I recently had two 90-minute mentorship sessions with R. J. and was amazed by his wealth of knowledge and exceptional teaching skills. He’s personable, highly experienced in the fine art world, and easy to learn from. I highly recommend his 1:1 mentorship sessions to anyone interested in the fine art world.”
“Over the years R. J. has been an invaluable resource for me in navigating the often confusing world of fine art. His knowledge and hands-on experience in specialized topics like portfolio reviews, exhibiting, selling, and marketing my photography has been incredibly helpful to me. Few successful artists with real art world experience are willing to share as much of their knowledge in such a practical and directly applicable way.”
“I took R. J.’s workshop— “Business Practices for Fine Art Photographers”— which gave me lots to think about, and led to some key decisions about how I could best approach the fine art photography market. Subsequently, I have engaged in a one-to-one mentoring session with R. J. to work through some of my ideas for moving forward. R. J. was generous with what he has learned from his own experience, a rare and rewarding experience. I will continue to consult with R. J. as my journey continues.”
“R. J. and I met in a virtual writing class three years ago. We became fast friends and encourage one another in all things photographic. i give him input on his writing and he gives me advice on the business of photography. I appreciate his knowledge, positive attitude, and enthusiasm. I wish he was my business manager! Most recently R. J. helped me move forward with my first trade edition book (I have produced 25 self-published artist’s books). I had many questions. R. J. advised me on budget, distribution, and shipping as well as preparing me for the challenges of my first Paris Photo. ”
Tips shared by R. J. Kern in Cliff’s Notes format.
Talk 1. Going from Weddings to Fine Art: 5 Tips for Emerging Fine Art Photographers 1.12.2022
I will share tips vital to artists’ careers that are not taught in art school, including: working with a book publisher, landing a gallery, structuring limited editions, pricing work, and how to stay happy through it all.
Presentation and Q&A featuring R. J. Kern, hosted by B&H Photo Video, New York, 1.12.2022
Talk 2. Finding, Identifying, and Engaging Your Audience in Fine Art Photography 1.19.2022
Cultivating the right audience can make or break your business. I will talk in depth about what it takes to build your business, from branding and marketing to developing an online presence, putting together a portfolio and the various venues (galleries, museums, art fairs, etc.) to explore with your art.
Presentation and Q&A featuring R. J. Kern, hosted by B&H Photo Video, New York, 1.19.2022
Talk 3. Authentic Portraiture featuring Painterly Lighting (Outside the Studio) 2.3.2022
How do you create a signature style with lighting? What is your go-to travel kit when traveling? Why is hiding your main light with your fill light important? How does color add to a painterly aesthetic? What is the value of a leaf shutter and shooting medium format? I will answer all these questions and more, as I teach you my approach to painterly portraiture.
Presentation and Q&A featuring R. J. Kern, hosted by B&H Photo Video, New York, 2.3.2022
Talk 4. Business Practices for Fine Artist Photographers: A Crash Course 2.10.2022
In the final part of this four-part series, I will dive into the best business practices for fine art photographers. If you are new to the fine art world, or looking to break in, this crash course is for you. Topics include: How does one nurture a gallery relationship and how to know when to quit? Why is it important to differentiate between when a project is complete vs ongoing (some go on for years)? Why does this matter? Why does having a “shtick” matter? How important is publishing a book for a fine-art career? What are some of the outcomes (positive, negative)? How do you build a CV? How do you get work into a museum collection? How do I price and edition work? What are important factors to consider when negotiating a representation contract with a gallery? Why is provenance important and how can it deliver value to a collector? What factors go into the decisions of exhibiting competed work in a space (framing, mounting, transporting)? How does an artist assess effectiveness of marketing opportunities (art fairs, portfolio reviews, framing a large show)?
Special Mentions in this episode include Jennifer Stoots, Michael Lee, Dotan Saguy, and Matt Steaffens.
Presentation and Q&A featuring R. J. Kern, hosted by B&H Photo Video, New York, 2.10.2022
Illustrations by R. J. Kern discussed in the mentoring series..