The Fine Details

Five pros offer advice on getting into the fine art photography business.

- Maria Piscopo

STARTING IN THE BUSINESS OF FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY is not easy. More than anything, there will be a lot of peaks and valleys ahead. In this column, we look at how to navigate some of these issues, find clients, seek gallery representation, and market your work. Thanks to my contributing photographers: Larry Angier, Michael Garlington, Laurie Klein, RJ Muna, and Brooke Shaden.

Shutterbug: How did you get started in the fine art photography world? 

Michael Garlington: My family owned a black-and-white photo lab in San Francisco. At the time we worked with some of the big names in the art and advertising world. I was able to hone my skills in the darkroom day after day. I must have printed for 10 years before I even picked up a camera, although when I finally did, I had developed a style studying the photography I had been printing. 

Brooke Shaden: I started at the same time I was graduating college with degrees in filmmaking and English. I was determined to become a film director so I moved to Los Angeles and started down my career path. However, at the same time all of that was happening, I had just discovered artistic photography and began creating self-portraits that were just as satisfying as the films I was making, but allowed for a more intimate process. After a few months of creating images, I never looked back and began pursuing my fine art photography career.