Todays episode is for the creative photographer seeking to generate a sustainable income through creative and self fulfilling photography work. Already successful wedding and portrait photographer, Karen Alsop shares everything you need on how to build a successful fine art photography business today. She also shares some marketing gold for portrait and wedding photographers looking to build their business.
Before listening to this interview, you need to see an example of Karen's work, it'll blow you away with creativity, flawless attention to detail and pure fun. A true artist in every sense of the word, her conceptual work is amazing but difficult to describe easily so let me say… it will transport you.
Now here's something I found totally interesting when preparing for this interview – Karen never used to think of herself as an artist – to her, artists were painters, sculptors or people who could draw… not photographers. It has taken her more than 20 years to realise she was in fact an artist herself.
Here’s some of what we cover:
What’s on Offer for Premium Members
If you’re a premium member, you should have received an email with a promo code to give you 50% off some pretty special offerings from Karen. You can also find the promo code in the Premium area of the site.
If you're on the fence about becoming a premium member, join with the $1 trial today and get access to the same promo code from Karen, get access to an amazing back catalogue of interviews and ALL future interviews delivered automatically to your podcast app.
What is your big takeaway?
Following this interview, I’d love to know what your biggest takeaway is – what is the one thing that you’d like to implement or learnt from what was shared? Let me know by leaving your thoughts in the comments below.
If you have any questions that I missed, a specific question you’d like to ask Karen or if you just want to say thanks for coming on the show, feel free to add them below.
Want more from Karen… International Workshops and Specials!
Karen will be presenting compositing workshops around the world from May to July in 2016. If you'd like to learn what they're all about and how you can be there head to – Fine Art Photography Compositing Workshops.
Karen as also put together a special bundle for PhotoBizX listeners (3 tutorials plus her ‘Once Upon a Time Book') for $90 (normally $135). http://storyart.com.au/downloads/special-bundle/
Her ‘Once Upon a Time Book' book is also available on it's own for $20 – http://storyart.com.au/downloads/once-upon-a-time-book/
iTunes Reviews and Shout-outs
Each week I check for any new iTunes reviews and it's always a buzz to receive these… for a couple of reasons.
Firstly, it's confirmation that I'm on the right track with the interviews and that they really are helping you improve your photography business. That's awesome!
Secondly, iTunes is the biggest search engine when it comes to podcasts and it's your reviews and ratings that help other photographers find PhotoBizX. More listeners means more interviews and ultimately a better show.
If you have left a review in the past, thank you!
If you haven't and you'd like to, head to https://photobizx.com/itunes and you can leave some honest feedback and a rating which will help both me and the show and I'll be sure to thank you on the show and add a link to your website or blog if you let me know the URL.
Links to people, places and things mentioned in this episode:
Cinderella photo and blog post
Karen's Worldwide Workshops for 2016
Story Art special bundle for PhotoBizX listeners
Once Upon A Time book on Karen's Techniques
Wed Folio – Directory of wedding couples seeking service providers in the USA
Equipment
Epson Stylus Pro 3880 Color Inkjet Printer (CA61201-VM)
Sigma 35mm f/1.4 Art DG HSM Lens for Canon EOS DSLR Cameras
Thank you!
Thank you again for listening to the show and thanks to Karen for being a fantastic guest and showing what can be achieved if we're prepared to work for it!
If you have any suggestions, comments or questions about this episode, please be sure to leave them below in the comment section of this post, and if you liked the episode, please share it using the social media buttons you see at the bottom of the post!
That’s it for me this week, hope everything is going well for you in life and business!
Thanks and speak soon
Andrew
Thank you so much for having me on the show Andrew!
eeeekkkkk!! too awesome! This episode was right up my alley 🙂 I was really interested in well…everything 🙂 I was reassured to hear of Karen’s own issues with determining her pricing of her conceptual stuff as I have the same issue… Cheers Andrew and Karen!
Awesome Angela! So glad it was helpful! I’ll be sure to share more as I work through the challenges and discover what works and what doesn’t, particular in the unchartered territory of family/private clients.
This interview was super interesting! I’ve heard of others that do the composite ‘story art’ thing and it seems to be quite a fun way to go. Kudos and I hope the end of the industry takes off!
Thanks Eric! It is a lot of fun! Even since the interview with Andrew a lot has happened, and my Story Art business is certainly taking off more quickly than I even anticipated. Very exciting.
Amazing Karen…love your work……you really should charge more you know….find the right clients.
Thank you Bernie! I appreciate your support and encouragement. Since the interview aired much has taken place behind the scenes. Unfortunately it’s still a tough market to break into in the ‘private commissioning market’. I haven’t given up on it, but I’m finding that I need to focus more of my energies on teaching (which I’m passionate about anyway) and the commercial sector. I’ve realised more and more that the commercial clients are probably the ‘right’ clients at this point in time for this genre (for me), but I’d love to be a catalyst in helping bring this genre to the forefront of the everyday client, and help other photographers find a way to market it in their own communities.
Thank you Karen for your wonderful insights. Very inspirational to hear how you followed your heart and talent to this magical fine art photography. Interesting to consider how to offer two different niches to client’s as I too shoot weddings but also creative fine art portraiture. You have inspired me to follow this path more and to find the client’s that will appreciate this work. Thank you!
That’s fantastic Dawn! I’m so thrilled to have inspired you to follow your passion in this area. I really do feel that fine art photography is about to explode beyond the traditional art galleries and into families homes. The more people that create in this way, the more the general public sees, and the more they start to want it for their own homes. And it’s just such a joy to create works of art! All the best in your fine art journey!
I had to hear your interview… well done Karen. I’ve enjoyed seeing the steps you take on this amazing journey!! Looking forward in hearing your updates!!
Im very curious if she uses stock photos at all, if not does she go out specifically to shoot stock or carry a camera around in case something catches her eye?? That seems to be my biggest hurdle in conceptual fine art is finding exactly what I need. So is her idea based on what she finds or does she find stuff based on her ideas?
Hi Tara
From what I understand, Karen does not use any stock photos but shoots each element herself.
I also believe she comes up with a concept first then shoots specifically for that piece of art.
There are links above to her downloadable book that explains her process in detail if this is an area you’d like to pursue and learn more about. There are also links to Karen’t blog whee she goes into detail about her shoots.
Hope that helps.
I’ve been a photographer as a hobbyist for a long time, but this was a great interview on how to make a passion that you enjoy into a job. The examples are absolutely stunning, and definitely give me something to strive for. Thanks for sharing!
Great to read you enjoyed this one Tobias!
You’ll be happy to know I have a follow up interview coming out shortly where Karen shares more about her business, her skills and where they’re taking her.