Question 1

How can I still learn from Ms. Swanson when there is a waiting list for consultations?

Accepted Answer

Ms. Swanson is encouraging all photographers interested in working with her to sign up for her on-line course offerings.  Her lectures and workshops provide a solid foundation for working with her as well as get you started on marketing your work. 
 
Visit GROUP LEARNING on this website for further details on future course offerings. 
 
Also, there are many free resources available on this website under PUBLICATIONS.

Question 2

What can I expect to gain from booking a private, one-to-one consultation session with Ms. Swanson?"

Accepted Answer

When you choose to work with Ms. Swanson privately you will be spending time working in a professional, one-on-one environment.  Consultations are tailored to fit your particular professional goals and guide you to reach key benchmarks along your path to achieve those objectives.
 
Photographers approach Ms. Swanson with a variety of experiences, goals and aspirations. Some have identified specific needs, others are interested in basic information on marketing and the business of photography, and she has found most photographers welcome her advice on improving their image and text editing, their social media presence, and their research and communication skills as warranted by the photography industry today.
 
Photographers work with Ms. Swanson at all stages of their development: whether they are newly entering the field or are at their mid- or end-of career.  A favorite long-term clients is Fred Lyon, who at 95, just published his third book with Princeton Architectural Press, has gallery representation, and is in his studio daily working on his extraordinary image archive.  Fred is an inspiration and role model for us all!
 
During any given week Ms. Swanson is advising artists on such diverse topics as negotiating representation contracts, researching funding for their projects, editing their work and artist statements for upcoming competitions, and assisting artists in preparing grant applications. Expertise is provided to you on interpreting and negotiating contracts, strategizing participation at portfolio review events and ranking reviewers, planning content for promotional tools including website, Instagram and printed materials, drafting proposals for exhibitions, publishing / self-publishing projects or other engagements, and more.  She advises on the choices involved with publishing a completed series, and help clarify the differences between artist’s books / self- publishing / small presses / art publishers and trade publishers and what would be the best path for one’s particular project.
 
It is an exciting time for artists, with new-to-us opportunities through evolving markets, platforms and formats; she encourages you to explore all possible options for generating revenue and the all-important intellectual and aesthetic dialogue that will come with a larger audience. Through private mentoring, Ms. Swanson will help you understand those opportunities, clarify terms of relationships, and maximize benefits that come with such exposure.

Question 3

At what point in my work would I gain the most benefit from a consultation with Ms. Swanson?

Accepted Answer

Ms. Swanson works with many artists of all ages and experience who have yet to present their work to any market, as well as award-winning professional photographers who wish to present personal work to new or unfamiliar markets such as the fine art market.  Her assistance is geared towards your professional and creative needs and abilities.  There are no requirements or hard-and-fast rules for accomplishments, awards, or creative achievements to benefit from working privately with Ms. Swanson.
 
Many photographers have advanced their careers as a direct result of working with Ms. Swanson before committing time, money and energy to introducing their work to the creative markets. If you are considering promoting yourself as an artist, be it through launching a website, attending a portfolio review event or undertaking a promotional campaign to a targeted audience, this is an excellent time to schedule a consultation or attend a workshop with her (where you will learn from the experience of other photographers as well).

Question 4

Is it recommended that I attend a lecture or workshop with Ms. Swanson prior to scheduling a private consultation?

Accepted Answer

Ms. Swanson's public lectures (in-person and online) are informative and can be an effective way to begin thinking about the elements and methods of marketing your photographs.  The Q&A sessions that typically follow her lectures are particularly lively and a valuable way to begin the process.  Attending one of her lectures is encouraged and a useful introduction to the benefits of preparation of visual materials and marketing your photographs; these public engagements are listed in the CALENDAR (javascript:void(0))section of this website.  
 
Educational workshops, while necessarily limited in the degree of personal attention provided to each participant, are a good value if you can attend one; we all learn from one another in a workshop situation.  Ms. Swanson particularly enjoys teaching in Tucson, where her vast library of resources are at our fingertips.  When teaching in both Tucson and NYC, I also schedule a diverse range of excellent site visits as well as professional guests who visit our classes.  Many clients who enroll in workshops continue working with Ms. Swanson as their consultant to further focus attention on their work and career aspirations. 
 
While attending a lecture or a workshop is not required, priority for scheduling consultations is given to those who have attended one of Ms. Swanson's workshop – in a very real sense we have already started working together.

Question 5

I don’t feel my work is quite ready for marketing, but I know I would benefit from a critique of my photographs or review of my project to-date. Is this something Ms. Swanson can assist me with?"

Accepted Answer

Absolutely. Ms. Swanson helps artists identify the strengths in their work and can point you to the audience(s) most likely to respond to your photography. This way your market awareness begins as your work is evolving and maturing.

Private Mentoring: How We Work Together

Private Mentoring: How We Work Together

Private Mentoring: How We Work Together

MARY VIRGINIA SWANSON

ON MAKING AND MARKETING ART

Mentoring Frequently Asked Questions

MVS On the Road Newsletter