Daydreamers and Night Thinkers — Artist Development | Brand Consultation

“I'm Stephanie and I'm a professional fashion and editorial photographer based in NYC and Boston, working in both analog and digital. I also shoot runway and backstage at the official New York Fashion Week.”

Stephanie BC

My work reflects directly on me so it is incredibly important to only show what you want others to see. I actually kept my work to myself until I felt that it was good enough to show. When you have high standards for yourself, people see that and respect what you do (...and it helps you get discovered!). Anything that isn't 100% for me doesn't make the cut for commissions, my website, or social media. Why clutter the good stuff with the mediocre?

So I live by a few tricks when trying to spread my work. There are certain prime times to post when navigating social media, figure those out. People are eating around noon time... looking at their phones. Then around5pm, people are waiting to get off of work, killing time on their phones again. Factor in the time zone differences. Look up the most used hashtags pertaining to certain types of work. If you just shot a campaign for shoes, use the top 30 hashtags for fashion/shoes. Don't just use random hashtags.

My favorite quote: "You can't start the next chapter of your life if you keep re-reading the last one." I know it's corny but it's something that has kept me going when life gets rough.

Then, there are a few general artist tips that I live by. Work with people you idolize. It never hurts to reach out. Message other creatives that match your aesthetic and make friends with them. Message other creatives that don't match your aesthetic and make friends with them. Help and give others opportunities and people will come back and help you in return. Don't copy others and be original.

My new ideas are always out of nowhere. I had a project called "Daydreamer, Night Thinker," which is exactly how I work. I keep a notebook with me and when some weird peculiar concept comes into my head, I sketch it out and make a plan to execute it.

”I'm Paola Nazario. I take nude portraits, shoot traditional photos, and fine art. Capturing the important moments.”

PNaz Photography Studio

I started with the cliché- finding, following and sticking with my passion. When people see that you love what you do, they tend to want to work with you. Experimenting and taking risky projects, or stepping out your comfort zone, has helped a lot with acquiring my unique style.

Being very visible on social media, and consistently directing people to my website has helped me with acquiring clients as well. That’s why I carry my business card everywhere I go; it helps people to remember. You can just be talking to strangers now and next thing you know, they're your clients.

Whenever my photos end up in a really popular magazine or book, I use this momentum as an opportunity to enter galleries for solo exhibits, exposing myself even more.

Sinziana Dobos

As a photographer, I don't think of myself as being a creator. What I do, is documenting what already exists. But when you have a vision, you need to be persistent. If you want to be heard or seen on social media, you have to show valuable content on a regular basis.

Almost every fashion magazine has an online submission for beauty or editorial, where you can upload your work; you’ll need to visit their website and see if they have submissions. If their creative team likes it, you get published and credited. Exposure from these magazines is the best way to build credibility and get your foot in the door anywhere else.

“I'm a freelance fashion photographer and DP, and the owner of Foxing Productions. We create content for brands to engage with their following.”

Michael Dote

Having a web presence is super important, but less so than it used to be in relation to social media. Though it's not directly related to marketing, the most important things an artist can do in this day and age is to be personable and friendly, to be forthright and honest, while continually 'shoring up' their business. Learn to do more with less, and challenge yourself to solve problems with limited resources. That will be the best training for long-term sustainability.

Be honest about your value, don't be down on yourself and also don't 'front'. If you're capable and prove to be so consistently, people will call you up. Also, please don't underestimate yourself or your job- you're getting called upon for a reason, and good art is a luxury item/service and should be priced accordingly.