With the great torrent of creative output produced and presented so regularly, even the best artists are finding that they need to take a page out of the manuals of business and do some marketing in order to get a wide range of people to recognize their art. I recently did just such a publicity shoot for artist Trisa Swerlow (can be found on http://emiliebphotography.com/ under the video gallery section) we accomplished this critical task of getting her name and art out into the public eye so that it can be appreciated by a wide audience. The artists or aspiring artists who take charge of their marketing strategy in such ways will ultimately see more success than those who choose to labor in anonymity.
“A picture says a thousand words”, says the worn bromide. This apothegm should be updated to include video, because even the short advertisements we see on television can tell grand stories. Such is the case with my video on Trisa Swerlow’s photo shoot. Through the successive photographs, you get an impression of who Trisa is. We come to feel familiar with the artist as we see her in her studio, laboring diligently on her creative endeavors. We see that she takes her art seriously, and in doing so, we come to take her seriously. If we commission a project for Trisa, we feel that she will devote herself to it.
Not only do we get impression of Trisa’s hard work, but we also come to be fascinated by her sense of style. The photographs draw attention to her accessories. Necklaces, bracelets, scarves, and other vibrant fashion choices are all confidently put on display by the artist. These are even further highlighted by Trisa’s black clothing in these photos. As you can see, every detail has been prepared to lead one to the conclusion that Trisa is passionate about her art and stands by it. A good photographer will leave no stone unturned and be able to create a poignant message through the manipulation of every aspect of a photograph.
Perhaps more important, however, is the personable impression Trisa leaves on us. She is smiling, she is active, and she is energetic. We come to like her and almost see her as a friend. There is no frowning or negativity in the photographs. They are full of color and happy facial expressions. Since people want to do business with people they like, Trisa puts herself ahead of the game with such promotional material. Unseen artists do not inspire confidence and surly artists often do their work a disservice by turning potential patrons off through their apparent attitude.
This is something that advertisers have known for a long time now, but most people don’t know that you don’t have to be a big corporation to take advantage of it. A skilled photographer can do all of this for you and more. It is not only a simple step to take, but can pay great dividends as it helps you reach a wider audience.