A Guide To Collecting Photography
A Guide To Collecting Photography
A Guide To Collecting Photography
Collecting
Photography
engineer a radical
tips and insights that will help you get the most enjoyment
and profit from your collection. Whether you are a first-
time collector, or have been building your collection of
photography for several years, this guide will help you take
shift in attitudes
your interest to the next level.
1854 Media is an award-winning media organisation with
a global audience that includes millions of photographers,
photography aficionados and art lovers. At our core is
British Journal of Photography, the world’s longest-running
to collecting
photography title. British Journal of Photography was founded
in 1854 to record the scientific development of a fledgling
medium. From there, it has grown to become an epicentre
of photography-related insight and debate, dedicated to
photography”
discovering and celebrating the most innovative pioneers of
the art form.
The establishment of Photo London in 2012 has marked
a new turn for the British art photography market; increasing
the reach and accessibility of the medium and presenting
collections to a wider audience. The fair is one of the best
Michael Benson, director of Photo London places to turn if you are thinking about starting to build, or
contribute to, your own collection of photography. We have
come together as two leading industry sources to bring you
a guide you can trust.
One of the aims for this guide is to give readers a practical
understanding of the growing art photography market.
Since the 1980s, the demand for owning the printed work of
photographers has boomed. According to Magnum Photos,
the higher end of the art photography market has begun to
mirror the art market, with some rare and in-demand pieces
commanding prices akin to contemporary art. Meanwhile,
the entry level is populated with photography fans looking to
Below: Home © Gohar Dashti, courtesy
kick-start their collection with the work of rising talent and
of Mohsen Gallery. well-known names.
With this in mind, there is no better time
to build your own art photography collection.
From a cost-effective perspective, photography
is the most accessible artistic medium to collect.
It is possible to purchase a number of prints by
emerging photographers on a tight budget, and
even to pick up some affordable works by more
established photographers – if you look in the
right places. This guide will teach you how to
be market savvy. From nurturing new talent, to
knowing which editions to buy, spotting key
market trends and caring for your photographs,
following our guide will ensure you are equipped
to build a lasting, fruitful collection.
Introduction 5
“We consider ourselves
the oldest startup in
photography, and each
year we are continuing
to push our brand. Our
focus is on discovering,
sharing and curating
groundbreaking
photography through
our print, digital and
Introduction
About us
live channels, and to 1854 Media
of photography.”
publication which takes an international perspective on contemporary photography, focusing
on fine art and documentary, and the cutting edge of editorial and commercial practices.
Photo London
Marc Hartog, Now in its fourth edition, Photo London has established itself as a world-class photography
fair and as a catalyst for the capital’s dynamic photography community. Photo London
founder & CEO harnesses the city’s outstanding creative talent and brings the world’s leading photographers,
of 1854 Media curators, exhibitors, dealers and the public together to celebrate photography.
Emerging
artists
visit invest.1854.media
EIS APPROVED
Investments of this nature carry risks to your capital. Please Invest Aware.
Established 1854
12 The Beginner’s Guide to Collecting Photography The Beginner’s Guide to Collecting Photography 13
“It is still true
As the economy has gotten stronger over the past couple
of years and buyers’ and sellers’ confidence has risen, there
has been a rise in prices for top calibre works
good work of
can be seen in the increase of galleries now selling
photographic work, specialist photography galleries
that have opened in recent years, and the number of
major museum shows and public and private collections
contemporary
dedicated to art photography. But, as Richard Kalman
explains, “There is still huge room for growth in value for
many photographic artists working today. The fact that you
can still buy major works by artists like Simon Norfolk or
art, you
Edward Burtynsky for less than £15,000 is testament to that.
What would that buy you in the contemporary art market?”
Using Artnet Analytics, Bloomsberg has answered this
exact question: “Ansel Adams, the fifth most successful
photographer at auction ever, has had his photographs go
could build
to auction 3,171 times for a total of $57million. That is, for
context, a little more than a third of what a single sculpture
by Alberto Giacometti sold for last May.”
a wonderful
photography
collection”
Michael Benson, director of Photo London
current art market as a whole has grown 36 per cent. At auction alone, the art
photography market is now worth more than $200million.
While you might think that the over-saturation of images online
global and on social media would lead to a decline in buying interest, in fact
the opposite is true. This over-saturation has meant two things for
the art photography market: a) art photography has become a viable
$1560
fetched under
Photography’s
48%
price index grew
1%
and 2015 over half of the global auction
54%
turnover in this medium
Photographs
represent
of fine art auction turnover
(first half of 2015)
20 Market Analysis 21
The average auction price
for a photograph is
compared with
for a painting
22 Market Analysis 23
China, the number two
art market in the world,
1.2%
accounted for just
Andreas Gursky,
Cindy Sherman
& Richard Prince
25%
of photography together account for
20
turnover
Only o
f the
artists have global
sold at auction turnover in
above the this medium
$1million threshold
24 Market Analysis 25
SOURCED FROM
ArtPrice. Exclusive Annual Report on the Global Photography
Market for Paris Photo. Retrieved from
artmarketinsight.wordpress.com/2015/11/10/artprice-exclusive-
annual-report-on-the-global-photography-market-for-paris-photo/
The world
auction
record for a
photograph is
26 Market Analysis 27
The founding directors of Photo London explain the As with anything, begin by purchasing images you love
two factors working simultaneously at each end of and think you’ll enjoy for a long time
the art photography market
to look moment, so we’re confident that these are the ones you should be
looking out for when building your collection.
“From my own observations,” explains Photo London’s
photography five years of the negative, it is considered vintage.
To be sure, always check the print date before you
buy. Vintage prints will often sell for more, so it’s
32 Collecting Tips 33
Art photography fairs are one of the best places to go to
begin, or to add to, your collection, as are independent
galleries, auction houses, and even trusted online sources
for your fare in the future, and whether it’s worth buying from an
investment standpoint.
Once you own a photograph, it’s important to take correct
prints care of it if you want it to last and retain its value. Make sure
you properly frame your photographs. Damage from bad
framing can go unnoticed for some time, but may become
clear once the frame is removed or when you come to sell.
Photographs are vulnerable to both light and moisture,
and need to be handled with extreme care. Ultraviolet-
absorbing glass should be used when framing, and the
photograph should not be exposed to direct sunlight,
unfiltered fluorescent lamps or the heat of incandescent bulbs.
Selling art Here’s where you can put to use the connections
made at fairs and with individual gallerists. “Only buy
from a gallery that stands behind what they sell,” says
Advice from “People have to start out buying what they
like, and develop an eye for themselves. If they
are really serious and want to start a proper
Bibliography
Retrieved from
Image © Crosslucid.
www.magnumphotos.com/theory-and-practice/inside-magnum-collecting-
photography/
Sotheby’s. 10 Tips for Collecting Photography.
Retrieved from
www.sothebys.com/en/news-video/slideshows/2016/tips-collecting-
BJP is a monthly publication
photography.html showcasing contemporary
Kaplan, I. 5 essential tips for collecting photography.
Retrieved from photography from around
www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-5-essential-tips-collecting-
photography
the world.
Waite, C. Collecting Photography.
Retrieved from
www.charliewaite.com/images/uploads/blog/Collecting_photography.pdf
Beautifully crafted,
Collinson, P. How photography became the hottest new investment choice. the collectable magazine
Retrieved from
www.theguardian.com/money/2017/sep/16/photography-new-investment-
spans 100 pages,
choice-rich-shunning-paintings including a
Segal Hamilton, R. How to buy a print.
Retrieved from UV ultra gloss
www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/photography/10968439/How-to-buy-a-print.
html
varnished section
Christie’s. Six key trends in photography collecting. and a thick
Retrieved from
www.christies.com/features/Photo-London-Six-Key-Trends-6105-1.aspx
uncoated cover
The Hiscox Online Art Trade Report 2017: A market yet to awaken?
Retrieved from
www.hiscox.co.uk/sites/uk/files/documents/2017-05/hiscox-online-art-trade-
report-2017.pdf
Petterson, A. The Photography Market: A Positive Outlook.
Retrieved from
www.artuner.com/insight/positive-outlook-photography-market/
ArtPrice. Exclusive Annual Report on the Global Photography Market
for Paris Photo.
Retrieved from
artmarketinsight.wordpress.com/2015/11/10/artprice-exclusive-annual-
report-on-the-global-photography-market-for-paris-photo/
Tarmy, J. Is Photography the Best Deal in the Art Market?
Retrieved from
www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-10-01/is-photography-the-best-deal-
in-the-art-market-
Petterson, A. ArtTactic Market Analysis.
Retrieved from
arttactic.com/podcast_category/arttactic-market-analysis/
Novak, A: The Insider’s Guide to Selling Photographs.
Retrieved from
www.iphotocentral.com/collecting/article-view.php/7/9/1
Subscribe today for only £59.99! And save 50%
bjp.photo/photolondonoffer Print | Online | iPad | iPhone
42 Advice Standard T&Cs apply. Offer ends Monday 21 May 11:59pm Market Analysis 43