Lifestyling® by Maria Gabriela Brito: Collecting Photography

Massimo Vitali, Mount Fuji, Sicily, 2007

My clients also ask me: how can I make sure that what I’m buying is really worth the money? I usually try to explain that if you love something and can live with it for a long time, then it’s worth the money. However, I always make sure that my clients understand and familiarize themselves with the artist.

For me, the artist has to be up-and-coming, featured in important shows and exhibits, or have been acquired by a museum. Some clients do not have the same requirements, and cost of collecting is not an issue to them. But for those with a budget, finding an artist that has already been well-received can still be affordable. In the arena of photography, there are very famous artists who create amazing works, who are also in museums or very high-profile collections, and whose works can be acquired for less than $5,000. Why? Because photography works are rarely one-of-a-kind, they come in editions.

BUT, make sure that the work has been printed in limited editions, the less prints out there, the more valuable the work is. It’s also important to check how many artists’ proofs exist. If you are offered an Artist Proof, it must be labeled as “AP”. Also confirm that the work is signed and numbered.

Photography requires special care once it is properly mounted and displayed; the piece must be placed away from direct sunlight and in a dry place where it should not be exposed to humidity.

I have many favorite artists who do photography. Some of them have become so popular, their prices are prohibitive. But there are still plenty of them that I can appreciate and collect. My list of faves includes: Candida Höfer, Andreas Gursky, Massimo Vitali, Vik Muniz (check out my Vik Muniz article published in the Latin American Art Journal: http://latinartjournal.com/?p=393) Peter Beard, David Drebin, Ed Ruscha, Marilyn Minter and Ruud van Empel.

Get in touch with me if navigating the ins and outs of collecting photography seems too complicated! I’ll make it fun and easy for you!