The December 2014/January 2015 edition of Professional Artist magazine features an article by me titled “Think Before You Leap: Beware of People Who Tell You to Follow Your Passion.”

The editor suggested photos of artists at work to accompany the article and I knew exactly who to contact: ceramic artist Patricia Griffin.

Patricia is a member of my Art Biz Incubator and I receive her newsletter.

Months ago she sent an email with gorgeous photos of her in the studio. I complimented her on the images and she told me that she had hired a professional photographer to take photos of her in the studio. It showed.

Patricia’s photos were so engaging that they stood out among the hundreds of emails I see from artists. I remembered them even after months had passed. I knew her photos would be appropriate for magazine publication.

Be Magazine-Ready

It’s easy to replicate Patricia’s success, but it requires this 5-step planning process.

1. Hire a photographer.

Patricia didn’t ask a friend to take pictures with an iPhone. She went to an expert who knows how to compose photos and use a real camera.

I have nothing against iPhone photos, but they are rarely appropriate for slick publications.

2. Appear as happy, productive, and successful in your photos.

2. Appear as happy, productive, and successful in your photos.

The minute you tell the world you’re an artist you are marketing. Everything you share enhances or detracts from your brand.

Plan your staged photos so that you look vibrant, which isn’t the same thing as looking young. Vibrant means that you radiate positive energy.

3. Use your new photos in your emails, on social media, and on your website.

Don’t wait on a magazine publication to use your photos. Start using them immediately!

I first saw Patricia’s photographs in her newsletter and they caught my attention because they were a much higher quality than ones I was used to seeing.