Andrew Niesen

Value of Photography

By Andrew Niesen


Andreas Gursky "99 Cent II Diptychon", 2001, 207 x 337 cm

Pricing one's work seems to be an eternal struggle for many photographers. It's all too easy to look around at what others are charging and simply try to price competitively or similarly.

But never underestimate the value that your work may have to other people.

Andreas Gursky holds the record for the highest price paid for a photograph by a living photographer for his work, "99 Cent," which sold last year for $2.48 million. View the PDN Article about the sale.

Also last year, Edward Steichen's print "The Pond-Moonlight" sold for just under $3 million, which is the highest price paid for any photograph.

Anytime I visit photography galleries, I frequently see photographs selling for tens of thousands of dollars. And if you look at records for what photographs have actually sold for, some of the numbers are incredible!

And this makes me so excited. I love knowing that there are people out there who value photography this much.

Break Time

By Andrew Niesen

From Left to Right: Rachel LaCour Niesen, Melissa Roth, Erin Reed Adams, Jenn Fraser Linke

After spending too much time in front of our computers lately, we decided to take advantage of a weddingless weekend to enjoy some Atlanta nightlife. We headed over to East Side Lounge in East Atlanta, where they play really good '80s music on Friday nights. And because we totally believe in mixing business with pleasure, we were joined by our friends Adam Linke, Pictage Pro Consultant for the Southeast, his wife Jenn Linke, who runs The Decisive Moment Wedding Photojournalism, and the lovely Melissa Roth, who works with LaCour, and her husband Jeremy, who works with CNN.
-Erin

Dare to be Different

By Andrew Niesen


"Somebody doesn't like you? Good!"

That sounds crazy, doesn't it? But Gail Blanke's excellent article in this month's Real Simple magazine proves the point!

Here is a great excerpt:

"No one ever made an impact on the world without standing out from the crowd. So embrace your unique qualities. They're what make you unforgettable.

Most of us are afraid to be controversial, or even to be too intensely who we are. We're like lemonade with too much water in it and too few lemons. We dilute our "flavor" so we won't offend anyone. And, in the process, we give away our power, the essence of who we are that makes us unique and unforgettable.

Truth is, the world belongs not to the one who fits in but to the one that stands out. In music, art, architecture, entertainment, literature, politics, and business, it's the maverick, the one who gets 'carried away,' who wins the day."

Don't try to be all things to all people. Be one thing -- unabashedly yourself!

In my opinion, this truth is the cornerstone of good branding!

To read more of Gail's insights, check out her monthly Column.

-Rachel

What is Greatness?

By Andrew Niesen

During my holiday vacation, I was perusing websites and I stumbled across this wonderful quote, thanks to Amanda Kohn. Amanda will be attending our Business of Storytelling workshop in February.

"Great people are those who make others feel that they, too, can become great." —Mark Twain

Mark Twain's insight is simple but true. The people in my life whom I most admire are those who selflessly challenge me to believe in myself and encourage me to purposefully pursue photography as a calling.

They are:

My parents, who introduced me to the concept of calling.
My professor, who patiently taught me to truly see light.
My friend, who believed in me when I was pursuing an idealistic photo project in the Dominican Republic.
My mentor, who enables me to see the hope inside myself.
My business partners, who allow me to dream big.
My husband, who emboldens me to chase my dreams.

I am indebted to each of these incredible people. Their greatness grows from their humility and they have made my life richer by simply believing in me.
-Rachel

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