Why collect art photography? Some people buy photographs as an investment, hoping to profit later when a certain artist or subject grows in value. Others collect photography simply because they’ve fallen in love with a particular image and want to display it and enjoy it. Whatever the reason, what should you look for when collecting photography? Daniel Heikens, one of our in-house photography experts is here to advise. With his background in art, Daniel has a keen eye on the industry and a passion for all photography. So keep reading to find out Daniel’s top tips collecting photography.
Starting and Growing a Photography Collection
“There are no set rules for what to look for when collecting photography. Personally I would advise to collect only the photographs you really love to look at. Buy something you fall in love with,” Daniel says. The first step then is to start reading about the photographers and periods in photography that interest you and visit photography exhibitions, galleries and auctions to grow your knowledge and understanding. From there, you can find similar works and photographers, and then both your interests, and your collection, will expand. Much like a photograph, a collection develops. “You will find yourself looking for other photographs as you grow your collection. And your taste might change as you start to read about and see more. Naturally, there may come a time when you will part from certain photos you are less interested in once your collection starts to form itself and your taste develops,” Daniels says. But what next?
This photograph by Rene Burri - 'Che Guevarra' - sold for €4,200 in our Art Photography auction
Buying Established Names
When collecting photographers that are widely known, it’s likely you’ll be able to re-sell the prints in future for a profit. Though keep in mind that when buying photography as an investment, you’ll never have any guarantees. Trends tend to shift often; some photographers grow out of fashion, while others might be forgotten about for a while but suddenly become popular again. However, certain names from key movements in photography will usually perform very steadily on the market and are usually safe bets for investors Look at these movements and identify photographers who carried this certain period in photography. For example if you look at the 40s, names like Robert Capa, Henri Cartier Bresson and W. Eugene Smith come to mind. When looking at the 80s, Nan Goldin, Robert Mapplethorpe and Helmut Newton are photographers who had a great impact. But Daniels adds, “Remember, buy what you like! Don’t just buy ‘big names’ for the sake of doing so. Find an image that you are fascinated or moved by, and buy something which you are truly passionate about.”
Erwin Olaf's 'Paradise Portraits "Nadia"' sold at Catawiki's Art Photography auction for €4,599
Emerging Talent
Discovered an amazing artwork by an emerging artist? “It’s always wise to see if there’s more you can find out about a new and upcoming photographer before investing,” Daniel affirms. For example, has this photographer received any awards or won any prizes? Have they exhibited at any important venues? Most photographers will list all this information on their website. And if you can’t find these details before investing? “Go with your gut!” Daniel says, “What’s important is if you love it.”
Discover images like Herb Ritts' 'Jack Nicholson I', from the series The Joker in our Art Photography auctions
Other Things to Consider
So what else should you look out for when collecting photography? “The fame of the photographer, the size of the photo, whether the photograph was printed by the photographer or not and the provenance of the artwork are all other important factors to consider,” Daniel advises. In combination with these other factors, the edition of the photograph is also key - generally, the lower the edition, the better. Also ask, is the photo a vintage print, or was it printed more recently?
And of course, once you’ve found a fantastic photograph to add to your collection, storing it in a place where it will not get damaged or affected is very important. While some photography processes are very stable and can handle direct light, others can fade away, leaving you with very little more than a piece of paper. Daniel recommends always researching what technique was used to create the image, and investigating how to store and maintain that specific photographic process. This will ensure you can enjoy your photographs for as long as possible.
'Curl' by Hendrik Kerstens sold for €6,100 at our Art Photography auctions
Collecting Photography for Yourself
“The photography market is moving into a new phase,” Daniel adds. “A photo selling for over a million dollars is not unheard of anymore. The good thing about this? It creates a bigger influence for photography on the art market.” It’s safe to say that now is a fantastic time to start or grow your photography collection. Why not browse our weekly Art Photography auctions to see the selection Daniel and his team have curated? New auctions start every Friday, so enjoy the best of online and traditional auctions here on Catawiki. And with one free account for buying and selling, you can also cash in on your investments and make a profit by offering up photographs that no longer fit your collection for auction. Daniel and his team can't wait to see what you have to offer.
You might also like these articles: