Photogs - Are you Aware of 2257?

A new federal law went into effect on March 1 that most photographers don't yet know about. The good news is that for most, there is no impact on their work, no new requirements. The bad news is that if you are a glamour or figure photographer, you're in for a rough time.

The law, 18 USC 2257, or "2257" as they are calling it, essentially requires that if you create content that will cross state lines (ie a website, or client buys in Washington and lives in Idaho) and there is nudity ("lascivious" is their term, but they have issued a clarification that to most means any nudity at all,) you need special paperwork filled out by the model/client AND that paperwork must be available for inspection during reasonable business hours and a notification must be posted on the work itself.

If you provide boudoir photos to women to give to someone special in their lives, and no crossing of state lines, no web content, and no display takes place, it seems as if you can rest easy. However, if there is any hiring of models (a discount to a paying client to allow use on your website for advetising may qualify as hiring under the new law) and there is any nudity by a man or woman (men shirtless seems to be ok), you'd better look into how this new law will change your recordkeeping.

There is a lot of information available on the topic, a lot ofopinions, and few government clarifications. But, since this is intended as an anti child-pornography, recordkeeping law, it probably will not go away. Better safe than sorry - if you are a photographer who shoots any fine art nudes or glamour, look into it! (If you are local to the DC area, check our Events section for workshops on 2257 or which include 2257.)

Cutting Back to a Solid Core

As I write this entry, my husband and our neighbor Mike are out cutting back some of our trees. Mike has one of those chain saws on a pole to get the really high branches we could not reach, even with a ladder. They are discussing which limbs to cut back, and I overheard a discussion about how cutting the wild, frazzled branches will make the trunk and other more established limbs stronger. Maybe this is good advice for artists, too.

I know many artists who are trying to do too much - sprouting wild branches. Originals, reprints, new media, chasing galleries and buyers, entering every show, taking classes, blogging, twittering, facebooking, my spacing, and then just spacing out. The old saying "do one thing and do it right" might be good advice for all us at one time or another. But, during a downturn in the economy it can spell success versus mayhem.

Artists need to stick to what they do well, and not appear desperate. People like to buy from and hire successful, positive, organized, professional, confident artists. While it is well and good to try something new, even advisable in a down economy, remember not to neglect your tree trunk - the art that got you here - in an attempt to do it all, be it all, and end up with just a bunch of frazzled branches.

A conversation in which you mention that you have decided to take up some work on small canvas is much more appealing to your listener than one in which you mention that you are painting small to make some sales, while social networking, trying to find a teaching gig, investigating other media because they pay better, and just bought a welder's mask to try your hand at sculpture. Don't sprout wild branches!

Every successful person I have heard of has done the best he could with the conditions as he found them, and not waited until next year to be better. ~EW Howe

FotoWeekDC 2009

The Advisory Board for FotoWeekDC met tonight to review 2008 and plan for 2009. While I can't reveal plans still pending, let me share that this year is going to be amazing! More images in more places will be added, with first-year hits like PhotoCentral, images projected on buildings, and noontime lectures continued. We'll be adding technology to planning so that your experience will be more organized, and with the advantage of having a year under our belts to analyse, we're super excited for November!

People become really remarkable when they start thinking they can do things. When they believe in themselves they have the first secret of success. ~Normal Vincent Peale

Welcome to Visual Arts Consulting!

Welcome to the first blog entry for Visual Arts Consulting. Founded in 2008 to serve artists' business and marketing needs, we have quickly become a resource for business formation, state business compliance issues, contract review and contract drafting, and even estate valuation.

I will be teaching two business workshops for photographers at Sly Horse Studio in Rockville, MD in the coming months, and another at MOCA Gallery in Georgetown. See the "events" section of our website for more information on those as schedules are firmed up.

One short thought for today. Two women asked me recently if they were "crazy to start a business today", in this market. I told them that like everything, it was a matter of perspective. This market gives them a chance to lower expectations, take their time, and celebrate their successes. If they manage to do "ok" in 2009, GREAT! (In 2006, or 2008, if you had done ok, you'd be severely disappointed.) I helped them form their business, and they are making an offer on studio space this week....probably for a greatly reduced price over last year. Now, that's smart, not crazy!

The moment one definitely commits oneself, then Providence moves too. ~Goethe