One year later
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A Year on the Art Fair Road: What I’ve Learned and Where I’m Going
I am a fine art photographer exhibiting at national art fairs across the United States. Almost a year ago, I started this blog with a simple mission: to understand the art fair world more deeply. I wanted to learn how the system works, why artists struggle, and where I fit within it.
In that time, I’ve learned more than I expected. I’ve also realized that most artists I respect—those who work hard, travel from show to show, and build their careers from nothing—face the same challenges I do. What matters most in this life is letting your work and your vision speak for you, because collectors at art fairs are looking for a genuine connection with the artist behind the art.
This is where my journey stands today, and where I hope to go next.
Do I Communicate My Story Through My Work?
Every artist has to ask themselves whether their story comes through in their art.
For me, storytelling comes naturally. It’s rooted in my early influences—photojournalists like Robert Capa, W. Eugene Smith, and others who used images to build narratives. My mentor pushed me toward this idea early on: every photograph should say something, even when the artist struggles to put the words together.
I don’t think in a perfectly linear way, but my images help me organize the story. The photographs often come in random order, and as I spend time with them, the beginning, middle, and end start to emerge. My current work exists in four stages, and the final stage hasn’t even been captured yet—something that might actually be interesting for my collectors. Only recently have I begun to see my full story taking shape.
What Makes a Collection Successful?
In my world, a collection becomes successful when people connect with it strongly enough to buy it.
That’s the truth—art fairs make the feedback immediate.
I like working on several projects at once. I keep a lot moving, but I finish things quickly and with focus. That constant flow helps me build stronger bodies of work and keeps me creatively energized.
Can I Support Myself With Fine Art Photography?
This is the question most artists avoid—and one of the hardest truths in our industry.
Supporting myself solely through fine art photography is extremely difficult. That’s why I also do art installations. They help remove some of the financial pressure so I can focus on creating the work I want to make.
Artists don’t talk about this enough. When things go wrong, or money is tight, support can be hard to find. Many artists believe you must figure everything out on your own, and only a few really offer guidance. Those few are the ones who view this industry as a community, not a competition. They share knowledge, offer encouragement, and still respect each person’s individuality.
A recent conversation made me realize I need to be selective about who I share my struggles with. Not everyone is part of the right crowd.
Moving Forward
This past year, I focused heavily on getting into better shows and understanding how art fair juries think. I question my choices more now—my subjects, my technique, my presentation—but I remind myself that my photography is rooted in emotion and personal experience. That’s what guides me forward.
At the same time, if I want to keep doing art fairs, I need to be in the markets that generate income for me. A big show brings crowds, but it also brings fierce competition. A double booth, your presentation, your energy—everything matters. There’s no room for mistakes. And at smaller shows, every visitor becomes more important because attendance is low.
This made me reevaluate my tools. If I want to print larger than 48 × 72 inches, I need a better camera and a new computer. I don’t want equipment to limit my creativity.
In 2025, I hope to start exhibiting in a 10×20 double booth. It will give my collectors more space to experience the work and give me the presentation level I need for higher-tier shows. With improved photographs and a stronger booth, I believe I can earn my spot at better events while continuing to learn the jury process.
Who Goes With Me on the Next Journey?
If you look for negativity, you will find it. If you look for darkness, it’s everywhere.
The reality is this: only another art fair artist truly understands what we go through every weekend.
The travel, the weather, the setup, the breakdown, the competition, the expenses, the good days, the terrible days—no one else really gets it.
I try to learn from everyone. I talk to anyone who wants to talk. I truly love what I do and the art fair life that comes with it. A podcast I listened to recently made something click for me: most artists are dealing with the same struggles. I wasn’t alone—I just wasn’t surrounded by the right people.
So the next part of this journey is about choosing better. Surrounding myself with artists who support each other, who share knowledge, who grow together. Artists who understand that this life is a marathon, shaped by persistence, creativity, and community.
And that is where I’m headed.