How do I go about selling my fine art photography to art galleries in NYC?

why dont you try selling a few works in central park. many people go there and look around, and if 2 people see how good your work is, they’ll tell 2 people and they’ll tell 2 people etc…. its hard for artists to gain recognition, especially in new york, so you have to start from the bottom. it might seem unfair, but it is.

You might want to approach galleries in smaller markets first. Pound the pavement and create a history of selling your work to serious buyers before you approach nyc. If you’re serious, don’t give up. There is advice for artists all over the internet; read everything you can.

Do you have your own studio? If so, why not host an “open studio” night or week and invite as many people as possible. Buy a few cases of middle-of-the-road champagne and give it out free.

All of the above, also, has your work ever been published before in any major publications? Featured on any online web galleries? Have you sold more than 10 prints of any photo you hold the copyright to? In the 4 years you’ve been a photographer, have you traveled across continents, or even the United States as part of your experience/portfolio, or have you only been stuck in New York? Have you ever sold an image to any stock photo galleries out there in the world, to a news/journalist/media group?

Only asking these questions because galleries typically don’t exist to provide exposure, they exist to exhibit established talent… especially in a ‘burg like New York City.

Woops. Sent before I finished.

I would consider a private exhibition, whether it be streetside, in Central Park, part of a college tour (a lot of colleges will show photographer’s works off in common areas) and so on. Also establish some kind of branding if you can’t establish a name recognition. Try to avoid cliches like angels, wings, references to shutters, feathers, light, shadow, or overly gothic things.

You’ll get much more practical responses in the photo.net forums (especially the Business section). Great, free, moderated site…

For the most part, galleries don’t “buy” the work of photographers, they represent them. In this relationship, artists exhibit their work, and if it sells, both the artist and the gallery get a part of the proceeds. The most effective accomplishment you can have to become represented by a NYC gallery is a record of success with exhibits and sales elsewhere.