Photography and management of older work both have one thing in common:
a perception of value
Looking back and looking forward, we see older work with new eyes. Two things stand out.
Each is the topic of an upcoming Elevate Our Art Session.
Wednesday Sep 9, 2026 at 6PM (PDT)
Elevate Our Photos
Elevate Our Art the free Zoom series is a benefit to all artists, cosponsored by MAG and MBMAG
Art jewelry documentation via photos is changing
In September, we will review the photographic landscape on social media, for exhibition and other entries, and on your website.
AGENDA Led by Harriete Estel Berman
6:00 – 6:20 PM New photographic styles
6:20 – 6:40 PM Examples of old versus new images
6:40 – 7:00 PM Q & A
In October, we will discuss how an artist perceives older work.
Harriete is in the process of taking photos of older work and giving it an updated look on Instagram and on her website. Older work has value and she exhibits it regularly. The fact that an artist is not making that particular work anymore means it’s more valuable, but in a different way.
“I don’t consider older work left overs, or unsold inventory to be discounted. Not at all. I continue to raise my prices on older work because you’ll never get those pieces again. They are more rare.“
Photography isn’t what it used to be — and neither is the way our work gets seen Until recently, one piece of jewelry could be represented with one good shot.
Reframing Jewelry through the Lens Now the same piece might need five or six images or videos, a person wearing a piece, clean white background for a jury submission, front and back, angled views, ….
scroll down for the Zoom link
Different platforms, different purposes, different stories — all for the same object.
The September 9th Elevate Our Art session begins with the juried-opportunity image — what jurors expect, and why those conventions exist. We’ll discuss why jurors are often asking for shots of pieces being worn and shots of pieces being created.
Then we’ll pick up the pace and move into the wider, more exciting world of images shaping how our work is seen — in print, in feeds, in stories, in reels.
How can thoughtful photography transform a piece from documented to desired, from catalogued to captivating?
We’ll cover a few simple, practical tips for what makes a “quality” image. Come ready to think differently about the camera as a tool, and key part, of your practice. Photographs are no longer just a formality after bench work is done
Login to your mbmag.org account to grab the Zoom link at the bottom of this page
Watch some of the tips in action by following the @elevate.our.art Instagram account.
Each Zoom session is a small group discussion
The sessions are NOT recorded
The FREE Elevate Our Art series is dedicated to helping you develop art related business skills
Always free for anyone and everyone to attend
You need NOT be an MBMAG or Metal Arts Guild member to attend
Login w/ your MBMAG account to see the Zoom login information below
MAG members: head to metalartsguildsf.org, login to your guild account and visit elevateourart to obtain the Zoom login information or subscribe to the email newsletter
Not a member of MAG or MBMAG?
Subscribe to the Elevate Our Art email newsletter to receive the Zoom link