Fine Art Photography Prints: A Guide to Purchase, Collection, and Preservation

Fine art photographers such as myself craft images that captivate and inspire, catering to the discerning tastes of art publications, interior decorators, and collectors alike. These artworks find their place in homes, offices, galleries, and museums, where they are celebrated for their unique aesthetic and the stories they tell. As a collector or buyer, whether outfitting a personal space or curating an exhibition, the primary consideration should always be the personal resonance and visual appeal of the artwork.

However, the journey doesn't end with selection. Understanding the nuances of acquiring, collecting, and maintaining fine art photography is crucial to ensuring the longevity and vibrancy of these pieces. Below are essential tips to guide you through the process of making informed decisions about your fine art photography investments.

All Fine Art Photography Prints, be they limited or open editions, are the exclusive work of the artist.

Exclusivity of Original Work

Beautiful, meaningful, fine art prints must reward the owner with a rich tactile experience and an accurate representation of the artist's intent. We choose archival substrates (papers) that are specific to a given collection.

Fine Art Print Substrates

A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) accompanies every limited-edition print I create. This document provides proof of original art with number sequences to guarantee that the edition does not exceed the exclusive print run.

Certificate of Authenticity

Art Print Editions

Limited Edition Prints - A limited edition has a fixed number of prints from the beginning of the print run, and the number of images never changes. Limited Editions have two numbers: the print’s unique number and size of the entire print run. The edition numbers appear on the reverse side of the art print and on the matt material in some cases. For example, the first print in an edition of 12 would be marked 1/12, and the last work in this edition would be marked 12/12.

Prints are available in several substrate dimensions, such as, and custom exhibition sizes are also available. Each substrate size constitutes an edition, but most of my artwork is unavailable in all substrate sizes.

Limited edition prints provide exclusivity and value for my collectors.

Open Edition Prints - An open edition has no limit on the number of prints that may be created. Prints may or may not be numbered.

 FAQs

  • Ensure the authenticity of the artwork by obtaining a signed certificate of authenticity from the artist. This document should detail the work's edition number and any other relevant information about its history and provenance.

  • I size prints to the optimum aesthetic value of the artwork. They often do not conform to standard retail print sizes. Each print is a custom art piece, and we quote the nominal size of the print, which is the actual image, plus we add one and two inch borders for easy handling and framing.

  • Fine art photographs often come in limited editions, which means only a certain number of prints were made. Knowing the size of the edition can help you understand the rarity and potential value of a photograph. Smaller editions are typically more desirable to collectors and home décor enthusiasts with discerning tastes. A single print may come in several sizes and each size is an edition.

  • Fine art prints are also available as open editions, and the cost of these images is usually less than limited editions. Open Editions are a cost-effective way to own great art for your home and office décor needs.

  • Substrates, which are the proper name for the paper upon which the images are printed, are an important consideration. In all cases, they should be certified as archival, which means they will provide superior visual depth and longevity but also ensure that your investment retains its new printed condition over time. I choose certified archival substrates that provide a tactile quality and tone of faithfulness for the image I’m printing.

  • I do not provide frames. We have found that our art buyers and collectors prefer to select frames for personal display and aesthetic reasons. When framing or mounting, you should ensure that you use acid-free mats.

  • I sign all limited edition prints and for some editions of open edition prints.

  • Regular maintenance is crucial to preserving the integrity of your artwork. Handle your prints by the border edges, and it is best to use cotton gloves to avoid depositing oils from your skin, which may mar the beauty of your artwork. Frame your work and display it in areas of low ultraviolet light. If you are displaying unframed photographs, dust gently with a soft, dry cloth, and avoid using chemical cleaners.

  • While the primary motivation for purchasing fine art photography should be personal enjoyment and aesthetic appreciation, it's also wise to consider the potential for appreciation in value.

  • I ship via DHL, and large prints are rolled and placed in a heavy-duty tube with a protective archival sleeve. Small prints are shipped in a protective flat box with an archival sleeve. All images arrive with a COA included.

Signature, Provenance, and Certificates of Authenticity

Fine Art Photography rewards owners/collectors through the work and intention of the artist. In addition to the aesthetic relationships, we also provide value-added support for your print.

Signature

All my prints are signed in the lower right hand corner of the photo with the edition numbers on the reverse side.

Certificate of Authenticity

A Certificate of Authenticity (COA) accompanies every limited edition print created by Edward Smith. Serialized holograms are added to the COAs to show genuine artwork.

Provenance Information

Provenance traces the ownership history of a fine art photograph and is essential when reselling a piece of artwork. It also describes the artists’s motivation and place of image capture. I provide provenance information within the COA for all my Limited-Edition prints.

Guarantee of Satisfation

We ship prints in special protective containers. However, if a print arrives damaged, we will send you a replacement print at no charge. If, after 10 days, you find that the photo is defective, please return the print in the original shipping container. Please see Return Policy.