American Photographic Artists National
The sale of limited edition prints help support photo assistants
Mon 20th Apr, 2020
Homepage Image © Beth Galton
Art for Assistants is a thoughtful and timely response to the Covid-19 pandemic. This new campaign aims to turn paper and ink into financial support for photography assistants – the often-unsung heroes who work side-by-side with many of our favorite photographers, and who, like many others, have had their work and their incomes come to an abrupt halt.
Photographer Tim Tadder spearheaded this initiative then invited two photographers, who in better times employ assistants on a regular basis, to raise money for these recently out of work team members. One of those photographers, Shaun Fenn has been instrumental in getting the word out.
Shaun Fenn stated, “I think this is a fantastic idea, and a way for us to give back and a way for you to obtain some beautiful artwork at a reasonable price knowing you’re also doing some good for some hardworking people.”
The program requires a 100% commitment from photographers who participate. Each photographer agrees to sell a limited edition of 100, 11”x14” prints of their own work, for $100 each. They create their own Go Fund Me (https://www.gofundme.com), page and then utilizes their social media channels to get word out using the #artforassistants hashtag. The photographers cover all costs, including the printing and shipping, and pledge to give 100% of the proceeds of the sales of the prints to their Assistants (minus the 3% for Go Fund Me). They are also personally responsible for the printing and fulfillment of their prints.
Jason Lindsey, who has donated his aptly titled fine art limited edition print, “Renewal,” said, “I couldn't do my job in any way, shape or form without these assistants. They have carried gear up mountains at 2:00am for a shot, they've crawled through ice caves at 30 below temperatures. My gratitude to everyone who contributed to “Art for Assistants” is immeasurable. I’m still stunned that so many, while dealing with social and financial issues themselves through this crisis, still found it in their hearts to extend a helping hand.”
Paul Elledge added, “The Freelance assistants in our business are the backbone of everything we do. And this time, with zero production, they have zero income. It’s time for us to step up, and try to help them out. I’m selling a print from a series called “iPhone Once a Day,” which I’ve been doing for over ten years and has been exhibited internationally and domestically. Freelance assistants need our help. Please give – we are all in this together.”
Epson was instrumental in the kick-off of this project and helped provide some of the initial resources. Photographers who want to take the pledge (and are in a financial position to cover the costs to be in the program) can contact Tim Tadder’s studio for help in setting up their Go Fund Me pages and to get a list of resources for purchasing mailing tubes, glassines and shipping labels.
Photographers participating in this effort to date include:
Erik Almas Andy Anderson Paul Elledge Shaun Fenn Randal Ford Laurie Frankel Dan Goldberg Nick Hall Jason Lindsey Michael Muller Frank Ockenfels Brian Bowen Smith Rennie Solis Art Streiber Tim Tadder Dan Winters Cliff Watts Stephen Hamilton AFA-Nashville Patrick Molnar Christopher Wilson Andy Mahr Todd Antony Nathan Lindquist Weston Fuller Kevin Zacher Sandro Andy Glass Dana Neibert Maarten de Boer Walter Smith Beth Galton Smallz and Raskind Tadd Myers Tom Hussey Heather Hazzan Mary Ellen Matthews Kurt Iswarienko Adam Rose Matt Carr Saverio Truglia
Almas, Ford, Ockenfels, and Tadder have already met and exceeded their goals, and more participant photographers are added each day as this campaign gains steam.
To learn more about how you can contribute to this very important cause, please check out this Go Fund Me page, which continues to add photographers:
https://www.gofundme.com/mvc.php?route=homepage_norma/search&term=Art%20For%20Assistants
Photographers interested in taking the pledge themselves please contact hello@timtadder.com ellie@timtadder.com Images © Laurie Frankel
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