Bruce K. Haley, Jr., Photographer
Bruce K. Haley, Jr., uses the camera lens as his paint brush. His bold and colorful presentation of nature has made his work much sought after throughout the United States. In Bruce's words, "I present nature, not as the lens captures it, but as I see, feel, and experience it."
A self-described "C.P.A. eight hours a day and photographer ten hours a day," Bruce K. Haley Jr. is one member of the A.C.T. community who is extremely comfortable with all kinds of technology, using computers and the internet to integrate and manage his art business so that he can increase his exposure. Bruce uses the internet to research venues, communicate with his representatives via e-mail and creates "PhoDigital Art" that collectors can buy directly from his web site.
When Bruce took the A.C.T. introductory class," he asked me some of the toughest questions I have ever been asked about making a living making art. His standards are high and we continue to meet them. Ask him yourself by e-mail b.k.haley@verizon.net.
A.C.T.: Bruce, what is your art marketing strategy?
Haley: "EXPOSURE! I've spent the past three years exhibiting my work anywhere and everywhere I can from prestigious museums and galleries to retail store fronts. I love hearing: 'I see your work everywhere I go!' Now, I'm concentrating more on self-publishing and establishing working relationships with art related retail outlets." In addition, Bruce has cross-pollinated his writing interests by joining "The Writer's Village," a many times published Charleston, WV writers group, to co-produce a book, "Outside Looking In - Seven Windows to a Vibrant Life." The result is wider exposure for both groups to a combined qualified audience that already appreciates the arts.
A.C.T.: What dividends has your professionalism paid?
Haley: "I firmly believe that what I do today will pay dividends tomorrow. I have worked hard to develop a signature body of work, and to becoming consistent and professional in everything I do. I've had opportunities that came about only because I could deliver a show at the drop of a hat and do it in a professional manner. People aren't accustomed to having that experience with most artists. One evening I received a frantic phone call from a gallery manager who had scheduled an exhibition and had nothing to hang on the walls….could I help? I delivered 20 pieces the next day, sold ten, and have had a wonderful and profitable relationship with that gallery ever since."
A.C.T.: What obstacles have you encountered and how have you handled them?
Haley: "Early on, I was approaching upscale galleries with no success. There were three reasons for these early failures:
- I did not have a professional presentation,
- I had not researched the galleries to determine if my work fit their gallery,
- I hadn't taken into consideration that my prices were not at the level that would be profitable to galleries.
Experience is a great teacher if you know how to learn from it. I now research galleries, I've examined my pricing and I study to determine where my work fits in the art market."
A.C.T.: What advice do you have for other artists?
Haley: "Think about what you want out of your career. If you want to learn how to promote yourself and to work in the most efficient way possible, then Artist Career Training is for you. Remember that everything you do today is laying a solid foundation for tomorrow. Without that solid foundation, you won't be able to handle the success that will come. Be patient, be ready and be professional in everything you do."
A.C.T.: How have you benefited from your involvement in Artist Career Training?
Haley: "My involvement in Artist Career Training has allowed me to progress at a faster pace and at a lower cost than if I were doing it all on my own. You could probably find most of the information on your own, but then it becomes a matter of trial and error. A.C.T. has taught me what works and what doesn't, thus, saving me a lot of precious time and money. Sometimes what is presented doesn't apply to you right then, but at some point in your career, it will and it's nice to have that material to go over again when it means more to you. Maybe the most valuable asset has been my interaction with Aletta de Wal. Aletta has taken the time to learn what motivates and inspires me, thus allowing me to progress in a most efficient manner.
"Our Artist Career Training on-line community has been another of the most beneficial resources for me. We are a community united in our desire to make a better living making art. I'm constantly amazed by the talent and experience of my fellow artists. What is even more amazing is their willingness to share that experience with other A.C.T. members.
"As an example, when I first started the program three years ago, I was looking for a way to increase the size of my mailing list which, at that time, stood at zero. I had an idea to do give-a-ways at my solo exhibitions, but I had no idea how to do it in a professional manner. I posted a 'call for help' on the message board and in no time at all, I had all my answers. My fellow artists readily shared their experiences, templates, signs, and results. Today my mailing list contains over one-thousand qualified names. These are names that I've been able to convert to income by regular use of the list.
"I've benefited just as much from other artists' questions. Many times their questions apply to something I've been thinking about or something I haven't been thinking about, but should have been. The true beauty is that we can do as a group what we can't do as one."
Sincerely,
Bruce K. Haley, Jr.
www.bkhaleyphotography.com