The primary reason for obtaining a professional appraisal of a commercial photography collection is to determine it’s prospects for significant licensing revenue over time. This figure can have an impact on insurance, donations and legal issues.
I have been involved in the licensing of images throughout a long career as a photo agency executive. I have experience in the cost of licensing photography from all perspectives-expensive rights managed models, royalty free and microstock.
If the photographs have value as prints as fine art, I either proceed based on my experience or I collaborate with a respected fine art appraiser.
When a collection also includes ephemera and books, I work with my partner at Ed Smith Books, a member of the Antiquarian Booksellers’ Association of America, to value those materials. My approach combines both business and personal property appraisal skills.
I previously was a Candidate/Appraisal Society of America and have taken and passed the USPAP (Seattle, 2008). I completed a course “Practicing Before the IRS” presented by IRS employees and sponsored by the ADA/Los Angeles ensuring that my appraisal reports conform to the most current IRS rules. I adhere to the ethics rules of the ASA.
My appraisals have been used in divorce settlements, for donations, as collateral for loans, for insurance and for estate tax and planning purposes.
Two signed, bound copies will be provided. Fees are based on the project. No billable work begins until the scope of work has been agreed upon and a retainer agreement has been signed and returned.