Elizabeth Smith is a photography consultant based in London, with over 30 years of experience in fine art photography curation and sales across New York and London.
Elizabeth has worked with private and public commercial art and photography galleries, the Norman Parkinson Archive, and Christie’s, London. She currently works independently advising photography collectors, photography archives and photographers. Services include advice and valuations, corporate and individual acquisitions and deacquisitions as well as coordinating photographic-based fundraising projects, including books, and working with photographers and their estates.
Advice and Mentoring
I have worked with emerging and mid-career photographers providing advice on how to develop your work into a coherent series, edit and edition your work and assist with book proposals. I am happy to work with photographers, photographic estates and archives. mid-career and emerging photographers, guiding them on exhibition strategies and market positioning.
Photographic print advice – including recommendations regarding photographic print process, sizing, editioning and authenticating your work
Photographic book advice – finding a publisher and how to successfully create a book, advice on funding, imagery selection, editing your work for submission, working with designers and editors.
Photographic representation advice – working with consultants, dealers, galleries, museums and agencies, advice on contracts and how to professionally represent your work with galleries.
Image licensing and copyright – how to ensure that your work is available for commercial licensing and the importance of the right copyright attribution.
Archive organization and management – how to set up your photographic archive, how to properly catalogue your work and the importance of conservation materials and conditions.
I provide appraisals for collectors and photography archives who require regular, updated appraisals for multiple purposes including insurance, national cultural arts schemes, auction, corporate transfer or for private sales.
Appraisals and Valuations
Acquisitions and Deaquisitons
Public and private
I work discreetly with collectors interested in acquiring specific photographs or deaquisitioning works from their collections.
All conversations are held in strict confidence and treated with the utmost privacy.
Originally from the United States, Elizabeth began her career at the Howard Greenberg Gallery in New York before relocating to London in 1993 to join The Photographers’ Gallery as Print Sales Manager. During her tenure until late 1999, she significantly broadened the gallery’s scope, introducing London audiences to internationally acclaimed photographers such as Bill Jacobson, Martine Barrat, Elinor Carucci, and Ed van der Elsken. She also established key sponsorships with organizations like Nicole Farhi and the Designers Guild. Under Elizabeth’s leadership, the Print Sales room pioneered several initiatives, including London’s first membership print scheme and a limited edition print programme featuring artists such as Rineke Dijkstra, David Byrne, and Massimo Vitali.
In December 1999, Elizabeth became Head of the Photographs Department at Christie’s, London, a position she held until late 2001 before founding her own consultancy, Mirror. In 2004, she was approached by the estate of the legendary British fashion photographer Norman Parkinson to represent his work. In December 2005, Elizabeth Smith partnered with Eric Franck to co-found the Norman Parkinson Archive, which became the exclusive worldwide representative of Parkinson’s estate. Under their direction, the Archive placed Parkinson’s work in major public and private collections across the United States and Europe, produced more than 60 exhibitions, published two books, and collaborated on a BBC Arena documentary. The Archive also managed all commercial, publication, and syndication rights. Notable commercial collaborations included campaigns with Charlotte Tilbury Cosmetics and Mulo Shoes. They ran the Norman Parkinson Archive until December 2017.
From September 2018 to March 2019, Elizabeth was a Director at the Michael Hoppen Gallery. She now works independently, advising collectors on acquisitions and conducting photographic appraisals for both private individuals and institutions in the UK and US. She has played a pivotal role in reviving the legacy of dance and theatre photographer Anthony Crickmay, working closely with him until his death in 2020 and continuing to support his archive and associated charity. Elizabeth is currently collaborating with the V&A on a forthcoming book about Crickmay’s life and career.
Publications
Anthony Crickmay, A Life in Photography (Prestel and V&A Publishing, Spring 2027) – Editor
Ed Watson, A Different Dance (Prestel, 2023) – Project Manager & Co-editor
William John Kennedy, The Lost Archive (ACC Artbooks, 2022) – Editor & Author
Pink is the Navy Blue of India, Norman Parkinson [catalogue] (Tasveer, 2012) – Editor & Author
Norman Parkinson, A Very British Glamour (Rizzoli, 2009) – Co-editor