Derek Emgee, is a coastal and surf photographer based in San Diego. Derek shares his inspiring journey from a practicing lawyer to a successful photographer, transitioning from a service-based model to a fine art print business. Discover his tips on balancing passion with profitability, the impact of social media, and the importance of constantly innovating in the art world. (00:00) Turning Passion into Business: The Two Mountains (02:10) Introducing Derek: From Law to Photography (03:59) Derek's Journey: From Hobby to Career (05:46) The Art Storefronts Experience (09:23) The Power of Marketing and Merchandise (10:47) Landing Big Deals: Corporate Installations (12:39) Innovative Marketing Strategies (26:18) The Future of Art and Technology (29:30) The One Thing to Improve in Storefronts (29:42) The Power of Innovation and New Ideas (30:19) Unlocking the Creator Economy (30:50) The Potential of Photo Books (31:08) Overcoming Comparison Problems (31:47) The Impact of Books on Consumers (32:57) Exploring Local Themes for Photo Books (34:10) Expanding into Local Stores (35:41) The Power of Low Friction Purchases (36:17) Using QR Codes for Surf Photography (39:51) Creating an Online Course for Surfers (40:53) The Importance of Firing Arrows (41:49) Insights from Art Shows (45:16) Understanding Your Market (46:21) Leveraging In-Person Installs (48:53) Engaging with Social Media (50:20) Using ChatGPT for Better Captions (54:32) Conclusion and Final Thoughts Links Derek’s Website https://www.derekemgephotography.com/ Derek on IG https://www.instagram.com/derekemgephotography/ Keep up with the latest https://linktr.ee/artmarketingpodcast