Client Testimonials

Mary Virginia Swanson’s informed guidance has been an essential part of the completion and placement of my project “In the Studio of Roy Lichtenstein”. After this work laying dormant for 15 years, with her direction, a book is due to be published late in 2011.  Additionally, it has been exhibited in 5 venues in the past year. Without hesitation I would encourage others to work with Mary Virginia to have their creative goals brought to fruition.

MVS: Thanks again for your help. With the perspective of the two weeks since our meeting, I can say that our time really re-focused things not only with the tactical changes you suggested, but in a strategic sense as well. I see some possibilities I hadn’t considered before and a tangible sense of how to push myself in a new direction, or return to the path I’ve wanted to be on all along.

There is no one like Mary Virginia Swanson.  Period.

I’ve had decades of experience as a photographer, author and business owner and I know—and have worked with—talented people around the world.  Mary Virginia Swanson ranks with the best of them, but she’s my go-to person when it comes to questions relating to world of photography.  She knows how to ask the right questions and focuses—quickly, efficiently and brilliantly—on whatever I put before her.  One of the many things I love about working with her is that she can help me with a photography issue I’m struggling with, but she also helps me with problems I didn’t know I had.  I once brought Mary Virginia an early-stage project to look at, and she encouraged me to rethink the title of the project; she was right—and the new title made a big difference in how I, and others, saw the work.  Mary Virginia Swanson has also helped me with questions about licensing photographs and dealing with publishers and contracts—if it relates to photography, she can deal with it.  Working with Mary Virginia Swanson has made me a better photographer, and a more successful one.  She’s also a truly lovely human being.

Mary Virginia Swanson has been instrumental in my access to the fine-art market. Her advice, reviews and counseling have made a huge impact in my ability to introduce my work internationally. It is a pleasure and a privilege to work with her.

Mary Virginia Swanson is photography’s equivalent of the sports world’s triple threat. When speaking with photographers, she helps them find the best and most effective way to share their personal vision with the world.  When speaking with students, she provides a blast of solid, real-world practicality that helps them in their first steps in the photographic world. Most importantly, though, Mary Virginia Swanson is a cheerleader for our medium; helping all of us by showing us what’s cool, what’s working, and making us proud to be involved in this vibrant community.

Like everyone, I’d heard great things about Mary Virginia Swanson through the grapevine before we met.  I had really high expectations, because it’s understood that she is one-of-a-kind.  Of course, she was even better in person.  Her creativity, positive energy, generosity, professionalism, great communication skills, and superior listening have helped me push my career beyond where I thought it could go.  I can’t recommend her more highly.  She is the best there is.

Our time together was engaging, thought provoking, timely and most importantly illuminating of all the nooks and crannies of publishing a photography book.  I can now go into my meeting this week with some useful knowledge of the process and some ideas as to a reasonable contract arrangement.  Thanks again for your time and thoughtfulness.

It would be difficult for me to overstate the importance of our conversation today.  I have the greatest respect for your powers of insight; you went right to the heart of the matter and pointed out future directions in a way I’ve been struggling to do all summer.  Thank you so very much!

The Industry’s #1 Photo Consultant: Mary Virginia Swanson.

Her PASSION for photography is unparalleled, her SINCERE desire to help photographers is unmatched, her photographic KNOWLEDGE is both deep and extensive.  As a portfolio review veteran, I’ve attended reviews from coast to coast – from the juried Review Santa Fe to FotoFest and beyond. Hands down Mary Virginia Swanson is the best portfolio reviewer a photographer can ask for. Mary Virginia Swanson views your work for what it is, unlike other reviewers who view work for what they want it to be.  Mary Virginia Swanson has a warm rapport with everyone she comes in contact with, clearly enjoys the people aspect of her job, thinks outside the box and funnels creative recommendations into practical applications