Why Buy Nature Wall Art – Or Should You?

Are you asking yourself why you should buy nature wall art? In the age of the internet, there are numerous articles promoting the benefits of nature wall art photography prints for your home, office, or other interior spaces. While these articles may serve as marketing tools encouraging you to purchase such art from photographers whose work I respect, I believe it is important to approach the subject from a different perspective. This article aims to provide a personal opinion on the matter and emphasizes the importance of buying nature wall art because you genuinely appreciate it, rather than being convinced by external factors.

Should You Buy Nature Photography Wall Art?

As someone who also markets and sells my own nature photography wall art, I am writing this article with full transparency, knowing it might not be the best sales pitch. But honesty matters to me. So, here’s my genuine opinion:

If someone has to convince you to buy photography, don’t buy it.

Buying art should be a personal journey, driven by an emotional connection to the piece. You should see the value for yourself, not because someone pointed it out.

When you find a landscape photograph that speaks to your soul, you’ll feel it. You just know. If that is not happening, don’t bother making the purchase. You will be the one looking at the artwork on the wall every day. It is important that it brings you joy and appreciation.

SHOP Nature Wall Art Photo Print – Fairyland

The Artwork You Buy Should Move You

Finding art that stirs your soul is an essential part of creating a space that feels truly your own. It’s not about following trends or filling empty walls – it’s about surrounding yourself with pieces that resonate with you on a personal level.

If nature prints aren’t your thing, consider buying something that is. If wall art decor doesn’t appeal to you, put something in the room that does and moves you.

On the other hand, if you enjoy landscape photos, find something that moves you and has personal value. Art is visual and because of that its impact is immediate. You know whether you love it or not the moment you lay eyes on it, and you don’t need anyone to convince you one way or the other. The art itself should be the only factor that tells you that.

SHOP Nature Wall Art Photo Print – The Grace of Light

Are Fine Art Nature Photography Prints a Good Investment?

My initial response leans towards a negative stance, especially if the expectation is solely financial gain. However, if your definition of “investment” encompasses non-monetary returns, such as the aesthetic transformation of a space, then buying large nature wall art photos can indeed serve as excellent decor, elevating the overall interior design.

However, I would not recommend investing in fine art photography with the expectation of increasing your financial wealth.

Despite claims from some reputable landscape photographers suggesting the appreciation of fine art photography over time, a closer examination of the evidence reveals that such general assertions lack validity.

While it is true that certain fine art pieces, predominantly paintings, appreciate in value, photographs, especially those captured in the digital era, seldom follow this trend. The rare instances where photographs do appreciate often pertain to images taken before the widespread adoption of digital technology.
Artists whose art appreciates over time are a very small percentage, compared to all artists in the world and they are usually referred to as “blue chip artists”.

In the art world, the term “blue-chip” denotes established and highly celebrated artists with lengthy and successful careers marked by consistent critical acclaim and major solo exhibitions spanning decades. Similar to the stability associated with reliable companies in the stock market, blue-chip artists are considered the art market’s equivalent, known for their wide recognition even beyond art circles. Their works consistently command high prices at prestigious auction houses like Christie’s and Sotheby’s, often setting records for their respective styles or movements.

Some of the most famous blue chip artists are all painters and most are not alive.
According to Sotheby’s “A well-known photographer will have auction records, which you can track on sites such as Artnet or Artprice.”. My question is – what percentage of all the photographers today fall into this category?
YouTube is full of “how-to” videos and narratives where individuals share their paths to financial success in various endeavors. Surprisingly, as of January 2024, not a single video exists specifically discussing how to generate income through fine art photography investments. Wouldn’t you think that if there was at least one success story, it would have been posted? In fact, this is one of the videos that comes up: Warren Buffett On Investing In Art, where he says: “you can say a great painting probably will have some value 500 years from now”.
Examining some of the most expensive photographs ever sold, the second most expensive transacted at $6.5 million. One would think that the artist who sold that print sells art which appreciates over time and is sold for more money on the secondary market. Surprisingly, the artist’s other works sell for less on the secondary market, questioning the assumed correlation between high sales prices and appreciating value. Here is a real example:

Image sells on the artist’s website for $13,100.

The same image, size, and frame offered on eBay for $5,999, which is less than half the price.

The same image (size and frame not specified) sold on Invaluable Auction for $3,500.

Again, my point is: while a fine art photo print can undoubtedly enhance the ambiance of a home or office, if the goal is financial growth, there are numerous alternative investment options which promise more favorable outcomes.

In essence, purchasing a fine art photo print should be seen as similar to acquiring a piece of furniture rather than a guaranteed financial investment—unless the photographer belongs to the rare group whose works command high prices. Even then, there is no absolute assurance, as emphasized by industry experts cautioning against expectations of guaranteed returns. As Anthony Hartley from The Photographers’ Gallery in London advises: “But we always caution about investment. There is never a guarantee. Crucially, buy first of all what you love.”

SHOP Nature Wall Art Photo Print – Radiance

Are There Health Benefits to Nature Photography Wall Art?

Numerous articles on the internet assert the health benefits of landscape photography, primarily aimed at promoting the sales of related artwork. In contrast, I adopt a slightly different perspective.

First, having conducted my own research, although existing studies (referenced below) do illustrate the calming impact of nature images on the human body, the assertion of “health benefits” appears somewhat overstated to me.

Second, as a landscape photographer myself I do not believe in the approach of using such studies as a means to convince potential customers why they should buy my nature wall art.

Some of the studies cited in those articles are:

If you examine these studies you will see that they do not involve nature photography but the authors who reference them make correlations. In other words, because walking through a forest is good for you, therefore looking at a forest picture must have similar effects.

Other studies have been conducted, which are more specifically addressing the effects of nature art/photos, such as:

> Viewing Nature Scenes Positively Affects Recovery of Autonomic Function Following Acute-Mental Stress

In simple terms, researchxers conducted a study to see if looking at different types of scenes before experiencing stress could affect how the body recovers from that stress. They used two types of scenes: nature scenes (like trees and grass) and built scenes (like city views without much nature). They measured the body’s autonomic function, which is related to the automatic functions like heart rate, using a method called heart rate variability.

When people were stressed, their heart rate, blood pressure, and other cardiovascular measures increased, and this increase was similar for both nature and built scenes. However, after the stress, the recovery was better when people had seen nature scenes. Specifically, the part of the nervous system responsible for calming the body (parasympathetic activity) was higher after looking at nature scenes compared to built scenes.

The study also looked at how the body responds while just looking at the scenes without any stress. They found that the variability in heart rate during the first 5 minutes of looking at nature scenes was greater than when looking at built scenes. This suggests that nature scenes may have a positive effect on the body even before experiencing stress.

> The effects of views of nature on autonomic control

This study found that looking at nature scenes, even in a controlled indoor environment, can positively affect the autonomic nervous system, which controls various bodily functions. The researchers measured heart rate variability (HRV), a non-invasive way to assess this system, and found that when people looked at nature scenes, there was an increase in markers of parasympathetic activity, which is associated with relaxation. This suggests that simply viewing nature has a calming effect on the body’s internal processes. The heart rate and blood pressure of the participants did not significantly change during the study. Overall, the research provides evidence that observing natural scenes can influence the way the heart is regulated, promoting a more relaxed state.

> Viewing Landscapes Is More Stimulating Than Scrambled Images After a Stressor: A Cross-disciplinary Approach

The study looked at whether looking at paintings of nature scenes could help people recover from stress. They had 30 participants look at either normal landscape paintings or scrambled versions of the same paintings after a stressful task. The results showed that those who looked at the normal paintings felt less sleepy and sluggish, and their stress hormone levels decreased more slowly compared to those who looked at scrambled images. The study suggests that viewing nature paintings can be more stimulating and helpful for reducing drowsiness after stress.

If you’re buying nature wall art for an office, a facility, or another public interior, then studies such as the above might matter to you. However, if you’re buying for yourself, I would argue that they are irrelevant. The only thing that matters is whether the print you’re buying speaks to you personally or not. Whether it has a positive emotional impact on you personally or not. And I know from experience that the same picture can impact different people in different ways.

You can decide for yourself whether these studies’ findings are enough reasons for why you should buy a nature wall art piece. However, my opinion is that all of this is irrelevant, and you should make a judgment based on the particular value a specific image has to you. The reality is that having nature artwork on your wall is not a must. People buy it because they like it.

For more information read my article: Understanding the Value of Nature Photography Prints.

SHOP Nature Wall Art Photo Print –Living Water

Getting Real - Who Buys Landscape Photography and Why?

Simply answered who buys landscape photography are the people who value it and can afford it. It is those whose emotions are stirred when they look at it. It is the people who “want” it and not those who “need” it.

Buying photography fine art is an emotional buy. Most people don’t need nature wall art prints in their home as a necessity. We could not compare them to food, water, air, sleep, etc. People buy because they like it and they want it.

People pay more money for things, simply because of looks, even when the nicer looking thing does the exact same thing as the regularly looking thing. They buy nature photography for the same reason people buy a cool looking car instead of one that just runs, a contemporary looking home instead of an average looking one, or furniture with better looking design than the normal one. People like visual appeal because it affects their emotions and they pay more money for that.

It’s important to note that people will still go to the doctor, the car mechanic, the plumber, etc. even when the economy is such that art sales are low. Art is a luxury item, and people will prioritize their basic needs over luxury items. However, when people have the means to do so, they will buy fine art photography that speaks to them emotionally.

SHOP Nature Wall Art Photo Print –Morning Glory

The Transformative Power of Nature Wall Art

I truly believe that hanging large nature wall art prints can really make a positive impact on the vibe of any room. It’s not just about decorating; it’s about transforming your space into something amazing.

Take this simple interactive example below. Toggle between the two tabs several times and observe which version looks better to you personally. The one with the bare wall, or the one with the nature art print? If this were your living room, which version would enjoy more every day?

SHOP Nature Wall Art Photo Print – Autumn Joy

If you care about how your space looks and feels, a big landscape print can be a game-changer. It’s not just a piece of art; it becomes a focal point that uplifts the entire room. Sure, one item alone won’t make or break the feel of a space, but when you combine it with other elements like nice furniture and wall decor, the overall design really affects how you experience the room. The more you love the look and feel of your space, the happier you’ll be spending time in it. And nature wall art can add that extra touch.

Imagine this: the picture showcases a place you love, maybe a spot you visit often or a place with special memories. Having that constant reminder can bring back those positive feelings regularly, making your space even more enjoyable.

What about, what I call “imaginative transportation”? Maybe the image is of a place you’ve never been to, but it resonates with you for some reason. It inspires you and causes you to dream. I can relate – I used to live in Missouri, far from the mountains I grew up around. Looking at pictures of mountains made me feel better, letting me dream of visiting and living there again someday.

SHOP Nature Wall Art Photo Print – Golden Panorama

Conclusion

I would be delighted to sell you any of my nature wall art prints, but I also want to be upfront: you should only purchase it if you truly love it. The “why” of buying my nature wall art should be your own conviction. If it doesn’t speak to you or enhance your space the way you want it to, I recommend that you don’t bother at all. Please feel free to reach out to me if you need any assistance.

If you’re interested in purchasing nature and landscape prints, you can check out the full online gallery.