Jennifer L. Stoots, AAA, has been working in the museum and gallery industry for 30 years, in the photography marketplace for 26 years, and has been appraising documentary & fine art photographs, photographic archives, and contemporary art for 22 years. In addition to her art appraisal work, she lectures on the economic history of fine art & the photography market and participates in public presentations centered around legacy and estate planning strategies for artists & photographers. She has also written articles about the process and methodologies of appraisal valuations, as relates to photographs and photographic archives, and is currently engaged in research related to the art labor market and the (extraordinary) benefits of integrated arts education.  She is also a photo historian and has an ongoing series dedicated to photography history on social media.

Stoots received her Master’s degree in the History of Art & Design from Pratt Institute (2013) and her Bachelor’s in Art History from the University of Oregon (1994). She acquired her appraising credentials from NYU’s Appraisal Studies Program for Fine and Decorative Arts (2002) and she is a Certified Member of the Appraisers Association of America (AAA). Stoots is qualified to do IRS appraisals under the guidelines of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice (USPAP) and can provide reports that meet the International Valuation Standards (IVS).

Stoots had early training as an artist and photographer (1980s & 90s). After earning her Bachelor’s degree in Art History, she worked at several museums as a volunteer, under supervision of curatorial staff in their respective Education Departments, Registrar’s Office or Special Collections. She subsequently managed a fine art photography gallery in Portland, OR (1998 – 2004), spearheading sales, exhibition production and bookkeeping. Subsequently, and while fostering her art appraisal business, she worked part-time as a sales associate for a contemporary art gallery where she had opportunity to work national art fairs (2004 – 2007). In recent years, and in addition to her appraisal work, she has assisted the East Wing Project (Doha, Qatar) at select international photography fairs, including Paris Photo and Art Dubai. 

Click here to view her CV.