Beth Bencini Iskander has built a standout career for nearly five decades as an expert in photography, picture collection, copyright, and the arts. Since 2016, she has excelled as an independent photographs specialist, archivist, and advisor, playing a vital role in reselling photographs for movies, magazines, and newspapers. She is a former vice president and senior specialist in photographs at Sotheby’s, where she helped elevate photography as an art form in auctions. During her tenure, she facilitated record-breaking sales of significant photographs, including those from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art.
Ms. Iskander’s impactful career at Time Inc. spanned nearly three decades, from 1974 to 2001 when she was director of the picture collection and director of photography for editorial services. She oversaw the company’s 20-million-photograph library, the largest of its kind, managing the collection with a focus on history and current events. Later, from 2001 to 2002, she transitioned to an internal consultant role at Time Inc., where she spearheaded the digitalization of its photo library, revolutionizing its accessibility and attracting competitive vendor partnerships. She also worked as an assistant at Fern Berman Communications.
Ms. Iskander’s education laid a solid foundation for her success. She earned a bachelor’s degree in art and history from Salem College in 1972 and a master’s degree in art history with a focus on 20th-century European and American art from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Further, she holds certifications in the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice and interior design from the New York School of Interior Design.
Beyond her professional accomplishments, Ms. Iskander is committed to civic engagement. She volunteered with Housing Works from 2002 to 2020, assisting with pricing art, books, and media, and she continues to volunteer with the Presbyterian Church. She ascribes her success to her father’s advice about hard work, to her religious upbringing, and to her history teacher at Salem College, who taught her to engage meaningfully in conversations. Ms. Iskander is a proud mother to two sons and two stepdaughters. She enjoys traveling, exploring new cultures, and helping others recognize the value of their work through photography pricing, blending her personal and professional passions seamlessly.
