I'm hoping someone can offer me some advice on selling my photographs through local shops/galleries. I live in York in the UK which has the rather nice features of being both rather nice to look at and a major tourist destination.
I've been toying with the idea of taking a series of photographs with the aim of selling them through local small shops or galleries. It would be nice to retain some sliver of artistic integrity by avoiding the typical "twee" tourist shots. I'm thinking of more artistic shots, but I'm by no means the best photographer on the planet.
So let's assume that I've managed to get a portfolio of saleable images together, what advice would you give me for getting them sold? What would be the best way to get them professionally printed? Is it worth going for postcard or greeting card formats as well as framed prints? What's a good way to present your shots to local businesses or galleries that might be potential outlets?
I'm especially interested in hearing from anyone that does this already or has tried it.
DO IT!!!!!!!!!!! take your portfolio to every store, have the prices that you want ready.. take a few already framed as well as postcards so they can see how good they look as well as an index (lots of small pics on a few sheets) of all the images you want to sell.. you will be surprised how many will take them.. I did that over here, only I didnt have anything with me that day.. I was browsing in a shop and just casually asked if they were interested in local artists.. went back the next day and I'm still there.. So YES.. get your gear together and do it.. its worth it..
you might want to consider getting a collection together and having duplicate prints made to sell - I did this once at a country fair in north yorkshire and made quite a nice amount of cash - its a bit of a one off thing but it gets your pictures into circulation too and your name recognised.
I am thinking about approaching a cafe or restarant to have my photos displayed on the walls, with a label displaying the name and price. Quite alot of places are doing this now, it enefits them because they get free art for their walls and obviously it benefits you if people buy them... and it doesn't cost either party anything.
We have a cafe in my town that does that - unfortunately they are so highy priced and they never seem to move, (unless prints are being sold, perhaps they are) - and boredom sets in.
I have noticed in several larger tourist outlets that photos printed on canvas are fetching good prices and are very popular. They are expensive to have done but probably no more than fancy framing would add to the cost of a print. Travellers also appreciate the fact that they are lightweight.
This may be another avenue to consider.
The advantage with canvasses, as far as tourists are concerned, is that the retailer could sell them an unframed print (ie rolled up canvas) and they could have it mounted when they got home.
I've been toying with the idea of taking a series of photographs with the aim of selling them through local small shops or galleries. It would be nice to retain some sliver of artistic integrity by avoiding the typical "twee" tourist shots. I'm thinking of more artistic shots, but I'm by no means the best photographer on the planet.
So let's assume that I've managed to get a portfolio of saleable images together, what advice would you give me for getting them sold? What would be the best way to get them professionally printed? Is it worth going for postcard or greeting card formats as well as framed prints? What's a good way to present your shots to local businesses or galleries that might be potential outlets?
I'm especially interested in hearing from anyone that does this already or has tried it.
Many thanks.