fotowerks Loc: San Diego, CA

I have been invited by a fellow photographer to participate in a two person show of our fine art photography in the photo studio of one of or local digital printers. I would be showing 20 of my best "art" pieces. the cost for printing and mounting could come close to $1000. I mostly work as an event photographer so I don't see this as an opportunity to promote my business however there may be a possibility that I could sell some of my fine art photography. The printer has a good reputation and following and the show will be tied to an open house. Have any of you had any experience with shows of this type and do you think it would be worth the investment? I know you many of you haven't seen my work so let's assume that it is worthy.

dirtpusher Loc: tulsa oklahoma

Sounds like good business for himhim 20 divided into 1000 are there lot of people in that area that like photography art in that area. Bring you're best eye catcher.

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

Sure, if that is a part of the business you want to be in. It could be fun as well, while you make lots of contacts for your event photography business. Sounds like a good opportunity.

How long is the show? A month or an afternoon?

But before jumping in with both feet I'd want to know how much traffic is expected and how the printer is promoting it? He should be spending more than you will to get folks into the studio. Without a lot of traffic, you will be funding his draw and that is risky if only a few dozen people drop by.

martinfisherphoto Loc: Lake Placid Florida

If your there to help Promote the Printer he should print and mount at Cost. If your there to sell you prints have Adorama or someone else print your photos. $1000 is Way to much for 20 photos. I buy my own backing, matt and sleeves. Adorama prints exactly as seen on your monitor, then just mount yourself for a whole lot less.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I don't see the upside to spending $1,000. It sounds more like you're doing someone an expensive favor.

jimberton Loc: Michigan's Upper Peninsula

there's a cost to doing biz, as we all know.

$1000 is tight today....

what you have to ask yourself...how many people will be attending this show and how many will attend the open house afterwards.

if the answer was 5000 people....then it will cost you about 20 cents a person...which is dirt cheap advertising to show your wares, pass out cards, etc...

but if the answer is 100 people...that's 10 bucks a person to advertise your wares.

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

Actually $50 a pop is very cheap for a print - although you don't say what size and how they will be presented. If they don't sell give them away the charities and take a deduction or give them as business gifts and do the same or as Xmas gifts.

Festina Lente Loc: Florida & Missouri

A good practical analysis.

Let's not forget that the matted images remain the photographer's property which he can reuse elsewhere as he sees fit.

Also, an "exclusive" showing, can be leveraged elsewhere.
The more his name and work get around, the more contacts he will make.
It should not be just about selling an image or two, but in expanding his client base for event photography.
Some folks remain loyal customers for many years.

I view it as a business development investment, as long as the traffic (and quality of the traffic) looks worthwhile.

jimberton Loc: Michigan's Upper Peninsula

i'm with ya!!!!

fraserjen Loc: San Francisco Bay Area

Hi - I belonged to a gallery for a year before traveling around for another year. In that time I had two shows, both of which involved two other photographers in the gallery.

The approach is to invite as many acquaintances as possible and publicize it extensively.

At the first show I sold 5 out of 12 framed photographs. Here's the problem - unless your work is priced fairly high (example : more than $300 for a 20x24 metai- framed print, it is difficult to make money. Our gallery took 30% (others take up to 70%) , the cost of framing with archival mats, UV protective acrylic, etc. was about 30% of my sales price, so I was making about 30% on each print - not bad, but then there is the cost of framing all the other prints that did not sell, (then storing them!)

My conclusion was that it was certainly a loss in terms of money. It is thrilling to have someone buy one of your works - though you already have this"thrill" if you are a commercial photographer.

mgemstone Loc: Chicago/Cocoa beach/La/NY

First, are there other costs such as paying for cosmetic touch ups of the gallery after the show, sharing costs of munches, wine, etc.
Second, talk to someone who has shown at this venue before to get additional information. See what they say about the experience and if they had surprises related to the showing.
Third, it is one thing to pay a grand for printing to have a show but you could seek other venues such as local libraries, upscale restaurants,and other occasions that might be willing to show a couple of images a month and then let you exchange them with different prints. This spreads printing cost over time and allows you to tailor images to the location in which you are showing them.
Forth, you may want to consider doing your own printing and mounting if you were going to do this on a regular bases.

It sounds like the only one guaranteed a good outcome is the print shop.

ygelman Loc: new -- North of Poughkeepsie!

How can Adorama print "as exactly seen on your monitor"?? I might have three monitors with different calibrations. Which one would get printed, do you think?

Would someone who has used Adorama for printing please comment on how accurate the print was compared to what you expected? -- especially if your monitor was correctly calibrated.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

If you have three different monitors with three different calibrations, I would suggest that you do not have profiled and calibrated monitors. I would also suggest that seeing a print "exactly as seen on your monitor," is not possible. Monitors emit light and prints absorb and reflect light. Seeing the proper rendition of color is one thing (blue is blue and not purple or violet) - exactly as on the monitor is a physical impossibility.

ygelman Loc: new -- North of Poughkeepsie!

Hope I'm not beating a dead horse, but CaptainC's comment is exactly what I meant.

And will someone please comment on accuracy of Adorama's printing?

mooseeyes Loc: Sonora, California

I will weigh in with a recommendation that you do not do this 2 man show with the local print shop. But before I tell you why I make this recommendation, let me state that I am doing a show in December where I will have on display 24 framed pieces. . .and happy to do so.

There is a big difference between your putting 20 pieces of fine art photography in a show, and my putting 24 framed fine art pieces in a month long show. You are an event photographer. . .who, I am sure, has some nice fine art images. I on the other hand am a fine art photographer and member of a co-op gallery. I have an outlet where my work is shown and sold on a regular basis. Also, I have a large Epson Pro Stylus printer, hence allowing me to do all of my own printing. Additionally, I cut all of my own 100% rag mats, and do all of my own framing. I can make money doing what I do, you very likely will not.

If you think you would like to try your hand at doing and selling fine art photograpy, I suggest you take that $1,000 and apply it towards the price of a good high end printer. Buy a mat cutter, etc. and learn how to do professional level framing. Then get yourself into a gallery, or several galleries, where your work can be seen and purchased.

If you pay to have your work printed, and pay to have your work framed. . .and if you do not have an outlet (gallery) where your work can be sold, you will only spend money and never make any money. It seems to me that this "show" with the local printer is getting your cart before the horse. If you spend $1,000 to get your 20 images printed, etc., after the show you very well may have 20 pieces that you can take home and put somewhere in your backroom.

This may not be what you wanted to hear; however, it is absolutely true. Again, my advice to you is to not do this show with the printer.