RobNZ
TPF Noob!
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2010
- Messages
- 543
- Reaction score
- 2
- Location
- New Zealand
- Can others edit my Photos
- Photos OK to edit
So yep, as the thread title reads. I just had my first Exhibition.
So no, it wasn't in some fancy pants art gallery, it was in a small local mall, but it was still an exhibition.
Sales wise it was pretty much what I expected, bearing in mind you are selling to a public that was not in the market for art in the first place.
However the cost to rent the space was covered, along with about half the cost of the stock, the rest will sell through eventually
What made it less frightening (and it is seriously, this is the real world, real people with real opinions, real money, etc) was that when we were doing a dummy setup on Friday night, people were looking and indicating with some very positive feedback.
So I have just had 2 days back in "retail" and I have to say I was absolutely blown away with the feedback I was getting from the locals.
Sure I expected, comments like "I like that" etc etc, but to have something I created be called "beautiful, lovely, amazing, I really like that" over and over again was a turning point in my own mind. People walking past that were on a mission to go to the supermarket, looked, stopped dead, walked over and looked at each and everyone of my works, time and time again. Wow.
Yes I will now admit it, I am quite good at what I do. There, I actually said it.
I must now also admit I am also a perfectionist, so nothing is ever good enough, no matter how many times I am told it is, see the problem? But as a photographer maybe that is a good thing, it makes you keep aiming higher and higher, constantly fine tuning your craft, to aid you in getting that impossible goal, the perfect shot. Side effect: you are sure to get some keepers along the way.
I have also potentially been offered space at our local airport to hold an exhibition for about a month, "potentially" because the airport manager has to clear it with the company that holds the contract for most of the airports in New Zealand and the east coast of Australia.
What I have learnt.
The exhibition was a success.
The public really like my work.
The general public actually back that up by buying it (that is a huge deal).
I am good at what I do.
I am not only a photographer, but I am also an artist (I hadnt really considered this).
I love what I do and how it can have an effect on others.
As a photographer you need to promote yourself at least as much as you need to promote your work. I think?
I need to put more of my idea's into action, I need to "just do it" and stop procrastinating.
My wife is freaking awesome, but I knew that already
I owe this forum and it's members a huge debt of thanks.
The product I displayed were all framed stretched light canvas. Each had its own price ticket complete with the Name of the print, the size the price and alternate sizes and prices, each one also had its own business card, 6x4 photo folded in half, the image customer is interested in on one side and my details on reverse, phone number, what else I do, website addy etc.
I also had a 19" widescreen LCD playing a slideshow of all the works displayed plus some other stuff I considered my best.
Alot of work to complete in 2 weeks, but well worth it. Especially considering my wife and I earnt about $1.40 each per hour!! Hahaha.
Onwards and upwards.
No C&C required for the following shot please, it is just to give you an idea of what my setup looked like.
Anyone else had an exhibition, what did you learn, how did it go?
So no, it wasn't in some fancy pants art gallery, it was in a small local mall, but it was still an exhibition.
Sales wise it was pretty much what I expected, bearing in mind you are selling to a public that was not in the market for art in the first place.
However the cost to rent the space was covered, along with about half the cost of the stock, the rest will sell through eventually
What made it less frightening (and it is seriously, this is the real world, real people with real opinions, real money, etc) was that when we were doing a dummy setup on Friday night, people were looking and indicating with some very positive feedback.
So I have just had 2 days back in "retail" and I have to say I was absolutely blown away with the feedback I was getting from the locals.
Sure I expected, comments like "I like that" etc etc, but to have something I created be called "beautiful, lovely, amazing, I really like that" over and over again was a turning point in my own mind. People walking past that were on a mission to go to the supermarket, looked, stopped dead, walked over and looked at each and everyone of my works, time and time again. Wow.
Yes I will now admit it, I am quite good at what I do. There, I actually said it.
I must now also admit I am also a perfectionist, so nothing is ever good enough, no matter how many times I am told it is, see the problem? But as a photographer maybe that is a good thing, it makes you keep aiming higher and higher, constantly fine tuning your craft, to aid you in getting that impossible goal, the perfect shot. Side effect: you are sure to get some keepers along the way.
I have also potentially been offered space at our local airport to hold an exhibition for about a month, "potentially" because the airport manager has to clear it with the company that holds the contract for most of the airports in New Zealand and the east coast of Australia.
What I have learnt.
The exhibition was a success.
The public really like my work.
The general public actually back that up by buying it (that is a huge deal).
I am good at what I do.
I am not only a photographer, but I am also an artist (I hadnt really considered this).
I love what I do and how it can have an effect on others.
As a photographer you need to promote yourself at least as much as you need to promote your work. I think?
I need to put more of my idea's into action, I need to "just do it" and stop procrastinating.
My wife is freaking awesome, but I knew that already
I owe this forum and it's members a huge debt of thanks.
The product I displayed were all framed stretched light canvas. Each had its own price ticket complete with the Name of the print, the size the price and alternate sizes and prices, each one also had its own business card, 6x4 photo folded in half, the image customer is interested in on one side and my details on reverse, phone number, what else I do, website addy etc.
I also had a 19" widescreen LCD playing a slideshow of all the works displayed plus some other stuff I considered my best.
Alot of work to complete in 2 weeks, but well worth it. Especially considering my wife and I earnt about $1.40 each per hour!! Hahaha.
Onwards and upwards.
No C&C required for the following shot please, it is just to give you an idea of what my setup looked like.
Anyone else had an exhibition, what did you learn, how did it go?