When approaching a gallery, is it assumed that the photographer already has images mounted, framed, and ready to go, or does the gallery provide directions on what they want? I lost the opportunity to show my work recently because I didn't have a dozen images ready to hang. Any advice would be appreciated.
Paul
I believe galleries do usually prefer certain framing.
If you are hanging in office buildings, libraries, etc. you must have enough images framed to fill the space. I find that if I'm hanging in a professional building I use a simple black frame with either a black or white mat. I keep a framed stock of 20-30 images so that if I get a call I am prepared. As they sell, I frame a few more of my new images so the display is always different.
If you are gearing a show toward people who are buying for their home, I go with more elaborate silver or gold framing and adjust the pricing accordingly.
Good luck! This last year would have discouraged Ansel Adams from ever trying to sell another piece of photographic art. Things are looking up so far this year.
If you are approaching galleries, you need to have some ready made framed prints available right away. If a gallery approaches you, then you should have some time to get these images framed and ready. Usually, galleries have a schedule already in place for the upcoming months so they can have advertising already in place. So, you SHOULD have time to get ready. If they are that short minded, then maybe the gallery is not doing that well or they are not very business minded as a gallery. Or else, they had a short period with nothing going on and gave you a chance to fill their downtime (which ain't a bad opportunity!!!!). So, if you have images, you should have some ready for showing as someone said above.
If you want to get known, you should be viewing these galleries and becoming known as a photographer in THEIR area and the people in your area will begin knowing you! Visit often and see all the new shows as soon as they are exhibited. Say something nice! Sooner or later they will ask you to show something...be prepared. Offer to photograph exhibits at local galleries for their own advertisement and for your own photographic online galleries where you will give them credit as a gallery. Sooner or later they will send business your way or ask you to exhibit your own work. You better be good though!!!!!
I agree that you should have black frames and mattes ready for your images to show "museum" quality works when that special moment arrives when NOW they want to exhibit YOUR work!!!!
I am in the middle of this process now with a certain gallery in my area where I WANT to be exhibited. Through subtle processes, the gallery owner and I are now in a hugging relationship! I am thinking the next step is for a friend of both of us to suggest she show my stuff. My website is ready for the owner to see what I have. It is really like a kind of dance. And if my stuff is good enough, it will be shown!! Patience is a wonderful thing! If your work is bad, then all bets are off!!!!
Discussion
3 repliesPaul
If you are hanging in office buildings, libraries, etc. you must have enough images framed to fill the space. I find that if I'm hanging in a professional building I use a simple black frame with either a black or white mat. I keep a framed stock of 20-30 images so that if I get a call I am prepared. As they sell, I frame a few more of my new images so the display is always different.
If you are gearing a show toward people who are buying for their home, I go with more elaborate silver or gold framing and adjust the pricing accordingly.
Good luck! This last year would have discouraged Ansel Adams from ever trying to sell another piece of photographic art. Things are looking up so far this year.
If you want to get known, you should be viewing these galleries and becoming known as a photographer in THEIR area and the people in your area will begin knowing you! Visit often and see all the new shows as soon as they are exhibited. Say something nice! Sooner or later they will ask you to show something...be prepared. Offer to photograph exhibits at local galleries for their own advertisement and for your own photographic online galleries where you will give them credit as a gallery. Sooner or later they will send business your way or ask you to exhibit your own work. You better be good though!!!!!
I agree that you should have black frames and mattes ready for your images to show "museum" quality works when that special moment arrives when NOW they want to exhibit YOUR work!!!!
I am in the middle of this process now with a certain gallery in my area where I WANT to be exhibited. Through subtle processes, the gallery owner and I are now in a hugging relationship! I am thinking the next step is for a friend of both of us to suggest she show my stuff. My website is ready for the owner to see what I have. It is really like a kind of dance. And if my stuff is good enough, it will be shown!! Patience is a wonderful thing! If your work is bad, then all bets are off!!!!
Hope this was interesting!
Troup