Approached by cabin rental owner..

I received an email from a gentleman who rents cabins in the local national forest; he is outfitting a new cabin and contacted me about displaying some of my photography. At first I thought he wanted to buy some prints, but he replied:

Our cabins are a little nicer than most of the others around the area and maybe, just maybe attracts a little nicer clientele with more disposable income. It may be good exposure.

How would you like to see something like this work out for you? I am pretty flexible. I also have the ability to make custom frames if needed (wood worker).

I'm assuming he is hoping I will allow them to use some finished pieces in exchange for the exposure to potential buyers.

What are your thoughts on this? Have any of you dealt with anything similar? Any suggestions on a good way to make this work for me?

Taylor,

I think it kinda of a good idea but I have no idea if it would be profitable. I envision a little mini gallery in each cabin, sort of like what might happen at a restaurant. You could have 2-3 prints of local places/wildlife from the forest with a little bio blurb on you, the print prices, and how to get in touch with you. I can see people who are there to explore the forest, seeing your work, and buying something to take home with them. I just have no idea if sales would make it profitable or not...

I agree with Drew to some extent but think there is room for negotiation. Maybe they could pay for 2 images and you would give them the other 2. Maybe you make an agreement to provide the photos for 1 year and if you don't get any interest you can take them out or he can purchase them. Maybe he can pay for the images and you give him a 10% cut for each sale you get as a direct result from the images being in the cabin so you essentially both make some $$. There are a lot of avenues to explore, but I think you can get something without giving everything - even if it's just him paying for the frames

- Luke

Personally, I would be a little ticked off going to my cabin and finding art-vertisments in the cabin. Just doesn't feel right to me. I understand the thought of the owner...but then again. Thinking this is not the place for making sales and rubbing people the wrong way. Do you think he has a price tag on everything else in the cabin? Personal opinion, of course.

I think the guy wants your "stupendous" photography on the walls regardless of whether you make sales or not. He wins, regardless whether you win or not. To me, this is a non-buyer trying to freeload on you. Others may differ in my opinion. I suggest figuring out a fair price for the images and sell them to him if he really wants them. You could have your name, phone number, and email address on the back of each image. This goes back to the old issue of people trying to get something for nothing.

Be proud that he wants your images. But be proud of yourself and that you do not give your images away for free. If I am on vacation, the last thing I am looking for is to purchase art or photographs off a wall in a cabin or motel room. The "nicer clientele" he SAYS will rent the cabins probably means they WILL NOT buy stuff off the wall. For those kind of sales, you actually need a "lessor" clientele as depicted by those who buy stuff from those folks who claim their boss bought too much stuff for the business or motel down the street and you can buy these prints at a steep discount. You would be surprised how well this works. There is a current business model that does just that! I know...I was almost sucked into this sales avenue years ago...and these companies still exist.

Worst case, you should take this as a compliment and figure out where in this area you actually CAN sell your images besides in the cabins where you probably have a smaller chance of making a sale.

Troup

You also have to consider that some renters may just take your print home without paying for them. Have you asked the owner if he assumes responsibility for payment if renters takes or damage your prints? If he will not be responsible then I would walk away from this offer because he's just looking to cut his cabin decorating expenses.

I would look around the area to see if there are any stores that cater to tourists and see if they will carry your prints for a commission.

Unless you're personally visiting the cabin, how would you know whether your work is being displayed to advantage, or going out the door without payment?

In a cabin setting, especially with the potential for vacationers to party enthusiastically, I'd be concerned about damage even if they didn't remove them. There are lots of details for a contract if you decide to go this route.

Wow. There is a lot of really good information here that I didn't think of. First off, congratulations for at least having this situation to begin with. Your work is very good Taylor and I am glad this person is taking comericial interest. For the most part I agree with Troup - it sounds like the guy wants something for nothing and even wants to maybe make some money off you by selling you his frames. I do think it is tacky to have price tags or whatever on the pictures in his cabins. My biggest concern is what access do you have over your work? Can you pull your images out at any time? Could you get into the units to get them if he is not available or is uncooperative? There is also the time and money factor here too. You have to prep all your files, invest in the frames and matting and take the time to get all this accompllished. I could see maybe trying it partially like having maybe one picture in four different units - preferrably the same image. You still have to take into consideration the exposure factor and you never know who will be looking at your work. That's my two cents...I hope this helps. Good luck and let us know what you decide to do.

Michael

It's a long shot. I'd sell the prints, not put them on display for free. One in the hand is better than two in the bush...

Thanks everyone, like Michael said - lots of good info! I ended up declining the option to display finished pieces there and offered him a quantity discount. There are a number of better options for displaying work here, such as the local wine trail which is becoming very popular. I also want to make sure my work is displayed under proper lighting and I would be surprised to find that in a cabin..