Advice needed - Selling framed prints

Hi Guys,

I would really appreciate any and all help with this...

I'm in talks with a local physiotherapy clinic director about displaying and selling my photography in his clinic.

He would like to buy a number of framed prints for his clinic out right - no problems there and he also wants to give me some wall space for me to display several more of my photos and I could put my business cards and pamphlets in the waiting area to direct people to my website.

My question is this: Do you think that I should put a small card on the wall, beside each print, that says something along the lines of – “This is an original fine art Tomas Nevesely Photography print. To order a copy of this print please visit: www.tnphoto.ca”? Do you think this would be tacky?

Also, what information do you think I should have on the pamphlet? Do you think I should just have generic information about my photography or should I make them specific with text like” if you like the photographs in the clinic visit this www.tnphoto.ca and order your own”?

Thank you in advance for your thoughts!

Hi Tom,

I am certainly no expert in this area, but placing cards with that wording beside each print does sound a little tacky. I think a business card would be more appropriate. Or I think if you can somehow plug your website that should be enough. When I was in Death Valley, the artist displaying his work in one of the restaraunts there had his url displayed on his matting on the framed pieces. I actually thought if looked good. Not saying I'd do it, but I didn't think it looked bad. I would go with a generic pamphlet simply because of the money factor. I wouldn't think you'd need a special pamphlet just for a doctor's office.

Thanks for your input Michael. I think you are right. It seems tacky. I think I will just stick to the business cards and pamphlets.

I've done this in a number of venues, and I don't think the photo title, a price and your website on your biz card alongside or tucked in the frame are tacky... or even on a nice stock paper cut-out card with a nice type font that you use in your printer. just IMHO.

I would agree with Bill and also suggest that you visit a couple of galleries to see how they present their work. Most will have a small plaque or card next to or under the framed piece with a few words about it. Having done the same in my own gallery I can tell you people will often comment on how much they like reading about the image and in almost every case will insist on taking the card with them when they purchase a framed piece.

Guy

I think a modest card with something about the photo, a caption, and something to the effect of "Prints available from (name, website, etc.)" are entirely appropriate. You might even print it on some nice art paper glued to some black foam core and stick the whole thing to the wall using poster tack putty. Galleries routinely put such cards next to works and many do include the price. Remember to old adage about prices "If you have to ask you can't afford it"? Many people seeing a work with no price listed will assume it is either only for display (NFS) or that it would be more than they can afford so they will just admire it and move on. Don't be bashful.

I guess this just goes to show my inexperience but I didn’t even think to put information about the photo on the little card.
It’s so obvious isn’t it? I don’t know why I didn’t think of it. People are always interested when I tell them where a particular photo was taken.
I think I will create a card after all. One with a caption, my name, and my website.
Thank you Bill, Guy, and Jim. Very much appreciated!

Sounds like a great idea Tom. I hope it works out for you! Please let us know how it goes.

Thanks Michael! I'll definitely let you all know how it went.