Where to start showing my photos?

primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' BoopinDetroit, MI Icrontian
edited August 2004 in Internet & Media
I'm starting to really enjoy amateur photography, and I think I want to maybe frame some of my prints and sell them. Problem is I don't know how to frame them myself (buying ready-made frames is just too expensive) and I don't know where to start showing my stuff. Are there any working artists/photographers who can give me some tips?

Comments

  • ketoketo Occupied. Or is it preoccupied? Icrontian
    edited August 2004
    This site belongs to a local (and I think VERY good, but we had that discussion in another thread some time ago) photog who is, if you will, semi-professional. He would love to be full time pro but needs a break or 2 to be able to leave a good full time job in IT.

    In any case, Sean (the photog) is a real friendly guy and I bet would be very receptive and responsive to your questions. The will be some obvious market differences due the the fact that we're Canucks :Canflag: but otherwise I'd bet he can give you some good starters in answer to your questions. :cool:
  • NomadNomad A Small Piece of Hell Icrontian
    edited August 2004
    primesuspect wrote:
    I'm starting to really enjoy amateur photography, and I think I want to maybe frame some of my prints and sell them. Problem is I don't know how to frame them myself (buying ready-made frames is just too expensive) and I don't know where to start showing my stuff. Are there any working artists/photographers who can give me some tips?

    I believe Detroit has amature photography sessions at certain places, I'll try to get more information for you.
  • maxanonmaxanon Montreal
    edited August 2004
    The hardest part about being a professional photographer is pricing the units. One of the largest costs are the framing fees. Initially you lose a lot of money in making your name known amongst collectors/galleries. However, you'll sometimes get a really good commercial shot and enough people will buy it to recoup your money.

    The best thing is to go to galleries and see if they sometimes will allow free exibitions (usually a group of you). What normally happens is that they gallery will take a cut of sales. Sometimes, commercial galleries will be willing to buy a few pieces (at or below cost) and display them for you.

    The best thing to do is to take a couple of classes and to go to these exhibits and talk to the artists. Also, try to see how they frame (its very trend-driven as well) certain types of shots.

    The trick is to get your name out there. Web sales can be very slow (and cumbersome) so don't rely upon that too much (in the beginning).

    Note: All this info is based upon my experiences with my ex-gf who was an aspiring photog and had me slogging all around town with her. She's since "sold her soul" to an agency that sells stock/consignment stuff.

    Max.
  • primesuspectprimesuspect Beepin n' Boopin Detroit, MI Icrontian
    edited August 2004
    Well I certainly have no aspirations to be a full-time professional, I sort of have this company thing to run :D

    But the advice is really good. I realize that taking a class or two would at the very least connect me with the photography community, which is probably the most important bit in this endeavour.
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited August 2004
    Framing is pretty easy. Getting custom frames made at a hobby/craft shop can get very expensive. There's a tool that's kind-of like a staple gun, but shoots out flat metal bands, that can be used in framing. You press it up against the back of the material you're putting behind your photo, and shoot the band into the side of the frame. The band then holds the backing in the frame. It's a lot cheaper to DIY than to get it done somewhere.
  • gtghmgtghm New
    edited August 2004
    primesuspect wrote:
    I'm starting to really enjoy amateur photography, and I think I want to maybe frame some of my prints and sell them. Problem is I don't know how to frame them myself (buying ready-made frames is just too expensive) and I don't know where to start showing my stuff. Are there any working artists/photographers who can give me some tips?

    Your right where I am... Everything I frame up of my stuff costs me 100 bucks at least...

    The biggest problem I have is finding a place to get good quality enlargements and cheap matts for the framing.

    I have found that the most expensive part can be matting especially if the pics are not of standard size.

    As far as the frames go, you can find some lower priced frames at places like ArtCo or Micheals if you have those stores...

    "g"
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited August 2004
    If you're good with a knife, you can get sheets of matting material, and cut them with a straightedge/razor knife. Then you can re-use the inner piece to make a smaller mat, etc.
  • DexterDexter Vancouver, BC Canada
    edited August 2004
    You know what I saw a while ago..? VW beetle with a sign painted on the side, saying some catchy website name, with the words underneath "You gotta check this out!"

    Being insanely curious, I did.

    It was a photographers website, with some very good photos, and he was offering both framed prints of the ones on his site, and photography services for corporate, artistic and family situations.

    Seeing as you own a hosting company....;)

    Dexter...
  • GHoosdumGHoosdum Icrontian
    edited August 2004
    I think he's saying you should paint your Matrix...
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