I noticed helpful feedback on another artist's booth shot, and would appreciate if I could get some feedback on mine... I recently revised my booth and booth shot, as I have recently been wait-listed on 2 shows I applied for on Zapplications, and was accepted to another INDOOR show, so I expect my booth shot was the weak element of my application. I set this up in my yard a week or so ago, and had hoped to look at the pictures before I took it down, but had a homeowners' association board member breathing down my neck telling me that I had to take it down ASAP, despite my informing her that I was not trying to sell from my front lawn, but just taking jury photo's...so consequently I did not get to revise anything after the photo's were taken......
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Depending on which shows you intend to apply to, you need to use something other than table covers. Maybe look into getting a set of Pro Panels desks.
Nothing should be cut off at the edge of your booth picture. That's why I keep stressing to set the booth up for the picture and not shoot at a show.
Take the mirror out of the booth. It's not necessary for a picture and creates a distraction with whatever is reflected. I always drop gradients into mirrors if they are in a picture sent to me to improve.
Tape, clip or use safety pins on your curtains so they lay taught for the picture. Never have them billowing out.
Hang a few large pictures of your jewelry on the walls to fill the space better.
It looks like you don't have canopy walls behind your curtains. Keep your walls there to cut down on backlighting.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Thank you for your suggestions. What are pro panel desks? Actually, the canopy walls were up, but I guess the sun was behind the tent and showed through the walls and curtains. Are you saying the outside edges of the tent should be visible? ( I cropped the photo to eliminate as much as I could of the curtain which was blowing around) I would have liked to have looked at the photos to make adjustments before I took down the tent, but as I noted, my homeowners association was putting pressure on me to take it down ASAP...and I was ready to collapse from heat stroke. Ahh, the joys of living in South Florida!
If you can't do it in your yard, Deborah, you can do it at a show. Get there early, clean out all the excess and take your time to make it neat. Early in the day the light is good. I have seen booths shot at the shows. We always shot ours at the show. My husband would bring the photo equipment and hang the work for the best effect.
I would think if she sets the booth up in her driveway with the open side facing her house, she could do as she pleases. HOA people can be overbearing at times, but for a few hours I would be tempted to tell the rep to kiss off. Or at least use the back yard.. I've heard some horror tales from a friend about her HOA where it involved going to court. Sheesh, petty tyrants ;-/
http://www.propanels.com/desks-pedistols/
I can answer more of your questions tomorrow.
Larry Berman
I am shocked at that, Larry!
What about the raised tables and curtains? Do they seem acceptable?
I often go to shows for exactly that reason...to check out other displays...problem for me with the ones I see is generally cost and/or space needed to transport...I have a Toyota Prius and everything has to fit in that unless the show is really close by and my husband can transport some stuff in his car, which is smaller than mine(A Pontiac Vibe). If I actually get into some good shows and actually start selling enough to make it worthwhile I would consider getting a van, but that is a big "if".
That's funny, Deborah. Your neighbor's breathing down your neck. I live on the main street in a small town and I can't begin to tell you all the stuff we've sold out of our front yard (a motorcycle, car, photography, etc.).
First of all I'd remove the board on the left, and see about getting some large photos of your work made to hand on the walls. Not only does this make your booth look more interesting in a crowd people can see from a distance away what is in the booth. I'd also search this site for images of other jewelers booths to see what they have done. I'd attend as many art fairs as possible and study other jewelers presentations, not focusing on their jewelry but looking for display ideas.