Hello everyone
I've been looking at joining the racks and looking for my first show. Looking for some helpful thing to consider or if anyone knows some good shows around Louisiana they could recommend.
You need to be a member of Art Fair Insiders to add comments!
Fest For All in Baton Rouge is another show you should consider. It also might be a good idea to apply for the Baton rouge Arts market. It is a half day market that is held on the first Saturday of each month.
Palmer Park in New Orleans is another monthly Arts market that is on the last Saturday of each month
Living in Vermont I don't know about any shows in Louisiana. But others here sure do.
To start off, how prepared are you for doing shows? How many shows have you attended as a customer? That's the place I always suggest someone start.
Attend as many shows as you can even after you start doing shows. Go to the shows you're not exhibiting at and take a good look at how the exhibitors' booths are arranged. When you do get into your first show, watch the others as you're setting up. Just by quietly observing the others during this time you'll learn more than you realize.
When you do the shows, don't be afraid to be a neighbor. Introduce yourself to your neighbors and don't be afraid to say you're just starting out. Because if they're like the people around here (and I guarantee they are) you'll get plenty of friendly advice.
Just a few beginner tips:
If the show is inside you cannot have too many lights in your booth. The other photographers here can help you about which ones are best for your medium.
Stand up! Stand up! Stand up! The only time I'm sitting down is when there are no customers around. Even then I have a tall chair. When we started out there were no tall director's chairs so we bought a bar stool. Had it for over 10 years. Which brings me to:
Shoes. There are walking/running shoes and there are standing shoes. The best standing shoes are work shoes worn by people who stand all day on the job. Invest in a good pair and they'll last for years, and your feet will forever be grateful.
Dress nice. You're the sales department of your company, so dress like it.
Be friendly with the customers. Smile... a lot. Say good morning/afternoon to the people who are just walking by. When someone comes in, give them time to just look around. When they stop to look at a piece don't be afraid to strike up a conversation about that piece. Tell them the background behind the shot. Up here winter scenes are popular, and I'll hear the exhibitor say things like "... it was minus 40 that morning and I was out there for 2 hours just waiting for the right light..." and sold part of himself with the photo. Some will sign the piece in front of the customer when they make the purchase.
But the most important thing is to have fun! I read where as many as 70% of the people don't like their job. They work 40 hours at a job they dislike, for a company that doesn't care, for an $800 a week paycheck. To me that's not living, that's just existing. I'm one of the other 30% who actually loves what I do.
Replies
Fest For All in Baton Rouge is another show you should consider. It also might be a good idea to apply for the Baton rouge Arts market. It is a half day market that is held on the first Saturday of each month.
Palmer Park in New Orleans is another monthly Arts market that is on the last Saturday of each month
Pensacola, FL - Great Gulf Coast Art Festival, but the deadline was late May. Show is first full weekend in November.
Covington, LA - Three Rivers Art Festival, but the deadline was early June. Show is second weekend in November.
Search this site for show reviews. There are numerous reviews on here about these shows, and other shows besides.
Have you established a zapplication account? How about Juried Art Services? And do you know about callforentry.org (CAFE)?
Living in Vermont I don't know about any shows in Louisiana. But others here sure do.
To start off, how prepared are you for doing shows? How many shows have you attended as a customer? That's the place I always suggest someone start.
Attend as many shows as you can even after you start doing shows. Go to the shows you're not exhibiting at and take a good look at how the exhibitors' booths are arranged. When you do get into your first show, watch the others as you're setting up. Just by quietly observing the others during this time you'll learn more than you realize.
When you do the shows, don't be afraid to be a neighbor. Introduce yourself to your neighbors and don't be afraid to say you're just starting out. Because if they're like the people around here (and I guarantee they are) you'll get plenty of friendly advice.
Just a few beginner tips:
If the show is inside you cannot have too many lights in your booth. The other photographers here can help you about which ones are best for your medium.
Stand up! Stand up! Stand up! The only time I'm sitting down is when there are no customers around. Even then I have a tall chair. When we started out there were no tall director's chairs so we bought a bar stool. Had it for over 10 years. Which brings me to:
Shoes. There are walking/running shoes and there are standing shoes. The best standing shoes are work shoes worn by people who stand all day on the job. Invest in a good pair and they'll last for years, and your feet will forever be grateful.
Dress nice. You're the sales department of your company, so dress like it.
Be friendly with the customers. Smile... a lot. Say good morning/afternoon to the people who are just walking by. When someone comes in, give them time to just look around. When they stop to look at a piece don't be afraid to strike up a conversation about that piece. Tell them the background behind the shot. Up here winter scenes are popular, and I'll hear the exhibitor say things like "... it was minus 40 that morning and I was out there for 2 hours just waiting for the right light..." and sold part of himself with the photo. Some will sign the piece in front of the customer when they make the purchase.
But the most important thing is to have fun! I read where as many as 70% of the people don't like their job. They work 40 hours at a job they dislike, for a company that doesn't care, for an $800 a week paycheck. To me that's not living, that's just existing. I'm one of the other 30% who actually loves what I do.