1. 

   Kyle
   

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   Has anybody on this forum ever matted, framed and displayed their photos or artwork in a local coffee shop or other small venue? I would love to get some pointers about a few things if so.

   Thanks in advance!

   Posted 3 weeks ago #
2. 

   motorrad
   

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   Here is my 2 cents worth:
   Most people that buy photography will reframe in a frame and matte that suits their taste and their environment. So if you are strapped for cash I would spend as little as possible on frames that don't look cheesy. I purchased nice frames at Utrecht for paintings and I think they have photo frames too. Depending on the size of your prints, you could get glass cut to fit the frames for paintings that I really like.

   Contact a frame wholesaler in town to see if you can qualify for the wholesale discount. Since you are reselling you are not running a con. I got molding wholesale when I had 36 paintings to frame for my last show and cut/assembled myself. For frames with glass, wholesalers may or may not be cheaper than utrecht or a place like michaels.

   I believe that in this instance mattes should be white or possibly black. I think colored mattes are a mistake 90% of the time. I recommend getting high quality 100% acid free museum grade matte board. If the buyer does keep your matte with your frame or theirs, it will not yellow the print over time. If for some reason you do not use Acid free mattes, you need to tell the buyer so they can make an informed decision on how to handle it. I am jumping to the conclusion that your prints are on a decent archival paper. When you do sell a piece, you may want to ask if they want the frame and matte or not. If they are going to trash it anyway, you may as well keep it.

   Look at other shows and see if you prefer aligning tops, bottoms or middles. Depending on the space and your compositions there may be one correct choice. Hang a couple days early if possible so you can leave and come back to see you exhibit with fresh eyes to change locations and order of pieces as needed. If there is not a story element to dictate the order/locations then overall color can be a great way to decide. That way the pieces show a gradation down the wall.

   I hope I have been of some help. Best of luck.

   Posted 3 weeks ago #
3. 

   Kyle
   

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   Hey, Motorrad, thanks so much for all that great advice! You bring up a good point: how to afford to mount a show when you ARE strapped for cash. You might hope to make back some of that cash by selling a few things, but I don't know how typical that is. I suppose, though, once you have framed a bunch of stuff it's framed for good - you can hang it again without re-spending that money.

   I agree, frames that don't look cheesy are of utmost importance. You mention Utrecht's a couple of times - have you found they have the best prices on frames, or best selection?

   I never thought about alignment, so thanks too for pointing that out. As I think about it, top alignment SOUNDS good but you're right, it may depend on the theme and order of the shots.

   Have you done many shows? Any luck with sales?

   Thanks again for your tips, really appreciated!

   Posted 2 weeks ago #
4. 

   motorrad
   

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   I would recommend also trying to keep prints to 1-2 main sizes if possible. Then alignment isn't as much of an issue. When a hodge podge of many different sizes are used then picking tops, bottoms or less favorite middles for alignment is a much more important choice. Alignment also can depend on the installation height. Also makes it easier to gather a stock pile of frames for future shows. Utrecht is a great source of art supplies. I don't remember photo frames but they are definitely worth a look. Not necessarily big selection, I remember fewer choices but they fit my sensibilities better than other stores.

   When I was mostly showing photos I used glass with no frames. Just L hooks right into gallery walls and sheet glass. I also used the clipped glass frames that I think have fallen out of favor. I have only had a couple shows in Seattle and they were a few years ago. They were paintings and mixed media with a couple big photos. Not a show of photography per se. Some sales but sales were not the reason I did it. My stuff is more to view, feel and/or discuss, admittedly not as much for people to live with. I have had a couple women weep upon viewing some of my pieces, they felt such strong connection. I had 3 generations of women from 1 family discuss issues raised by a series of paintings for 45 minutes. They thanked me as they had never talked about those feelings before. Those types of things are the reasons I exhibited. Yes it would have been nice to sell more, I won't lie. Did lots of shows and exhibits in Minneapolis as I was in a great warehouse with a great 8000 sq. ft. gallery on main floor where we threw events and shows between the big all-building open studio events. We also rotated art through a couple of very popular lounges. I miss that type of environment so much. I did not do art to sell but to cause reaction and interaction in viewers. I did commercial work so the art side was a very separate thing. Sales depends on so many things that you really can't compare except once you get a few under your belt. Then you will get a feel for what sells, which venues, etc. Then if sales are your goal you can tailor the work to get more sales. I am not judging but there are different reasons people create. To connect or influence viewers or to make money, or a fuzzy combo of the 2. To me the perfect situation is where the artistic motivation is pure and not influenced by cash, yet the artist is rewarded with sales. Will you change your photography to cater to buyers? Or keep true to your vision and change according to your flow rather than cash flow? And there lies the rub. Not judgin' juss sayin'.

   Please announce your show here before the opening and good luck.

   Posted 2 weeks ago #
5. 

   Kyle
   

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   Thanks for the further thoughts, M. I agree, I would exhibit more for the joy and challenge of sharing my work. But as you say, if that and money are not mutually exclusive that would be ok with me! One of the reasons I didn't pursue stock photography was simply because I didn't want to shoot what editors want. I want to shoot what attracts me, which is not necessarily marketable to the media outlets.

   Anyway, One last question if you're willing: since I don't have mounted/framed photos on hand yet, do you think it's best to line up a show somewhere first, or should I start getting stuff together now? (Again, outlay of $ up front vs. waiting.) I suppose it depends on how the owner of the location wants to preview your work... the real McCoy or slides/digital images you can show him/her on your laptop....

   (If you are interested, here's my Flickr link:

   http://www.flickr.com/photos/kookabunga/sets/ )

   Posted 2 weeks ago #
6. 

   motorrad
   

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   Slides? Still shooting film or from the archives?

   For portfolio presentation I would make prints. I feel best to show in medium they will be exhibited. They could be 8x10's, don't have to be exhibit size. Slides suck unless you have 4x5 transparencies. I prefer prints to laptop for sure. And get a nice case or portfolio for them. I would not spend money until you get a show. Unless you find a new establishment that is just opening, most good venues have artists lined up 6 months to 1 year ahead. If a venue has big continuous walls and is a big space you may choose to do bigger prints. Depends on the space.

   Posted 2 weeks ago #

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