[rem05749]

With the end of Capture Rochester and discussions in other threads going on about how to sell photos we have taken, I was wondering if it has ever been discussed anywhere with the NYFalls group getting together and buying a space at the local festivals. Every time I go I see the same couple places and they generally seem to be busy. If enough of us got together I am sure we could make the cost pretty reasonable and create some more exposure for ourselves and the site. Just an off the wall thought late at night.

[skiboarder72]

With the end of Capture Rochester and discussions in other threads going on about how to sell photos we have taken, I was wondering if it has ever been discussed anywhere with the NYFalls group getting together and buying a space at the local festivals. Every time I go I see the same couple places and they generally seem to be busy. If enough of us got together I am sure we could make the cost pretty reasonable and create some more exposure for ourselves and the site. Just an off the wall thought late at night.

Great Idea, I would be down to do this, I don't have enough prints to set up a whole table by myself but I would definitely split one with some other NYfallsers

[HaloGirl]

Rem beat me to the punch. I had the same thought while browsing around the Clothesline Festival.

One challenge I can see is booth fees. Clothesline and Park Ave. are about $300. I also don't know how they would handle a group application. Clothesline has a lot of regulations and is definitely geared to the individual.

There's definitely enough talent in this group to fill a booth.

[Matt]

It's good you brought that up. I have talked about forming a conglomerate for festival sales:
viewtopic.php?f=3&t=90&hilit=booth

And I do talk to photographers that sell at festivals (in particular the Letchworth Arts and Crafts show). It takes a lot to start up if you don't already sell. And it can be a loss if your product isn't priced right- and certainly if you don't have quality/fitting merchandise. To start, you would have to at least buy matting and plastic coverings for you work- and get enough prints done to meet demand.

In order to sell at these places you also have to meet some requirements (be able to accept sales tax, credit cards)- and having a cash register/credit card POS helps greatly. Some places require you to provide your own booth. If I were to consolidate all that under my name, then I would run into tax issues- it would be considered my income, even though you get your sales shares. So I would form a corporation- but then have to hire an accountant to figure out the taxes and payroll for that.

I think that if I get enough interest, figure out some standards of quality, and divide the costs, it can be done- but I wouldn't expect it to be big money-maker for us. The only way to break in big, would be to have very reasonably-priced prints. Make the purchasing decision easier by having prices everyone can afford. That's what I'm trying to do here. But then again, people have to find a print they like first- and that's the challenge. The library would have to be extensive. And there would have to be some quality control.

It would actually be best to start out small and with the intent of a loss. A flea market, public market, small fair - a place that won't require you to take credit, have a certificate of authority for sales tax, have your own booth. - A test environment.

I do want to know people's thoughts, and if they are interested. We can take it from there and explore options.
I can tell you from experience, that forming a conglomerate would be the best way to enter the scene- it's just going to take a lot of work and start-up resources.

[skiboarder72]

Wow I didn't realize all that was needed to get a booth... maybe we should start at a public market to get exposure like matt said

[Matt]

I'll reserve a spot next to the fish vendor.

[skiboarder72]

I'll reserve a spot next to the fish vendor.

Wooohooo maybe I can sell my fishy picture to them

[Winnie]

You guys are crazy, but funny! lmao

[rem05749]

Yea there are a lot more issues with doing this than I originally thought. I was poking around on the Park Ave Fest site and it also said we needed a liability insurance policy. As far as taking a loss it would be easier to swallow say if we each only had to split the costs in like 10 or something that way if you sold a couple moderately priced pieces you might be able to make some money. I usually stop in the Hymn and Her booth at the Lilac fest and Park Ave to me they seem to have the pricing figured out and pretty cheap compared to some other vendors. They also have a great idea, they have a couple boxes of photos on clearance a matted 8x10 for around $20. Just have to hit adorama when they are having a print sale.

[Kelly]

I don't know how many of you guys have business cards for your "photographic life".......but if you're interested I've recently ordered from a cool place in England - you can get 50 business cards - each with a different one of your own images OR 100 mini business cards, each with a different image! I don't know of another place that does this. http://www.moo.com

I got the mini cards and I'm pleased!

[rem05749]

I don't know how many of you guys have business cards for your "photographic life".......but if you're interested I've recently ordered from a cool place in England - you can get 50 business cards - each with a different one of your own images OR 100 mini business cards, each with a different image! I don't know of another place that does this. http://www.moo.com

I got the mini cards and I'm pleased!

Nice looking site and the prices seem fairly cheap. How long was the turn around time for you? Anyway you can scan and upload some of the cards? I would love to see what they look like in real life. You may have just found my X-mas present for my sister.

[Kelly]

Sure - I just grabbed the top 5 in my pack. The one thing I would say is that, I think next time I would go with the regular sized business cards. When they say mini - they mean it! The actual measurments are 2 3/4" x 1 1/8". Once you upload your image, you are directed to move the image onto a template so that the part of your image you want showing is correct. In other words, you don't get your entire image on the minis. This is OK if your images can be adjusted to work......Many of mine worked fine - some didn't. I think the regular size cards can accommodate the entire image.

The turnaround time was I think under 9 days. Quicker than I expected! They email you when they start your order and when it is sent.

Hope this helps! I'd love to hear about your results!

Here are the scans of 5 fronts and a back. (not actual size - slightly larger)












**The speck on this was because of the scanner, not the actual printed card.**