Selling Yourself

While I've actually done Photography for over 30 years it's only been in the last 10 that I've taken the whole thing seriously. Since I had a contact in a major gallery on 57 street in NYC I brought my portfolio in for the owner to have a look-see. The gentleman was kind enough to take the time to look over the prints. Now these are photos done in NYC but they are very abstract and do not depict the city itself. He liked the work but when he was done he asked me if I had any photos of the city itself. He asked me to bring those back to him.
When the day comes that I make postcard photographs I will return. I pride myself on being able to extract the essence from a subject. It's called having an eye.
So here's the point. Don't ever be afraid to approach anyone with your work.
Just make sure it's of the highest quality and printed that way-don't forget to spot the prints. I'm not giving up. I will get myself Gallery representation in NY. and hopefully other cities as well. You have to realize that wall space is at a premium and the rents are high. What motivation is it for a Gallery to take on an unknown? If we take ourselves seriously enough then it will happen. If I had the money I would open an APUG Gallery as there is so much quality work right here.
Any comments; ideas more than welcome....
Best, Peter

Peter, have you continued to shop the prints around? What one NY gallery owner likes has got to be different from anothers; That is unless for some reason people in NY prefer to mostly buy pictures of their city. What was on the walls btw?

Another thing that I want to address is the question of just how much in-line with the general gallery owner concensus one has to be. Is it necessary to produce the same photographic representations in the beginning in order to gain a foothold before one branches off into more personal visionary work? I would also have to believe that background employment plays heavily into the representation equation. Did the owner ask about your background?

This all leads up to the question of just what is the better course to sail for unknowns, and those (like many here) without some personal history to play on. A "good" photographer with 20 years with a major NY paper must have some sort of pull; It certainly couldn't hurt. But what about the average Joe, with a passion, good skills and a personal style? Whats his/hers best marketing plan? I know that there are those here who sell; And this general question has practically been repeated more times then a sunrise, but it appeals to my interest and "mens are from Mars" fix it mentality, mostly in my for broadcast interests.

(Thoughts from the woefully inexperienced peanut gallery)

Hi Peter,

Look on the bright side...he asked to see more images

He may want to see if you're more than a 'one trick pony' (because all he's seen is one aspect of your work) before he commits to putting your stuff on the wall. He's also a business man, and is probably thinking, "These are really good abstracts, but abstracts over the years only account for 27.5% of total sales...I wonder if his cityscapes are good too because those account for 56.75% of total sales".

Murray

(added later) You've got some NY street scenes in your APUG gallery...why not take in a collection of those?

As someone who is actively trying to market his work, I think the very best way to get started is to take advantage of the free opportunities around you, and then build up from there. Put your work out where the public can see it, build yourself a mailing list, then, when you approach a gallery, you can say to them: "I sell x number of prints a year at this price, and I have a xxx hundred person mailing list ". They're going to care as much about that kind of track record as they are about your art (not that your art is secondary). If you are going to be doing non-avant-garde work, then you really need that kind of track record before you go in to a NY gallery.

Also, become good friends/the world's biggest pest with your local arts editors in your newspapers/radio stations/tv stations. Send them press releases whenever you show. Print promotional postcards for your shows, and send them to (Select) galleries to let them know about your work. Be persistent but non intrusive, and eventually you'll get recognized.

marketing

Thanks everyone. Good feedback. I made the contact because I originally tried to sell him some of my Manuel Bravo Prints. He said no but was kind enough to send me downtown to another Gallery. I really wasn't looking for a show at HIS gallery because they specialize in South of the border art. But I was hoping he would send me to another Gallery. When you read submission guidelines it's usually send a disc or some other crap-ola. Me-I just walked in with the prints. In Jewish this is called Chutspah! (balls)
Wayne-I will continue to shop prints but most Galleries don't like walk-ins. I have to figure out a way around this. Besides I'm only interested in a samll group that show quality work. For a large city there is an amazing amount of crap hanging on the walls. So what else is new. Secondly the gentleman did not ask about my backround. He knew what he was looking at as he has many fine prints on the walls. No new artists on the walls around this time.
There is a great collective Gallery downtown. The Soho Photo Gallery. They critique your work and if accepted you get a show. But you get NO marketing and pay ALL the costs of framing matting etc. yourself.; while also sitting in a few days a week in the Gallery for the public. I would NOT expect to generate many sales here.
I still have to finish the last few pix in the portfolio and then start the next one. I am going to make about 15 editions with slipcases. I just feel that the extra effort this first time is worth it.
Last night I was also thinking about advertising in B+W mag. in the back.
I see some really good stuff there and people usually asking for gallery representation. And of course I could use a web site or at least a blog. High on my list but have had no time and or $$ to do so.
Thanks again everyone!!
Peter

"I pride myself on being able to extract the essence from a subject. It's called having an eye."
For what it's worth, I think those are words to live by.