First possible Gallery

[TheFilter]

Hello all
I was seeking advice on legal things for my first "gallery" event.
I was just approached to show and sell my Avian wildlife work at a restaurant that just opened a few weeks ago. They want 6-10 large ( 16x20 or greater ) framed prints to use as their artwork inside.
This would be the first time I could really show my work to the general public and so I would like to do my best all around, including the legal stuff.

Things on my mind include:
1 Contract ?
2 Time line ?
3 Their % ?
4 Rotating pieces or fixed?
5 Or should I just sell straight to the restaurant?

I would be grateful for any help on these matters.

Thank you

[Tom Reichner]

Just selling straight to the restaurant would be wonderful, but it's unlikely that they would go for this. Unless, of course, you sell to them real cheap and they think they can double or triple your price. Don't let that happen. If you can manage to sell directly to them, at least set your price to them high enough that you will be happy to sell alot more to them at that price if your work sells out quickly.

[artyman]

You seem to have thought about most things. You have to remeber that most people using the restaurant aren't going in to bu photos, so you are dealing with impulse purchasing, so pricing needs to be at a level that doesn't stifle the impulse :) I would have think a % of around 30-50% to the restaurant would be the norm as that is the sort of figure for art in galleries. Do they want an exclusive deal, should reflect in the price but since it is a new venture I would recommend not limiting your option to sell elsewhere.

Another factor is could it be a stepping stone so perhaps look at it as a publicity opportunity rather than just a cash deal, you will have to decide that dependent on how popular you are, what stage in your 'art' career etc.

[TheFilter]

Just selling straight to the restaurant would be wonderful, but it's unlikely that they would go for this. Unless, of course, you sell to them real cheap and they think they can double or triple your price. Don't let that happen. If you can manage to sell directly to them, at least set your price to them high enough that you will be happy to sell alot more to them at that price if your work sells out quickly.


Yes I agree with you. I do not want the resaurant to double or triple my price. I want the work to sell but I also want to make some amount of profit for myself. Thank you for your thoughts.:)

[TheFilter]

You seem to have thought about most things. You have to remember that most people using the restaurant aren't going in to bu photos, so you are dealing with impulse purchasing, so pricing needs to be at a level that doesn't stifle the impulse :) I would have think a % of around 30-50% to the restaurant would be the norm as that is the sort of figure for art in galleries. Do they want an exclusive deal, should reflect in the price but since it is a new venture I would recommend not limiting your option to sell elsewhere.

Another factor is could it be a stepping stone so perhaps look at it as a publicity opportunity rather than just a cash deal, you will have to decide that dependent on how popular you are, what stage in your 'art' career etc.


The stepping stone thought is the way I am looking at this. I am just hoping for some exposure more than anything else as well as the right to add this into my portfolio. I would think this will carry some weight. Also I do not think that I want this to be exclusive because I could have some other things on the back burner. I really do look forward to having this experience and I am thankful that I can get advice here. Thanks Jerry

[BradM]

My first question is are they paying for the printing, matting and framing? Or are they offering you just the "benefit" of a public venue and possible sales.

If the latter are they allowing a customer to buy a print directly off the wall or do you have to generate another print. If they allow a sale off the wall how is to be replaced, again at your expense?.

In the past I have been approached with this "deal" of hanging my work on some business from doctors offices to restaurants to promote my work, get bigger exposure and generate sales.

I have told them if they wanted to decorate my living room I would be happy to proactively refer customers to them for their services which is more than they would be doing for me by hanging my money and work on their walls.

They are not in the business of selling your prints, they will do nothing to promote you, your work or allow you more exposure of people who are directly interested in the type of work you do. It is not the business they are in.

In almost every case it is only losing proposition for the photographer, you have to lay out the money for inventory in most cases you are looking at a couple thousands of dollars in materials and time, and a proper presentation is the only way to go. Go cheap and it looks it, sales will not appear.

Selling the work at a low ball price is always a losing proposition. If you don't value your work no one else will either. Higher pricing often means more sales than a lower price. You are dealing with what most consider artwork they are buying your vision and skill set, not anything they can find on the shelf at a Walmart.

Consider if they don't allow selling prints off the wall, that those prints will be there for as long as you allow. After a period of time they will not be resaleable. If the prints can't be resold how is the restaurant going to compensate you? What if prints disappear from the walls, what are they going to do for you?

How much business from them do you have to generate to recoup the investment of hanging them on their wall before a profit can be realized. And I would be willing to gamble just about any named amount that the break even point is never reached.

This great offer is only great for the business.

As a stepping stone or exposure you would be much better off approaching some of the local art galleries or home furnishings stores and ask to show or stock your prints there with a split in the sales price. At least in this case they have an active motivation to sell your images.

Having your work in gallery would carry a lot more weight for a portfolio than the statement that your work in shown in Chuck's Chicken Shack. But honestly in wildlife, a statement in a portfolio carries little to no weight. It is publications, it is gallery showings and awards but most importantly the body of work that can mean the difference in getting a gig with another publication on spec.

Wildlife images are some of the favorites that people love to see and view, buying them however is a different story. Do a street fair sometime (I have done dozens if not more), have a couple landscapes and then wildlife shots and you will see that the landscapes will sell at least 10 to 1 over the wildlife. These are not images most people will be hanging in their livings rooms, dining rooms or bedrooms.

Good luck!

[TheFilter]

BradM
Thanks for your intense comment. I am grateful for the honesty in what you have said.
I have to admit that this rattles my thoughts on this opportunity. I have yet to meet with the owners which will happen next weekend. I intend to get answers to the questions you bring up as well as some of my own. At this point I am expecting them to match at least a 50% on the cost of printing and framing. They can reclaim their investment the same as me, a little at a time. lol ( which may help them to push some prints. )I also agree with you on if I go cheap it will show. I have been looking into this side of things and figure it will cost around $100. for each print and frame. That does not count for my profit margin or theirs. Again thanks for your comments. I will add to this the info I get from the owners when that happens. I would love to have you respond to what is put on the table. Cheers