Trade Show/ Expo Show for Portrait Photographer

[fofazoju]

I am a very new portrait photographer, new to the area also and thought that entering an Expo Show would be a good way to get my name and business out there to the public. Its an Expo show for "Arts and Crafts" and portrait photography services are welcomed.

Is this a decent way to get exposure? The cost will be around $3-400 or so for 2 days. It is a very big Expo show (wonder if I am in over my head!).

Has anyone ever done this and care to share their experiences/ideas??

Thanks all!

[OsmosisStudios]

Do you have work to show? How much? exactly how big is this show (300-400 sounds like a LOT)?

[fofazoju]

I have work to show, yes. How much is hard to say. I have a nice selection of about 10 different shoots (I do family/children photography) I could choose from. I also have time to take some more if I don't feel I have enough, but think I have plenty.

I plan to frame about 10-15 (or more, dependent on space/what looks decent), which will be no problem. And then perhaps bring my iMac to have a photo slideshow (not sure about this yet). I also may make a photobook if I can get a decent deal so people can have something to flip through which will make them stop so we can chat.

The show will have about 10,000 attendees over the course of 2 days. It's $300 to register, then extra for electricity. I'm not overly concerned about price; gotta pay to have exposure. Like I said, I'm new to area so don't have many contacts so Im trying to get my name out there. I guess I'm just looking for feedback

[andyw]

I would say that YES it would be worth it for that sort of footfall over 2 days.


You need a decent display of different types of shots and framing and also loads of leaflets and business cards.

If it is an arts and crafts show mainly then if you have any of that sort of photography then make sure you include it in your display as you can pick up a few B2B contacts from other exhibitors.

I personally have not done this sort of show but have helped out a couple of colleagues who have and they both did very well out of them. Getting enough interest and firm bookings to last them for a good few months.

That was in London and SE England though.

[Jim Bryant]

You need to build something eye catching ( like a wall to hang prints) besides displaying prints on a cloth covered table or on stand.

We build a a five panel wall, painted brown and hung out prints on with a eight foot long custom made banner at the top. Also on the wall was a flat screen TV that had a slide show featuring our work. We also had a soft, tables and four waist high tables to put our flyers on.

Total cost for making the booth was somewhere near $300 - $400.00. But it's a one time costs and is stored in our studio to set up at another show.

Most of our competitors has prints on display on top of tables or stands. We blew them away.......and on the spot booked 12 weddings with more in the future.

In the meantime..google photo trade shows, wedding shows to get ideas and see what you're up against.

Hopefully this attached photo will come through, which I don't see, but here the link to our facebook page.
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/OlympicPhoto. You need to log into your page and type in olympic photo group in the search box and then paste the link above.

[fofazoju]

Thanks for the replies!

andyw - would you suggest a variety of frames? I am struggling with this is I have a certain style I like (its a company I love), and was wondering if I should do ALL their frames (I asked the lady and she said it is OK to use frames that are not my own). Hmm Im just not sure.

Jim - I know, I was afraid I would have to build something. I am waiting for an email form event organizer to see what I am possibly given to work with. She claimed that we are supplied a backdrop to which we can hang frames from. I wonder if this would suffice. I would prefer to build something, but not sure where to start looking to get someone to do it for me. Hmmm...

I am a huge perfectionist and go over and above for things like this, so I dont want to have the run of the mill display. On the other hand, I don't want to be so different and elaborate, that I simply look out of place. I have asked her to email me photos of other displays in last years show. I have been to this show before and don't remember anyone being all THAT creative when it came to displays - but I have googled some and know what I like.

Instead of a flat screen hung, would it be lame to have my iMac on a table somewhere???

And Jim, I couldn't see the picture you were referring to, though I was on your facebook fan page. I looked at all the pictures but not sure to which you are referring to. By the way, can I borrow one of your lenses

[andyw]

Originally Posted by fofazoju

Thanks for the replies!

andyw - would you suggest a variety of frames? I am struggling with this is I have a certain style I like (its a company I love), and was wondering if I should do ALL their frames (I asked the lady and she said it is OK to use frames that are not my own). Hmm Im just not sure.

It depends on the sizes and how many prints you are going to display.
Sometimes it can be better to keep it all uniform and just have a brochure with other frames which the customer can look through.

Really depends on the overall display style and space.