Help needed in Setting up for Shows ??

[snapdragon]

Hi ,everyone I need some advice on setting up for shows . I have done a few small shows so far but with the Xmas shows closing in I sure could use some tips . Lighting ,I found from the few shows I have done that one needs to supply your own light & I did not have it .Will 25 watt clip lights create too much glare on the glass ? I can not afford a pro made booth yet ,and will be relying on my easels & table top displays for both framed & matted only( Water Drop Photography ).Framed will be 8x10 matted & framed to 11x14 with a few pieces 16x20 matted & framed to 20X24 .I will be doing several large shows so have been wracking my brain on the fastest & best set ups , booths will be 10x10' . or 10x 9' ,8 ' 0r what ever .These shows are costly so I would like all of the info I can get ,links to sites on set ups,that sort of thing . Thanks ,

[wannabehorsephotographer]

Congrats on the shows! How are they going? Sorry I cannot offer any help - I'm thinking of setting up a booth at a trade show to get my name out, but I'm clueless when it comes to the level your at. Good luck - I hope someone can get you the answers you need

[AnneWynne]

There is a Yahoo Groups specifically for Art Show photographers. The threads are pretty interesting, and they seem to be as helpful as the folks her at DPS. The group is artshow_photo. Hope this helps....
Anne

[snapdragon]

Originally Posted by wannabehorsephotographer

Congrats on the shows! How are they going? Sorry I cannot offer any help - I'm thinking of setting up a booth at a trade show to get my name out, but I'm clueless when it comes to the level your at. Good luck - I hope someone can get you the answers you need

Thanks Wannabe , if you like being around people you will love doing shows . I have only done a few so far but love it . Still too new at it to know the fastest set up,that will look pro . I will have to travel so don't want to have to spend the extra money for an extra night at a motel . Photographers don't have a lot of things to set up so I am trying to find a way of doing it in less than 2 hrs , so I can do the set up the day of the show ,say at 8am -10am when the doors open to the public .Those who have a lot of things to set up do it the night before but i am thinking I should not have to . Maybe only experience will tell , so hope I am right . I have learnt that careful planning and having things in order sure helps , my first show , well I was not very well organized ,and everything took twice as long to set up .

[snapdragon]

Originally Posted by AnneWynne

There is a Yahoo Groups specifically for Art Show photographers. The threads are pretty interesting, and they seem to be as helpful as the folks her at DPS. The group is artshow_photo. Hope this helps....
Anne

Oooooooooo that sounds like just what I need , Thank you so much Anne , I will check them out .

[wannabehorsephotographer]

Snapdragon,
Thanks for the info.! I found a craft/trade show in my local town that is actually this weekend. They had a booth space available last minute so I am spending tomorrow trying to come up with a set up that looks somewhat professional. Any tips for a professional display at the last minute? I'm sure it doesn't have to look anywhere as good as what you put together for your shows, but I think the better, well the better

[windrider86]

I have a French wall and a full mesh wall and the other walls I use peg boards that are painted. They take only about 15 minutes to put using zip ties. The thing that takes me the longest is figuring out where to hang items where they look the best.
I have also purchased some vines and some with sunflowers on them from Wal Mart to cover the zip ties. They were only 5 bucks a piece and i think it adds a nice personal touch

[Taallyn]

That is good advice, Windrider. I wouldn't have though of the vines. Come to think of it, I think I've seen people at art fairs doing that sort of thing. It never occurred to me that it was for anything other than decoration.

Another couple of questions:

How much do you folks have in stock at the the fairs? And, do you usually rent the booth/tent from the fair itself or rent one on your own and set it up yourself?

[windrider86]

A lot of artists bring a ton of prints as that is what seems to sell the most of. I am bad about that tho as I rarely duplicate any of my work.
I do bring enough to completely cover the walls and then have some set up on easels on the table or on the ground. i do bring about 2 baskets full of prints as well.
I have my own easy up 10 x 10 tent. For 80 bucks it has paid for itself instead of renting one. i also purchased the sides for an extra 40. well worth it if you have more than a one day show

[private]

How much do you guys sell your stuff for at these trade shows? So you only sell prints...sounds like it would be fun - but scary - specially if no one buys your stuff (my worst fear)