I’m a wildlife photographer and I figured I’d ask some people who know about business.
My idea is to make my garage just like a typical art gallery. All artwork by me.
The advantage for me would be that I get to keep 100% of the profit. No dealing with middle men at all. I’m also very much so in the correct area to sell art.
The advantage to the customer is they get a private appointment. I was thinking of rolling out the red carpet and giving them a free non alcoholic drink just for showing up. VIP treatment. Some people like to meet the artist as well, they would get the opportunity because I’d be a one man band.
My issue is I don’t exactly know how people are going to find me or how to advertise something like this. I can’t think past the point of handing a business card to people who talk to me while I’m taking pictures. Seems like an impossible thing to get the word out locally.
This kind of thing work best when artists team up. It’s way easier to promote a “Studio Tour” event with a bunch of artists in close proximity who can all pitch in to print posters and send out the invites to their own respective networks. Appointment only works when you have dedicated buyers. If you have plenty of those reaching out to you, go ahead. If what you need is for people to be able to casually peruse the work while thinking about buying, that is what your gallery does. Have an opening to chat with the clients for the VIP treatment.