I am a New York City based photographer who has been at this craft for over twenty years. As many of us, I have been to numerous classes, workshops, seminars and entered several contests. At this juncture, I want to arrange an exhibition of my own works. Does anyone have experience doing this? Other than the cost for the space, what other issues need I be aware of?

Harold Todman

-- Harold Todman (htodman@aol.com), January 26, 2001

Answers

See if a local coffee shop, bank or library will let you put up a display. Usually they are very receptive! This isn't a "formal" show but it gets your work to be shown... Other than that, pound the pavement to the galleries that are receptive to new artists. The book "Photographers Marketplace" will help in this matter also.

-- Scott Walton (f64sw@hotmail.com), January 29, 2001.

i live in Spain and had shows; i usually look for the places that offer everything free (sometimes even the frames!) or requests one photo in exchange. so far, i've had very good luck. after seeing other shows, i'd recommend the following:

1. clean the frame glass twice, both sides. 2. ask friends/family to objectively review the images you want to post, THEN make the selection on what to post 3. if possible, attend every day of the show. good way to not only promote yourself, but to hear what people actually think of your work 4. if possible, start and have people sign a guestbook. name, email, state, comments 5. hand everything at the same height 6. if you attend, bring chewing gum for yourself 7. publicity is never enough; create and advertise your show as much as the gallery's own publicity but be careful NOT to do the same areas twice 8. start a tearsheet collection on your show(s). 9. if you have a webpage, advertise your show there also. try to include one different image from the show each day. advertise your show on the web also! 10. i usually try for foundations, artists' bars/restaurants, banks, hotels, etc.

good luck! http://www.geocities.com/bravafotog

-- Tony (fototaker@usa.net), February 04, 2001.

Dear Harold,

I approached a local coffee shop and putting a show together for Mother's Day. I putting 12 of my best photograph's of Mother's and their children on display. It is one of the busier coffee shops around, so hopefully I will get some work from it.

By the way the coffee shop was eager to have my work on display.

I also approached a small gallery in the town that I live in. They told me that come Spring they would love to have some of my work on their walls. I am going to do a Barn series in Black and White for them.

I think the first step is to decide where you want to show your work and start from there.

Thoreau once said..."Build your castles in the air and then build your foundation underneath....."

The best of Luck to you.....

Traci

-- Traci Suzanne Marvel (marvel@digisys.net), February 10, 2001.