A few months back I saw a Facebook post in a local community group that was looking for artists who would be interested in displaying their work in our local library. I replied to the given e-mail address to see if they would be interested in photography. The reply was an emphatic “of course, would you like to be the first exhibitor?” Yikes! I was equal parts excited for the opportunity and scared to put myself out there. So I set about trying to pick what photos to print to fit in the space available and what materials to print them on. It turned out that the art would also be on sale while on display, with a percentage going to the library. This was challenging. I considered several factors when choosing - 1. variety of sizes/price points/print material, 2. what would people be interested in for their own walls and, 3. grouping in themes for the wall space at the library.
Once I chose the prints and hung them up in the library, I had to market myself a bit. That was the hard part. I mainly stuck to local FB community groups and my personal FB and IG pages. While marketing myself I tried to also promote the library and this program they were participating in for local artists who would come after me. It is such a wonderful relationship for both - the library gets some beautiful art work to dress up their walls and some fundraising from sales while the artists get community exposure. I look forward to seeing the work of those to come.
In the end, I did sell 5 prints, out of 18, but it was still a thrill to see a “SOLD” sticker on those pieces when I went to retrieve the remaining prints. My photography is really just for me in the end, but it is a wonderful feeling to know that others appreciate what you are creating, enough to spend a little bit of money on it and hang it in their homes.
So the moral of my story, I suppose, is put yourself out there, look for these opportunities and push through the fear. You will definitely experience growth and learning while possibly making a bit of money! And who knows what might come from the exposure - possibly other opportunities?
Meanwhile, I have the remaining prints available for sale. All are shown below with sizes, print material and cost. Shipping would be extra.
Alberta Wildflowers
8 x 12” Canvas Prints
$95 Canadian each
These gallery box prints turned out so well. This was the first time I had printed using this style and I was really happy with how they turned out. All three images are of local Alberta/BC locations - 1. Vimy Peak at sunset in Waterton National Park, 2. Emerald Lake Lodge in Yoho National Park and 3. Bow Lake in Banff National Park.
Mountain Lake series
12 x 18” Gallery Box Prints
$250 Canadian each
This image was taken at sunrise as the light hit the prairies and the mountains of Waterton National Park. As I waited for the light, I listened to the birds sing as they woke and the nearby cattle calling. Deer and coyote wandered through the grassland below me.
Where the Prairies Meet the Mountains
18 x 36” metal print
$575 Canadian
These are three waterfall images from Oregon. Each is 16 x 24 inches and printed on metal with vibrant colours.
Oregon Waterfalls
16 x 24” metal images
$400 Canadian each or $1,000 Canadian as a set.
Prairie Silos
12 x 18” Canvas Print
$150 Canadian
Thanks for reading and looking!