Lessons Learned From Selling Photography at Art Fairs: Part 1
How I Structure My Inventory and Select the Right Shows
A few years ago I decided I wanted to try my luck at selling photography prints at art fairs.
My journey into making money from my photography had been a slow process up until then. I first learned the basics of camera settings and composition, eventually building a block of knowledge similar to that of Swiss cheese — solid, but with some holes. Then I honed my skills in more specific areas, filling those gaps in knowledge to help bring my work to a higher level. Eventually, when I felt as confident as I could be that my work was worth trying to sell, I started making some money. First, it was through online print sales, followed by getting a coffee and gift shop to carry my work. I threw in the occasional contracted shoot and managed to make some side income that, although inconsistent, was enough to fund my travel and gear purchases to keep making new images.
When I decided to take the plunge, I researched equipment and possible places to sell, starting with a fairly small fair organized by the coffee shop that carried some of my prints, eventually progressing to larger shows. I knew it would be a learning curve, so I decided I’d give myself at least a full year before evaluating whether I wanted…
