so my booth is 100x better than last year (my first year) but it still needs work. I have limited money so I'm looking for key areas to focus on.
I am going to be in two 3-day events/shows in September, one of which they said they had 80,000 people last year and the other consistently gets 30,000+, so I need to improve my eye candy aspect of my tent and be sure of overnight layout stability.
here's a photo of my booth
http://blazingcirclephotography.com/booth2011.jpg (5.7mb)
looking at it what suggestions do people have in general?
I have plans to buy at least two more of the tall panels (2x7) to have space for more work I didn't have ready. maybe 3 of 4. haven't decided I emailed the manufacturer and they suggested zig-zags or T's for more stability. their feet don't work right for my layout.
I have a large 37x28 focus photo I need to clean the glass and finish putting together and two panoramic-types in the work for large focus photos. One is a photo multiple people have commented on in my matted sizes so I know it's popular.
For the tent layout, should I:
move to a U with 2 on the side and 4 in the back
do 4 per wall
or get 3 panels and do some other layout?
what can I do to keep the panels from moving in the wind? I think I need to put some braces across the top for this. has someone found a household product that works as generic stability poles?
Replies
I should have clarified.
if you have $200 to spend on this booth what would you do?
You gotta spend money to make money. The better your booth looks, the more people will pay for your work. If your work looks good, you look good. How much is it worth to YOU to make a good presentation?
Personally, I would start by framing some larger pieces. Then I'd follow Larry's advice. Three full sides in the booth, two good folding bins (Dick Blick or Jerry's Artarama).
Are those black grid walls in the picture? If so, get enough additional black grid walls to complete the three ten foot walls and hang black fabric behind them so the grid isn't as evident. Cover your tables with matching black fabric but do it in a way that wrinkles don't show. Attach the grid walls to the canopy frame and each other with black cable ties.
Then you need to create enough inventory so that your booth looks relatively full. You can get large prints inexpensively at Sam's Club, Costco or Wal-Mart.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Kevin, if I was you, I'd add walls on both sides of your display, to maximize the space you pay for at a show. Larger images, framed, on the walls, in logical groupings. Using tables with tablecloths loses a lot of display space, although you gain storage underneath for inventory. You may be better off using a small print bin instead of the little table on the right -- easier to move to the front of the booth.
Group your work in a logical fashion -- by color family is visually more appealing from a distance. I'd also try to put larger work on the wall, and hang it on consistent lines. Line up your similar sized pieces at the top, or bottom to get a more organized appearance.
If you configure your panels in a U shape, you can zip tie them together. The manufacturer can also sell you feet that will help keep them upright. Zigzag formation is great if you have lots of floor space, but in a 10x10 it can make it pretty cramped.
To brace them at the top you can use aluminum conduit. Go diagonally with it, and use elbows to add a short 90 degree turn to the ends. Cable tie it to each side. Cheap and fairly effective. Don't go all the way across the booth, but run them from the 2' mark on the side to the 4' mark on the back. Use at least two, one on each side. 1x2 lumber will also work.
For weights, check the PVC filled with concrete or lead weights. Instructions on how to make these at Larry Bermans' site: artshowphoto.com Make covers out of your red material to hide the ugly PVC and match your tablecloths. (I'd be careful on how much orange you use though, as it's the strongest element in your booth right now, and will distract the viewers eye.)
Lose the Brownie Hawkeye -- it's fun, but you run the risk of having it stolen at a show.
I'd also make the giant Blazing Circle Camera sign much smaller. Right now it's as large as your largest piece. Tone it down a bit, and let your photographs do the work. Use the space to sell the work you have, not your sign. If you don't have enough work, then you need to make more. Your booth is not about the big red table and the big red sign, it's about your work. Make your work the center of attention.
I agree with Carla that you should choose a consistent framing style. Too many styles, too many sizes. It looks like you mainly shoot macro photography of flowers. Why is the gear shot your main focal point? You probably should find a way to organize your work so that it tells a complete story. More than one of a given subject, grouped with its fellows will help. Right now I can't tell what makes your subject matter unique. Floral photographers are common at shows, as are nature, landscape, and Italian photographs.
Hey, you asked for advice! Hope this is some help!
Best wishes,
Jim
Larry Berman
I actually like the red - brings my eye into the booth and gives it some color. Maybe if you went with neutral (or lighter) table coverings, have a panel or something behind the grids in the back to make your frames pop more.
And if you do use the tablecoverings/cloths, I'd suggest using T-pins to pull the corners back and "skirt" them. Makes things look crisper, lessens tripping potential, and virtually eliminates tablecloths flipping up on top of your work if it's breezy.
Good start!
I need to get a new long table for other reasons. that will then become my table
it's actually a bright orange. it matches my giant camera sign, business cards, logo. it's my signature color basically. it's a little off putting if used too much. the table cloths aren't as bad in person as it looks in the photo but I wouldn't do orange backdrops/panels too.
where can I get t-pins cheap?
Please visit this link to see some other booths to get some ideas, Kevin: http://www.artfairinsiders.com/profiles/blogs/how-do-you-like-this-...
Between now and when your first show is visit a lot of shows to get more ideas for display. Find a theme for your work and focus on that, you don't want to be a generic photographer so that people will say, "I can do that." Show us what makes you unique.
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