Well done, Stew. The best part about this is that you took the initiative by suggesting the idea. For that you were rewarded...

What you describe is a very basic and informal way to have your work seen in a neighborhood business setting. And unless this shop ALREADY exhibits and sells photos (and from what you say it doesn't sound like they do), there probably are no set rules or guidelines in place that you would have to follow.

That pretty much means you can draw up whatever kind of agreement you want, as long as both of you, uh, agree on it...

First you need to decide what exactly you want to get out of the arangement. Is it simply to show your work, have folks see it and associate your name with it? In that case the most hassle-free set up for both of you would be a "no sales" agreement. Any interested viewers are simply referred to you personally. You could have a sign up with your name and phone number (or website URL) and maybe business cards handy, but no money changes hands with anyone in the frame shop.

Or, do you want to actually sell the pieces that you plan to show? In that case, a specific arrangement has to be made. But there are no set rules for this, either. Having you PAY the shop to show would be extremely unusual, but them taking a commission on sold work would not be.

Commercial galleries often take 50% of the selling price of a piece, but they're in the business to make money from this, and often have high overheads that include marketing the artist and their work. Your situation has none of this, so IMO a fairer "cut" would be more like 10% or 20%. Usually artists factor in the commission when pricing their work.

I may be stating the obvious, but the advantage of selling your work right in the shop is the chance of someone spontaneously deciding to make a purchase as opposed to having to go to all the trouble of contacting you and buying something at a later time and place.

Whatever you decide, the most important thing is to get all the details of the arrangment in WRITING. This does not have to be some intense maze of legalease, but perhaps a typed letter stating exactly what pieces will be shown for how long (or leave it open ended) at what prices and how the money is divided in case of a sale.

You should also put in mutual conditions for ending the agreement, say five days or a week's notice, and make it clear you not only retain ownership of the work until sold, but also the copyright to the images. Possession is 9/10ths of the law, and once the shop has your work, any unclear notion of ownership could create a sticky situation for you...

And don't forget to discuss liability should any of your work get stolen or damaged while it is in the shop.

Another thing you should condsider is the cost of matting and framing your work. Obviously, the shop will want their materials used for this, and it wouldn't be considered unreasonable to ask them to cover these costs. After all, showing your work is in effect free advertising for the shop and its products and services. If they balk at this, you could make it only for the length of the time you show the work. When it ends, they could undo the frames and keep all the materials.

I think I've given you enough info to cover most of your basic questions. Hope it helps. Anything else comes to mind, let me know...


Quote Originally Posted by stew
I was just recently in a local framing shop to have one of my photos matted and framed (a 16x20 of the Mass Ave bridge shot I posted on the critique some time ago). The manager liked it a lot, and it occurred to me - on a whim - to ask if they display photos from locals like me. The manager liked the idea, contacted the owner of the store, and I now have an appt with the owner next week to show him some other samples and potentially make arrangements.

I am so psyched!!!! But a little off-balance too. My concern stems from the fact that this would be my absolute first time at this. I have no idea what to expect by way of arrangement? Some questions I imagine might be asked are:

1. Would the owner ask for payment from me to show the photos, or a commission if I sell one? Is this a reasonable request from him?

2. Should I copyright my photos before displaying them? (I intend only to show him hard copies, not digital files).

3. What legal documents (if any) can I expect to sign? Or which documents should I ask him to sign?

Any and ALL comments, advice, etc would be very much appreciated!!!

Thanks in advance, Stew