For LOVE or the MONEY
Sale of photography in the main stream… the highs, lows and the experience.
FOR LOVE OR THE MONEY
Gallery size: 12 square meters.
Rent: $130,000 per year. Yes that right I didn’t accidentally put on an extra “0”
Opening times: 7 days a week, shopping center trading hours.
Hours a week I worked: Approx 100
On July the 2nd 2007 I threw my hat into the ring and gave this photography gig my full time attention with the opening of a temporary gallery in a major shopping center in Sydney. As I look back now on my journey and what I was thinking when I started, I laugh as I honestly had no idea of the roller coaster ride I had started myself on.
I operated for 6 months, but my six months covered Christmas and the rents go up in this time from November to the end of December so I paid close to $75,000 in rent. Which is crazy when you look back on it. What I paid in rent isn’t even the gross income of my past full time job.
99% of all the people who came and looked at my work and commented were so positive and appreciative of the time and effort that goes into putting a collection like I have together. Some would walk past and say, “Are you selling Ken Duncan’s work” and I would say, “No it is mine, but thankyou” People would also come up and shake your hand when they find out your the photographer.
My most common question was if my work was shot digitally. It was quite funny on several occasions, I had interested people come up and ask what I shoot with and when I said I use a 617 on medium format slide film their reply was “What mega pixel is that”.... you got to love the digital age.
What I loved most about my experience is watching the excitement and joy someone had when they selected one of my photo’s as their birthday or Christmas gift and say I want this one big thanks. When you sell your work on line you dont get to see this side of selling and it is a real pleasure.
Selling your work to the customer is a lot harder than I first thought. My sales were impacted with things like interest rate rises, public holidays, hot sunny days and also the delayed election announcement. On public holidays I thought my sales would go up, but people hit the beach instead of shopping. Public holidays accounted for my worst days in the center. Rainy overcast days are the best.
It is hard to pack 6 months worth of experience into a short blog entry and also there is a lot of information and experience you obtain from doing such a venture that is valuable and sensitive information that technically you paid for in rent and your own time that you want to keep for your self. Overall I am glad I took the risk and without the support and encouragement of friends and family it would have been almost un sustainable.
In the end I would have to say you do it for the love of photography and not the money. As the money goes in rent and you are left with an experience you will never forget.
Happy Shooting
Matt
Franmacimages
WOW Great Experience Worth It!! Best Wishes For 2008 Frank Keep it Going God Bless
Stephen Mitchell
Thanks Matt. It’s always good to read about the work that goes into setting up, running and enjoying the experience of a photography business. More odds for us to consider…
Karen Cougan
Congratulations…............You Got Gutz…................Now its with you forever…........wonderful Memory
xkc
Travis Easton
Holy crap Matt, 75G, 100hrs a week, I’ve got my own work in a few galleries and sell a bit but my gosh your in a different world. I constantly day dream about large format and 617 work but the cost of gear and scanning it in scares me. Heaps of respect for your work, approach and guts, well done mini Ken (only joking) ;-) The comment I always love is ‘Gee you must have a good camera’.
Stephen Colquitt
That quite the story Matt – where is your shop?
Stephen Colquitt
Or did you wrap it up?
Matt Lauder replied
Steve, it was located on the Northern Beaches in Sydney at Warringah Mall and I wrapped it up, it was only a short term thing as it was a casual leasing spot. Hence the huge rent. Good experience. Just high out going cost and unpredictable sales.
Cain Doherty
Interesting read Matt. Kudos for your enthusiasm and chances you were willing to take.
Christian Hartung
sounds like it is so worth it
Phineous Cas...
give it to others to sell is my theory but good onya for having the balls to give it a bash
mikepaulhamus
thanks for the insight… sometimes you just have to step up and take the shot, certainly seems it may be worth it. Thanks for sharing.
Lance Leopold
Terrific story,Matt,glad you survived it,love your website too,well done!!