Whether you arrive at an art festival with a wall to fill or you are capable of making an on-the-spot decision because an art piece hits home with you, planning ahead can prevent regrets. There are some primary differences between visiting an art gallery, or multiple art galleries, and visiting photographer’s spaces at an art show.

The photographer is nearly always present. This will allow you to establish a relationship and have a chat. The story behind a photo is a worthwhile part of ownership. It is hard for a gallery salesperson to know the the story behind every piece of art they sell. The photographer always has a story.

A good question to ask the photographer is, “Why did you select this particular format?” Perhaps the selection was made simply for price point considerations, ease in moving or hanging at shows, a preference for the amount of saturation or a preference for more archival methods. Understand that most photographers offer the full variety of materials, even if they only display one.

If you have an immediate connection with a photographer and particular piece, go ahead and make the decision early. But if you are shopping, be sure to look at all the photographers at a show. Does anything distinguish their work? Ask yourself, "How will I respond if a house guest asks me about this print?" Will you be able to describe how it spoke to you? Do you think it will stand the test of time? That is, will you be able to look back at it over and over and still enjoy the experience? If so, you should find a spot for it in the home. 

If you are shopping for a focal point for your home decor, is the photograph worthy? Will you be able to work with the colors. Are you okay with a real modern look (acrylic or metal), or do you need a frame or canvas print for a more traditional look?

An art gallery wants to move the pieces on the wall. Although you may be able to buy other sizes, these often aren’t mentioned. Art festival photographers know the sizes available and materials available. Since most pieces are shipped directly to you and the photographer would like to keep the piece for the next show, you can be assured of receiving exactly the size and finish you want. I have discussed the advantages and disadvantages of canvas, framed prints, metal surface prints an acrylic face-mounted prints in this article on print decisions.

If the you are looking at framed art, consider whether you would prefer a different style frame. If so, your purchase of the print alone will cost considerably less than the framed piece. Framing at your local frame shop is encouraged, although likely to be more costly that what the photographer offers. Frames and appropriate glass often represent the major portion of a purchase. Very large framed pieces are likely to be delivered without glazing to prevent breakage in shipping.

If you are serious about buying any wall art, now would be a good time to go around your home or office with your smart phone and take photos of each wall. Stand in a position where you are centered to a perpendicular line on your wall. Hold you camera at about four feet in height. Don’t worry if there is art already present on the wall. Put these images in an album of their own so they are easily accessed. 

Now download an app to your phone that allows you to pre-visualize art on your wall. Here are a few names: WallPicture2, Smartist, ArtWall, and ArtPlacer. With a combination of one of these apps and a on the spot photo of any piece you like, you may then take that photo and place it on “virtual” wall. Some of the apps allow you to resize the picture or place frames of different colors and sizes on the picture. If you haven’t done these steps, ask the artist if you can have a virtual demonstration before a final order is placed. I will often take an order, then when the buyer gets home I can send a picture with the purchased size for confirmation that everything is perfect. It is very easy at this point to modify the order to a smaller or larger print, add a frame, etc. You get the picture!

You may be looking at a picture that shows minor wear and tear damage as the "display model". Festival artists almost always ship your purchased art from the printer. This means you will receive your new purchase in perfect condition. Be aware, however, that some materials damage more easily than others. Metal can bend or get chipped edges, acrylic can be scratched, canvas can get torn, frames can get scratches. Be careful with those new purchases.

Most photographers are like all the other artists out there...starving. An exception might be those at some of the top shows in the country. Most photographers do not offer discounts on limited edition prints, or any of their prints unless an offer his already posted in their booth. This makes sense for numbered prints, otherwise the last purchaser could have paid more than an earlier purchaser. If the item is priced appropriately, you would expect the price to stay the or increase as the available number of the limited edition pieces decreases. While most photographers won’t discount the price of a limited edition print, they may offer a discount on a frame or on shipping. 

Some show photographers already price their artwork considerably below what it would have to sell for in a gallery. A general rule is that the gallery will sell art for double what they pay the artist for the piece. That means, if you see something in the gallery for $1000, the artist will get $500. Subtract costs and the artist may only make $100-200. Often, that does not account for all the time spent capturing, processing, printing and mounting a piece.  

There are exceptions to this. If you see a new release and are shopping for the first piece in a limited edition, you could try a negotiation, knowing that any additional pieces would sell for more. Or you could ask for free shipping. Artists are often willing to let their displayed inventory go at a discounted price in the last hour or two of a show. That is the time that they are looking at having to pack up and store everything. If you buy work off the walls, be sure to know whether there is any minor damage (which could encourage a discount) and that that damage is minor and acceptable to you. You will also need a way to safely carry the artwork home.

If you really like a particular photographer’s work, be sure to ask to be on a mailing list. You may then receive information about new releases, upcoming shows or any special offers during the year. 

By far the best thing to do at an art festival is to enjoy it! If you are with a partner, talk about what you like. Look together! Guys, don’t stand back with folded arms while your spouse or girlfriend gawks at the jewelry display! Okay, I'm working on this one myself! Gals, if your guy actually likes something, ask how it speaks to him. Hold hands! Do some people watching! Have a frozen lemonade! Make it a fun outing!

RS