How to present work to galleries?

Hello All,

I've never brought any of my work forward for sale in any form. I'm interested in perhaps stepping into a few local galleries/businesses to display my images and get my name out.

I'm interested to know the best way of going about this starting with the basics;

-Where should I print my images?
-Should they be matted and framed, or just matted, and how should I go about this?
-I've been thinking of making my own frames, any suggestions or resources to note?
-Are there any other suggestions for getting local recognition?

I apologize if this is a repeat post; steer me in the right direction if so please.

Thank you all for your time,

-Ronan Donovan

Ronan...not sure if this is true where you are but many of the galleries in my area(VT) select artists in a jury selection, usually twice a year. Starting at a local business should be quicker to do but I think what type of business etc can be important. You don't want to be in business that may hurt what people see as the value of your work in the long run. If you can get in someplace that will enhance you and your works reputation it might be a good fit.
If you are part of a group that could be associated with your type of photography and you would like to help them raise funds(as well as getting your name out there) by donating a really excellent image for a raffle. If the image can be displayed at events or places around town...like local banks for 3-4 months as the raffle goes on with a place for business cards with the image. Have your web address on the raffle tickets. So you get lots of free advertising, a charitable donation and it cost you one image. The group gets money and also gets it's name out there more. It can be a win-win situation.

Be creative and different. Set yourself and your images apart from the others.

Good luck,
Bill

Ronan - Bill offers good advice. I would also check to see if your area has art associations. The ones in my area charge a small annual fee but are very helpful, may have classes on the business side of art, may have their own galleries to support the work of emerging artists etc. You might inquire at quality frame shops. They generally have various contacts in your art community. The juried shows I am submitting to require the work to be archival, framed, ready to hang and for sale -seems to be standard procedure.
Good luck!
John

Pick up the phone and call your local galleries, ask them if they are accepting new artists, and what their review process is. Let them tell you what they expect and require. It's probably a portfolio of prints that show the quality and range of your work and an example or two of a final framed and matted piece.