Can Birds Be Effectively Sold At Art Fairs?

I am planning to do several art fairs next year here in NE/NC Wisconsin and I am now attending some shows in my extended area to do research.

No one seems to be offering birds as a subject...well almost no one. Those very few being shown wouldn't make the quality cut on the Nature Photographers site anyway.

I know that landscapes, flowers and abstracts probably sell the best, but is there room among all those selling L, F and A for just one artist selling pretty good birds?

I would have some landscapes and a few abstracts, too. If I like the art fair thing, in future years I would gear my new shooting to what I find sells best.

I find that well done bird shots do quite well. However, I think that youhit the nail on the head in that many of those displayed at art fairs are not really well done to qualify as art. Shots like those posted here will stand out above the rest. I do suggest that the birds reflect the local population with an occasional example from outside.

Hey Len, I do about twenty Fine Art Shows a year in the midwest and many are top producing shows and I have to say I've seen almost no bird photographers, other than an image of some geese, swans or ducks, but very limited shots in any of the nature photographers booths. I'm not sure if its been tried by some and it didn't sell well or if it hasn't been done well enough for the buyers. I have read in few forums somewhere that avian photos don't sell well and maybe thats why I haven't seen it in the shows I do.

Thanks guys

Ed, have you sold them yourself or was it someone else you noticed doing it? In amy case, were the "SOLD" birds local to the area of the sale?

Mike

What subjects do you find that sell well?

Len I do about 6 shows a year and see very few bird images at the shows. There are always a few and I have seen some sell fairly well but it seems like they are the most artistic bird shots such as a flock of birds against a setting sun or a blurred bird coming in for a landing. I think people just don't want shots that are very straight forward because it is going to be something they will have on their wall for a while.

I experiemented a bit with birds and found that "standard" portrait-type poses reminiscent of what you see in bird ID books don't sell. But if they are dramatic and they sell well. Eagles landing with claws outstretched, eagles grabbing fish, eagles in a dramatic setting, eagle head shots. See a trend there? It may be a local market thing, but for me eagles sell abuot 10:1 over the next most popular species. I have to say that my biggest single sale (both in size and bux) was of an Arctic tern hovering full frame with wings overhead and tail spread below. It generally gets lots of looks and a few sales, but nothing compared to eagles. If you have a local bird that's really popular and you can get dramatic action, dramatic scenery or really moody shots and light, I'd expect them to do well. But don't forget the eagles. One of these days I'm going to find one sitting on top of a flagpole with the American flag in full display on a breeze, and I can probably retire.

Hey Len, I sell all my macro work (leaves, flora and abstract) and do very well do to the lack of photographers showing just macro images. Most are doing landscape and european images, and flowers sell ok, but unless your very creative with them, a flower in the middle of the frame won't cut it. I agree with Hank, and have seen a couple guys do well with eagle shots.

Hi Len,
It's been a couple of years since I've done any shows as my current job (First Selectman which is Connecticut's equivalent of Mayor in small towns) takes up way too much time. However, prior to that I have done a number of very good shows here on the East Coast. For the most part there are not a lot of bird photographers showing their work at the fairs.

I agree with Hank about the eagles. There is a fellow on the East coast circuit who has luck with high quality eagle pictures as well as other images taken in Alaska, so it is not just a regional thing. I am anxious to see how an osprey picture I took recently moves when I get back in the booth (hopefully next season). I just started building my portfolio page a couple of days ago, The osprey is on it, and I would like to know what others think of it, especially in regard to comments posted by Hank.

I am far from a bird specialist, but, I do enjoy shooting them now and then. I you link to my website from the portfolio (lreitzphoto.com) there is a small gallery called puffins and other birds. One picture titled "How many times do I Hafta Tell Ya" has more than paid the expenses of the trip to Machias Seal Island in Maine where it was taken. I'm sure the title helps sell the image also. The other puffin pictures move more slowly, but, do sell. I have never printed any of them larger than 8x12 and do not think they would sell in larger sizes.

Good luck
Larry Reitz
Salem, Connecticut

Thanks again, all!

Larry, your osprey is quite nice. I have a few in-flight osprey that I would try to sell, too. As well as eagles with fish in talons, snowy owl with wings outstretched (blue sky), GG owl coming right at me, etc.

We'll see!

Wren Works seems to do really well at midwest festivals:

http://www.wrenworks.com/

Thanks so much for all your help! I think it is time to get specific. I will be offering landscapes and some abstracts but birds would be at least half my inventory. So here are some specific examples. If I try birds, which ones do you think are most likely to sell.

http://www.lenbackus.com/photos/170001156-L.jpg
http://www.lenbackus.com/photos/138193209-L.jpg
http://www.lenbackus.com/photos/139777853-L.jpg
http://www.lenbackus.com/photos/192997531-L.jpg
http://www.lenbackus.com/photos/138788296-L.jpg
http://www.lenbackus.com/photos/138792845-L.jpg
http://www.lenbackus.com/photos/69479066-L.jpg
http://www.lenbackus.com/photos/138796572-L.jpg
http://www.lenbackus.com/photos/138825152-L.jpg
http://www.lenbackus.com/photos/138794666-L.jpg
http://www.lenbackus.com/photos/138944270-L.jpg
http://www.lenbackus.com/photos/138193364-L.jpg
http://www.lenbackus.com/photos/138153506-L.jpg
http://www.lenbackus.com/photos/140692622-L.jpg
http://www.lenbackus.com/photos/141537139-L.jpg
http://www.lenbackus.com/photos/139781207-L.jpg
http://www.lenbackus.com/photos/164723150-L.jpg

Thanks, John...DONE

Len, if you edit your previous post with 'open bracket'url=....'closebracket' and [/url] tags for each link, then we can click on them to go directly to the shot. Thanks.

John

There is one photographer I have run across from, I believe, New York State, who specializes in birds and does the art festival circuit. Her material is first rate, even of common species. But she does have a lot of the better, dramatic shots plus lots of colorful birds. I think her primary focus is stock sales and articles. I should add that I have never seen anyone actually buying her work, though, so how successful that route is for art festivals I don't know. She's been at it for a while so something must be working for her.

I have been able to sell a few bird prints, primarily raptors in really nice portrait poses. From what I have seen, there definitely is a market for it, but it may be a bit limited. Maybe every other event I do I will sell one. I plan to phase those images out since I don't shoot enough birds to improve my files significantly and I don't sell enough to make it worth reprinting.

My best selling bird prints are Bluebirds and Cardinals. I did an arts & crafts show in August and was repeatedly asked if I had any Eagle prints. I'm thinking Homer this Winter.

I'm late to read this post. I do lots of art festivals and I exclusively shoot birds and wildlife. As my work has improved, so have my sales. When I run into other wildlife photographers, it's usually not nearly the quality that I see on NPN. The short answer is, yes bird images sell. I've had some huge shows and look forward to more. Eagles sell, so do owls, songbirds and definetely hummingbirds. One thing I've realized people for the most part could care less about is capturing the less common species. I've got nice images of crossbills, flycatchers, pinyon jays, etc, but a very cute image of a goldfinch gets the sale every time.
I quickly browsed a few of your linked images and I think you will find people will be blown away. Feel free to email me if you want to know more about what I'm finding works-and what doesn't.

Len, you have some very nice bird images. I can see people purchasing prints of many of them. The image of what I believe is a heron I can't see many people purchasing due mostly to the pose.

Then again all your images are far better than the general public has the ability to record, and these same people would most likely be the ones doing the purchasing. I would just take stock of your favorite images and see what happens. It sure can't hurt and you may even get overwhelmed with orders.

Good luck

Thanks all, very much, for your help.