I just got back from the Baltimore ACC show which I’ve tried for
five years to get in but havn’t made it yet. I wanted to find
out why the show had the reputation of the “Holy Grail” of craft
shows.
Boy, the jewelry there was truly awesome!! The displays were,
too! I saw many who’s work I had seen in Lapidary Journal or
American Craft. Was anybody online in that show?? Anyone have
any suggestions besides better slides?? Anybody have a perfect
professional jewelry photographer they would like to recommend??
Ive also tried to get into ACC among others with good photos.I
am looking for tips regarding getting into shows.Is it that they
want a long track record, lots of P.R.'s thrown in along with
standard entry stuff,or what?!!!
I took a seminar last fall about how to get into the major shows
with your slides. First, you need slides, not photos, of your
jewelry, and good ones. To be competitive, use a professional
photographer. There are names in the back of magazines like
Crafts Report, American Craft, and Metalsmith. Look at how the
jewelry photos are in major magazines ( background goes from
light to dark from top to bottom). Also, since all five of your
slides are on the screen at the same time, they should look
pleasing as a unit. They like to see a range of work ( maybe a
bracelet, earrings, ring or whatever), but it should look like
the same person made all the pieces. They are looking for your
individual style. If someone already in the show has a similar
style and works in the same material, you’re usually S.O.L.
If you’re just starting out, don’t be discouraged. Sometimes
200 jewelry artists apply for one booth space. You might want to
start out doing some smaller local juried shows. ( the ones with
granny crafts really suck!)
Hi Wendy, S. Bradley, the type of photo/slide standard is as
Wendy says a ‘drop shadow’ image. You can instruct the review
jury to place your five slides in the order you want. Usually it
is 3 above and two below but that will vary, check your entry
brochure. You should not only have good slides but with no
extraneous stuff in there besides your work. The five should be
composed to make maximum effect when displayed in order at once.
The jury only spends a few seconds on the slides often due to the
sheer volume of people applying. Type your entry materials too.
You have to make it as easy as possible for a time pressured jury
to decide in your favor. And having said all that you might want
to try our new book and video lecture combination on how to take
your own professional quality drop shadow shots on a system I
developed. The new section on slides on the tips pages is an
extract from it. If you are interested Email me off list and
I’ll send you more details. Email: @Charles_Lewton-Brain
Hi Wendy, S. Bradley, the type of photo/slide standard is as
Wendy says a ‘drop shadow’ image. You can instruct the review
jury to place your five slides in the order you want. Usually it
is 3 above and two below but that will vary, check your entry
brochure. You should not only have good slides but with no
extraneous stuff in there besides your work. The five should be
composed to make maximum effect when displayed in order at once.
The jury only spends a few seconds on the slides often due to the
sheer volume of people applying. Type your entry materials too.
You have to make it as easy as possible for a time pressured jury
to decide in your favor. And having said all that you might want
to try our new book and video lecture combination on how to take
your own professional quality drop shadow shots on a system I
developed. The new section on slides on the tips pages is an
extract from it. If you are interested Email me off list and
I’ll send you more details. Email: @Charles_Lewton-Brain