Frans Waterlander , Jul 04, 2009; 06:45 p.m.
People are getting very concerned about this economy and are buying way, way less photos. Every first Thursday of every month from April through November I participate in a "street gallery" where artists sell their wares between 5pm and 10pm in a street in Portland, Oregon where 3 city blocks have been closed for traffic. This year at the early July event I sold less than 1/3 of what I sold early July last year. Same time of year, same location, same gorgeous weather, same products. I'm afraid things won't improved for years to come. What has been your experience?
Frank Skomial 
, Jul 04, 2009; 06:54 p.m.
Another reason for this could be advancement and perfection of digital technology, that makes people "instant photographers" overnight, and therefore reduced the need to purchase finished photos.
Douglas Ely , Jul 04, 2009; 07:03 p.m.
It's the economy. A pastel artist friend just explained that she participated in a similar event and sales were unusually poor.
Matt Laur 
, Jul 04, 2009; 07:21 p.m.
same products
That's rarely a good sign. You're selling art. It's a frivality. Something people simply don't need in the way they need a jillion other things. And that means that makes what you're selling especially subject to fashionable whims, changing trends, and competing interest in other media, artists, and markets.
I spent most of my day today helping to man my wife's booth at a farm market / art fair. I don't show my photographs there (yet), but there is guy there who has been selling photographic prints (mostly landscapes, flower macros, old barns... that sort of thing) for several years running. He says he's having his best year ever, but he's getting cleaned out of prints that used to never sell, and the stuff that he used to sell all the time is now sitting unappreciated.
While I was standing there, a woman walked up and said, "Do you have any Eiffel Towers?" And he did! From a trip to Paris 20 years ago. But since he doesn't take credit cards, no sale.
Five minutes later, he sold a $100 11x14 matted print of a wooden dock along a local lake, against fall colors. Why? The guy who saw the print recognized the wooden dock where he proposed to his wife, just one year ago. He was very emotional, and couldn't wait to get the print home to his wife. He had to run to an ATM to get some cash, but did come back to consumate the sale.
Photo sales may be plummeting for some sellers with some products in some places, but I would avoid sweeping statements like that. Art is a very finnicky market, impacted by a lot of variables. I'm sure that people feeling tight, financially, are being more thoughtful about when and how they spend their art money, but that's going to be a highly regional thing, no doubt.
Frans Waterlander , Jul 04, 2009; 08:16 p.m.
same products
Except what I sell are infrared and pen style images of landmarks in the Portland area: bridges, old buildings, looks over the city from the West Hills, marinas, etc. Not exactly stuff that's subject to fashion or trends. My gallery is here: www.picasaweb.google.com/frans2001
Matt Laur , Jul 04, 2009; 08:23 p.m.
I'm not picking on you, Frans! Just saying that people's art-buying whims seem to shift because of a lot of very interconnected variables. Localized material, as you describe, does always seem to be strong for walk-up art fair venues - I doubt that's every going to change over the long run.
Frans Waterlander , Jul 04, 2009; 09:12 p.m.
Localized material, as you describe, does always seem to be strong for walk-up art fair venues - I doubt that's every going to change over the long run.
I agree. And that's why I think that my drastic fall in sales is due to the current economy and the dire economic outlook for years to come. That's why I named this thread "Photo sales are plummeting".
Matt Laur , Jul 04, 2009; 09:26 p.m.
You see no prospect for economic improvement in your local area for years to come?
Ronald Moravec , Jul 04, 2009; 09:51 p.m.
Don`t know but the Chicago Tribune today is predicting a jobless recovery. Unemployment& underemployment are at 16% AND predicted to keep going up. And the poor slobs like me who had no part in the creation of the mess are expected to pay to try to finance a recovery.
I think it was put nicely by one of the talking heads about a year ago, profits are privatized, losses are public. I really want to know how to get in on that business. Guess you just got to know somebody.
I am fine right now, but pleanty of people are in serious trouble. Stores are selling less. Auto companies are selling less. You can`t sell your home.
So I don`t think there is a big market for luxuries right now.
Debbie T , Jul 04, 2009; 10:20 p.m.
I think it is partly the economy. Either people are jobless, or have taken pay cuts (which is just about everyone I know), so it's think before you buy.
The other thing, though, is people are so into digital. Digital photo frames, pictures being passed back and forth, etc.
I know you are talking 'art' but I would think there is just less demand for it, even without the economy and it's problems.
