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Friday, December 20, 2013

No Photos Please!

Recently, the biggest issue that I face at handmade shows are the people that want to take photos of my cards. They see the cards, laugh, whip out an iPhone, and then state to their friend, "I'm totally taking a picture to text to so and so! This is so perfect for them!" This scenario is my biggest pet peeve of shows. To me, it's as if they are stealing my art rather than spending $4 for the actual thing. I tend to get a bit snarky with these people. I have no problem stopping them dead in their tracks with a "No photos please! This is my art and I'm sure your friend would actually really like to be surprised with the real card instead of a text message."

The offender usually puts away the phone and apologizes, but do they buy the card? No. Usually they don't because that wasn't their intention to begin with. This is something that has really bothered me a lot along with random people tagging their friends in my Instagram photos of my cards (ummm, no, I will delete your comment, you cheap jerkface with a face of a jerk!).

While preparing for Richmond, I decided that something needed to be done. I thought about signs that I could make or things that I could say to battle the issue, when I suddenly realized that I should just make a card, obviously! So make a card I did, and I placed it front and center of my display for all to see. Did anyone attempt the photo op this time? No. Was it completely related to the card that I made? That is up for debate. But either way, I was a happier card maker in the end.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/173494939/funny-card-for-a-friend-just-because?ref=shop_home_active

And it is true. Wouldn't we all prefer a little surprise snail mail in our lives over a quick text message? Cards are more thoughtful and meaningful than the few seconds it takes to send a text.

4 comments:

  1. Totally understand where you're coming from about people taking photos at shows. But I love it when people tag others on my IG photos! I've actually gotten a good number of new followers and sales that way. You never know — these commenters might not be out to steal your art, but rather to share it with friends who might be interested in purchasing (in my opinion, this is no different from someone tweeting links to your listings). And while a randomly texted photo from a show wouldn't include your name or link, an IG photo is directly connected to you and your shop, which makes it very easy for people to click through and buy. Free word-of-mouth advertising. :D

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  2. I would never photograph someone's work at a show like that. I think that's really rude. I'd either buy the card or I would take the artist's card so I could go find it online. I wouldn't mind the tagging on IG as much, since that links people to your profile and that might get them to buy at some point, especially if they end up following you. Hopefully their friends aren't as lazy as they are!

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  3. You are definitely right, they should not take a picture and the idea with a card is great. I hope it will help in the future also:)

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  4. YES!!! Way to go! I love seeing brilliant ideas coming out of things like this. I still love getting cards in the mail and you have every right to be protective of your property.

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