OK, your passion for photography is growing, and you want to pursue your hobby as a viable career path. But how do you do it? Well, showcasing your work in a photography exhibition is a great first step. That said, we know it can be challenging to figure out how to create an exhibition, especially if you’ve never done it before. Lucky for you, we’re here to help! 

In this photography guide, we’ll answer all the most common questions related to photography exhibitions. From how to get your photos into an exhibition and how to prepare for one to what types of prints are the best for them, you’ll walk away from this article with all the knowledge you need to create a successful photography exhibition.

Now, join us as we dive into the confusing world of photography exhibitions and teach you how to navigate it! 

Check out the video above by NegativeFeedback to learn more about setting up a photography exhibition. 

Table of Contents

• How Do I Get My Photography in an Exhibition?
• How Do You Prepare for a Photography Exhibition?
• What to Print Photos on for Exhibition?
• What Size Should I Print Photos for Exhibition?
• How Do You Display Photos for an Exhibition?
• Recommended Photography Gear

How Do I Get My Photography in an Exhibition?

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Before thinking about anything else, you must know how to get your photos into an exhibition. There are two ways to go about this. The first is displaying your pictures at a community exhibition alongside the work of other photographers and artists. The second is hosting a private photography exhibition.

Regardless of which one you choose, certain steps are always necessary. Most importantly, you need to create a strong portfolio worth showing. Not only will this help you stand out and sell yourself when talking with galleries before an exhibition, but it will also generate more buzz and excitement for your photos during the exhibition.

Other critical steps to getting your photos into an exhibition include researching, contacting, and creating relationships with local studios/galleries/businesses. They are the ones who ultimately must give their stamp of approval, so do everything you can to become part of your local artist community.

How Do You Prepare for a Photography Exhibition?

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Once you know where and when your photography exhibition will take place, it’s time to start prepping for it. You will need to do endless things, and the list will vary from person to person, but the most important things to consider are budget, theme, pricing, and exactly what images you want to include.

Your budget will greatly impact your exhibition because it determines everything from selecting a venue and marketing strategies to how many images you can display and how to print them. We advise creating a realistic budget before doing anything else. Also, always include a section for unexpected expenses that will inevitably pop up so you have some wiggle room.

While photography exhibitions are an excellent way to raise awareness about your work, you must also make money to continue growing your photography career. That’s where pricing comes in. Many new photographers struggle with pricing, but never underestimate your worth. A good rule of thumb is to research the current market rate and start from there.

What to Print Photos on for Exhibition?

Selecting the right printing medium for your photos is also crucial to the success of a photography exhibition. You want to choose an attractive medium that best compliments your images and captures visitors' attention. Moreover, since you will frequently transport and hang the prints, the more durable the print is, the better.

Considering this, we firmly believe that photos printed on metal are the best for exhibition. Metal prints look amazing, pair well with any genre of photography, are easy to clean and mount, and are exceptionally durable.  

If you don’t already have a printing partner, we highly recommend Large Metal Prints. They are a small, family-owned and operated printing company that started in 2010 and has produced stunning metal prints ever since. Besides gorgeous prints, they offer unparalleled customer service and affordable prices. 

Their metal prints with a gallery mount are perfect for photography exhibitions. However, their product catalog also features standard metal prints, metal prints with a floating hanger, metal prints with a Euro frame, metal prints with a shadow frame, and more. Watch our detailed Large Metal Prints review for a closer look at one of their high-quality metal prints.

What Size Should I Print Photos for Exhibition?

No matter what size you want to print photos for an exhibition, Large Metal Prints can do it. Their standard sizes range from small 4 x 6 inch prints to giant 48 x 84 inch prints. That versatility is off-the-charts and will help you create your dream photography exhibition. To check out their most current price list, click here.

Need help determining what size you want to print? The most common size for exhibitions is 8 x 10 inches. You can go bigger than that if you have specific photos you want to emphasize and your budget allows it, but we don’t recommend going any smaller. 

How Do You Display Photos for an Exhibition?

^{Photo by Chalffy via iStock}

The final step in setting up a photography exhibition is creating the atmosphere. You want an inviting atmosphere that flows well and doesn’t feel overwhelming or overcrowded. How do you accomplish this?

Step one is displaying the photos at the right height. That way, the guests can easily view them in a relaxed and comfortable manner. Similarly, while we know it’s tempting to show off as many of your favorite images as possible, try to avoid stuffing the walls with too many photos. This creates a cluttered and chaotic environment. 

Other photography exhibition tips are serving food and drinks (if the venue allows it) and walking around to chat with guests during the exhibition. 

Recommended Photography Gear

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Learn More:

• 4 Reasons Why a Custom Metal Photo Print is the Right Choice
• When You Think You’ve Seen It All: Large Metal Prints