An amazing thing occurred just recently: purchasing prints became "cool" amongst general society again. I think it's safe to say that most photographers understand the value of a good print, especially when it's placed into a black metal nielsen frame. However, since the digital age, photographs have lived inside our computers, external hard-drives and in our cell phones; rarely being printed and hung on a wall. Aaron Huey, a National Geographic Photographer, decided he was going to change how the world views prints. Introducing the "Outsider Books" site:
Huey used none other than Instagram to sell his prints. All images were printed on archival-quality / 325 gsm paper. Collectors could choose to buy an "unframed" piece (6x6 with Huey's signature on the back), a "framed" piece (6x6, black wood frame, signature on back of the print) or a "matted" photo (again, 6x6 within a 10x10 mat; mat is signed). His tase for sales is very simplistic and to the point and asks buyers to expect a two week turn around on their orders.
Huey claims, "prints make the world a better place. Period". "I’m giving them art that is ready to go, in a form that is familiar to them, and instilling a collecting mentality. I’d rather have these images on walls and in people’s hands than in these zombie boxes we stare at all day… [Instagram photos] are intimate, they are beautiful, but they are not precious. They are for everyone" (Petapixel).
So what does this website have to do with school?! Well, isn't this just a brilliant idea to include in your practice? I would encourage our students who love using Instagram to generate some type of print service for clients. You may not want to start your price at $100/print although, perhaps $30 or $40? Naturally, depending on where you have the images printed from would also effect the cost. Just an interesting idea to consider!
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01. Cade, DL. "Aaron Huey Uses an Instagram Print Sale to Teach a New Generation the Value of Prints." PetaPixel RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2014.
02. Huey, Aaron. "On Sale @Argonautphoto Instagram Prints." Outsider Book. Big Cartel, 7 Apr. 2014. Web. 16 Apr. 2014.
Huey claims, "prints make the world a better place. Period". "I’m giving them art that is ready to go, in a form that is familiar to them, and instilling a collecting mentality. I’d rather have these images on walls and in people’s hands than in these zombie boxes we stare at all day… [Instagram photos] are intimate, they are beautiful, but they are not precious. They are for everyone" (Petapixel).
So what does this website have to do with school?! Well, isn't this just a brilliant idea to include in your practice? I would encourage our students who love using Instagram to generate some type of print service for clients. You may not want to start your price at $100/print although, perhaps $30 or $40? Naturally, depending on where you have the images printed from would also effect the cost. Just an interesting idea to consider!
____________________________________________________________________________
01. Cade, DL. "Aaron Huey Uses an Instagram Print Sale to Teach a New Generation the Value of Prints." PetaPixel RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2014.
02. Huey, Aaron. "On Sale @Argonautphoto Instagram Prints." Outsider Book. Big Cartel, 7 Apr. 2014. Web. 16 Apr. 2014.