Good New Year! In reviewing dog show shooting recently, I have some questions for those of you that attend dog shows. I don't care if it is as the OP, showing your own dogs, or just attending for the fun of it.

Do you attend the vendor space when you go to the show?
Do you buy from vendors and what type of items do you buy?
Do you gift shop for others?
What would you like to see available at the show to purchase?
Could you see photography related items?

If we were to create new items from our photography for the dog show world, how would you market that item and where?
Have you purchased anything that has used photography as its base for an item that had your dog on it?

Yes
Yes, usually crate pads, red barn stuff and treats
Sometimes my kids and they get tshirts/notecards/gifty stuff
Pretty much whatever you want is at a show
I wouldn't, but, I carry my own. I do think people do. You might want to ask Phyllis Ensly at www.petactionshots.com and see what people are buying.

My reason for asking the questions is to create conversation about whether you would like to add your photography to items and sell them. A friend who is always here to celebrate the new year, and shoots many more dog shows than I do, revealed to me that there is a company that has taken one of there items off a clients website and used it on shirts, snow globes and many other items without permission.

Now my questions are to see if you as a photographer would like to add items to your client sales list. Do you want to market more items.

I have done this for all of my photography career but I do not see many other photographers doing the same. I am not sure if it is because you do not know what or how or do not want to take that on.

And as long as I am on this, what would you do if someone took your image and put it on items without permission. Things have been done but I would like to know how you feel.

PeggySue,

1. Yes we cruise the vendors at most shows.

2. Sometimes. Show collars and leashes. Jewelry.

3. Sometimes. Anything with a Rottweiler on it.

4. At large shows, everything is there. At small shows, the volume curtails the variety. But if you go to Louisville, for example, you'll find vendors of every variety including original photography and art.

5. I've had vendor space at several shows and sold portraits and ring candids. I've also sold generic breed prints. We can produce images on almost anything but people tend to prefer to have their own dogs on those products such as mugs, T-shirts, calendars, etc.

Marketing questions can't be answered generically. I'd have to know what the product(s) was, how it was priced, to whom was it targeted and how was it packaged before I could suggest a marketing/sales program for it/them.

Yes, we've created a Sundance calendar which we've printed and sold with 1/3 of the price going to Rottweiler Rescue. We "advertised" it at a Rottie Specialty and received over 40 orders. All my work is copyrighted. The only stuff that has ever been stolen are show formals.

Jim

I truly love brainstorming. And I thought that this questioning would stimulate some ideas that might help some people to add to their bottom line.

Jim, since I asked you about Wis, and the Arabs but did not connect, will you be in Louisville?

Nice to hear that you will be connecting with Julie. Wish I could be in the cheerleading section since this winter weather here is getting OLD!

PeggySue,
I didn't respond because we're still discussing next year's calendar -- they loved this one so much they asked us to start working on next year's already. I'm negotiating for a trip to WI to take some photos so when I get that nailed down, you can count on an invitation.

We probably won't be going to Louisville this year. We're discussing it with Kimm now since she's here. She'll be at Westminster and want's us to try to get there. That's after Indianapolis Specialties and she wants us there. And we don't have anything to show now with Rowdy retired except the puppies that are owned by other people. So I need to find some clients to pay the way.

I love the Louisville shows so I'm pushing for them especially if her Special, Caesar, continues to be #1. He's just picked up 4 Group Ones in a row!!! I'll post some pics later. Today, I'm off to shoot a Dane Specialty (one tomorrow, too).

Yes, I'm looking forward to seeing Julie and cheering Dot on to her Championship. That will be much fun. Full reports to come (and maybe even some photos).

Jim

Preston, no problem. I love to see threads continue no matter what direction they go. Like a good conversation, sometimes they go off onto different avenues.

Regarding taking of images for profit or personal use. Somehow the people who take photos for themselves see they are different than those that take for profit of selling items. I really do not see that there is or should be a difference.

The Orphan Law will effect this industry greatly should it go through. Anyone know where that stands right now?

Jim, contemplating KY but might just send work for them to sell. Vendors are down now. Mixed, since less competition means more viewing but the economy may be a challenge. Like you, I need the trip to be a monetary advantage.