So I've been into photography for a few years, and I've entered contests and won them, and this fall they're having an arts festival where you can register and sell your works. So I have some questions for anyone who's done this, since it'll be my first time.

First of all with the registration paper, they want five slides. So how do you go about making them, can a photo lab do it?

They also say I'll have to provide everything like a tent and all that. So any suggestions as to what to buy and how to set it up?

And pricing... I'm not sure how I should price things, and also how I should present them for sale. Any help is much appreciated, thanks!

If the work is photography then a slide should be relatively easy to come up with. If you are needing to photograph printed work then you can ask the photolab if they will shoot printed work or check at a quality art store. Most University art students have to go through this process so an art store that services students would be a good bet. Shooting slides of printed work can be rather pricey... about $30 per typically.

As far as the tent goes, I would inquire with the organizers if they have any recommendations. Basically the tent needs to be adequate to cover your work in the rain and protect from sun... I go to Target or Walmart for things like this. You do need to find out what the size restrictions are. Personally, I would have a couple extra tarps in the car just in case there was a big rain in the middle of the show.

Pricing is difficult and it really depends on what you've put into it and how your work compares to the market. Generally at art shows, people will present unframed work and framed work. Typically the frames are those cheapo plastic frames. My feeling is that a $15-20 increase for framed work is reasonable. I think a minimum price of $20 is good if you think your work will sell at that. Obviously larger pieces will cost more.

So what I would do is set the minimum price and then work up. If you have any small pieces you could price them at $10 to give people who like your work but don't have the cash, a chance to purchase... I think postcard size work sells very good at art fairs.

If you want some more input, let me know more about your work and I'll see what I can come up with for prices.