At an in-person show, should I bring full inventory in every size and medium, or can I show samples and take orders?

Bring carefully chosen samples, not your entire inventory. Focus on affordable, easy-to-carry items like prints on paper and a curated selection of merchandise (which are low-cost, impulse buys). For expensive or bulky items (large metal prints, acrylics, gallery wraps), bring one sample of each medium as a display so people can see and feel the quality. Then use your laptop or tablet to show your full online catalog. Explain to visitors: “I’m testing this show and didn’t want to overinvest in inventory, but here’s my website—you can browse everything I offer, and I’ll fulfill and ship any order directly to you.” This approach minimizes your financial risk, makes setup and teardown easier, and still lets you take orders for any piece in any size or medium. Customers appreciate the transparency and convenience. It’s a smart, scalable way to participate in shows, especially when starting out.

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Asked by a photographer planning a first in-person show · Answered by Juan (One) · Office Hours · 2026-03-19