Your Checklist: How to Get the Most Out of Exhibiting Your Work - Part 1 -

Three Edge Studio Group Exhibition 2025

Understanding the Value and Selecting Your Work

Exhibiting your photography or artwork is more than just putting your images on display and selling, it’s about opening doors and making connections. A well-planned photography or art exhibition can raise your profile, grow your audience, generate future sales, and even redefine your creative direction. Whether it’s your first exhibition or one of many, approaching it with clear goals and preparation will help you make the most of the opportunity.
Let’s take a look at how to get the best from your next exhibition experience.

1. Understand the Real Value of Exhibiting

We often underestimate what an exhibition can do beyond immediate sales. Yes, selling your work in an exhibition is rewarding, but the real value lies in visibility, connection and growth. It is important to head into an exhibition aware of the real value so you can get the most out of the experience.

Visibility – People see your work in person, not just on a screen. Physical scale, paper choice and framing give depth and emotion digital platforms can’t.

Connection & Inspiration – The conversations and relationships you build are priceless. Exchanges between yourself and the audience are so valuable, it helps you articulate your ‘why’ and it inspires you to keep creating meaningful work. One good conversation can lead to future collaborations or commissions.

Credibility – Exhibiting gives your work a level of validation that strengthens your portfolio, website, instagram presence and artist profile. It shows professionalism and helps build your creative brand.

Marketing Efforts – Exhibiting should be part of a larger, ongoing marketing strategy, not a stand alone moment. No single platform and initiative sells your work alone. It’s the combined effort of continually showing up across different platforms such as social media, newsletters, product, branding, website, on-line sales platforms, and relationships that builds momentum.  if your aim is to maximise its impact, think of it as a launchpad, not just a once-a-year event of hope and see. Use it to amplify everything you’re already doing, boosting all your channels at once and it will help build trust and familiarity with your audience.

2. What Work Should I Select to Exhibit

Select Work That Speaks as a Series
Choosing which images to exhibit can be one of the hardest steps. Go beyond your latest work and revisit your archives. Often a forgotten image gains new meaning or fits perfectly with the exhibition theme. When narrowing down your shortlist, think about cohesion — how the images sit together as a body of work rather than trying to include everything you love.

A second opinion can be invaluable when selecting your images. As artists, we often feel a deep emotional connection to certain images, perhaps because of the story behind them, the effort it took to create them, or their past success in competitions or sales. However, what resonates with us doesn’t always have the same impact on viewers. Lean on your creative support team (framer, curator, peer) to give honest feedback on which pieces stand out visually, emotionally, does it bring something new to a familiar subject. An outside perspective helps you see your work the way your audience will, not one you are emotionally attached to or has won awards.

• Look for:
  A consistent visual voice or theme -  through place, tone, style, or subject.

• Flow and rhythm -  how images feel next to each other on the wall. In a group show, a well-curated show feels cohesive and intentional, enhancing the visual experience for viewers.
  Emotional message -  what feeling do you want people to leave with about your work?

• What are your goals? - Do you want to show a new style or primarily sell work 

• Who is your audience? - Potential visitors, curators, fellow artists & photographers, collectors, industry professionals, existing supporters.

Small test prints are a great way to see how your series is coming together. Lay them out on the wall or ground and you’ll quickly see what belongs and what doesn’t.

Revisit Your Archives
Some of your strongest work might be buried in your hard drive. Taking a break from the images after you’ve been out on location allows you to critically assess your photos without the emotion you were feeling on the day. Giving yourself space from it, sometimes brings a new perspective. As you grow as a photographer, older images often reveal new potential and can align beautifully with a current theme.

Part 2 Coming soon – Presenting, Pricing & Professional Partnerships