Marketing firearm related images?

[mrmeval]

I didn't know about the prints.

The women with guns should be a good seller, there are a couple I like. Mostly to display them would be where I'm working on guns.

The prints seem good quality but the larger ones will probably not sell well.

Maybe in a poster print but I have no idea of the initial costs in that to get the price down.

 

[Oleg Volk]

I can make these images available in smaller size...they'd look less impressive but would be substantially cheaper. Worth doing?

 

[akodo]

problems I see, or why I don't buy even though I am in the market for good firearms pics for my walls and shirts

-Images seem to be tailored to being viewed at about 6 inches from image (computer screen distances) If I cannot read it in a thumbnail I can't read a sensible sized version from a cross the room.

-Too wordy. Often they restate themselves too much. This is fine when attempting to convert someone, but seems clumsy when 'preaching to the choir'. Also, most of these images are a statement, the whole 'picture worth a thousand words' type of thing. This to me isn't something I hang on the wall. I may stick cool ones in a folder, may even work as a coffee book, but in general this isn't the kind of thing you see hanging on a wall. (regardless of the cause or political idea you are pushing)

What works for a billboard doesn't necessarily work for wall art. Take car guys, lots will have a picture of a sexy car, just the car, very few words. Hardly any have a bigger version of a magazine add extoling the virtues of the car, it's performance features, etc etc.

Take 88, as a t-shirt or a poster, it would be better as

"**** happens"
"be ready to pump"

91 as a t-shirt or poster woudl work best with simply the 'my parents teach personal responsibility'

etc etc.

 

[evan price]

Oleg, constructive criticism here, but personally, the Six For Sure photo had a big ugly thumbprint on the side of the frame and that kinda... jumped out at me.

Your photos are quite skilled. Perhaps a few more modern firearms such as are carried by members here would tend to get more instant desire, the "Hey! I gots me one-a them!" response.

Just my $.02

 

[max popenker]

I would appreciate all links and banners on sites that belong to my friends

Какие проблемы, Олег? Just make a 468x60 banner and send it to me - i'll set it up @ my website. If it will bring any good sales, i will appreciate a decent T-shirt with some of your RKBA / gun stuff. No money involved, unless the sales will be so high that you will insist on share =)

 

[Sindawe]

I can make these images available in smaller size...they'd look less impressive but would be substantially cheaper. Worth doing?

For me, decreasing the size of the prints would lessen their desirability. I've inquired about a few being printed larger, and would be willing to pay the increased cost for such. I think the price points right now, for the size there are at, is good. I don't look apon your work as poster material, but true artwork that warrants a good mat and framing job and consideration as to its place in the home.

akodo's comments about some being too wordy may have some merit for some pieces. The Warsaw 1943 strikes the right balance 'tween brevity and message. I've seen others in your image library that would make fine additions or replacements for the currently offered set. Maybe rotation or limited numbered sets would aid in moving the images. Look at Bev Doolittle's work, part of the value of the runs is that they are of limited number.

 

[Oleg Volk]

Max, thank you very much! I'll make the banner.

akodo, thanks for the detailed explanation!

 

[bogie]

Oleg, I'd vote for "corporate sponsorship." You've got enough users, and enough hits, to do this... This would in turn pay for advertising, new camera schtuff, new toys, all the computer stuff, etc... And if you feel bad about taking money from The Man, give whatever's left over to GOA/NRAILA, something like that...

 

[Oleg Volk]

bogie,

please explain the idea in more detail.

 

[Byron Quick]

Oleg,

Out of the prints you have for sale, the only one which pulls at me is 'Warsaw 1943.' Sadly, many people, even gun lovers, who see that will have no clue as to the significance.

You have many other worthy pictures of firearms. I think that once you find the correct mix, your sales will increase.

Can you tell which photos are accessed most often on your websites? That could be a good measure.

 

[mrmeval]

Your smallest is about right to me and the right price for print. Most I've seen are in that price range.

I suspect the people buying online will have different tastes than what would sell at a gun show. I'd prefer a lot of the prints with women in them in that case.

 

[Euclidean]

I had no idea such things were for sale.

For me, it's the $$$. While I'd love to have some of these things in 24 x 36 as house decorations to make people think... $67? I realize that's how much it costs and that a quality piece of art at that price is a bargain, but man that's 300 rounds of <insert caliber here> or 6 more AR15 magazines, which are probably going to be banned here soon so I better get more...

Now give me a couple of months to get over the sticker shock and stop being a philistine and you might get me.

Of course if you had the M249 print in a bigger size, I'd probably bite and buy that anyway... that's just cool...

 

[bogie]

Do some banner ads... DPMS, etc. Or hang some links off a main page. I know one board that charges $25/page/month, and I think they're doing pretty darn good...

 

[Quaamik]

Oleg,

I think the reason may be that most people feel that art needs to be "neutral", calming and inoffensive.

For business uses, firearms and nudes are verbotten, unless you own a gun related store or someplace that deals in erotica and prohibits minors. Still lifes, flowers and animals are acceptable as they don't offend anyone.

For home use, nudes aren't well accepted in america. I don't know if it's prudish or religious background, or the insecurity of our wives and girlfriends, or a prudish moral upbringing that tells us they shouldn't be in a "family" atmosphere. What I do know is the grief I (as an example) would get over putting up even the first image of your Human Details gallery from my wife, mother in law, mother and the mothers of my daughters friends. I also know that my daughters friends wouldn't be allowed over my house by thier parents any more. The thing is, none of them would object to the photos as art, they would just object to displaying it in a home.

As for the firearm photos, they run into some of the same issues. Out in the common areas of a home, parents don't want to run the risk of ailienating / offending parents of thier childrens friends. In the bedrooms, they just don't "fit". In a den, a still life of a hunting scene, or picture of a favorite animal breed seems more appropriate.

On a T-shirt or sweatshirt however, the gun pictures seem to be a way we firearms enthusiasts (gun nuts) can advertise that we support RKBA. Some of the ... ahem ....more aggresive photos you had printed on T's in the past were some of my favorites to wear.

 

[mrmeval]

Bah, I like dark art, bright art, some that's bizarre and some I'll never afford.
If I want a bowl of flowers I'll buy them at Kroger.

 

[PvtPyle]

I know you need diversity in your pics, but if you want to sell them, just add Lori.


Mmmmmmmm, Lori

 

[Oleg Volk]

If anyone would like to add this banner with a link to http://volkstudio.com , I would be very appreciative.

I took the suggestions on content voiced in this thread to ehart and will add more images. My 12.8MP camera should arrive tonight, so I should be able to add even bigger and sharper photos in the future.

 

[spacemanspiff]

i've picked up several of the shirts, and the only suggestion i have is to offer them in colors other than white.
specifically, black. every shirt in my wardrobe is black, except for what i bought from you, a green Molon Labe, and two others.

i understand printing the shirts on black t's is more expensive and i am probably one of the few who would prefer a black t.

one thing i like is that the option is given to have the image on the front or back. however, a small logo would be kinda nice on the front if the image is chosen to be on the back. could be as simple as "THR", over the left breast, and maybe even have your url printed on the cuff of the sleeve.

i looked at the prints once, was a few i liked, maybe its about time to take another look.

 

[RaetherEnt]

Oleg, first I would immediately watermark your images or somehow have your webmaster fix your site so that the pictures may not be downloaded by anyone. Unfortunately, Costco, Wal-Mart etc. can easily take any image off a disk or memory card and produce quality prints. As far as posters (prints) go, I am afraid that many folks are simply downloading the pics and having the prints made elsewhere. Don't let them do that...

Second...Wheeeeeeennnn you can't seem to find the baseball that's been signed...it's on EBAY...A couple of high profile T-shirts with a LINK to your website to increase sales. JMO, hope it helps.

Your pics are GREAT! And I think with the right marketing, you could sell LOTS!

 

[#shooter]

+1 kel

1. While your pictures make great political statements as desktops and tee shirts it does not make fine art. Text makes it look like a college poster. The image alone is a statement enough, unless you do want to make posters vs art prints.
2. Some pics are too agressive. A barrel pointed at you in your face does not say "welcome to my home". The original intent of the pics was to exrpress that sentiment exactly, but it is not good to do that to invited guests.
3. Some theme art would be nice. WW2 helmets, bayo, 1911, garand, and some ammo on a flag or gi uniform folded over a chair. The themes could be the rev or civil war items, korea, viet, iraq, etc. You clould also do photos of subjects with firearms descreatly in the photo. Father on playground pushing kid on swing with sidearm clearly visible. Then there are the hunting poses with dogs or on the trail etc. Many of these are done as paintings so there may be a market for a photo. You could also do photos of "grandpa's" rifle hanging on the wall next to a deer head by a fireplace with grandpa in a riocking chair in a blanket with a hot drink, maybe a window with snow in view. the point is a photo where the firearm is the focus, but not the only thing in the frame. You don't want it to look like an ad you would see in F&S. My $.02