Handmade Tile Association Newsletter

February

2015

Our 16th Year

We had our first meeting of the year at Foster Willey's studio in the Northeast Minneapolis Arts District. Foster gave the HTA members a memorable tour of his studio. Wonderful large scale terra cotta tiles made using techniques of the past. Most of the work he does is in the public art arena. It is rare to see tile work done on this scale.

Attendance:
Host Foster Willey- Amy Baur, Christine Nelson, Jan Hohn, Josh Blanc, Alex Chinn, Lisa Trnka, Denise Bauer, Emily Gregory, Sandra Shaughnessy, Sheryl VanderPol, Greg Meyer art Ardex tile & Stone, Stephanie and Jack Kaczrowski.

Contact the Handmade Tile Association to get more involved: info@handmadetileassociation.org.

In This Issue

2015 Directory on its way

HTA Board Retirements

Become a Sponsor

Next Meeting

Welcome New and Returning Members.

Become a member

Encore Post of the Month

2015 Directory

Distribution, distribution, distribution

Thanks to Deb LeAir and

Stephanie Kaczrowski for shipping directories to HTA Members!

By now all members and advertisers of the Handmade Tile Association have received their copies of 2015 Directory. Now we need to request you hand them out! Member distribution is the most cost effective way to distribute. The HTA can send a case of 30- 40 directories for around $6 (at no cost to you). To mail each directory individually costs $1.61 this year. We send out dozens a month to people requesting copies through the website. But Members get a twofer by handing the directory out. First, they get an easy lead in to a potential client by giving them a FREE copy of the HTA Directory and all of its resources. Second, that customer now has your contact info and the knowledge that you are trying to help them, not just make money from them. This trust is the key to successful relationships with clients.

Members can have as many directories as you want, all for free.

For those Members who are outside of MN, we will be shipping a box of directories free of charge to you. If you want more, please contact us and we will be happy to send them. We can even drop-ship them directly to a major event, as long as you will be there to show your work and hand out the directories. Thank you! Your efforts help us all.

Photography of your tile work

One of the best marketing investments you can make, as an artist, is to have your work professionally photographed. The biggest hold up we hear about is a fear of the cost. Hiring a photographer is often between $100 - $500. In the world of smart phones with cameras, we all take quick photos and try use them to market our work. It is cheap and easy, but it can not showcase your amazing work to the level it should. A professional photographer will set up lights to capture the accurate color of your work and get rid of annoying glare spots. Good installation photos will offer many different angles to utilize on your website, in social media and in print advertising.

Q: What should you budget for a installation photograph?

A: Depending on the size and on how many photos you want, many photographers charge between $100 - $500 for a photo shoot. Many will be in that middle price range. You then have photos, forever, of your work that you can use for years and years to come.

Q: How do you get your clients to let you come in and take photos?

A: Create a letter that you give to your customers that you place in their finished box of tiles that asks for a photo when they are finished. Tell them you might be interested in bringing a photographer to get professional photos. Give them a present for agreeing to let you photograph your work, i.e. a cake. chocolate, flowers, gift certificate; something to show your appreciation. If they are out of state, send them a hand-crafted letter telling them how to take the best photos.

TIPS FOR A GREAT IMAGE (Hint, hint: STEAL THIS LIST!)

1. TIME OF DAY Consider the best time of day to take a photo. Contrary to popular belief, the best time could be in the early evening or when the sky is overcast. This type of lighting often provides great color.

2. SHOT ANGLE Shoot "straight-on" shots of your installation (or just slightly off to the side), for the best showcase of your new tile project.

3. CLOSE UPS Shoot a close-up of your tile. Frame your new outlet with a few surrounding tiles or focus on a small section of your pattern.

4. LIGHTING Turn additional lights on and off. Usually turning spot lighting on creates a yellow glow. Try taking photos with those on and without them, to see which works best for your project.

5. SIDE SHOTS Use side shots for kitchen backsplashes and for details under cabinets, if another view is warranted.

6. FULL ROOM SHOTS Stay reasonably close to the subject, your unique tile project. Frame the image with the furniture available to create a classic home shot.

7. USE A PROP One prop is usually all that is needed. Some suggestions: fruit in a bowl, a vase with flowers, a wine bottle and two glasses or a teapot (especially in a kitchen). Remove all extraneous items.

The HTA recommends making photographs a priority for 2015. It is your portfolio and having images of your work will serve you well for the rest of your career.

Photographers to contact in MN
Sarah Whiting Photography - 612-327-0096 www.sarahwhitingphotographic.com

Mark Ehlen - Ehlen Creative 612-201-0652 -
www.ehlencreative.com

If you know of a a photographer that we should reference in your neck of the woods send the HTA their contact info to put on file.

Become a Sponsor

Bosetti Art Tile

The Handmade Tile Association has many services and products it offers its members. We have developed a sponsorship list of opportunities for you to financially support specific programs we produce.

Sponsorship levels -

Artist Sponsor $400 - Can sponsor multiple artists.

Newsletter Sponsor $500

Spotlight on Artist $500

Handmade Tile Association Website Sponsor $1000

Directory Sponsor $1000

Social Media Sponsor $300

Click here to read the all the specifics.

Next Meeting

Next Handmade Tile Association meeting January 22nd