I might be crazy, but I did it

So here I am, one year later, to update you on how this has gone. The very short version is: I just shut down the gallery, which thus lived for exactly one year. Why, and how did it go?

Well, first of all, I have always had a primary job as a geologist and that gives med fortunately a salary that's decent enough to not make me depending on sales from my photography. Although I have sold and got published a fair amount of images, I'm proud to call myself an amateur photographer (the word "amateur" itself comes from Latin / Italian "amare", to love, i.e. is used about people who do something by passion / love, as opposite to by necessity / profession).

In light of the above, by far my strongest motivation to opening a little gallery came from my wish and need to get in touch with other photographers and photo enthusiasts in the town live in. In other words, it was an attempt at getting myself a social life involving one of my main passions and interestes.

And THAT is exactly what failed: The gallery did sell enough to pay all the bills and even produce some earnings, even though it was only open on weekends. If I had been willing to do photo shoots for weddings, babies, events etc. in addition to selling my personal work, that could surely have become a way of making a living. But I wasn't interested in that.

Unfortunately, I got very little back from the social point of view and actually sat there alone 99% of the time. I did get to know 3 - 4 interesting people with whom I'll hopefuly stay in touch, but that's it.

When it comes to breaking the ice, Norwegians are not New Yorkers or Italian: They talk to strangers if there's a need for it. If not, most of them would rather avoid. That was really what my gallery (or I) sufferd most of. Having lived here for 13 years, this was actually no surprise, but I tried.

Conclusion: Rather than sitting alone most of the time in a photo gallery for the sake of selling enough to pay its rent, I'll travel and shoot photos for myself, which is what an amateur photographer actually loves doing.
 
This is the first time I've seen this thread. What a great opportunity, to be able to do something like this in a field that you love; if you're crazy then I aspire to craziness.
 
Sorry to hear you closed but I understand. My wife's family is Norwegian. You need to move to the southern US. Us native "good ol boys" will strike up a conversation with anyone that looks friendly.
 
RF-OG said:
Ouch, Norwegians. I should know as I am one. Did you try putting the coffee out? Sometimes thats all it takes 🙂
Click to expand...

Haha, no, I have to admit not trying with a free coffee offer, but I did see that the weather made quite a difference: When it was so cold to have to keep the glass door closed, very few people would dare come in, even though a "free entrance" sign should have made it feel "safe". When it was warm enough to keep the door open, many more people would come in. Too bad that Norwegian climate and weather rarely force us to keep doors open ;-)
 
Andrea Taurisano said:
Haha, no, I have to admit not trying with a free coffee offer, but I did see that the weather made quite a difference: When it was so cold to have to keep the glass door closed, very few people would dare come in, even though a "free entrance" sign should have made it feel "safe". When it was warm enough to keep the door open, many more people would come in. Too bad that Norwegian climate and weather rarely force us to keep doors open ;-)
Click to expand...

Too bad still, if there is even a hint of maybe a pressure to buy, people shun away - except if they're in a buying mood - I think anyway. I am no expert but you are probably right about the weather. I am even more north than you in Tromsø.
 
RF-OG said:
Too bad still, if there is even a hint of maybe a pressure to buy, people shun away - except if their in a buying mood - I think anyway. I am no expert but you are probably right about the weather. I am even more north than you in Tromsø.
Click to expand...

Tromsø is where I lived my first 7 years in Norway, where some of my best friends are and where my heart is too.. Despite their arctic latitude, Tromsø people are much closer to New Yorkers and Italians than Norwegians from further south are.
 
Great experiment and good for you for trying! At least you will not regret not attempting it. That is the greatest regret because one never knows what could have happened.
 
Andrea Taurisano said:
Tromsø is where I lived my first 7 years in Norway, where some of my best friends are and where my heart is too.. Despite their arctic latitude, Tromsø people are much closer to New Yorkers and Italians than Norwegians from further south are.
Click to expand...

Really!! Thats fantastic. Too bad you didnt open that thingy when you still lived here, maybe the outcome would have been the same, but I for one would love to have a bigger photo-amateur community. Best of luck from Paris de Nord.
 
Andrea Taurisano said:
So here I am, one year later, to update you on how this has gone. The very short version is: I just shut down the gallery, which thus lived for exactly one year. Why, and how did it go?

Well, first of all, I have always had a primary job as a geologist and that gives med fortunately a salary that's decent enough to not make me depending on sales from my photography. Although I have sold and got published a fair amount of images, I'm proud to call myself an amateur photographer (the word "amateur" itself comes from Latin / Italian "amare", to love, i.e. is used about people who do something by passion / love, as opposite to by necessity / profession).

In light of the above, by far my strongest motivation to opening a little gallery came from my wish and need to get in touch with other photographers and photo enthusiasts in the town live in. In other words, it was an attempt at getting myself a social life involving one of my main passions and interestes.

And THAT is exactly what failed: The gallery did sell enough to pay all the bills and even produce some earnings, even though it was only open on weekends. If I had been willing to do photo shoots for weddings, babies, events etc. in addition to selling my personal work, that could surely have become a way of making a living. But I wasn't interested in that.

Unfortunately, I got very little back from the social point of view and actually sat there alone 99% of the time. I did get to know 3 - 4 interesting people with whom I'll hopefuly stay in touch, but that's it.

When it comes to breaking the ice, Norwegians are not New Yorkers or Italian: They talk to strangers if there's a need for it. If not, most of them would rather avoid. That was really what my gallery (or I) sufferd most of. Having lived here for 13 years, this was actually no surprise, but I tried.

Conclusion: Rather than sitting alone most of the time in a photo gallery for the sake of selling enough to pay its rent, I'll travel and shoot photos for myself, which is what an amateur photographer actually loves doing.
Click to expand...

Sorry it didn't work out more to your expectations. But Hey, now you can take photos on those weekends as you say. Nice try anyway. I don't think I would have had the courage to have tried to begin with.
 
Andrea Taurisano said:
So here I am, one year later, to update you on how this has gone. The very short version is: I just shut down the gallery, which thus lived for exactly one year. Why, and how did it go?

Well, first of all, I have always had a primary job as a geologist and that gives med fortunately a salary that's decent enough to not make me depending on sales from my photography. Although I have sold and got published a fair amount of images, I'm proud to call myself an amateur photographer (the word "amateur" itself comes from Latin / Italian "amare", to love, i.e. is used about people who do something by passion / love, as opposite to by necessity / profession).

In light of the above, by far my strongest motivation to opening a little gallery came from my wish and need to get in touch with other photographers and photo enthusiasts in the town live in. In other words, it was an attempt at getting myself a social life involving one of my main passions and interestes.

And THAT is exactly what failed: The gallery did sell enough to pay all the bills and even produce some earnings, even though it was only open on weekends. If I had been willing to do photo shoots for weddings, babies, events etc. in addition to selling my personal work, that could surely have become a way of making a living. But I wasn't interested in that.

Unfortunately, I got very little back from the social point of view and actually sat there alone 99% of the time. I did get to know 3 - 4 interesting people with whom I'll hopefuly stay in touch, but that's it.

When it comes to breaking the ice, Norwegians are not New Yorkers or Italian: They talk to strangers if there's a need for it. If not, most of them would rather avoid. That was really what my gallery (or I) sufferd most of. Having lived here for 13 years, this was actually no surprise, but I tried.

Conclusion: Rather than sitting alone most of the time in a photo gallery for the sake of selling enough to pay its rent, I'll travel and shoot photos for myself, which is what an amateur photographer actually loves doing.
Click to expand...

You are welcome in California!!
 
I have been thinking about your project all throughout the past year, and talked to friends about it as a wonderful/brave/crazy thing to do. I'm glad you took bold charge of your hands, it's an attitude to be commended, and one that we should all strive for as we get swept along by life. Too bad you did not get out of it what you were hoping, but I hope you have no regrets!
 
I'm not into Norwegian culture, closest country I worked was Finland. Where drinks helped in socializing.
I read in Yousuf Karsh book how they were socializing in home run galleries, studios.
Surprisingly, drinks were also involved. Not as hot as coffee, but those which makes you hot.
 
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