My Journey into Selling Photography Prints at the Markets
- nikkikearns
- Jul 5
- 8 min read
Updated: Sep 17
Setting Up Your Stall
When it comes to selling at the markets, the way you set up your stall is one of the most important factors for drawing people in. A bright, tidy, and thoughtfully arranged display not only looks professional—it tells a story about your brand and style. As a customer walking past, it’s often the look of a stall that makes them stop and take a closer look. First impressions matter, and your presentation can be the difference between someone strolling by or stepping in. Personally, even if it’s not a product I’m particularly interested in, I’ll still find myself drawn to a stall if the presentation is eye-catching and well put together.
Alright, let’s get into the nitty-gritty—what you’ll actually need to set up your market stall. I’ll be basing this on my experience running a photography print stall, but don’t worry if you’re selling something different. The essentials are similar, and you’ll still get a good idea of what’s required to create a functional and inviting setup.
Gazebo
I highly recommend the Oztrail gazebo. It’s sturdy, reliable, and super easy to put up and pack down on your own. If you’re doing markets regularly, investing in a good quality gazebo makes a big difference, especially on windy days.
Tables
I use bi-fold tables by the brand Lifetime, which you can find at Bunnings or most camping stores. I take two 6ft tables and one 4ft to each market. They’re lightweight, fold flat, and are strong enough to hold framed prints and display items.
Tablecloths
Never underestimate the power of a good tablecloth—it’s like the statement piece of your stall presentation. I use white stretchy ones from Amazon. I chose white to contrast with my navy blue gazebo canopy, making sure the focus remains on my prints.
Easels
To display my framed work, I use three large easels from Amazon for my big prints, and a bunch of smaller easels from Kmart for the smaller frames. It adds height and helps draw people’s eyes to featured pieces.
Rio for Hanging
My husband brought home some Rio (steel reinforcement mesh), which I painted and use to hang framed prints along the sides of the gazebo. It's a budget-friendly way to create vertical display space and makes great use of the gazebo frame.
Bubble Wrap (Reused)
Since all my framed prints are delivered from a third party, I reuse the bubble wrap they come in. I re-wrap each frame into a sleeve-style carry bag—it keeps them protected, makes packing easier, and saves on waste. It’s quicker at checkout too, since the prints are already wrapped and ready to go.
Zip Ties
An absolute must-have! I use zip ties to secure the Rio mesh to the gazebo frame and to hold prints in place on easels. If I stack more than one frame on an easel, zip ties help keep everything stable and secure.
Weights
If the market rules say you need gazebo weights—don’t ignore it. They’re not optional; they’re essential. I’ve seen gazebos take flight and crash into other stalls (and people). I use 10kg weights on each gazebo leg, plus I bring along two 10kg kettlebells and two 8kg dumbbells for extra stability. It’s better to be safe (and grounded) than sorry!
Comfortable Chair
Don’t forget to bring a comfy chair for yourself! Market days can be long, and there are often stretches of time when you’re standing around or waiting for the next wave of customers. Having somewhere to sit makes a huge difference.
Clothing & Shoes
What you wear represents you and your brand, so dress nicely—but practically. You’ll be setting up and packing down, often in a short time frame, so wear something that looks good but still allows you to move comfortably. And trust me, good shoes are a must!
Business Cards
Bring plenty of business cards. This is something I underestimated at my first market. So many people will stop, browse, and take a card even if they’re not ready to buy right then. It’s a great way to leave an impression and encourage future sales.
Business Sign
I designed my own business sign—there are so many creative ways to showcase your logo, but I wanted to keep it simple. I'm also pretty hands-on and artistic, so once I spot something I like at a reasonable price, I get determined to make it myself and learn as I go.
Payment Options (Card & Cash)
I’ve learned that it’s essential to have both digital and cash payment options. Most customers pay using my Square terminal, but every now and then, someone will want to pay with cash—so it’s always good to be prepared with both.
Price Tags – A Personal Approach
This one’s a bit of a controversial topic — I’ve had quite a few people ask why I don’t have prices visible on my prints at markets or stalls. The short answer? People will buy your work if they really love it. For me, not displaying the price just made sense. If someone is truly interested in one of my photos and emotionally connects with it, they’ll ask how much it is. If the price puts them off, that’s okay — it just means it’s not the right fit for them at that time. But what that moment does do is spark a conversation. It gives me the chance to connect with that person, share the story behind the image, and sometimes even recommend other pieces that may not be on display. It becomes more personal, more human.
This interaction also often leads people to my website — even if they don’t buy on the spot. They might love the print but not be in the position to purchase right away, and that’s totally fine. Having a meaningful exchange gives them a reason to remember me and come back when the time is right. Now, onto the pricing itself — another hot topic. I haven’t priced my prints to make me millions (and I know a lot of photographers might disagree with me here). I’ve set them at what I believe is a fair and reasonable price. Do I make a profit? Yes, of course. Do I make a huge one? No. But for me, this isn’t just a business — it’s a passion project. It’s about sharing my work with people, making art accessible, and creating something that people from all walks of life can take home and enjoy.
Not everyone can afford high-end, gallery-priced art — but that doesn’t mean they don’t deserve to own something beautiful, something meaningful. I want my photography to be available to those who genuinely love it, not just those who can afford luxury. So that’s why I do things a little differently. It might not be the standard approach, but it feels right to me — and that’s what matters.
Battery Pack / Power Backup
While I’ve personally never had an issue with my Square device, tech can fail—and usually at the worst time. I always bring a portable battery pack just in case my terminal or phone runs low on charge during the day.
Heater or Blanket (Winter Markets)
If you're doing markets during a Canberra winter—you’ll understand! It gets cold fast, especially when you’re just sitting around. I used to wrap up in a blanket between customers, but recently I invested in a small portable gas heater from Anaconda. It's fantastic!
Stall Positioning & Weather Considerations
Think carefully about where your stall is placed—especially in relation to the sun. I didn’t realise how important this was at my first market. Prints that weren’t framed began to warp in the direct sun, and some framed pieces even started to sweat. Now I always ask for a position that avoids full sun exposure when possible. If your products are sensitive to heat or light, definitely keep this in mind.
If you’ve made it this far—thank you for sticking with me! Now I want to share a little about my very first market day and what I learned from it.
Let’s just say… it wasn’t perfect. My setup was a bit all over the place, and I was juggling a lot of emotions—nerves, excitement, self-doubt—you name it. I didn’t make any sales that day, which was disappointing, especially since it was right before Christmas and I had high hopes. But despite that, something valuable did happen: a lot of people took my business cards, and I saw a noticeable spike in traffic to my website afterward. That alone reminded me that success at markets isn’t always immediate—it’s about building visibility too.
It was a long, hot day in the middle of summer, and I quickly learned the importance of stall position. The sun was beating down on my display, and I had to keep moving my prints around every 30 minutes to stop them from bending or the frames from sweating. Unfortunately, I was in a spot where there was no real escape from the direct sun, and that made managing the day much harder than expected. One of the highlights, though, was the support from the stallholders around me. The people on either side were incredibly friendly, chatting throughout the day and making sure I felt welcome. Looking back, I think they could tell it was my first time and just wanted to make sure I didn’t feel overwhelmed—and I’m so grateful for that.
Finding My Flow & Falling in Love With the Process
After my first market, each one that followed became easier. I stopped viewing it purely as a way to make sales and started seeing it as something much more valuable — about the experience, the exposure, and the connections I was building with people. That said, I still get a little nervous before each market. But I’ve come to realise — that’s completely normal. We’re all human. Nerves just mean I care about what I’m doing, and that I want to show up in the best way I can. It’s part of the process.
Success doesn’t happen overnight. Yes, this is a small business for me — but it’s also my passion. I absolutely love what I do. I love being out in nature, capturing the beauty of the world around us. Sometimes I think about how the landscapes or moments I photograph might not always be here — and maybe one day, my images will be what people look back on to remember what once was. That thought alone keeps me inspired.
Thinking of Selling Your Products? Just Go For It.
If you’re toying with the idea of selling your work or products at a market—do it! The world needs more small businesses, more one-of-a-kind products made with heart, not just more big chain stores. One of the things I love most about markets is the community. Stallholders genuinely support one another. We're all in the same boat—putting ourselves out there, sharing what we’ve created, whether it’s a hobby or the beginning of a bigger dream.
Whatever stage you're at, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Look at it as a learning experience. Most people won’t sell out at their first market—and that’s completely normal. Market shoppers usually come with a purpose, and if they’ve never seen your stall before, they won’t know you exist yet. The key is to keep showing up, stay consistent on social media, and slowly but surely, the word will get out.
I hope this blog has helped give you some insight and encouragement to take that first step. If you have any questions or just want to chat about the market journey, feel free to reach out! Below, I’ve linked all the products I use to help build my little store—hopefully, they help make your setup a little easier too.
Gazebo & Chair
Portable Heater
Tables
Table Cloths & Easels
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