If a picture can paint a thousand words, then the chance to feature your museum in one of the biggest UK photography Facebook groups (and get paid for it) is an opportunity not to be missed.
With nearly 10,000 members – and a close association with the National Photographic Society – the Photoshoots Facebook group is the ultimate networking group of models, photographers, studios and supporting professionals and they are seeking AIM member museums and heritage sites across the UK to use as shoot locations.
The group can provide a location fee in exchange for using your museum as a venue for group members to practice their photography, plus they credit all locations in photographs across their group and provide digital copies for use in your own marketing.
We spoke to Jan Everton, the administrator for the group, to find out how AIM members can benefit from renting their space for photo shoots.
AIM: Hi Jan – Can you explain to AIM members what this group is for and about please?
JE: The Photoshoots Club group is a network of creatives involved in the photographic industry. Photographers, models, makeup artists, designers of all levels of experience and skills from those just starting out to some world class award winners. I hire locations for them to “cost share” to give everyone the opportunity to work somewhere that would be out of their personal budgets.
AIM: So what type of locations do your group members currently use for their photography?
JE: We use everything from the very derelict to the very grand and almost everything in between. Anywhere that provides a different “background” and different “lighting challenges”.
AIM: What type of museum, historic art gallery or heritage site locations are you seeking for your group members and in which parts of the UK Jan?
JE: Again, anything that has interesting backgrounds. The group is nationwide, just short of 10,000 members now. I run the group centrally with a team of 11 admins and we are divided into 7 regions with their own “organisers”. We have used Guys Cliffe House in Warwick for almost two years and have at least one event a month there. Castle Goring in West Sussex, Carlton Towers in Yorkshire and many, many others.
AIM: How would AIM members benefit from working with your group?
JE: These “location shares” are a nice (and not very labour intensive) way to bring in a little income stream. Images are available to each location we use and are posted across all social media platforms with credits to the location.
AIM: That is a great marketing opportunity for our members; a way of reaching potential new visitors via the photos posted in your group…
JE: We are also open to helping with individual location requirements for marketing collateral. As we are now associated with The National Photographic Society, images may also be published on their website and in their competitions, which are circulated to many thousand members.
AIM: What would you say to encourage AIM members to work with your group?
JE: It’s a really fun way of boosting income!
AIM: How can museums get in touch to find out more?
JE: You can get in touch via my email address initially at jan@photoshoots.club
The Facebook group (closed for members only) can be found at: Photoshoots
And my phone number is: 07870 899371
Header photo:
Robert Bedson https://www.north-light.co.uk/ Chloe Jasmine Whichello (model) Designer Jenny White http://www.jwdressmaker.co.uk/ Taken at Castle Goring
Side photo:
Beverley Thornton (Photographer) Scarlet Foxett (Model) taken at Carlton Towers