The Bay Area in general has a large number of galleries rivaling most anywhere. The photography scene here is prevalent as well. Many galleries of course only show established, famous photographers, Avedon, Adams and such. Then there are there galleries owned by photographers that cater to tourists especially. Those shall remain nameless.

There is the option of showing in coffee houses, restaurants, and businesses that appreciate sometimes having fine art gracing their walls.

Many towns have "Art Walks," usually several studios and other spaces like restaurants and boutiques, will show and rotate artists work, often designating a particular day every week or month to invite traffic.

Another option is open to aspiring artists that have yet to make a name for themselves. There are studio "co-ops" that either on consignment will display your work, or if you share studio space, or subleased space usually, that will entitle you to wall space and/ or you will receive a reduced consignment rate. This is a less expensive way to get working space, as well as display space.

You can always attempt to get shown at a more traditional Art Gallery. You often have to submit transparencies of your work, they get piled with many other submissions and they will get to them whenever/ if ever. You can try to endear yourself to individuals that may get you an audience, or make yourself stand out if you get these individuals on the phone, or meet them in person. Make them want to like your work.

Always paint yourself in positive light. If people like you, your damn good looking, or you stand out because you've got shtick, or style, your opportunities multiply exponentially.

There is the art festival route. It is important that you find out when the deadline for submission is. It may be 6 or more months prior to the actual event. You also need to make sure other art being shown is something you want to be associated with. Is it more "artisan" and less artist so to speak?

Some events have a jury decide whether they want you to participate. Some festivals are more difficult than others.

They may take several criteria into consideration:

Whether your art fits the general theme of the event.
What medium you are working in . Many festivals won't show photography, or they may show sculpture but not painting.
What your booth looks like
How many pieces you have ready for display.
The type of photography printing may be a factor as well. The same with painters who produce Giclees of their paintings. They may require hade made prints, or traditional printing, on RC, Fiberbase, or "alternative" prints (platinum, palladium, etc..)
And lastly, What does your booth look like?

Art fairs I guess could be fun. Traveling to desirable towns, schlepping around your booth and products for sale. Getting to know people from all walks of life, including some other artists. But you will be a vendor and have to deal with the booth, making sure it's set up and manned for a possible sale.

You also can always rent your own gallery/ studio and sublet out a portion of the space to pay the rent. This works for many artists out there and some actually get a little money out of it.

You can also consign out some of the space to showcase the work of fellow artists

So you've got your eye on a space, what should you consider?

If it's for a gallery, you need foot traffic, or a way to get people to look at your work.

If your using the space strictly for studio, you don't have to be in the thick of it necessarily. You can get more bang for your buck if you work in less populated areas or in warehouse space.

There is always the "Live-Work" lofts and studios.

Many of these spaces are spaces constructed to look-like the traditional loft space in warehouse districts in SoHo for example. They argent truly"raw" space.

The traditional "Loft" is often an open, empty unfinished warehouse, with no amenities except power, and maybe water. These Lofts are often not zoned for living in and often have a shared bathroom on the floor.

These pseudo- lofts are usually over-priced, yuppie magnets that often are not suited for a photography studio and any real living other than a simple place to eat and sleep. The work space is what would normally be living space. There are large lofts of this nature, but they are definitely pricey.

Sometime having a good location will more than pay for it self.

It is always good to have some flexibility when you first get started. You may find that you have to find a more affordable way to do things. Unfortunately you may have to move to another space because things don't work as you expected. So it is good to get a short term agreement when you start out.

Remember though, if your not getting out there and showing your work, you'll never get anywhere. That should be your foremost goal.

Another option open to photographers is stock photography. Basically selling digital images or machine prints to advertising agencies, or individuals who need it for ad or editorial production. Many agencies that you can sell through will give you a flat fee to start and will give you royalty for each image sold. They also require exclusivity in many cases.

You can market yourself of course, then you have the task of tooting your horn and managing advertising your stock.

I prefer to keep my options open and haven't sold out to any stock agency in the past. I don't know anyone who has, so I don't know how well they faired. I have considered it for all my reject work. All the stuff I don't want to put my name on.

The last couple of options I should mention are getting representation through a agent or a trade organization.

"Trade orgs" are often a rip-off and will for a fee send you a membership card that is supposed to afford you access to limited press access only areas. I wouldn't count on it.

The only way to get in to restricted areas is to schmooze your way in by talking to the right people and having the right reason to have access. Free advertising is something they often jump at.

They also may provide discounts on insurance and other perks. But shop around before you plop down any cash on a photographers union.

There are also agents that represent artists for art, commercial advertising and media industries. Corporations love contract labor. They also may represent you to galleries. If your ready for an opening.

I hope you have found this article useful. It may be just a ramble, but you may find some truths.

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Good luck and yippee!!!