2010 Calendar
This is the 3rd year that I’ve done a calendar, but this is my first B&W one. Usually, I give them away to friends as present. Heck, that’s an understatement. I’ve always given them away. I’ve not sold one yet. 
This year, I’m offering them for sale at cost. Since we have to do such small quantities, the prices are not as competitive as, say, Borders, where you can get a calendar for $14.95. I’d have to print a 1,000 to get that price! And, for some reason, the market just doesn’t seem to be that big for my calendars, but who knows.
In it, I’ve included some of my favorite pictures that I’ve taken this year. All of the photos were taken with various cameras (all film), and various films. I’ve ordered one for myself so that I can see the print quality. Even though my monitor is profiled, sometimes when I get stuff printed, it seems to come back a bit too dark. When I get the calender, I might have to tweak my images to make them work better on paper. We’ll see.
Anyway, it’s a fun thing to do and, from what I’m told, it makes a nice, useful gift. This year, I’m going to try to get the word out more and hopefully sell a few. The cover shot was about the 10th shot on the first roll of film that I shot, sometime in May, I believe. I shot it with the Mamiya 645e. It has stood the test of time as being my favorite for the year.
Hah! I just noticed, no kidding, that the photo and the title of the calendar fit together nicely. I assure you, it was not consciously intended. I wasn’t even thinking about the truck. I was just thinking about the places that I’ve been this year. Cool!
I thought about making up a book and passing out for Christmas this year but procrastination raised its head. The idea is still there, though. When I think about it, I found your website while searching through photographers sites who had SoFoBoMo books, something I need to do. Good luck on the sales and getting the word out. In fact how are you going to get the word out?
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@Monte: No big marketing plan, just a few e-mails and a link from my blog. Again, this year, I’ll probably order them as Christmas presents. I really like giving them out. If I sell a few, that’s cool too.
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Looks great Paul. Title and cover picture certainly work well together. A happy accident. Just wondering, did you need to get a release form from the people in some of the shots or is that not necessary?
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A very nice calendar, Paul! You should be proud!
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Paul, you’re right. Title and frontpage go together wonderfully! I didn’t know that a dog can look that thoughtful…
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I just got my 2010 calendar yesterday. Resolution was fine and I am set to order them for my family gifts. You’re right, they are not cheap and when you add in shipping the price really goes up. I am jealous of how you said you might tweak a couple photos if need be. I spent hours scanning and designing. Then the files were so large I had to go to the library to upload them. When I got there, I had forgotten to put one of the months on my flash drive!! It was a 20MB file…no way I was capable of doing that at home. I’m so exicted that you used Zazzle. This is my second year with them – great prices and good shipping rates too!
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What a great idea, and that’s a great image of your friend. Really made me smile to see it.
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