Monica Jane Photography at local markets.
I am very excited to say, you can now find me most weeks at Hobart’s own Salamanca market. Salamanca is the largest outdoor market in the country so if you are visiting, pack your walking shoes!
As a causual stallholder my location changes from week to week but you can follow me on Instagram @monica_takesphotos for dates and site numbers. Market days are my favorite time of the week as it gives me a chance to chat to other creatives and wildlife lovers from all over the world!
How I started with markets…
My market journey started in November 2023, only a year after I started wildlife photography. The idea of selling my work was scary but I knew it was something I had always wanted to do but I was never sure how to start.
After lots of brainstorming, doubt and trips to Spotlight, I found a local craft/ farmer’s market that were taking new stalls and I went for it!
The first day wasn’t with out its bumps, I was almost late and the wind blew the wrong way and my price sign and one of my framed prints took a tumble off the table and broke very dramatically. But I will always remeber the feeling of a starnger complementing my work for the first time!
Markerts aren’t for everyone, it’s early morning. lots of talking and standing and sometimes they dont pay off, but they are truely my favorite day of the week. Being able to connect with people over wildlife, swap stories with people about their encounters and showcase my own work are things I will never not treasure.
I am never not amazaed at the fact I get to say I am apart of Salamanca and I look forward too doing more markets in 2026!
A special thank you to my mum (who also does markets, she both encouraged and inspisered me to have a go!) Kate Newman, an outstanding photographer who taught me the logestics and what I need to start with markets and my dear friend Nikita! The best market buddy and lunch cover a girl could ask for!
5 Things I have learnt at markets.
Every single market is different and every day is different, but here are 5 things I have learnt and might be helpful if you are thinking about giving the market life a go!
You’ll be surprised at what actually sells — some of the photos I love most have never sold as prints! I have prints from my very first market that have never sold and that is okay! The good thing about artwork is it never goes bad! I still take them to markets because you never actually know who is going to see it!
Get comfortable talking about yourself. It might feel weird, but sometimes people really want to know the story behind your work or what you do or how you do it. Espically your hero work, your best of your best! Get ready to tell the same stories a few times through out the day!
Not everyone will love your prices. And that’s okay! It’s disheartening sometimes because you start to doubt if you are doing the right thing, but your work is worth it! Your time is worth it and you have to pay youself fairly! (this is something I am still working on)
Some people don’t need a hard sell — they’ll happily browse in peace and then surprise you at the checkout. I do find it hard sometimes to know when to say “hello” or when to start the speial about my work I get worried Iwill scare people away (it has and does happen) but that is something you will get better at with time! You will learn the subtle ques of who wants to be spoken too and who is happier just browsing.
You will 100% get unsolicited advice. Sometimes it is from family or friends, other times its from other stall holders, even customers! Most of the time it is coming from a good place, and sometimes it is actually helpful but you have to stay true to you and what you want for your business and your artwork.
