Shameless self-promotion: Kickstarter project

[Gabriel M.A.]

Update: Done and Done!

First off, this is not about "making photo bucks" per se, but about going about getting funded for a photo project...

I'm not sure how many of you are familiar with the crowd-funding site Kickstarter (they have their own "what is it" here); its focus is creative projects in categories such as Art, Design, Photography, Music, etc. If the funding goal is met before the deadline, then it gets funded; if it's not, none of the backers get charged.

After a book proposal for this project received an Honorable Mention from the Prix de la Photographie Paris this year (you may check out the entry itself by clicking here), I decided to go steam ahead...

So, I am happy and proud to announce that in the past week I launched my own:


Vitruvian Woman in Paris - "Dépliage du soi" ( tiny url: http://kck.st/TGER9O )
Funding deadline is October 1st, 2012.


As I wouldn't want to make this a double-posting of sorts, I invite you to click on the link above and take a look; everything there is to know about it is in that project page, including a two-minute video intro.

If you or anybody you may think would be interested in contributing, please spread the word around. I would also be happy to answer any of your questions here if you so wish (although there is a comment system within Kickstarter itself).

You can pledge as little as $1, and starting with $15 you get palpable rewards.

As a side-note, I'd also like to thank RFF, because if it hadn't been for its community, seven years ago I may have not been as inspired and motivated, and certainly not stayed in the long and patience-requiring path of photography.

Thanks in advance for your attention!

[Godfrey]

Looks like a fascinating project!

[jonasv]

I like how it looks so far.

However, I would like an option to make a pledge smaller than $ 150 which will actually get me the book. Is that possible? (Meaning: without the postcard, archival print, etc.) That might be an interesting option for many, no?

And, just as a sidenote, it would be interesting to include how many images will approximately be in the book. If people pay $ 150 and the volume only counts half as many pages as they expected, they might be a bit dissappointed. (Not saying there should be tons of images, I reckon it's just better to be clear about it in advance.)

That said, it's a very interesting project and I'm looking forward to seeing the results!

[Gabriel M.A.]

Originally Posted by Godfrey

Looks like a fascinating project!

Thank you, Godfrey!

Originally Posted by jonasv

I like how it looks so far.

However, I would like an option to make a pledge smaller than $ 150 which will actually get me the book. Is that possible? (Meaning: without the postcard, archival print, etc.) That might be an interesting option for many, no?

And, just as a sidenote, it would be interesting to include how many images will approximately be in the book. If people pay $ 150 and the volume only counts half as many pages as they expected, they might be a bit dissappointed. (Not saying there should be tons of images, I reckon it's just better to be clear about it in advance.)

That said, it's a very interesting project and I'm looking forward to seeing the results!

Hello Jonas - thank you for this feedback; it actually makes sense, about the separate pledge, I will actually look at my number-crunching draftbook and see what amount to set it to - it is indeed a very good idea that hadn't occurred to me because my goal in structuring the rewards was to make them "cumulative", but this kind of an option is definitely a very good idea.

As far as the number of images in the book: it is a bit of a Catch-22 --and the project text does mention "at least 20 photos"-- because I cannot have an exact image count during the period between funding and final delivery (and also the reason as to why the postcard and print is included in the current starting "book pledge", as to give as much value back while also funding the project).

The goal of the project itself is not to publish a book per se, but to fund a series of images which will also be available as a limited edition, signed book to the corresponding Kickstarter pledge backers.

Starting with the $70 pledge, a PDF version of the book is available (as well as the postcard and print), and, again, I think your feedback is spot-on and will definitely look into how creating a "just the book please" pledge. Thank you!

[Godfrey]

Originally Posted by Gabriel M.A.

Thank you, Godfrey!
...
Hello Jonas - thank you for this feedback; it actually makes sense, about the separate pledge, I will actually look at my number-crunching draftbook and see what amount to set it to - it is indeed a very good idea that hadn't occurred to me because my goal in structuring the rewards was to make them "cumulative", but this kind of an option is definitely a very good idea.

As far as the number of images in the book: it is a bit of a Catch-22 --and the project text does mention "at least 20 photos"-- because I cannot have an exact image count during the period between funding and final delivery (and also the reason as to why the postcard and print is included in the current starting "book pledge", as to give as much value back while also funding the project).

The goal of the project itself is not to publish a book per se, but to fund a series of images which will also be available as a limited edition, signed book to the corresponding Kickstarter pledge backers.

Starting with the $70 pledge, a PDF version of the book is available (as well as the postcard and print), and, again, I think your feedback is spot-on and will definitely look into how creating a "just the book please" pledge. Thank you!

You're welcome!

Jonas' suggestion does sound good. But I know from my own recent experience with doing a book that the cost of printing a quality book from an outfit like Blurb.com can easily run to $60+ ... so $150 as a funding pledge including everything else AND a book in return seems pretty reasonable to me. I'm interested to see what you come up with.

When I pledge, I *will* want a book so I'll just wait a little bit and see what it falls out to be. You've got a good start with 39 days to go and $600 pledged already! :-)

[Gabriel M.A.]

Originally Posted by Godfrey

You're welcome!

Jonas' suggestion does sound good. But I know from my own recent experience with doing a book that the cost of printing a quality book from an outfit like Blurb.com can easily run to $60+ ... so $150 as a funding pledge including everything else AND a book in return seems pretty reasonable to me. I'm interested to see what you come up with.

When I pledge, I *will* want a book so I'll just wait a little bit and see what it falls out to be. You've got a good start with 39 days to go and $600 pledged already! :-)

That is correct: because I must calculate how much in a pledge goes to actual production costs (paying models and assistant). The project is not about publishing a book, but about funding the photo project. The book is part of higher pledges as a definite incentive.

The difference between $150 pledge (which is for a hardcover print) as it is and another for simply getting a book in return may still be close whilst having to make it a softcover.

Again, do keep in mind this is not a project for a book publishing: the book is a kickback. Having said that...I'll see how this can fit in the funding structure I had set up.

Thanks again! (and it's certainly encouraging that you do want to pledge for a book...please know I'm actively researching and looking into it)

[back alley]

First off, this is not about "making photo bucks" per se, but about going about getting funded for a photo project...

i think this is an appropriate forum for this thread...

i wish i was inspired enough to start one myself...

[Godfrey]

Originally Posted by Gabriel M.A.

... Thanks again! (and it's certainly encouraging that you do want to pledge for a book...please know I'm actively researching and looking into it)

You're welcome ... And yes—speaking for me, I love photo books. I've got a bunch of them and am always on the lookout for new ones. :-)

[Gabriel M.A.]

Originally Posted by Godfrey

You're welcome ... And yes—speaking for me, I love photo books. I've got a bunch of them and am always on the lookout for new ones. :-)

Hi Godfrey - you were not the only one to voice an interest in the same type of reward. I have added a "Book Pledge 105" to the project which reward you with a softcover 10x8" book (no dedication, no photo print, but still get a postcard and PDF). KISS of sorts, but without being stripped bare.

I hope you decide to pledge, as well as others who were on the fence on this particular option.

Cheers!

[Godfrey]

Originally Posted by Gabriel M.A.

Hi Godfrey - you were not the only one to voice an interest in the same type of reward. I have added a "Book Pledge 105" to the project which reward you with a softcover 10x8" book (no dedication, no photo print, but still get a postcard and PDF). KISS of sorts, but without being stripped bare.

I hope you decide to pledge, as well as others who were on the fence on this particular option.

Excellent! I'll make my mind up on which pledge to go with this weekend. :-)



..."If artists don't support Art when they can, what's the point?" ...

[Gabriel M.A.]

Thanks, Godfrey.

In other news, the project got a nice uptick today; now at 37% from reaching funding goal.

[Gabriel M.A.]

Originally Posted by back alley

i wish i was inspired enough to start one myself...

I'm pretty sure you can come up with your own. Sometimes, motivation itself yields inspiration.

[Gabriel M.A.]

The project is now at 40% from its funding goal! There have been some wonderful contributions in the past week, and it's extremely encouraging, yet of course still have 60% to go.

Thanks to those of you from RFF who have contributed so far.

[Gabriel M.A.]

Inching away little by little. Now at 42% with only 24 days to go.

784 views on this thread, only one from here translated into a pledge. Still keeping my fingers crossed...

[Gabriel M.A.]

It's now 15 days left, and at 47%.

Don't be shy, any contribution helps! Thanks.

[Gabriel M.A.]

Echo

Echo

Echo

[Gabriel M.A.]

Bump. . .

[Gabriel M.A.]

Bump2. . .

[Gabriel M.A.]

11 days left...

[Gabriel M.A.]

Bump 3. . .

[Gabriel M.A.]

1,200+ views in this RFF thread...but only three pledges. You gonna let FB beat ya?!

[Gabriel M.A.]

Funding deadline in 9 days.

[Ezzie]

Very much like what you are trying to do. Placed a pledge, hope you get there.

[Gabriel M.A.]

Originally Posted by Ezzie

Very much like what you are trying to do. Placed a pledge, hope you get there.

Thank you very much, Ezzie! With your help, it's broken past 50%, now at 51%. ::thumbs up::

[astro8]

I like what you are doing too! Placed my pledge.

I hope you get there.

For others contemplating a pledge, this might help....I picked out a piece of gear that I rarely use, worked out it's resale value and placed a pledge...