How do you sell your photos?

[10dedfish]

Hey everyone,

Im trying to find out the best way to sell my photos, be it Internet or locally. I have been shooting for a few years, and if possible, would like to try to make up some of the money Ive spent for gear. I know a lot of peeps use smugmug or zenfolio, but I'm curious on how the process works.
Also, how about selling some of your shots for postcards? Any ideas?

Im not trying to win the lottery, but I would like to offset the price of a new lens or camera body prior to my next "BIG TRIP" with the wife. We are currently paying for a 10 day trip to Austria, Germany, and Switzerland next year. :cool1:

Matt

[photo_chick]

Have you considered iStockphoto? You submit your images and if they're accepted you don't really have to do anything.

[10dedfish]

Yeah, I looked into them but I wasnt sure about the copyrighting. Once you upload to them then you cant post your pictures anywhere else. At least thats the way I understood the agreement. I was just wondering if anyone here on the board had a way to sell them without you giving your rights away.

Thanks for the response,

Matt

[photo_chick]

You still own the copyright. You're licensing it to them. You're only restricted to posting on iStock if you are an exclusive artist. And you get a higher royalty if you are exclusive. But again, you still own the copyright and you can pull your images at any time.

[10dedfish]

AAhh, I see. Thats why I ask these questions here. Thanks for the info Photochick. Last question, does that restrict you posting any photos here?

Matt

[Red_Rider]

Hi,

Two other stock photography places are shutterstock and alamy. If you have any questions, let me know.

[photo_chick]

AAhh, I see. Thats why I ask these questions here. Thanks for the info Photochick. Last question, does that restrict you posting any photos here?

Matt

If you agree to be an iStock exclusive artist (you have to meet certain requirements) you are not supposed to post your work on other stock sites. THat is the main restriction. But it's still your image and you can still post it in places like this if you like. And if you're not exclusive you can sell that image wherever you want.

Honestly, they are so particular about the images that they take now that most of my stock work (with iStock and elsewhere) is only in my portfolio.

[ssanders79]

Any tips on getting accepted to iStock? I keep getting the try again emails stating my samples are too similar.

[photo_chick]

Any tips on getting accepted to iStock? I keep getting the try again emails stating my samples are too similar.

They like unusual images from my experience. Like each of your submissions when you're trying to get accepted needs to be radically different from the others you're submitting. And of course make sure they're technically solid.

[TheLionKing]

I will leave the stock photo talk to others.

I think working to get your prints sold locally is very feasible fi you live in the right type of city.

I think it would be helpful if you told us what type of photos you are trying to sell and what your city is like.

If they are scenics/landscapes, then your best bet is selling them near the place they were taken. For example, as an unknow photographer, you are more likely to sell a photo of Bryce Canyon at or near Bryce Canyon than you are if you live in Kansas. While a Kansas wheatfield scene may sell better in Kansas than it does in Georgia. I beleive people do like scenes they are familiar with provided they are dramatic impact. If your city has a good tourist trade, than local photos might do well.

If you photograph more on the fine art or abstracts, then I suggest showing your prints to either a gallery to see if they are willing to sell them. Another option is working with a frame shop and showing them in frame shops. However, my experience is that people are coming in to frame thier own art and are a little less likely to buy art although I have had some sales doing this.

Selling on the internet is difficult because there is a lot of noise over which you must get yoru signal out and above.

I have no experience selling postcards, so I don't have any thoughts on that part of your question.

[10dedfish]

Wow guys (and girls) thanks for all the feedback. I usually take landscapes/scenic shots, and I live on the main route to the OBX (Outer Banks of NC). I was thinking about having some printed up and framed, then trying to sell them at some of the local shops. I wasnt sure about how much the store would try and get as commission or what, so that was one reason for the questions.

I have looked into istock more since the first post, and I really dont think I could make their cut, as most of the shots I get is scenic. I travel alot and most of the ones I get are just not of the city.

Thanks once again everyone for their input and comments. If I find out anything on postcards I will post it.

Thanks,

Matt

[MarkBarbieri]

Not to sound too negative, but landscape photography is a brutal business. It is extremely hard to make any money at it. The really, really good shooters make money teach classes, leading workshops, and selling books/articles. Actually making money selling landscape shots is extremely tough. The problem is that there are a limited number of landscapes and a practically unlimited number of people shooting them.

If you want to make money using your camera gear, you might consider shooting things on which you have something of a monopoly. You don't want your shot competing with shots taken by hundreds and thousands of other people. Exclusive shoots like wedding, senior portraits, studio work, and even kid's sports are good ways to make some income with photography.

It used to be possible to make a lot of money with stock photography, but even that has gotten so competitive that it is hard to make it worth the trouble. If you go that route, forget about landscapes. Shoot things that work well in advertisements, corporate presentations, etc.

Then again, it you probably shouldn't listen to me. I don't think my photography income has ever amounted to even 1% of my photography expenses.

[10dedfish]

Thanks Mark. At this point any input is good input. I am thinking more and more along the lines of trying to sell locally and see if that is worth anything. Then again, I may just forgo the whole thing. Good discussion from everyone, its one of the things I love about this board.:thumbsup2

Matt

[TheLionKing]

I wouldn't go to the expense of framing your work. You are probably better off financially to matte the work and have it in a rack. You can buy precut mats at a good price.

Think about different price points. In the art association gallery I work at, small cards for 3.50 seem to sell well comapred to the bigger pieces.

Commissions in my area range from 30% to 50%.