Hi all,
lately, I have been working on a few images that I consider to have a "fine art print" potential and would like to get into selling some artwork, mainly for fun, additionallly to my routine studio work. Having sold a few pieces in the past, by displaying them in some local shops, I thought I should give it a go in a more organised manner. So I m about to setup a website for it, but was also thinking of other established markets online, who are reviewing artwork often, as I should think they have a greater chance to sell your work because of popularity and online visits. I know a lot of you are into this kind of buisness, so I would be greatfull for any advice on where to start and which method has worked best for you.

Check out redbubble, it is free cost to artist, and anything you post has option to sell, with adjustable markup. I to date haven't sold anything through there. It's all about finding a niche, and a buyer for the product. You can say you are going to sell it, but if there is no buyer, it makes it much harder. ETSY is another option, as is stock photography, and there are tons of online stock agnecies out there. I haven't gone this route yet, due to the fact I don't have a diverse enough portfolio yet, I have smugmug as my main site with a customized URL, so I have my own name associated with my site, instead of Smugmug, and you can change price via markup there also, but it costs to sell there $149 a year for a pro membership. You can go power, and if you have your own e-commerce site setup, then you could link it and do it that way, or via paypal, so you are doing all the promotion of your work, and making a name for yourself, but using paypal for the commerce side. Google Checkout is another option. Smugmug has a really good ability to be customized to your liking as far as your website goes, via use of CSS (Cascading Style Sheets), so it makes customization really easy via their FAQs, tutorials, and webforum Dgrin.com. Another thing is to promote yourself as much as possible. I want to say it is the economy, but I'm sure somebody is selling work right now. I think stock is the best way to make a long term investment in photography(landscape) as a profitable venture, unless you shoot portraiture or editorial work.

Hope this helps,

-Andy

FURP !! that is my response, (no offense).

Want to make money ?? I am an expert: in selling photographs.. been doing it for over 4 decades with incredible success !!

Forget the internet as a sole means of generating income from your photographs, it isn't going to happen.

Rather get out in your area, and show your images. Post card & Note card stands will generate much more income than you can ever imagine.

First you want to get the public to spend $2.00 on your images, or for note-cards - $3.00 or what ever you think your prices should be.

Marketing your images is one area of photography that most are totally clueless about, and with good reason. Very few people ever succeed. There are definite steps to take to achive this elusive success.

PHOTOGRAPHERS MARKET BOOK - buy a new one each and every year. You now have the names of tens of thousands of companies that purchase - lease - photographs. You have all their phone numbers - e-mail address,

NEXT YOU NEED TO LEARN "how to submit" to these companies using "delivery memo's".


40 years ago, I learned how to create images of total strangers (unaware) and sell these same images to complete strangers!

this is done easliy, by showing your images to everyone you come into contact with during your normal day. I always had a portfolio with me. It was part of my 'clothing'! I never went out with out pants or shoes on. I never left the house unless I had my portfolio. when showing it and people would say.. Oh !! I like that - My response was always .. "It is yours.. .." for 3 bux. This is how you make bux, this is how you get JOBS !!

Later, the orders will come in for larger framed matted prints.

Open a small fine art gallery, with a few (photographer) friends to share the cost.

Place your images in front of the public - use your imagination !! Not the internet !

IN order to succeed.. .. you have to fail first. This is the one common thread that we ALL learn by. We have to go through this phase first, That is how you learned how to walk, no one taught you, you failed again and again, but you did it by yourself, the same with photogrpahy, computers, and how to drive a car. People can guide you - teach you - But you will succeed.. ... .. if you keep chasing your dream. Once you give up - you loose !

I made a fortune selling crappy snap - shots. That is what some people referr to my images as. Chuckle - I laugh all the way to the bank.

I created some images 30 years ago, I didn't use a camera at all for the next twenty years, yet I lived handsomely off the profits from those snap shots each and every year.

Once you frame and matt ANY PHOTOGRAPH - and place it into a GALLERY, is it known - it is referred to as.. .. .. FINE ART !!

Majik,

What does FURP mean?



Not necessarily although I see your point to some extent when I look at some specific examples of postmodern art. Yet, it is not an automatic process. At any rate, I wouldn't advise to sell "crappy snap - shots." Not a good advice in my view. What is considered art may be a matter of personal opinion, but quality can be rated fairly accurately.

My personal recommendation is quite the opposite: limit quantity and focus your efforts on offering the finest quality.


How much is "a fortune" for you ?

ALain

Well that is what a couple of people out of tens of millions have referred to my photographs as. (just snap shots). Other professional people have commented differently. but to apease those that think they 'have all knowledge'. I state their case - furp !

I see it - in an all together different type of light (so to speak.)

You would be amazed & shocked when you find out.. ... 'what the public likes'. What they will purchase. Images that you consider your best work, sometimes often go un-noticed and they will purchase something totally different from what you would ever expect.

FURP is a word of my imagination. I have no definition per say (chuckle)

It is 'something else' - but without the familiar sound or smell !! I guess you could say, it is a very loud fart


How much is a fortune ? (chuckle) well that answer is different for everyone. some people would not be satisfied with any amount.

I am not greedy, yuk. I hate & despise greed so much so.. that we give give give money away as fast as we can sometimes. I don't want it, I don't need it. It is just a .. .. 'tool' that allows you do to and accomplish things you could never ever do .. unless you have this tool. (in any amount).

I have yet to find.. .. one verse.. in the entire book that says... save your money! However I do find thousands of instances in which it does specifically say.. .. give it up - give it away -.

How much is a forutne? I consider my self 'filthy' rich. bottom line. ??

Best day ever ?? 3k

Best Week ever ?? the 3k wasn't included in this one week.. Best week ? 9k

You will never believe best month - so leave it at that !!


I put down my camera for 20 years, and made major bux by beating the streets with my images. Meeting people - showing - telling stories and such. People love photographs - especially ones with good stories associated with them.

I am nothing, no one, I have never had as much as one class in photography. I read everything I could get my hands on, and I practiced and practiced. constantly, this was my obsession, my love for photography & trying to market my images and skills with a camera.


I do not want to start any arguments: I have given you my honest opinion based on many decades of success - selling photographs.

How come no book ? I have posted my book for free on over 60 forums.

Everyone has a different style, I have exposed mine (pun intended) !!

Majik,

Thank you for your answers.

Alain

Thanks a lot for this follow-up posting to the original poster's question. I say this because I've been considering selling landscape shots I've taken, just like the original poster, and find the advice given there quite insightful. Maybe, just maybe, it will help. It certainly is appreciated.

LRH

Well I thought i had no more replies, but there you go. Thank you all ever so much, I think it was eye opening indeed. Standing up front for your work, is something that works best most of the times. I really like the idea of carring your work with you all of the time, ready for being sold in small prints or post-cards. In fact, I ve sold a few to some clients, by having them on my studio walls! This kind of approach is something I will try soon.
Kind regards to all,
George

Well good luck in your quest !!

I have been using the methods I outlined for 40 years, I make great money every year !!

So can YOU !!

My brother in law does something similar to this.....he wrote a book, a love story in the form of poetry. It's damn hard to get the public to buy poetry, but he travels all over Australia selling it, and is now in his 3 or 4th edition. I reckon next time he goes out, I'll be slipping a box of my photos in his van.

It is a strange world away from the ice David isn't it. Good to see you!

Out of my personal experience:

....I had a lot of money at some stage in my life, I was not rich. I lost it all, I became rich beyond comprehension.... It is 4AM and I am walking down the bay. The god damn midges are eating me alive as soon as I stand still for longer than 10 seconds, they attack viciously.... It is 5AM I am still walking down the bay, in deep thoughts, when suddenly a young stag is right in front of me, as surprised as I, he looked at me equally surprised, may be he was in deep thoughts too. There he is right on front of me, may be 2-3 arm lengths away and looks right at me, so do I. I feel humble and more, a feeling of happiness starts bubbling in my stomach and takes over my entire body, I must grin. What a beauty he is, by his antlers I'd say 4-5 years. So we stand there for 30 seconds and look at eachother, not longer, I can hear him breathing, I can smell him and see his eyes. Very long 30 seconds in deed. Rich 30 seconds no one can pay for, no one can buy, no one can make that stag cross my way, no money in the world.

He turns around and walks gracefully slow away, no fear at all, he turns his head again, and then starts to run to the nearby pine trees.

I am still standing there with a grin in my face and slowly return to reality when I realised that the damn blooduckers were all over me having a feast. I start running as well. After a short sprint I setup my tripod, take a single picture from Derryveagh mountains in the distance and go home again to hit the bed for a few hours snooze. It is 6:30 now and all over people are standing up to get ready, drive to work, sit in an office and being told what to do, most of them do not like what they are doing, most of them are poor I think, reagrdless how big their pay cheque might be....

My advise would be: Tell the story of your picture, the way it was for example, this will ad another dimension, an important dimension, your experience being told will tell a lot about you and the photograph, the way you see the world.