Selling Photography
This is based on my experience working at markets and in “painting and sculpture” galleries. I have heard of exclusively photographic galleries (collaborative- not just for a single photographer) which are an easier market but I am yet to find one in Melbourne.
DISCLAIMER: The opinions presented in this journal are not a substitute for professional advice and are based on analogical evidence
Things that I have found help to sell photography are:
1) Taking a strikingly lucky, creative and one off image that others would struggle to replicate
2) Presenting your photos in an original way
3) Providing support material to the seller about the image and yourself
4) Signing the image and providing info on the back
5) Having a variety of photos available for sale
6) Only having one copy of each image on display
Things I have found detract from selling photography
1) Inferior or unsuitable framing or packaging
2) You are selling a whole bunch of your images and most of them look similar- or more so, look like you took them all on the same day
3) No information about the image is available
4) No image about the photographer is available
5) I hate to say it but photographers with birthdates in the 1980s should consider omitting this information from their biography because youth = inexperience in the minds of some buyers. The exception seems to be works using a lot of photomanipulation.
6) Damaged prints or packaging
7) And it might have seemed the most obvious point but images that are not interesting, or that do not fufil a decorative need
There are many ways of presentaion your images including:
1) Loose prints or posters
2) Matted prints (and whether to sign the image or the mat)
3) Canvas Prints
4) Framed Prints
5) Putting your images on other products (tastefully)
Generally speaking, bad presentation will doom the sale of even the most amazing photograph and that the more creative and unusual your presentation, the more attention you and your work will recieve.
Who has some other tips?
Michael Newman
Great read, but it saddens me to read your comment about being born in the 80’s (being a late 80’s child myself). I dont think age detracts from a persons ability to capture a moment, but I can see how people may see the number as a lack of experience.
Cliff Vestergaard
ad me to your messenger cliff_vestergaard@hotmail.com we can collaborat art art I think make cool !
Jo O'Brien
done
Christopher Chan
Jo – I really appreciate you taking the effort to share your insights into this industry with the rest of us.
Vonnie Murfin
Thanks for the advice. I have been looking for ways to sell my pictures.
Dragoncat
Thanks for the advice, and if you have any other advice I welcome it my email is drgncat@humboldt1.com, in case you missed it.
Matsumoto
Part of the reason why AbyssalSoul’s is my heroin is because I feel so depressed sometimes about how other people’s preconcieved ideas dictate their decision making. That’s why I usually just shoot for myself. Red Bubble gave me this out-let and the community is very up lifting. This is the first time that I’ve gone public with my work and I may not have done so without all of your support. Thanks Matsumoto Katchikumi. Truss!
PixelProtest
some good tips. thanks, they are worth keeping in mind.
Andrea Ward
You had a lot of great tips and to some extent I understand where you are coming from with the birth year in the 80’s. I was born in the earlier 80’s and I am still learning. I think you should also know when you could sell your work. If you are still an amateur ask for opinions (not from family, as they will always tell you that your images are great!! :) ), if you get great feedback from a substantial amount of people then start considering selling your work. Do a lot of research as well, knowledge is power.
Ok, that’s my 2 cents :):)
Great tips though
~Andrea Ward
Alan Findlater
Thanks for this, I think it will be very helpful in the future
KSkinner
I agree 110% – Great advise.
Presentation is 50% of the overall effect an image will have on the average person. I may add one point I’ve noticed a few times… over presenting = the frame/mount distracts from the image.
KSkinner
dkleing
Great Advice given is well received. I am basically an amateur photographer at the moment, but i have actually sold some of my work as stock photography. Maybe you would like to check out my portfolio of photos and tell me what you think, i would appreciate the appraisal.
Jan Piller
Excellent Jo – thanks very much!
CinB
really informative, thanks
Hans Goepel
Thanks you for the advice, and if you have any other advice I welcome it !!
Heather Rivet... 13 days ago
true
Joanna Beilby 13 days ago
good advice. thanks for your time and effort!