In this digital age, does anyone make money from photography and how did you start?

[Jill H]

Hi everyone, well I have just finished my second market morning, and have sold a total of 5 prints and 12 greeting cards..........not much for 2 mornings, a few 100 $$$$$, and lots of time getting ready. Still better than selling nothing!

I had lots of lookers saying "oh your work is so beautiful" but then didn't buy anything.......grh!.....or were they just being nice.....like my family and friends.....

So, my question to you is, in this digital world were just about everyone has a digital camera, and so think they can do it themselves......do you make money from photography, and how did you start, and what did you do to get your work out there?
Or does one need to be a portrait or wedding photographer to make money, as "anyone" can take landscapes and flower shots.....

Feeling slightly dejected, so I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks!

[PhotoExtremist]

I haven't done anything at a local market yet but I am planning to. I have a bunch of 8x10 prints, i bought the prints for 2 dollars each and the frames for 1-2 dollars each, and then sell them for $30 each.

i had them hung up at the entry way of a concert hall and maybe 4 or 5 sold

some ideas i've also had:
- take the money you got from those prints and then invest it to buy another batch worth. get that batch of prints in multiple locations. this way you can send them into restaurants or whatever, and you won't have to worry about it, just check in every few months to see if anything has sold and then collect your money.

- when i go to the market and sell my 8x10 prints, i will also have an area dedicated to selling my instructional ebook/dvd on Trick Photography (haven't done this yet but i plan to)

-i also sell work on microstock agencies

hope this helps
Evan

[Photologyst]

Living in a city that survives on art and tourism, I recently attended a festival where there were many vendors, craftsmen, artists and photographers. While the work was nice, it was not extraordinary or even unique. Yes, I complimented the artists and the photographer to be polite. But, viewing the work confirmed that I and probably millions of others could do the same.

As an artist and a collector, over the years I have followed the rule of only purchasing art if I can’t reproduce it. IMHO, in order to have appeal a piece must be unique to be of value the collector. It must speak to them on a personal level. Yet another photo of a flower or a sunset or the local fishing pier doesn’t seem to do that.


The other issue is that these days, people have little discretionary money. Spending on art is considered a luxury if the kids need shoes.

It is a matter of finding a niche. That may be why so many really “famous” (or infamous) artists are really, way over the top. Outrageousness sells. One thing that you could do is to ask people what they are looking for, what sort of photo appeals to them. Ask for commissions. Perhaps they would like a photo of the old homestead or grandma’s gravesite or their old school, etc.

Also have a number of sales outlets: Local businesses, galleries, shops, online, etc.

I think that selling photos is much more difficult than selling other art like paintings or sculptures.

Good luck!

[PhotoExtremist]

Hmm I heard there there are three types of art buyers

1. art collectors [rare, but pay well]

2. people who just want something on their wall, or something that the photo has that they like (for example, if a person loves cats, and they come accross a really good cat photo that is right there for $30 or whatever, that person may buy it) [more of these people around, but you will get less money for your stuff]

there are obviously other buyers but i forgot the other kinds

but basically i heard that there are different markets for art, that's all i'm saying XD

you brought up a really good point though, i never through about tourism !

[Jim Bryant]

I've come across those market photographers/artists in my travels and have only seen a few of which I would ever purchase photos from. Most of them are copy cats knock offs of what I've seen in nature and landscape books, ever once in a while I see an eye opener.

There is however, one guy, a vendor, who attends the yearly art show here in Port Orchard
and his landscape work is amazing. All he does is shoot landscapes and sells at the big art show. Most of the images are from areas in AZ, UT, NM and CO., especially in the NW corner of NW New Mexico.

As for being a portrait/wedding photographer, everyone with a digital camera wants to be one.

Making money in photography is tough.........you have to find a unique niche in photography that nobody else has already beaten to death. That's why I like being a sports photographer, you don't see too many folks with entry level cameras and kit lenses along the sidelines.

[dbevisjr]

I don't sell any of my images, not up to that standard yet. The fall art festival is this weekend here and I went there yesterday to check it out. There are several photographers there and from what I gather the sales are lean to non existent this year with everybody there (all mediums). The ones who have been regulars there for many years feel that the economy is the biggest factor this year but the cloudy weather and scattered showers are making an impact also. (It's an outdoor affair.)

I've made money this year.

Probably actually make a pretty good profit after my equipments paid for

~Eric

[Photologyst]

Here is a site from scientist Sean McHugh, a passionate amateur digital photographer, whom I admire greatly. He has taken much photographed venues and tourist scenes to a whole other level:

Cambridge Photography Gallery

His archival prints are very reasonably priced.

Another photographer on the other end of the spectrum, is self-taught, super-pro Australian landscape photographer Peter Lik, one of my favorites, who uses panoramic cameras: Peter Lik Fine Art Photography Galleries: Online Photo Galleries of Master Photographer Peter Lik Art for Sale | www.peterlik.com

He has his own publishing company and owns 13 galleries worldwide. He has reportedly sold $150 million worth of photography.

[*Newbie*]

Originally Posted by Photologyst

He has his own publishing company and owns 13 galleries worldwide. He has reportedly sold $150 million worth of photography.

i can see why. just looked at some of his stuff and i'm quite impressed

[Meadster]

Jill,
For the last 2 years I've been selling my images at local church & community bazaars here in North Texas. My work is almost exclusively nature/ wildlife. If you were to come to m y booth you'd see 8 x 10 prints, 2011 wall calendars, and sets of my images as 5 x 7 greeting cards. I agree that there is just not a strong market for photography in the current economy. I have noticed that the items I sell are the calendars and the greeting cards. At the last show I asked some friendly customers why they chose what they chose. The overwhelming response was that they bought cards or calendars because they had a use other than "just" the art of the photograph. In short, they were getting a pretty picture AND something useful allin the same purchase.

I also learned that several folks who purchased my " Make you own" set of 10 cards planned to take the greeting cards,mat & frame them for holiday gifts. They wanted a nice gift that was under $10. I am now going to offer some 5 x 7 framed prints!

In these tough times, art for art sake does not sell well in the craft fair / church bazaar market. You need to have some added intrinsic value to the images you market.

In addition, I am trying to expand my offering s so that my work has more appeal to the holiday shoppers that frequent the shows I sell at. For a show i"ll be doing next weekend, I am adding a set of cards that are still lifes from a "Christmas in the City" village. I have shared them on this thread: Christmas in the City - A holiday photo projectI hope my two cents worth is of some help to you!