Selling Photos OFFLINE

[dinyk60]

I am trying to sell some of my photos offline to make some money and get my photos out there. I have looked into selling at arts and crafts fairs, but it costs a lot to set up and I don't want to spend more money than I have. Also, I have read about putting photos in area businesses. Having a price on the photos at the business to try and sell them that way.

Other than these, are there any other ways?

Thanks!

[BigFuzzy]

Hi Kayla,
Without telling us what you shoot style-wise, it's hard to be more specific.

Set-up an exhibition through your home and invite your family and friends and neighbors? Still, this implies a cash output for printing and mounting etc.

It's very unlikely you'll be able to get out there and sell your work (or expose yourself) without a sometimes significant cash outlay. Selling photos doesn't just do itself sadly.

You mention elsewhere that you think 30+ usd is too much to set up at a "farmers market, arts and crafts show, whatever".. that's pretty small cost for exposure if I have to be honest. You may be expecting too much to be making money before you somehow get yourself out there or before you have a well thought out portfolio/selection of images.

First thing you need to do (in my humble opinion) is create your online presence through a website and twitter (as you are doing). But make sure you have actual work on them and it's clear what you're selling (style-wise). You need something you can at least point potential clients to if you don't want to create a physical portfolio due to costs. Lots of free online alternatives.

Are you looking to do portraits? Weddings? Landscape? That's all relevant to how you approach selling your work.

I've only seen a couple of your images (via PhotoForum).. do you have images elsewhere where we'd be able to better advise you?

A little more info from you could get you a lot more help here.. hopefully!

[dinyk60]

Sorry I wasn't more specific.

Here is my flickr stream.
Flickr: dinyk60's Photostream

I guess I focus more on flower photography because my boyfriend and I travel to a lot of zoos and there are always tons of flowers there. Last year I just had a point and shoot camera and took casual pictures. Now I have a little bit better camera, so I try and take better pictures, lol.

And yes, I do realize that it takes money to make money. I have set up a Facebook fan page and a blog. I haven't put any work on either of them because I wanted to watermark them first.

[andyw]

Originally Posted by dinyk60

I am trying to sell some of my photos offline to make some money and get my photos out there. I have looked into selling at arts and crafts fairs, but it costs a lot to set up and I don't want to spend more money than I have. Also, I have read about putting photos in area businesses. Having a price on the photos at the business to try and sell them that way.

Other than these, are there any other ways?

Thanks!

The old adage "you have to have money to make money" is pretty relevant here.

To sell prints in markets etc you need to outlay a fairly significant amount initially.
You will need to print and matte a decent selection of shots for display and should include 3-4 decently framed ones.
You will then need to print multiple copies in a variety of sizes for sale (some with and some without mattes).
Then you have the costs of the setup and display of the stand and then the cost of being at the market (which in the UK can range from £10 to £250 depending on what and where it is).
All in all you are looking at a couple of thousand initial setup costs initially.
This obviously reduces for the second and future markets as you will already have the display material.

It can be a decent money earner but to be very honest, pictures of flowers are ten a penny and not likely to sell that well unless they are very special.

If you are looking at displaying in business premises then again you have the initial set up and in this case that is large well framed and matted prints.
Again the subject matter is important as not many businesses will want just generic shots of flowers, they will be more interested in interesting local shots etc.,

If you are wanting to do this then you have to spend time going around the markets and getting in touch with the businesses to see what they would be looking for and find out what, if any, the competition is doing.

[Aurora12]

hey Kayla BigFuzzy's suggestion are cool u must have to do that and in my opinion u must have to post ur work so that customers can see and get interested it will be beneficial for u as well..................