Money selling prints online

[Gonzo13]

I have a question for all you DPSers out there that have websites to sell your photography. I am primarily asking about artistic photography not photoshoots. Do you make any sales through the website? I have been reading what other's are posting and mainly people are saying that selling art photography online is not really worth it. Or that the people that are selling prints have made a name for themselves by selling work in galleries and such. I ask because I set up a website with my photography in August, I have made one sale, and it was to a friend. I have a critique of my site going on here Looking for some insight and have made some changes to it. I put that there mainly for background, I really want to hear about your experiences.

I am also curious if anyone has any experience with digital downloads of art photography? Good or bad, I would like to hear about it.

[CaptainNH]

IMO, no matter how good your shots are, you're not going to sell prints just by setting up a website. You have to get known, and you have to get out and market yourself.

In the "artistic photography" arena, I'd suggest this means getting yourself into competitions, getting published and exhibiting your work. Personally, I still think there's a big place in the world for the old fashioned gallery. Without that, how are people going to know you are there and what your work is like?

I'm afraid that, with so many people with dSLRs, it's all too easy to set up an online gallery. All this "competition" (no matter how bad their work might be) stands in the way.

I haven't looked at your website content or coding, but did do some SEO checks to see where you lie in the google rankings. Your site isn't in the top 1000 for "las vegas photography", "las vegas print sales", "photography gallery las vegas", or even "Scott Gonzalez photo".

Please don't think I'm having a go at you. I'm just illustrating that, if you are going to rely on people stumbling across your site and buying your work, you have at least 1000 other sites ahead of you on the google queue.

Making money out of photography is about 10% photography (or perhaps even 5%) - the rest is business management.

You made your first sale through word of mouth, you just have to get your name out there and keep it going! Why not start with a small exhibition of your work in your local cafe?

Good luck!!

[digirebelva]

2 of the sites where I have my images in addition to my website are

Art Gallery and Community - T-shirts, Fine Art Prints, Calendars, Cards and More - RedBubble (based in AUS)
http://www.fineatramerica.com (US Based)

I have made sales on both of them, but like CaptianNH stated, without some effort on your part (i.e. marketing) it is going to take a while to simply get noticed, much less make sales.

Enter local art shows where you can meet people and hand out cards with your website on them...can be very good exposure and may lead to other opportunites...

[Gonzo13]

I was kind of thinking the same thing as far as the galleries and art shows/contests went. I guess I will be heading out to some local coffee shops. Captain I will have to look into the google rankings and probably some business research too. Thanks you both for the info.

Still no experiences with digital downloads? I read something about people wanting them for computer wallpaper somewhere.

[windrider86]

I have a website that I sell my work on. To be honest, its not enought to make a living on. Most of my sales come from galleries or private collectors.
But, int his day and age, it is a must. It showcases my work and with a little bit of work gets my name out there and keeps it out there.

[digirebelva]

Originally Posted by Gonzo13

Still no experiences with digital downloads? I read something about people wanting them for computer wallpaper somewhere.

Honestly, how many people would you estimate that are going to pay for wallpaper for their computer when there are thousands out there for free

[Gonzo13]

I was thinking the same thing. I didn't understand it when I read it either. Someone did mention to me on the other thread that I should use digital downloads and not just prints. I wouldn't understand what they would be used for other than to make prints from. Anyone have any ideas?