How to sell your photography
Photography is an expensive hobby. Learning how to make money by selling your images and services as a photographer can support your art. Anyone can sell some of their work part time,and a skilled photographer can even make a full time living from it.
Portraits
Start off by taking portrait shots of family and friends. You are again trying to build up a portfolio. Use your local shops and supermarkets to display well produced posters saying what your service provides and wait for the customers to arrive.
Think about pricing too. Check on what is being charged for portraits locally and either pitch at the same rate of slightly less. At first you need to attract custom but that does not mean doing it as cheaply as possible. If you are offered a car at $500 you can assume it is not going to be a classic. If you are offered another car at $500,000 you can guarantee it is out of your range. You have to be realistic.
Location is also important. If your clients are happy to have the portrait done at their home or business then this is not a major problem. However, they may wish to visit your studio so ensure you have proper lighting set up to take them. Also bear in mind the area they are going to traverse. If you home is, shall we say, a little disorganised with kids toys and dog hairs all over the place this will not create a good impression. Keep things neat and tidy and above all clean. If you have your own studio in a spare room or attached to the house this is better. If not look at renting somewhere local. Do not dismiss portraits out in the open. You can use a garden, the workplace of your client with the building behind them or their favourite park bench. You have to be inventive.
You will need some basic equipment for lighting and be confident in how to use it. You can start off with a cheap umbrella to fire your flash heads through. Place them at 45 degrees to your subject and you will achieve an even light which is soft and flattering.
Think about pricing too. Check on what is being charged for portraits locally and either pitch at the same rate of slightly less. At first you need to attract custom but that does not mean doing it as cheaply as possible. If you are offered a car at $500 you can assume it is not going to be a classic. If you are offered another car at $500,000 you can guarantee it is out of your range. You have to be realistic.
Location is also important. If your clients are happy to have the portrait done at their home or business then this is not a major problem. However, they may wish to visit your studio so ensure you have proper lighting set up to take them. Also bear in mind the area they are going to traverse. If you home is, shall we say, a little disorganised with kids toys and dog hairs all over the place this will not create a good impression. Keep things neat and tidy and above all clean. If you have your own studio in a spare room or attached to the house this is better. If not look at renting somewhere local. Do not dismiss portraits out in the open. You can use a garden, the workplace of your client with the building behind them or their favourite park bench. You have to be inventive.
You will need some basic equipment for lighting and be confident in how to use it. You can start off with a cheap umbrella to fire your flash heads through. Place them at 45 degrees to your subject and you will achieve an even light which is soft and flattering.
Advertising and Commercial Photography
This is a limited market these days as the digital camera means these shots are easily done in-house. However there is still some business out there. You will need to be creative and again have a portfolio. Most of this work is still-life so try picking various brands of tinned food and experiment with various shots with various backgrounds. Pay attention to how colors effect the mood in the scene. Making good use of lines to create an exciting composition that fits the product is also important.
Take a look at what companies operate locally and think of ways to advertise their goods. Also be bold, you could offer your services to a small company at a reasonable rate to gain both experience and to increase your portfolio. There is no such bad thing as bad advertising but your task is to provide a professional service. Most firms may be willing to let you produce something for them and if they like it they may recommend you to other companies.
Set small and achievable goals. Don't expect things to fall into place overnight, but keep persistant and you will soon be making money with your photography.
Take a look at what companies operate locally and think of ways to advertise their goods. Also be bold, you could offer your services to a small company at a reasonable rate to gain both experience and to increase your portfolio. There is no such bad thing as bad advertising but your task is to provide a professional service. Most firms may be willing to let you produce something for them and if they like it they may recommend you to other companies.
Set small and achievable goals. Don't expect things to fall into place overnight, but keep persistant and you will soon be making money with your photography.