I have already done this post but the new formating things I’m trying completely deleted all my content and I was left with just a gallery. So forgive me if this post seems rather short. It is so annoying having to do things twice. However, back on topic. Selling your images, I was asked the other day on Google+ about selling photos. It is a tough question. I told the person, that I didn’t know anywhere where you could sell your photos successfully.
Just imagine on the internet and on sites like Red Bubble, Flickr, SmugMug, there are millions of people trying to sell their photos. With the age of digital upon us, the days of photography only being available to those really dedicated are gone. Now, so many people are buying DSLRs or just using their camera phone, the competition is too tough. They all think their work is good enough and want to sell it, so how do you compete?
The reality is you can’t. You might be lucky and sell a few, but if you are taking the same photos as everyone else, then it is unlikely that you will sell anything. I would only consider buying the work of someone else whose work I thought was extraordinary.
You have to ask yourself if you would purchase other peoples work? If the answer to that is no, then how can you expect others to buy yours.
I have sold very little. I have tried sites like Red Bubble, Etsy, my own website, but the truth is I sell almost nothing, and I certainly haven’t sold anything for quite a while. I also don’t try and sell work anymore. I got rid of my Red Bubble account and my Etsy account. They were more trouble than they were worth. People were looking at my work, but they were other photographers to see what I was putting up. I have decided to put my energies elsewhere really.
So I would say if you are trying to sell your work, good luck, and I hope you do, but don’t be disappointed if you don’t.
On a side note, if you have enjoyed this post or learned something new, please remember this is how I make my living, so it would be wonderful if you would consider making a small donation, let me continue to help you by helping me.
Wow, If you can’t sell your photos on your website Leanne there is no hope for the rest of us!
Along with the issues you have raised I also think it is because people are not printing and displaying their own photos anymore. How many people have computers and memory cards filled up with digital images that never ever get printed? and if they do consider it, it is usually a digital photo frame. The average person just wont print hard copies of their photos.
That is a really great point Griff, I think you are right about that, people don’t get images printed. I get some done every now and then, but usually for contests or exhibitions.
Thanks for you input Griff, great point.
My online sales have fallen to a tenth of what they were just 4 years ago. With apologies to you, I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who is seeing this trend. It has prompted me to be more aggressive in complete framed prints that I display and sell in coffee shops around the state.
No apologies necessary Mike, it is happening everywhere, and I think the best way to sell is what you are doing, finding places to sell them, where people can see exactly what they are getting. People don’t like to be inconvenienced, so if all they have to do is pay for it, and then hang it on the wall, so much easier. Good luck.