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If you are looking to sell photo prints, you definitely aren’t alone. Photo prints are one of the best ways photographers can bring in revenue during times like these, when photoshoots are few and far between.
But, it takes some time to learn how to sell photo prints. For example, I sell photo prints in local businesses in my hometown, but it took awhile for me to build a rapport with these business owners so that they would let me showcase my work there.
Likewise, if you are planning on building an online shop to sell photo prints, you need to figure out how to get traffic to that site and you need to essentially build an entirely new business plan for it.
To help you along, we have created this article filled with tips for selling photo prints. We hope you’ll share it with your friends if you find it useful for your photography business.
Use Your Website
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This is one of the easiest ways to sell photo prints, because chances are your photography business already has a website.
If your web host allows you to build an e-commerce platform directly into your website then you’re incredibly lucky because the only thing you’ll need to do in order to sell photo prints from your website is to put them up.
But, don’t be discouraged if your web host doesn’t have an e-commerce function because you can always use a widget like Fotomoto that allows you to still sell photo prints on your website with a 5-minute set up.
Your website is also a great way to sell photo prints because it is likely in a lot of spots you may not be thinking of. For instance, if someone goes looking for a photographer near them and they head to Yelp, your website is probably linked to your business page there. This means that potential clients are probably already on your website. You just need to give them a platform to purchase from you.
But, since any potential clients purchasing photo prints from your website are probably looking for a less-personalized experience (i.e., you won’t be in contact with them for these prints), make sure that you offer as many options as possible for each print.
Allow them to choose prints in as many sizes as possible. You’ll also want to present them with canvas, metal and acrylic options.
One business I regularly partner with is ArtBeat Studios because they create the best metal, canvas, and acrylic printing options in just about any size imaginable. All of the photo prints they create are also very reasonably priced. For instance, their canvas prints start at just $28, while their metal prints start at $29.
Plus, all of their work has a really fast turnaround time which means my clients are going to be happier with the finished product. It also feels really good to use my business to help promote another local business.
ArtBeat Studios handmakes all of their products in California, and that handmade-in-the-USA moniker is something my clients like to see. I have many different prints in my home from Artbeat Studios, and they all display incredible craftsmanship. If you need a partner for drop-shipping your prints, Artbeat Studios should be at the top of the list! After all, they recently won our $100 metal print shootout!
Use Local Businesses
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When I was first learning how to sell photos, my business was relatively small and I didn’t have any sort of an office or studio, so I spent much of my workday at a local coffee shop.
Eventually I came to know the owner of that shop, who told me that she was looking for local artists to display their art on a rotating basis at her shop. I was actually able to sell photo prints at this coffee shop before I was ever able to sell photo prints to clients I personally knew.
Local businesses are an especially great resource for learning how to sell prints right now because anytime an economic crisis happens, like the one we are currently going through, I find that businesses in my community tend to stick together to help each other out.
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While not every business partnership will come as naturally as the one I just described to you, making sure that your face is recognized in your community is a great start. Patronize all of your local coffee shops. Make small talk with the baristas there and always be genuine and kind.
Then, just ask. The worst answer you can get is “no.”
I use a similar approach with small, local galleries by me. But, before you ever pitch a gallery make sure that you have multiple photo prints that all go together in a series. Galleries are also a great resource because more high-end buyers are going to frequent galleries, which means you have a better chance of a larger payday if your work is showcased there.
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Use Online Platforms, like Etsy
Photo by Prostock-Studio via iStock
One final way I sell photo prints is different online platforms. I primarily use Etsy because I find that they get the most traffic of any of the other arts platforms, but you’re welcome to try out whichever platform you’re most interested in. Keep in mind that they all have their pros and cons and will take a different percentage of your sales from you.
Importantly, this platform for selling photos is last on our list because it is the most hands on and intensive. If you’re going to use an online platform like Etsy, then you’re going to be speaking with clients on that platform. You’re going to be shipping all of your own work. You’ll also need to deal with difficult clients the way the online platform wants you to, which can mean you lose money on some transactions.
So, if you want to sell photo prints online, then you’re going to need to work it into your schedule. Not only will you need to build your shop on the platform, but you’ll need to ensure its upkeep.
However, Etsy has so much traffic, which means people halfway across the world could decide they love your art and want it for their homes. There is essentially no other way for you to build name recognition like this.