One of the best things about photography is that it's the kind of hobby that rewards you in many ways. There's obviously the pure joy of taking a good photo and hearing all the nice words from people who see it; there's the joy of going on long trips with the specific goal of capturing unique moments, and there's also the more worldly joy of making money.
There are multiple ways of making money with photography, ranging from being a full time pro to selling prints. It's this last method we're interested in, and I know for sure that many of you are as well. There is a powerful contrast in this day and age when it comes to photography sales. It's the best time ever to do it, but you also couldn't be any later.
I'm saying this because never before have we had access to unlimited free exposure the way we do today. You can reach photography buyers 10 thousand miles away and build a worldwide clientele if you're good enough.
The unfortunate downside to this is that every other photographer has the same dream, and therefore the Internet is oversaturated with all kinds of photos from all kinds of people. Nevertheless, it is by no means a reason to stop pursuing this challenging goal. Serious competition is present in every profession and it's ultimately up to you to take powerful photos that will sell.
We're just here to help with the best places for you to make sales. Here are our favorite eleven.
(Success Tip #1:52 ways to learn photography when you have little time to spare)
11. Doctor offices
Believe it or not, most doctors love to decorate their walls at work. Try approaching your family doctor first and see how it goes. It might also be a good idea to give a bonus print or something to put you in an even better light. A lot of people pass through their offices and that means they could become a potential audience and even customers.
10. Hotels
New hotels are especially good targets to go after. They might not be the easiest client to reach, but if you do manage to setup a meeting with a general manager, you could land a good sale. The trick is to show only your absolute best work, and this goes for every kind of potential client you go after. With hotels, it might also be a good idea to bring a framed demo print, just to help the manager get a better idea of how your work will look on their walls. Keep in mind though, hotels are usually after large prints.
9. Summer festivals
Most cities have one or more summer festivals each year. There are usually all kinds of concerts, art performances, exhibitions and trades. Rent a table, print your best work and start selling. It does require an initial investment, but if you play your cards right, you'll start making profit in no time.
8. Your own house
Believe it or not, you can turn your house into an art fair. Team up with local artists like painters, jewelers or sculptors and share the costs which will usually be snacks and beverages. Create a Facebook event, combine your contact lists and invite everyone to your fair. Having complete control over the event will give you a better chance of boosting sales.
7. Stock sites
There is of course the very popular option of selling your photos to stock agencies. While this is still an effective method of earning money, it's not recommended unless you can afford to spend your time shooting five days a week. The stock photography market is oversaturated and client needs change regularly. You need to stay on top and shoot according to trends. It's not the best option for selling the photos in your portfolio you are most proud of, but it is good if you can keep shooting on a regular basis.
6. Bars and Restaurants
Every self respecting place that sells food and drinks will have pictures or paintings hanging on their walls. This is a great way to start selling your work locally and expand your clientele. Take a tour of local cafes, bars and restaurants and make a list of those that could really integrate your work into their theme. After that, it's a matter of meeting with owners and demonstrating your selling skills.
(Success Tip #2:How even the hobbyist photographer can make money with their photography)
5. Art galleries
The world of fine art photography is not an easy one to get into, particularly since photography will always be a small part of total art sales. But nevertheless, if you do make it, your potential earnings could be very high. Your work has to be tailored to the needs of the art market, so you should probably take that into account before giving it a shot.
4. Greeting cards
Everyone believed greeting cards were dead once people started emailing them, but snail mail is rarely being used anymore and traditional greeting cards are back. Let's face it, you're always going to enjoy that special feeling of holding a printed photo in your hand. But if you want to start selling greeting cards and postcards, make sure to photograph places that people love and things they can relate to.
3. Merchandise websites
There are a lot of cools merchandise websites like Redbubble and Society 6 that will put your photos on iPhone cases, pillowcases, T-shirts, etc. The profit might not turn you into an overnight millionaire, but it's a warm feeling to know that someone somewhere has their phone in a case with your pet cat on it.
2. Your own website
One of the most obvious places for selling your work is your own web page. Every self respecting photographer has a strong online portfolio, so you can forget about your Facebook page for a while. Include a purchasing option in your galleries and then work on making your website as visible as you can.
1. KeepSnap
Our favorite way of making money with photography is easy and efficient. KeepSnap is a new platform that allows both amateurs and professionals to earn money by doing what they love. All you have to do is go to a popular location that gets visited a lot, and strike a friendly conversation with tourists. Take their portraits or a few group shots, and then hand them your business card which will have a link to your personal gallery. They will then visit your gallery and have the option f buying the great looking photos you took of them, thus earning you quick money.
So there you have it, our 11 favorite methods to sell your work, with number one probably being the most effective. The rest of the work is up to you. Constantly perfect your skills and push yourself to take better and better looking photographs.
Learn more about KeepSnap at www.keepsnap.com