For most of us that take an interest in photography, there's at least a casual interest in selling some of those photos. Even for the pure hobbyist, making a little extra cash is never a bad thing. Unfortunately, for many, the idea never actually becomes reality. Well, campers, with the New Year less than a month away, it's not too early to start working on making it happen.
Some Venues are Dead or Dying
It doesn't take a lot of research to discover that some of the popular ways to sell your photos or services have lost much of their appeal in recent years. Stock photography is probably the leading example, with more photographers abandoning it every day. Photojournalism is another, thanks in part to social media. Still, it should be said that there's no reason not to give any method a try, especially if you're not looking to generate a full-time income. Success, after all, is relative to the goal. (That was profound, don't you think?)
So, with the slow death, or at least the chronic illness of some ways to market your work, where's a new photographer to turn when it's time to think about making a little (or a lot of) money? There are a few answers, but when it comes to getting most of them done, there's a fair amount of work involved and in many cases, some fees to pay up front. The “traditional” way to market yourself and your work involves creating a website, setting up galleries, acquiring and configuring payment options and much more.
While I highly recommend the traditional methods, there's a faster, easier one that can help you start bringing in some cash well before the New Year arrives. Better yet, it gives you the opportunity to add to your income stream simply by taking your camera with you when you're out doing the things you like to do.
Fast, Easy, Innovative and FREE
Here's the one sales platform that I think every photographer, novice to pro, should be using. KeepSnap is one of those great ideas that's going to make you wonder why nobody did it before. If you're not already signed up, let me start by saying that it's free for photographers, so that's just one reason not to wait. The other is that it's one of the most clever and innovative ways to sell your photos, without many of the hassles of other platforms.
In a nutshell, KeepSnap lets you set up a free photographer's profile and galleries, print out business cards with a link to your page, and upload photos for previewing and sale. That means every time you're out and about, whether you're enjoying a day at the beach, having fun at your favorite club, shopping at the local farmer's market or watching your child's soccer match, every shot is a potential sale! Simply shoot the photos, leave your card with the subject, parents or other attendees and let them view and purchase and download them on the spot.
So, you've immediately got a new photography page, an easy way to get people there, a proofing system and sales platform all in one, without putting out a dime up front. When you make a sale, KeepSnap deducts a very small percentage and that's how you pay for their services. Speaking of services, if you want to advertise yours as an event/wedding photographer, you can also get listed on their directory of photographers to let clients find you by location or name.
That's a very quick overview of what KeepSnap offers, and there are far too many features to list here. Everything you need to know about them is on their website and I assure you, you'll be impressed. Don't take my word for it, though; go take a look for yourself and see if you don't agree that it's one of the best ways to start earning money with your photography NOW.