How to sell my photos?

[csondagar]

I am interested in making some side income over from my photography hobby. But I have no clue how to begin.

I would appreciate some pointers on the following:

1. how to judge if a photo is print-quality or not?
2. what are the typical (digital) formats, sizes and resolutions publishers are looking for?
3. are online photo markets worth exploring (such as ShutterPoint)?
4. how to market myself? (I have a fulltime job that does not permit me to be out and about during day time, so I looking for a method that I can use from home)
5. how does copyrights and ownership of photos work once sold?
6. any other pointers would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[robertwgross]

John Shaw has a book called The Business of Nature Photography. It is a little old now, since it was written before digital photography really hit. However, it will warn you a little about the pitfalls of the business.

---Bob Gross---

[jimtfoto]

You might also hunt out a book called Photographers Market 2004.
jim

[robertwgross]

You might also hunt out a book called Photographers Market 2004.
jim

That is the same advice that I heard a while back. As I looked through it, about 99% of all the publications I was interested in were not listed.

---Bob Gross---

[scottbergerphoto]

Speaking from my own little experience, I started selling pictures this summer. I found a local RC flying field and started taking pictures and returning each week with the best pictures as 8x10's. People wanted to buy their pictures. Another way to get started is if there is a school field near you, find out the school ball game schedule, start taking pictures of the players and return each week with your work. If people like it, they'll start buying the pictures. It all comes down to finding a niche market and getting very good at it. It seems everyone has a camera, and you need to have something that's different, that people are willing to buy.
Regards,
Scott

[Mr. E]

I don't know much as I am starting myself. I set up a web site through lycos/tripod about a year ago- not much traffic other than myself, but it is free and I can add paypal links for no extra cost. I also found a coffee shop close by that features a different artist's work each month. I brought mine in, they liked it and I'm set up for May. This gives me time to figure out what to do for copyrighting. I'm at least going to put a copyright sticker on the back with my name. I am also going to sign each picture in the lower corners.
Someone also suggested that I donate pictures to restaraunts to get noticed.
Try making up a business card to put on corkboards at laundromats, supermarkets, libraries, etc (You can also use them to drop in at restaraunts that have drawings for free meal give-a-ways).

Good luck to all.

[robertwgross]

Someone also suggested that I donate pictures to restaraunts to get noticed.


I know a restaurant in a remote, touristy, mountain town. It is the only real traditional restaurant there, so they get lots of locals as well as tourists. On the walls, a photographer has hung a bunch of his best works, which are of local sights and scenes. To the side of the frames, there is a plastic holder of bio sheets on the photographer. They tell his story and why he shoots what he shoots, and there is his web address at the bottom. So, I would make the guess that he gets his photo print business that way. He probably had to prepare and frame and donate the ones in the restaurant. The restaurant probably agreed since it made for nice wall decoration with a local subject.

---Bob Gross---

[alfa1six4]

Our artists association has an agreement with a local coffee shop to display/sell our art. Every month is a new theme, so the art is always fresh.