Is it just me or...

[Karl Johnston]

Is it just me or do you get a little shudder whenever you sell a print, one single print, of over 1000$?

I get this adrenaline rush, or a giddy super-happy feeling where I can't stop smiling.

I think the word is ecstatically happy

Anyone else or is it just me...?


Thank GOD I didn't give up photography :D when my bank was running into the negatives.

I love you all.

[scotteisenphotography]

Well aren't you special.... they should make a brag section.

[Karl Johnston]

Just really happy :lol: but you're right, sorry! But I don't care ! I'm rich ! This is the 2nd in half a week ! WOOO!

Question still stands, though, the little thrum thrum beat beat thuda thuda thuda thuda of your heart against your ribcage.

The appreciation and the love of work you created with your own hands and vision. There's nothing that comes close, no beating it, just bliss. Utter bliss.

[scotteisenphotography]

Just really happy :lol: but you're right, sorry! But I don't care ! I'm rich ! This is the 2nd in half a week ! WOOO!

Question still stands, though, the little thrum thrum beat beat thuda thuda thuda thuda of your heart against your ribcage.

The appreciation and the love of work you created with your own hands and vision. There's nothing that comes close, no beating it, just bliss. Utter bliss.

What was it of? Sell like 200 a year and you'll be all set.

[Karl Johnston]

It was of this shot:
http://www.synergystudiosphotography.com/fine-art/wildlife/2602924

I may come close, actually...I don't know what the hell the boom is from but I'm loving it. Nor where it's coming from..I'm curious, though. Maybe I'm getting my images ripped off and published in japan or something with credit to me? I've got no clue, but in the past 4 months I have sold 68 fine art prints.

If it keeps up like this...I think I'm going to have a heart attack by the time I turn 38.

I'm on FIRE, though, don't get me wrong...the last thing I want to do is thumb my nose at anybody. I'm definitely more than willing to share tips on selling or marketing your work, and interested in learning, of course, how many people just EXPLODE in complete ecstasy at the FEELING you get when you make a sale/receive such appreciation and gratitude/make someone so happy to buy something you created.

There's nothing like it, I just wanted to share...cause god it's a feeling that makes me want to fly

[mattograph]

Congrats Karl. That's great.

When I sell a print for a grand, I'll let you know how it feels.

I'm not holding my breath, though! :)

[Karl Johnston]

If I get rich enough I'll buy a print of yours for a grand ;) and share the love.

I'm so damned happy right now. I feel like a starving dried up artist who's being rained on with water and apples (ouch, actually, that may hurt..).

I call up people I know from college and share the news ! I figure, if anything, I feel like sharing the news with friends on here rather than bragging to nobody in particular (which is a little weird I'll have to admit).

I feel really close to you all right now.

*Hugs potn*

[BooostedAWD]

Congrats Karl!
That's awesome! Here's to great success in the future!


I have a question though,
Did they offer 1k? or did you set your own price?

[Karl Johnston]

Thank you!! Many more, but I'm getting used to it..this is my 3rd 1000$ ice breaker in less than a month. I equipped myself for dealing with minimum wage, if that, starting this business..I'm floored that I'm touching so many people with my work, let alone hard cash 8)

It blows my mind that some guys who work in commercial make 2 grand a day, I never thought a nature photographer could ever make that kind of cash ...but what do you know?

To many more.

The true prize is the feeling that someone wants your work that badly they want to pay you that much money for it.

I think I'll get naked and dance on the front lawn and tape it with my 5Dmark II

[Lazuka]

It's always refreshing hearing success stories, especially in the shape the world is in, congrats man.

[tstowe]

For over a grand? ... I hate you

Just kidding. ;)

[bsaber]

It's always refreshing hearing success stories, especially in the shape the world is in, congrats man.

+1

Congrats indeed, Karl

[Brypan]

Congrats! Love that picture you sold. You a giving hope to a kid with dreams of someday (far far away) supporting himself well on photography. Thanks!

[slitherjef]

Just you I guess. My "Photos" don't sell :-|

Congrats though :)

[ebon_wing]

wow that's an exquisite image. i think most people (myself included) are envious that you can do something that you love that other people appreciate enough to shell out cash for.

[HappySnapper90]

Did you sell just the print? matted? framed? Kind of makes a difference since matting a framing a larger print can eat away at your profit.

And what size print and frame?

[bjyoder]

Congrats Karl! Hope it keeps up, and I hope your photography keeps up with the demand! :)

[Karl Johnston]

Did you sell just the print? matted? framed? Kind of makes a difference since matting a framing a larger print can eat away at your profit.

And what size print and frame?
Actually it's all relative...certain kinds of paper cost more, the ink they use is more, and depending on what size it can cost a little more in shipping. Matte is cheaper than glossy...but not many people like glossy, and I usually use luster instead of it as it has the cool effect of showing up detail and colors a lot better in light than glossy (which reflects pretty badly under gallery or even house light; actually any light it looks a bit bad). I use glossy for smaller prints such as 6x4 or 5x7 ..the profit varies, absolutely, by the request..and where it goes, whether it is being rushed, how much it costs me to make up a box or buy one..etc.

This was un-matted, un-framed (I don't do matting or framing professionally and it is far too expensive for me to do...impossible to ship from my location, too; the postal service won't allow me to ship frames and glass :(). I occasionally do backing..but I am down to my last back so...not really for now.

The quality of these prints are astounding, I get very happy responses...hell I even have people trying to buy the "proof sheets" (glossy or matte papers) of images I take around with me when sending out proposals

I just do printing.

This size was 17x22'' on professional luster paper (260 gsm/^2)

I use the epson 3800 and 11880*

*I should note the 11880 is 2 weeks away and managed by another photographer, though for a price he allows me to print on it for a little cheaper than mpix or other related companies.

[miket019]

Well... Karl I don't want to put rain on your sunshine but yesterday I got a couple of favorites that were added to my flickr photos. how do you like them apple! anyway congrats!

[Karl Johnston]

Damn good mate ! I haven't had any in about 2 weeks now :(

[HappySnapper90]

I just do printing.

This size was 17x22'' on professional luster paper (260 gsm/^2)


Good for you if you can get someone to pay you $1000 for that photo. Something is only worth what one is willing to pay for it. Sometimes people think something is better just because it has a higher asking price.

Your gallery seems rather limited to pelicans and doesn't have much wildlife variety.

[dultim8]

HI Karl.

Good on you for having success in your business.

I believe in a thing called tact and modesty. There are ways to communicate your success without flat out saying it. I'm new here and i love reading all comments but i have to say i don't like it when people "brag" about themselves like you have done.

[Karl Johnston]

HI Karl.

Good on you for having success in your business.

I believe in a thing called tact and modesty. There are ways to communicate your success without flat out saying it. I'm new here and i love reading all comments but i have to say i don't like it when people "brag" about themselves like you have done.
Thanks! I`ll try to keep it under wraps next time.

I guess as a starving artist whos been in the negatives struggling by thousands ...having a chunk of cash reciprocal on my doorstep like this is ..multiple times, nonetheless, shocking!

I suppose I can see how it can be taken as bragging, but it was not intended to be. Not to worry, though, Ill keep future victories private ;) Pretty damn incredible, though, Id say for any artist to nearly break 5 grand in a month...especially one as new as me. I dont know the figures on anyone elses sales, of course, I wonder if this is considered high or midrange or whathave you.

Like I said, I feel like I`m sharing news with friends rather than posting on a random bored and showing off. I think I shall keep this kinda stuff on twitter and facebook, instead. I feel a bit embarassed now :o reading over that I do sound like a knob :lol: ! Sorry all, from now on I`ll shut up! Though, I`m not going to lie .. I havent seen this kind of cash since I won a scholarship for college years and years ago.
Just a big high to go from $-5000 to $+xxxx in 6 months. At least its a sign there is still hope in the industry for newcoming professionals.

[hardcorewaterfowl]

Good for you Karl. Brag away, it gives me something to shoot for. I have a series now I'm trying to sell to a family that could fetch a high price if I'm lucky. The good thing about the high dollar sales is that I would think it sets the tone for your marketability and what the price on your future work would be. Best of luck and I enjoy the success story and can understand your happiness and desire to share.

[DL.Photography]

Wow, that really is a stunning shot. Great work!

[bsaber]

Like I said, I feel like I`m sharing news with friends rather than posting on a random bored and showing off. I think I shall keep this kinda stuff on twitter and facebook, instead. I feel a bit embarassed now :o reading over that I do sound like a knob :lol: ! Sorry all, from now on I`ll shut up! Though, I`m not going to lie .. I havent seen this kind of cash since I won a scholarship for college years and years ago.
Just a big high to go from $-5000 to $+xxxx in 6 months. At least its a sign there is still hope in the industry for newcoming professionals.

That's what makes this forum so great IMO.

HI Karl.

Good on you for having success in your business.

I believe in a thing called tact and modesty. There are ways to communicate your success without flat out saying it. I'm new here and i love reading all comments but i have to say i don't like it when people "brag" about themselves like you have done.

I don't see it as bragging, see above. If you had a victory like Karl, would you not share with your friends?

[dultim8]

Hi bsaber.

i have no problem with people sharing their success with others. Im all for it.

However i think that there is a way to go about it without going into to much detail about the money someone makes from a sale etc. to me this is bragging. What i would say and plenty of modest people that i know would say is " you know what guys i have had this amazing week, sold 5 pics.... How good is that?"" and we would just leave it at that.

Maybe that is just how us Aussies are brought up.

We have something here called "tall Poppy Syndrome". maybe i suffer from it..........

for those of u that dont know what it is. click this link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tall_poppy_syndrome

[bsaber]

Hi bsaber.

i have no problem with people sharing their success with others. Im all for it.

However i think that there is a way to go about it without going into to much detail about the money someone makes from a sale etc. to me this is bragging. What i would say and plenty of modest people that i know would say is " you know what guys i have had this amazing week, sold 5 pics.... How good is that?"" and we would just leave it at that.

Maybe that is just how us Aussies are brought up.

We have something here called "tall Poppy Syndrome". maybe i suffer from it..........

for those of u that dont know what it is. click this link

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tall_poppy_syndrome

Yes, I agree with you. But wouldn't your friends ask "So how much did you make you numnut?!" Why not just say "I just made $1000 from selling x pics today! WOOT!" And have the group of friends go "Awesome dude" :p

I'm just saying, on this forum we're like a great big group of friends that we've never met. I don't know how you are with friends but eh. I agree with you though. All things in moderation :)

[chauncey]

dultim8HI Karl.

Good on you for having success in your business.

I believe in a thing called tact and modesty. There are ways to communicate your success without flat out saying it. I'm new here and i love reading all comments but i have to say i don't like it when people "brag" about themselves like you have done.

Under other circumstances I might agree with the responder, as there's always a danger of rotator cuff injuries from excessive back patting.
But in this case, especially after having read this http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=718226, I feel obligated to give Karl some slack. Congrats my friend.

BTW...:lol: It doesn't count if Mom buys your print :lol:

[bsaber]

Under other circumstances I might agree with the responder, as there's always a danger of rotator cuff injuries from excessive back patting.
But in this case, especially after having read this http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=718226, I feel obligated to give Karl some slack. Congrats my friend.

BTW...:lol: It doesn't count if Mom buys your print :lol:

Hey a sale is a sale :lol:

[Karl Johnston]

Hey a sale is a sale :lol:
:lol: Don't worry, I'm not that cruel...she gets all the prints she wants for free! I've decorated my parents' house in my prints :o so whenever someone comes by they ask "Who did that!?"

I actually sometimes get sales like that :o marketing !

[bsaber]

:lol: Don't worry, I'm not that cruel...she gets all the prints she wants for free! I've decorated my parents' house in my prints :o so whenever someone comes by they ask "Who did that!?"

I actually sometimes get sales like that :o marketing !

Sure, Karl... sure. After reading what you did in the other thread I doubt you're that nice :p:lol:

[hlcowan]

Karl-I for one love your work, and want to send you a huge congratulations on your success!!! I'd actually previously bookmarked your website after reading your posting on why you chose your studio name, and I love viewing your gallery. Heck, I'm happy when I sell a little $2 print of a high school football athlete making a catch-I can't imagine your euphoria over selling art!!! :D

[kim_eij]

nice work indeed! havent had that feeling for a while

[Perry Ge]

Totally know how you feel, but even the biggest sale is not as sweet a feeling as the feeling you get when you know you've nailed a shot. I get such a rush, unmatched by anything else, whenever I get to utter the words "I got it".

[Karl Johnston]

Totally know how you feel, but even the biggest sale is not as sweet a feeling as the feeling you get when you know you've nailed a shot. I get such a rush, unmatched by anything else, whenever I get to utter the words "I got it".
You know, I also get that. Sort of like a "precognitive photographic sense" goes off.

I feel this little crawly sensation on the back of my neck that says "This is going to be really sweet to get on the computer and out there."

[Kiwikat]

It is cool to hear a story like this, especially as a newcomer to the hobby. However, some part of me feels incredibly jealous. I'm a college student so I really struggled to find and shell out 900 bucks for my XSi kit, but Karl got that in a second (well, sort of). It makes it even worse looking through the lists of lenses on Amazon and B&H. I guess it's time to be happy with what I have and work my way up the ranks like I am sure Karl has.

Here's to dreaming... :)

[Alexei TND]

congratulations :D
it is good to hear success stories, makes me think i might still have a chance xD
the most iver ever made from 1 single print is 4$, so only 996 to go :D
and before i forget, brilliant image too :)