Getting photos in calandars and the like

I took some prints into work to sell them to a lady i work with. My boss so my recent cat photo and made a comment that has had me thinking for a while

"Wow, that's good enough for a calandar or something"

It got me thinking, how the heck do you even attempt that?

One of the teachers at my old school goes to Germany every year and takes pictures, he frequently sells these pictures to publishers for text books.

Anyone have any experience trying to do that?

How much "simolians" can one get form that?

There are some publishing companies that specialize in calendars. They have distribution through the big nationwide chains of book stores. So, they can do business with you.

That's the good news. The bad news is that, unless you have a big name, there isn't much money in it.

I know one photographer who specializes in Yosemite National Park, and he has some of the best scenic shots of the park, all done with a medium format film camera. When his first Yosemite calendar was published, I asked him about it. For all of his work, I think he said he cleared about $4,000.

I guess that is a start, but by my way of thinking, it doesn't seem like much money for that amount of work. These weren't just twelve shots that he fired off one afternoon, not by any stretch.

Self-publishing a calendar is the other route. Risky.

---Bob Gross---

[QUOTE]Self-publishing a calendar is the other route. Risky. [/qoute]

Thats an interesing take on it too though. I'm sure there are places around that can throw something like that together for a small charge.

I was talking to someone online the other day who said he made $40-50 a week just by selling 5x7 prints through a local gift shop of local bridges and what not.

Yes and no. Yes, there are places that can throw something together for a calendar. However, no, they don't look worth a damn.

Most of the ones that I saw were trying to do color laser printing. To me, that looks like crap.

The only way to get any kind of decent printing price is to order a run of a thousand or more. But then, what the hell are you going to do with a thousand copies of your own calender? Without distribution, they would be tough to sell. I could be wrong, but I think most calendars are sold over-the-counter at bookstores. The customers can look at the sample copy, decide, fork over their plastic, and have their Christmas shopping done in an instant. All of that happens between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Also, if you check it, most of the calendar printing is done in Asia. I think that must be due to labor cost.

---Bob Gross---

Printroom does calendars in a couple of sizes. I will be ordering some this week so I will let you know how they turn out.


I did at one time think about submitting shots for calendars. Most places I did inquire wanted the shots in by no later than May, for next years calendar. A couple of places wouldn't accept just one image either. They wanted at least 50 to even consider looking at them.

I almost forgot, there is a program that you can make your own calendars with. It is called Amazing Calendar Maker. If I remember correctly it was about $20 at an office supply place. I made some calendars one year of a family shot from a family reunion and handed them out to relatives. They weren't bad but, it is limited to the quality of your printer.
Maybe try a search for it on the internet and you can probably find a shareware version.

Actually i was thinking to myself today why i couldnt just make my own in photoshop.

Some of the Microsoft Office applications have a calendar template. Last year, I used the one from Powerpoint to do my calendar, but I think there is one in Word and maybe others.

Basically, it does the grid. You plunk down your twelve photos. Then fire up the old inkjet printer. Use good paper. Last year, I think it was taking me about $12-15 worth of inkjet ink per calendar, so even that isn't cheap. The print quality was all that I would ever want though, and I was proud to affix my name.

---Bob Gross---

Hrrmmm....who's going to buy a calandar for more then $20

I guess they could make nice christmas gifts though

Send one to the newspaper photo editor.

---Bob Gross---

sugargirl342 wrote:
Tim....I love your pictures but I don't want a calandar for christmas

Meg

I wasnt thinking of you dork...

Timmyquest,

A book called "Photographers Market 2005 (Photographer's Market)." It costs $16.99 on Amazon but you can probably buy it at a local Barnes & Noble. Note: I am not affiliated with the book, only use it as a resource.

The book is categorized by the types of publishers and what type of photos they buy (i.e., people, sports, landscape, etc.). Many of the listings defines the publishers requirements, submission processes, picture formats accepted, and sometimes how much they pay. Sometimes they only give contact information. Many of the publishers still want slides vs digital pics. The publishing market is coming around to digital but because of the huge investment by the publisher to handle digital files in their workflow, some are slow to adopt.

The book does a decent job of explaining the photo submission process but each publishers has their own specific requirements so sometimes it is better to make contact and find out their specific requirements. The book also discusses copyright issues and model releases.

I think IndyJeff is right on that many publishers want to review the photos almost a year before the calendar would be sold as well as a large selection to choose from.

Hope this helps you.

Thanks for the info, i'll look into that book for sure.