How to Sell Amateur Freelance Photos

Selling your photos can be lucrative.

If you love photography, you more than likely have a storage bin full of photos, CDs and memory cards with good and not-so-good photos. If this is you, there is no reason you can't turn a creative outlet and hobby into a little extra cash, or possibly even a career. It starts with getting your photos out in public where they can be seen and purchased, there by slowly making a name for yourself in the industry.

Instructions

1. Visit local gift shops and specialty shops with your portfolio in hand. Show them your work and discuss selling a few photos of their choice in their store. Don't ask for money up front. Suggest that you only be paid when the photo sells, and decide on their cut of the profits. Let them know that if the photos start selling well, then the terms will have to be renegotiated. If possible have a simple statement typed up where terms can be filled in and have it signed by the shop owner, yourself and a witness.

2. Contact local art galleries about amateur showings that you could enter or about a few pieces that could be sold in the gallery. Attend the shows so that buyers can get to know you.

3. Talk to local restaurant owners, asking them to display your work as part of their decor. Display a business card in the lower right or left corner of the frame so that customers will be able to contact you about the pieces or see your other work.

4. Add your photos to online photo sales sites such as iStockPhoto or SmugMug. The photos can't be copied, and can be seen by a larger market. Enter the categories that the photos would be considered part of so that they will show up when customers search for a certain kind of photo.

References

• Luminous-Landscape: Selling Your Photographs