How to Make Money Selling Photography Pictures

A picture may be worth a thousand words, but how much it's worth monetarily can vary tremendously. Fortunately, even new photographers can make money selling photography nowadays, thanks to the Internet and a media-saturated world that craves crisp images. There are numerous ways to make money selling photography and with enough time and effort, it is possible to utilize each and every one of those outlets to turn top-notch photography into profit.

Instructions

Sell Photography Online

1. 

   Sell photography through stock photography sites.

   Consider selling photographs through stock photography sites such as iStockPhoto or fotolia.com. The revenue per photo is small; however when numerous photos are submitted, sold, and resold, the revenue can add up significantly.

2. 

   Auction off your digital photos or prints through eBay.

   Use photographs that aren't accepted by stock photography sites by selling them on eBay. Through eBay, you can choose to either sell the digital image, a print of the image, or a framed print of the image.

3. 

   Sell photos through an online storefront, much like you would with a brick-and-mortar store.

   Create a storefront web page on a hosted service to sell your digital photography pictures. Several sites exist that charge a monthly fee, but host your images on a clean, visually pleasing site. Buyers peruse these sites and purchase the photographs from individual photographers, based on the price the photographer determines.

4. 

   Create your own website to have full control over your photograph sales.

   Avoid paying a monthly fee to a hosting site by creating your own website. The advantage to this method is full control over sales and web operation with little to no fee for purchasing a domain. The disadvantage lies in having to create an original site that is easily navigable and visually pleasing.

5. 

   Create products using your photography.

   Branch out from simply selling photographs by displaying your photography on online products. Cafepress.com is one site where you can upload your own photo, choose the products you'd like to sell in your store, and even choose the prices for the products. The company handles all printing and shipping to the customers.

Sell Photography Through Print and Direct

1. 

   Submit to magazines to see your photographs in print.

   Step away from online submissions by targeting print magazines. Magazines are always on the lookout for quality photographs of people, places, and things. Research the submission guidelines for individual magazines before submitting.

2. 

   Newspapers are an excellent way to add to your photography portfolio.

   Submit to local newspapers to add to your photography portfolio. Often, newspapers don't pay well for photos, but the ability to say your work is published in print may create opportunities in the future.

3. 

   Consider submitting your photographs for use on greeting cards.

   Think outside the box. Pick up a postcard, book, or greeting card and flip it over to find the company that publishes it. Contact the company to find out if they would be interested in featuring your photograph on their products.

4. 

   Display your photography at art shows.

   Display and sell your photography at art shows, street fairs, or other similar gallery venues. Often, this comes with a cost for kiosk rental, but it is possible that your photography will bring in more than the cost of the venue, and it can be an excellent way to network with potential customers.

Tips & Warnings

• Before submitting to publications or other companies, be sure to thoroughly research the company's needs and practices.

• The more experience you have under your belt, the better. Be prepared to have to start from the ground up if you are new to photography.

• Ensure that photographs are top-notch, free from digital noise caused by a high ISO or over exposure.

• Carefully read terms and conditions for photography sites. Often, when you submit to a site, such as a stock photography site, they ask that you grant them exclusive rights. This means you cannot submit the same photograph to any other site.

• Any photographs with a recognizable person in it will require a model release form. Always have the permission of the individuals in the photographs before selling or distributing it.

References

• Photography Secrets: Sell Photos!
• Berman Graphics: Selling Photography on eBay

Resources

• PotoXels: What is... Noise?
• DPhotoJournal: Selling Photos Online