A few of my friends on here and on Facebook have asked me if they would be able to purchase some of my photos. To be honest, I felt kind of awkward trying to find a "fair" price. I also know many of you are interested in selling your own fantastic photos!
Well, I finally broke down and created a website that allows me to sell my prints in a wide variety of formats. Within 8 hours, I had already sold my first print; a lovely landscape canvas.
Since I now have it up and running, I am offering 25% off all of my material. If you are interested, use promotion code "XBGMES" upon checkout to receive your discount, which is not limited to a single item. There are only 25 of these codes available, and they expire 3 July 2013!
My question for you guys; which of my images do you think are worthy of selling that I don't already have on my website (I honestly am a poor judge)!
Also, if you are also selling your work, please include a link and let's do a little networking.
Great work! Thank you for adding your selling platform as well. I have yet put something out there worth money, so I am not at your stage yet. Great job and congrats!
Good for you Aaron.....Any of your photos are completely worth selling, thet are all fantastic and i know you will do extremely well! I have sold a few in local shops and craft fairs as i live in a very tourist based area, But that is as far as it has gone!
Just took a quick spin through their site and it looks like they are very fair on the cost to the artist. Thanks for sharing the platform information.
And, I agree, so many of your photos are worthy of sale (I think they are worth more than you are asking, too!). Its tough, isn't it, like choosing a favorite child!
Well done! That's something every artist dreams of, making money out of the thing they love doing most. Obviously, we don't do it for the money but they help, haha. Congratulations! I'd already noticed that your photos are awesome and thought you were in fact selling them. :)
@amandal Thanks Amanda! Nope, no percentages; what you mark up is exactly what you get. I also get 5% of "extras" so when a person purchase a frame or mounting bracket, I also get 5% of that. The fee is $30/year, and I've already made that so it easily pays for itself! :) @abirkill Awesome Alexis! In fact, it may have been you that first turned me on to FAA, so thanks for that! :)
My pics are no where near selling standard, especially after seeing all your images, but I always assumed your work was already hanging on many a wall, so i'm very happy to hear that you are now moving in that direction, well done, the site looks great, happy selling.
@grizzlysghost my last photo from my old account @brumbe was printed on the metal and I adore how it came out. I also am printing some of my shots on metallic paper.
@abirkill@grizzlysghost Do either of you use their "Print on Demand" or do you self fulfill the orders?
Have you personally seen the quality of the paper or other materials they print on? or the quality of colors/print results?
Just curious... Thanks.
Congratulations Aaron, I wish you the best but I know you won't need it. I think you need more furkids ("Swissy Shark" & "They Say" would make great cards). "Rocky Skies" needs to be in landscapes too. Keep us updated on your success.
@bbf I use their Print on Demand because it is such a great deal and keeps me from having to fuss with everything. They have a 30-day return guarantee that is much easier for them to deal with than if I had to do it. I haven't seen their quality first-hand, but plan on ordering several soon especially because as a member I get such a great deal on my own photos! I will let you know what I find out!
@andycoleborn Thanks Andy! All of those details are handled by the site (thank goodness). I upload an image and set my markup, which is added to the price of the image after they factor in material cost. I receive 100% of the markup for each image and they take care of everything else.
Good for you Aaron. It might be easier to let you know which of your photos aren't sellable, because the list would be NONE. But if you would really like, when I get a chance I will go through and let you know what I would consider purchasing.
Aaron your prints are truely stunning. Someone told me about a site where you can add or download a picture and anyone can just log in and buy them if someone likes it. I have always tought about putting some of mine up to buy Nothing fancy just like 50 p per image or something as they are not much good but some people have said oh I would buy that and have it on the wall. But Your shots are incredible and original and i would be very interested to know ow it all goes.
Congratulations Aaron, you have a truely visually stunning site. Good luck with the sales..I have my eye on a few that are begging to be put on my newly painted walls :) So I'll have a closer look after w*rk!
@andycoleborn If you click as if you are ordering one of Aaron's prints you can click on price details. It will actually show you the cost of the print (Aaron's markup) and a separate cost of materials & finishes.
@grizzlysghost Thanks! I look forward to hearing about that and congrats on your early sale(s).
Congrats Aaron - looks great. I've always enjoyed your landscapes - such a wonderful view - I drool just thinking of having this in my backyard. ;) I had a small business at Christmas that got out of hand when I ran out of supplies and it was chaos! ;) Your option looks much more civilized since they do all the work and you just take the cash.
Just sold two of my recent Toronto urban pics this month - so looking for a new site to consider selling more. Thanks for sharing!
@sailingmusic I sold a print within 8 hours and my take-away was $42.92, so it's already paid for itself... and my lunch! :) So I would have to say it's totally worth it!
@copperheadglass Excellent suggestion Meredith, I just sold a canvas of Swissy Shark! :)
And people, please don't think I am gloating, I am not at ALL! My photos aren't any better than MANY of yours, I just want to illustrate that you too can sell your material, and FAA is an excellent venue for it!
Congrats and well deserved. It takes a leap of faith to put your work out for public display, but to have people want to buy them is just great!!!!
I also use FAA but I must admit it is more of a throw away site for me as I don't put much effort into it as my target audience is portraits and events. Which means it is very specific to the people that have a personal connection with the photos.
I also haven't paid the $30 per year for FAA (see I told you it was a throw away site), but from what I can tell I can still sell the prints through their direct self-fulfilment. Now having said that I have never sold anything from there, so maybe that is why. ;-)
I originally looked at FAA as a way of selling prints into the US as I am in Australia, but pushing that market takes some time and effort that I currently don't have. ;( Which is also why I don't do many landscape shots.
The FAA links into your facebook sites so it posts on your wall when you upload a new image, which is great if you use your FB for business.
I am currently in the process of revamping my on-line presence to give a consistent feel across all my sites and reduce the amount of time I spend having to update all of them which is why if you follow me, I have been one and off for awhile and you are starting to see my daily updates point back to blogs in my main site.
I must say I get thrilled to bits every time someone purchases one of my prints. The thought that someone will put this on their wall for everyone to see is a great feeling, and with family portraits you know they will be handed down through the generations. @abirkill
@grizzlysghost Congrats, that's awesome! I think you work is definitely amazing and not surprised you sold an image within 8 hours! Good luck for future sales :)
@abirkill Alexis, how have you found using FAA for shipping to Canada? I was just wondering if it is expensive or if you have had any feedback? I have looked at using FAA but wasn't sure if the shipping costs would turn people off of purchasing my images...
@kkolstad The majority of my sales are to Canada, although I have also had sales in the US and Europe. The shipping costs don't seem totally unreasonable to me, and they provide a better service (for me) than any POD supplier I have found that is Canada-based.
They do also have a few other domains that you can use if you're targeting a specific audience that might be put off by the name, for example: http://finearteurope.com/
I also haven't (yet) signed up for the 'premium' plan, and am just using a free account. I still get 5% commission on accessories (although I suspect that's a bug), so the only downside is that you can only make 25 images available for sale (but you can swap them around as you want).
@abirkill Oh k definitely the free account to try - cant hurt! Thanks for the feedback. I haven't found anything within Canada either for POD suppliers so that is why I was looking elsewhere. Thanks, I appreciate it!
@cdonohoue Thanks Cathy! I just kind of made a guess without being too greedy :) For instance, I marked up the smallest options by $15, which is exactly what I make on the small prints (+5% on accessories). Then I marked up from there for each size. I think the prices are actually pretty modest...
If anybody from 365 should be selling than you are one of them. Let me ask you a question. When you download a picture to FAA I assume you do it inthe highest quality and all that..How about the crop ? Are all your images scaled to the dimensions of the print options offered or the FAA adjusts each print work for you ?
@bardejov Thanks so much, what an awesome compliment! :) I do upload a high-resolution image; but I don't get very technical about it. Each one of my images winds up being around 10mb or so in size. The images aren't cropped, which I love! They are printed to the size I send them, so instead of an 8x10, you might get a 9x10.5 or something like that. At least I am mostly sure about that... I need to order a few myself to experiment :)
congratulations, aaron. you and a handful few around here deserve to have your work hanging in hopefully elegant homes and offices. i do not view this as gloating, i view this as something of an inspiration for those who aspire to take their craft a few notches higher. mighty high standards you set there. and perhaps, one day, you will be the subject of an artist challenge. keep it up!
Fantastic website and definitely not surprised you had a sale already! You do amazing work and you have a great layout as well as a balanced portfolio!! Congratulations!!
I've set a site up & would love some feed back from people on the photos & what they think the site looks like, the url is http://www.sarahodellphotography.com
I've only just started & not really sure about selling but was thinking about setting up a stall at a local vineyard monthly market!?!
Thanks for my discount :) I'll check back here when my order arrives so you can get an idea of delivery times to Australia and to give y'all my opinion of quality of print :)
Oh and I like that they put a thick white border on each paper print...frame sizes differ here is Oz so it will make that easier to deal with!
@sjodell hey Sarah... I am in the midst of designing a website right now. I'm finding it really (like really) difficult to choose which photos to include in it. I've heard so many points of view on how to go about this task but so far it hasn't made it any easier. How did you choose yours? Same question goes to you @grizzlysghost and to anyone else who has had to make a choice of their work for a website, portfolio or an exhibition. Upon what criteria did you chose your photos?
Congratulations Aaron, your work is amazing and looks really good displayed on the website. Well done on selling your first print, you must have been so excited.
@amyspada that is one reason I've asked if anyone can give me some feedback as I've just put all the photos on there which I really like & there are probably way too many on there! Trouble being I have no idea what other people would be interested in!
Well, I was soooo happy to see you announce this on FB the other day, Aaron... so awesome to see you do this. It is as Brendan said.. a leap of faith. :)
Funnily enough, it all coincides with things moving in that direction for me too. I have 2 people wanting to buy prints from me and a 3rd expression of interest for a company starting in Australia which is already in the States.. they print on wood. They are very interested in some shots. So, I need to split shots up... absolute best to be sold possibly as one off or limited editions and others which I still really like but not quite as good as the best... to go to something like that company. I'm also looking into a new stock site that I've recently been made aware of. It's exciting but scary. I haven't got any sites up and running yet but thinking I will also do up an FB page. A name is my first priority! Feel free to pitch ideas lol.
@agima Is there a site that is similar to the FAA site that is based in Australia?
@sjodell@amyspada From my limited experience over the last few months I found people so unique in their purchases. My water drop shots actually sold first, then landscapes and two recent purchases were the urban Toronto shots.
Now, the one's that I would pick didn't sell. But I think I looked at them to technically and instead you need to look at your buyer and what they can relate to. For my purchasers, they wanted unique (water,macro) and local (i.e. the urban and cottage landscape shots). However, it's not an exact science - each market is different. Learn as you go.
Sarah, I would visit the market before you sell and talk to other similar merchants and see what their top sellers are (is it landscape, urban, macro etc.)
Hopefully others here will share their experiences to give you more insight.
@amyspada Concerning the photos I'm putting up, I think I just try to picture someone having them on display somewhere; so I have to avoid the ones with a definite personal aspect. I also think I might be putting up a bit too many, but I want to get a good variety out there; I may slim it down again sometime in the future. And like many have found, my favorites are certainly not in line with how others feel, and vice versa! :)
@amyspada@sjodell@grizzlysghost I'm actually in the middle of getting a selection of people to choose a top 20 of what they like... and then cross reference that and get what the majority is etc... it is hard indeed. This was a suggestion I read when putting together a portfolio... I think it's a good one :)
I agree Aaron... sometimes my faves seem to "flop" to others lol. It's subjective after all.
I've been having trouble with posting comments, but wanted to let you know that I think this is another great photo that you might consider. I think it might have been in July.
@amyspada Amy, I love that you're someone who is honest! How in the world can someone learn if all they hear are compliments and kudos? I LOVE the support that comes with our 365 family but there's nothin' better than someone shedding some new light or constructive criticism on a subject. BRAVA for being truthful. x, Betsie
Aaron, I am not trying to stalk you, honest. I was using a search engine trying to locate the site that you mentioned here, and it also brought up the 500px site that you have photos on. Is there an advantage to one site over the other?
@debrac No shame in stalking me Debra, the list is long and distinguished! ;) I started 500px some time ago as a place to put some of my best and still have the option of selling; but that lost steam pretty quickly. FAA is so much better for that sort of thing, and it's a better community. Also, if you do a google search, FAA is almost always the first site that pops up (under the yellow sponsored links). So if you google "landscape photos for sale", Fine Art America is the first place to pop up, which is a HUGE advantage if you are trying to sell your images.
@kazlamont Awesome Kazzy! I ordered a couple things for myself through FAA as well and they are on their way too (they are very quick!) I only get notified when someone orders something, but not when orders for other people ship. Thanks again!! :)
Aaron, I need help. You got me started on this, but now I can't get my portrait format photos to load right. I saw that you had some and they are correct, but it seems to default mine to landscape. Do you know a trick that I don't?
@debrac Hmm... I've never run into that problem before; I just upload the image as it appears on my computer. It's never asked about orientation. I would guess it has something to do with how you've saved the image you're trying to upload.
@grizzlysghost Well thanks anyway. I thought it strange since I don't have any problems on 365. I might try my PC though. I got a new laptop and am still not finding it very user friendly, so maybe it is operator error.
@grizzlysghost My (your) prints arrived yesterday 19th woot! 15 days to arrive at East Coast Oz. Very happy with the images themselves and the print quality was perfect. I compared them to my computer screen with the result that the colour was spot on (which is a relief to know my screen is calbrated to suit FAA standards at least!) The three prints are framed and on my walls...I might get a better frame for the Lake McDonald print as the matt covers about an inch of the sides...needs to be more panoramic. I am very happy with my purchase! Good luck with future sales.
@kazlamont ALLRIGHT! Fantastic Kazzy, so glad they are good quality; that's one thing I wasn't sure about on the site. Thanks so much for your support, you ROCK! :)
Well done Aaron on a first class website and taking the step that so many of us only dream of doing! I've just realised I must be the only 365 member who hasn't followed you, although I always love reading your comments on everyone's work! Don't know how that happened... but as of now you have a new No. 1 fan!
So lately I've had several requests on FaceBook to purchase my work... and I feel totally uncomfortable about it. It's never crossed my mind to sell my photos, and besides, these are my friends... if I could, I'd just hand them a print. But they WANT to pay... and as my wife says, who am I to stop them?
I also worry that if I begin selling, it will change the way I look at what I'm doing--that I'll be thinking too much about the "money shot". Photography's my hobby, my relaxation. My way of getting away from the stress of my job.
Have any of you felt that putting your work up for sale has changed the way you go about taking pictures (for better or for worse)?
@squamloon You could use your photography selling income to buy new gear :P I still take shots the same as always. It's not my bread and butter so that might make a difference?
@squamloon Exactly what @ozziehoffy said; it's not my bread and butter. I just shoot the way I always shoot, and if I wind up with something I think someone might like, I put it up on FAA. Now, if I was "hired" to photograph something specific, then I wouldn't be too happy about it probably.
If someone whats your work then they should pay for it... You spent the time and money to learn the craft, let along the time and money just to get the shot....
Does it change the way I shoot... Yes... but I enjoy what I do, but sometimes I do get sick of photographing horses over jumps.... ;-) The passion comes back when I see the final photos.
I also take photo for myself, not only for fun but practice.
@grizzlysghost Hi, Aaron -- I've had this discussion in mind for quite awhile and just read through it again. I saw that you'd ordered some prints for yourself to take a look -- was wondering if you were happy with them, have any comments?
I saw that @kazlamont was tickled pink with the quality, so wondering if you ended up feeling the same -- since they are "your babies"?
@ridley Haha, go for it! It's easy-peesy; you just set it up and wait for people to buy stuff. Every now and then, tell people about your site; otherwise the only real work you do is post the photo! :)
@grizzlysghost Hi! Just wanted to let you, and anyone else who may be reading this post, that it truly was as easy as Aaron describes to set up and the prints I got back where tremendous quality (and better price!). I'll tell you guys what my site is later. I just ordered a metal print as a gift, so I'll let you know how that one looks.
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off to look at your site and drool..thanks for posting the link
And, I agree, so many of your photos are worthy of sale (I think they are worth more than you are asking, too!). Its tough, isn't it, like choosing a favorite child!
http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/alexis-birkill.html
@abirkill Awesome Alexis! In fact, it may have been you that first turned me on to FAA, so thanks for that! :)
Have you personally seen the quality of the paper or other materials they print on? or the quality of colors/print results?
Just curious... Thanks.
Just a quick question, who arrnages the printing postage etc ?
@grizzlysghost Thanks! I look forward to hearing about that and congrats on your early sale(s).
Just sold two of my recent Toronto urban pics this month - so looking for a new site to consider selling more. Thanks for sharing!
And people, please don't think I am gloating, I am not at ALL! My photos aren't any better than MANY of yours, I just want to illustrate that you too can sell your material, and FAA is an excellent venue for it!
I also use FAA but I must admit it is more of a throw away site for me as I don't put much effort into it as my target audience is portraits and events. Which means it is very specific to the people that have a personal connection with the photos.
I also haven't paid the $30 per year for FAA (see I told you it was a throw away site), but from what I can tell I can still sell the prints through their direct self-fulfilment. Now having said that I have never sold anything from there, so maybe that is why. ;-)
My main site is www.BrendanMaunder.com where you can find a link to my on-line store or my FAA site http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/brendan-maunder.html
I originally looked at FAA as a way of selling prints into the US as I am in Australia, but pushing that market takes some time and effort that I currently don't have. ;( Which is also why I don't do many landscape shots.
The FAA links into your facebook sites so it posts on your wall when you upload a new image, which is great if you use your FB for business.
I am currently in the process of revamping my on-line presence to give a consistent feel across all my sites and reduce the amount of time I spend having to update all of them which is why if you follow me, I have been one and off for awhile and you are starting to see my daily updates point back to blogs in my main site.
I must say I get thrilled to bits every time someone purchases one of my prints. The thought that someone will put this on their wall for everyone to see is a great feeling, and with family portraits you know they will be handed down through the generations. @abirkill
@abirkill Alexis, how have you found using FAA for shipping to Canada? I was just wondering if it is expensive or if you have had any feedback? I have looked at using FAA but wasn't sure if the shipping costs would turn people off of purchasing my images...
They do also have a few other domains that you can use if you're targeting a specific audience that might be put off by the name, for example: http://finearteurope.com/
I also haven't (yet) signed up for the 'premium' plan, and am just using a free account. I still get 5% commission on accessories (although I suspect that's a bug), so the only downside is that you can only make 25 images available for sale (but you can swap them around as you want).
And how did you decide prices?
I've set a site up & would love some feed back from people on the photos & what they think the site looks like, the url is http://www.sarahodellphotography.com
I've only just started & not really sure about selling but was thinking about setting up a stall at a local vineyard monthly market!?!
Thanks for my discount :) I'll check back here when my order arrives so you can get an idea of delivery times to Australia and to give y'all my opinion of quality of print :)
Oh and I like that they put a thick white border on each paper print...frame sizes differ here is Oz so it will make that easier to deal with!
Funnily enough, it all coincides with things moving in that direction for me too. I have 2 people wanting to buy prints from me and a 3rd expression of interest for a company starting in Australia which is already in the States.. they print on wood. They are very interested in some shots. So, I need to split shots up... absolute best to be sold possibly as one off or limited editions and others which I still really like but not quite as good as the best... to go to something like that company. I'm also looking into a new stock site that I've recently been made aware of. It's exciting but scary. I haven't got any sites up and running yet but thinking I will also do up an FB page. A name is my first priority! Feel free to pitch ideas lol.
@agima Is there a site that is similar to the FAA site that is based in Australia?
@agima @grizzlysghost
Now, the one's that I would pick didn't sell. But I think I looked at them to technically and instead you need to look at your buyer and what they can relate to. For my purchasers, they wanted unique (water,macro) and local (i.e. the urban and cottage landscape shots). However, it's not an exact science - each market is different. Learn as you go.
Sarah, I would visit the market before you sell and talk to other similar merchants and see what their top sellers are (is it landscape, urban, macro etc.)
Hopefully others here will share their experiences to give you more insight.
Thanks again!
I agree Aaron... sometimes my faves seem to "flop" to others lol. It's subjective after all.
My order was shipped on 9th ....woohoo!
Does FAA let you know this info too?
I also worry that if I begin selling, it will change the way I look at what I'm doing--that I'll be thinking too much about the "money shot". Photography's my hobby, my relaxation. My way of getting away from the stress of my job.
Have any of you felt that putting your work up for sale has changed the way you go about taking pictures (for better or for worse)?
@grizzlysghost @abirkill @sjodell @sailingmusic @ozziehoffy @agima @kkolstad
If someone whats your work then they should pay for it... You spent the time and money to learn the craft, let along the time and money just to get the shot....
Does it change the way I shoot... Yes... but I enjoy what I do, but sometimes I do get sick of photographing horses over jumps.... ;-) The passion comes back when I see the final photos.
I also take photo for myself, not only for fun but practice.
I saw that @kazlamont was tickled pink with the quality, so wondering if you ended up feeling the same -- since they are "your babies"?
Aaron, thanks so so much for your help!