What's *really* needed to sell prints?

[roteague]

I think there are probably as many ways to sell photographs as there are photographers. What works for one may not work for others - there are too many variables like; where you are selling, the venue you are selling in, the photographers own inclinations (for example, I suspect I would be lousy in the show circuit, since I don't have the temperment or desire to participate in them).

 

[Donald Qualls]

And some people pursue a vocation/career in a field that interests them and in doing so make a living. How good a living depends on how proficient they are at the craft and how capable they are in marketing said craft.

That vocation can bring incredible enjoyment to them as well as to the people they sell their work to.

And a better statement of why I'm interested in selling my photographs couldn't be made. All my life I've labored at tasks I wound up hating, making other people rich. Here, I see the glimmer of hope that I might finally be able to live the dream of making my living doing something I'd do if I had to pay to do it -- and even if I never make a living at it, it'll be a lot easier to keep doing it if I can at least make it self sustaining.

I don't know if I can market my work well enough to make this a reality -- or, really (until I try it) whether my work is really good enough in itself. But if I don't try, in another thirty years I'll be old, decrepit, half-blind, and bitter, and photography will be just another thing I used to enjoy. Might be the case anyway, of course...

 

[kjsphoto]

As far as I am concerned I am done with this thread. Water under the bridge.

 

[Bob Carnie]

And a better statement of why I'm interested in selling my photographs couldn't be made. All my life I've labored at tasks I wound up hating, making other people rich. Here, I see the glimmer of hope that I might finally be able to live the dream of making my living doing something I'd do if I had to pay to do it -- and even if I never make a living at it, it'll be a lot easier to keep doing it if I can at least make it self sustaining.

I don't know if I can market my work well enough to make this a reality -- or, really (until I try it) whether my work is really good enough in itself. But if I don't try, in another thirty years I'll be old, decrepit, half-blind, and bitter, and photography will be just another thing I used to enjoy. Might be the case anyway, of course...

Donald

The simplest first step is to make the prints and start looking for avenues to sell your work. As long as the work is truly first rate and *your *vision , then others will see it as well and want to purchase.
I think others have pointed out that selling prints is not the end all be all aspect of photography, but you are right why not try to make some kind of income from your work.
I personally am very lucky in the fact that I print for others and enjoy most of the time in the darkroom. My financial rewards are not as great as other professions by a long shot , but the personal satisfaction of pleasing other photographers is worth it.
I too am starting to think of selling my own photographs , I am not sure where and to who , but I will definately try.
I think that you should make every effort to have a show once every two years in a gallery setting if you can , and better yet in a city or country not of your own. By doing a show you are basically facing the music to see what people think of your work and as well you will learn from every show you do.
Every photographer that has produced a show through our lab has learned from the experience. Some sell every print and others sell none, but I can assure you something good always comes from the effort.
Marketing , is key as others have pointed out , and it can be as simple as placing your work in the right location at the right time.

good luck with your efforts

Bob

 

[Les McLean]

Donald, I've just read the whole thread which I found very interesting. My 2 pence worth is that I sell prints mounted and matted using 4 ply white museum board but I also sell flattened unmounted prints too. Some buyers want the print to be unmounted some don't and I'm happy either way. For example, in the past 6 weeks I've sold 20 portfolios of 6 prints not mounted or matted but in a portfolio box but at the same time I've sold 5 single prints that have been dry mounted and matted as described above.

I believe that so long as the prints are properly processed, professionally re-touched and they are flat with no dog eared corners etc then they should sell if they are shown in the right market place. As has been said many times in this thread, presentation and marketing are very important areas to pay attention too in the print sales market place.

Best wishes in your endeavours.