How do you know? - DPChallenge Forums

02/23/2005 08:18:50 PM · #1

I am going to ask yet another question but i guess that is what this forum is for.
How do you know when you are good enough to start selling your photos? I would love this to be my job and I am very aware i have quite a long way to go, but i wonder if i just decide one day that yes I am good enough and try to start selling or how do i go about it?
How did you all start selling and who did you see about selling your photos? (eg:newspapers, etc)

Canon EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS

02/23/2005 08:48:39 PM · #2

bump

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

02/23/2005 08:50:29 PM · #3

If you wait for the feeling your good enough it may never happen, for me it was right when a mentor/peer (photo buff) said "You should be selling your prints".

Message edited by author 2005-02-23 20:50:51.

bdobe

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

02/23/2005 08:51:37 PM · #4

I'd say when the first individual is willing to pay you for one of your images -- of course, that necessitates that you peddle your work...

Sorta like the chicken and egg question, really.

Put your work out there... and you'll find out.

Message edited by author 2005-02-23 20:52:06.

ButterflySis

Canon EOS-50D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

02/23/2005 08:55:07 PM · #5

I began selling my work a few months ago. I started selling because people kept asking, "When are you going to start selling this stuff?" or "Can I buy a print of this?" After selling some things I sent out a mass email to more friends and family and sold a fair amount more. I now have some things in a shop and a real estate office. I'm also entering my first exhibit next weekend and a craft/art show in a few weeks.

A big part of selling is that you have to have confidence in your work. You don't have to think it's the best ever (I know mine isn't) but if you don't think, "Hey, I do pretty good. I can hold my own." then you're probably not going to be convincing enough to sell. Just mho...

Jen

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

02/23/2005 09:08:27 PM · #6

thanks for your answers guys. I will keep slugging away and one day i will hopefully have the confidence to say hey! i'm doing ok I think i will try and sell some prints.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

02/23/2005 09:10:57 PM · #7

Why not put some up for sale. You will never know if someone wants to buy.

Mattel Barbie Photo Designer Digital Camera

02/23/2005 09:16:17 PM · #8

Originally posted by faidoi:

Why not put some up for sale. You will never know if someone wants to buy.

how do i do that? Not sure anyone would want them anyway

digitalknight

02/23/2005 09:19:27 PM · #9

I'm in the middle of this process now. I get hired all the time to go shoot specific things for clients, or shoot portrait/candids of kids at play. But to sell prints has always been elusive to me.

So I showed some of my stuff, friends bought some prints, so I'm setting up my DPCPrints and (if my stuff ever gets approved) I'll send out an email to all 12 people I know and ask for referrals and then I'll see if I'm good enough to sell prints or not.

So jump on in with me and see how you do!

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

02/23/2005 09:20:05 PM · #10

Originally posted by lentil:

Originally posted by faidoi:
Why not put some up for sale. You will never know if someone wants to buy.

how do i do that? Not sure anyone would want them anyway

Start here.