People love buying photos online. Whether it’s an heirloom or a souvenir, images speak a language the heart understands. The Internet has opened the floodgates for buyers seeking to buy photos, and it’s raised a huge question: Where can photographers make the most money? Is it still in photography? How much can a typical photographer charge for a photo? How does the industry change when it comes to selling photos online? Let’s examine these questions and more as we take a look at the top 12 best places to sell photos online.
Create Your Own Photography Blog
One of the best places to sell your photos is via a blog. A blog allows you to post articles and videos regarding your industry, and when someone is seeking your industry’s services or products, they’ll typically land on your site. A blog is also a perfect place to build an audience, and once you’ve got an audience, you can let them know when and where you’ll be selling your next photo project.
Blogs are easy to set up, and if you’re able to attract and retain an interested audience, you can harness the power of the internet to grow your business and brand. To get started with a blog, visit Blogging for photographers for helpful tips and guidance on establishing and managing your own blog.
E-Commerce Store
Another great place for photographers to sell their photos is an online e-commerce store. An e-commerce store allows you to sell your products through a simple to use platform built for the purpose of shopping. You can use an e-commerce store to sell your photos, either via a standalone store or as part of a larger store.
When someone clicks on an image of a product they like, it will typically lead them to a page with more information about that product along with a few choices (similar items). If a user chooses to buy the product after viewing the page, you’ll earn a small commission for that sale.
The best part of an e-commerce store is that you can easily test new products, see how they perform in real life, and make changes to your strategy as necessary. When you have an e-commerce store, you never have to worry about running out of stock or missing a sale because you didn’t have the right item in-house. You can also use third-party logistics companies to fulfill orders from customers worldwide as well. With a little effort, you can ensure that all of your sales are tracked and recorded accurately.
Stock Photography Agency
A stock photography agency is where photographers rent out their photos to businesses and organizations who need to create marketing materials or websites. Stock photography agencies offer a wide variety of photos, and because of the volume they handle, pricing is usually very competitive. As a photographer, you’ll generally be required to sign a contract and agree to a set amount of work.
Stock photography agencies operate in a similar fashion to a photo agency, only instead of booking celebrities, they specialize in finding and supplying high-quality photos for various applications. Since stock photography agencies handle large volumes, they can negotiate great pricing with various content providers like Google and Adobe for their photos. The more you work, the more you’ll make. The downside is that you won’t have much control over the projects you’re pitched and may have to agree to work for whatever pricing the agency decides is acceptable.
If you’re looking to break into the stock photography industry, consider looking for a stock photography agency in your area that already has a good reputation. Doing business with a well-established agency can assist you in getting your foot in the door and ensure you’re working with someone who has the experience necessary to get the job done.
Album
An album is like a scrapbook for adults. Although creating an album might seem like a daunting task, ordering pre-designed albums from a company like Scrapbooks Etc is a great way to have a memorable keepsake of your loved ones’ events and to show them how much you care. When an album arrives, your loved ones will be delighted to see all the effort you put into it.
With an album, you can also choose the type of paper you’d like to use as well as the type of album they make. It’s a great option for people who want to keep track of their travels, fun-day activities, festivals, and more. Since albums are meant to be a keepsake, they don’t usually cost much to buy, so it’s a win-win situation for everyone involved.
Rental
Instead of selling your photos, you could also consider renting them out for a fee. When someone searches for your photos, they’ll typically see a selection of images from a portfolio along with information about the photographer. If the image they see is exceptional, they may click on the photographer’s website to learn more about them and see their work.
If you decide this is a route you want to go down, make sure you read the fine print before you make a contract. Sometimes there are additional fees beyond just what you’re paying for the photoshoot, so be sure to find out what those are before you decide.
Ensure Copyright Not On File
It’s crucial to protect your intellectual property, whether you’re selling your photos or not. When someone searches for your photos, they usually don’t want to see someone else’s work. Instead, they want to see your own unique photos and find the source for where the image came from. You can protect your intellectual property by ensuring the copyright is not on file with the public domain dedication or unmarked.
If you’re concerned about protecting your intellectual property, consider registering your photos with the United States Copyright Office. This will give you the legal right to prevent others from using your photos without your consent.
Self-Publish Book
If you’re looking for an easy way to make money, consider self-publishing a book. Photography is a form of art that can be easily digitized and transferred to a digital format, so it’s possible to create a book entirely in digital form. With a book, you’ll be able to add your name as the author and add the proper content so that your potential audience know exactly what they’re buying.
Even if you don’t want to actually write the book yourself, it can still be a great choice for those who need to find a way to make money quickly. In the age of the internet, it’s possible to make money online through various means, but the best and most obvious choice is through selling your products or services online. The sky is the limit when it comes to what you could sell online, and with so much competition, it’s essential to find a way to stand out among the masses.
With a little research, it’s easy to find the best places to sell your photos online. As you can see above, there are many different ways that photographers can make money, and above all, have fun while doing so. To put it simply, if you want to be a successful photographer, have fun.