Introduction

Getting Started

By Andrew Hudson

Introduction

If you enjoy photography, a good logical step is to try and make money from your hobby. Then you can spend more time doing what you enjoy. Selling your photographs takes time and dedication, but it is possible. Lots of people do it, and you can too.

Almost every professional photographer started out in some other field: Elliott Porter was a doctor, Ansel Adams was a pianist, Galen Rowell was a mechanic, Bob Krist was an actor. I (although I shouldn't put myself in such company) was an engineer and salesperson. If these people can start from nowhere and sell their work, so can you.

The nice part about selling photography is that anyone can do it -- you're not dependent upon physical ability, age, or background. It's more about art and energy. The photographic market is so open that every photographer and publisher I've met is pleased to give ideas and suggestions.

Summary

	National Geographic Traveler photographer Bob Krist makes money wherever he can. He sells: stock photos direct to magazines and through major stock agencies; products such as books; and services such as workshops and lectures. Read more here.

There are three ways to make money from photography: Photos, products, and services.

1. Photos: You've probably got a bunch of great pictures. We're going to call them "stock" photos, since they're in your stockpile of things ready to sell. You hold the copyright and can license the images over and over.

   There are two ways to license stock:

   Web: Get the buyer to come to you by displaying your photos online. You can submit your photos to stock agencies and microstock sites, and/or put them on your own Web site, by getting a photo storefront or building your own site.

   Direct: You go to the buyer by sending samples of your work to targeted publishers of Web sites, postcards, notecards, books, advertising, and magazines.

2. Products: Besides letting other people use your photos, you can use your photos, to make items for sale. You can create products such as prints, postcards and books, to sell at galleries, gift shops and online.





3. Services: You don't necessarily need photos to make money from photography -- you can sell your skills as a photographer. You can be a wedding, portrait, assignment or staff photographer; lead photo tours and workshops; and do non-photography photography such as writing.

Finally, there are, of course, laws that affect you. For example, copyright, privacy, photographs you can't sell. (I need to finish this paragraph.) Success stories. Links. Something here about pricing.

That's the summary, let's get to the details. (Now that I've told you what I'm going to tell you, let me tell you what I'm going to tell you.)

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