What is Salable in Photo Sales?

Sooner or later, when we plan to sell our work, we want to know where the photo sales will come from. Too often, we spend a great deal of time shooting work where there is relatively little sales, as a result. We also find this out too late!

It helps to know what is salable.

There are two types of photo sales: assignment photography and stock photography. Assignment photography is photography that is paid for before the pictures are shot. Stock photography is shot on speculation. Click here for more in-depth information about stock photography.

However, on a very basic level, here are some tips to consider for success in selling stock. If you want to sell your photos in books, magazines or newspapers, you must offer the right images. The right stock images always have people or animals in them. Such photos “have a heartbeat.” If you’re targeting magazines, newspapers and other consumer publications, photos with people outnumber photo sales of images without people by a margin of seven to one.

So, always try to shoot people in a variety of situations. Shoot people at the beach, at work, driving, walking, hiking, at ball games, and at concerts. All kinds of people make good subjects. Look for couples, singles, senior citizens, families, ethnic children and families and different cultures. Always carry model releases with you to increase your chances of selling these images.

Think of all the places where you see great photography. Now keep in mind that someone had to make, sell and buy those photos. How many feature people? Simply flip through any popular magazine and the answer will immediately be clear: photographs of all kinds of people of all ages and in all kind of settings sell.

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Photo Sales – Traditional Niches

Portraits
Senior High School photos
Event photos
Weddings
School pictures
Corporate photography

All are additional opportunities for sales.

Along with photo sales of people, you can also do well selling cute animal pictures. Since animals, like humans, “have a heartbeat,” there is a tendency for people to identify strongly with animals.

Photo Sales Tips

Photo Sales:

• don't happen by accident - it takes action
• don't happen all of a sudden - they are the results of ongoing marketing
• don't always happen when you expect - be prepared to:
  1.)ask for the sale; and
  2.)close the sale
• are your bread and butter - focus on your marketing efforts when conducting business
• don't have to be personal - it's ok to have an agency or fulfillment company handle your sales - do your research for the agency or company that fits your photography niche and fits your style

Take a good look at automating your photography business as much as possible. With the advancement of technology, it is almost impossible for a photographer to be without a web site or an online photo gallery. Also, technology has made it very easy and hassle-free for photographers of all levels to automate their sales. First of all, your customers will love you because you make so easy for them to see the photos and purchase them if they choose. Take advantage of resources that automate your work. You won't regret it!

There really are no secrets about how to be successful in photography. Continue to develop your skills and continue to increase your knowledge about this business.

There are no secrets - there is simply information that you don't know, yet. But, you should know.