Why Photographers CAN’T SELL PRINTS | Creative E-Commerce 101

Why you can't sell prints.

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[sonofabear]

I sold a stock image of a mushroom today for $125. I was never good at selling physical prints though

[BartRosfotografie]

You are correct here. I sell a lot of digital licenses or my work. Much less actual physical stuff. But I make a calendar of my best images locally and it sold 1200x last year. Now I partnered with a marketingfirm, and the goal is going to 2000x and up over the years. Books also sell well. Just design it yourself. Ask a famous person for a intro. Contact stores. Find a printer that offers a good balance in quality and price. Its pure profit. Slow. But slow profit is also profit.

[content_by_me]

So good Evan! I've worked 20 years in the music industry myself here in Stockholm Sweden, and the life of an artists / content creator is truly like an iceberg, hard hard work and people only see the tip of what you do, and you're so good at explaining how this life works... I agree fully and appreciate you are doing it so well! respect! Good luck with your future projects man!

[westonayersart]

These are my favorite videos from you, the business side of being an artist/photographer. This was a good one, thank you.

[napoleansolo]

I do graphic design and I sell prints sometimes and it’s not that hard to sell something once is what I’ve found but to keep it going consistently is the hardest

[j.pocket]

I've been doing this to some degree since I had to develop film in my grandparents' basement. After over 25 years, when this popped up in the algorithm I was reticent to watch. Because I remember finding your channel in 2016, I wanted to see what you've learned. This is some of the best advice on the subject matter in the industry. Other people may have differing principles here or there, but if someone follows the first four tips here and does the first two steps really well... Grind it out and in 12-14 months it's a legit stream of income. Be specific, find that niche, and serve your local market really well. And if you're going to pick something, pick the lane you most love. Don't force yourself to shoot commercial work when you want to do fine art; and don't approach business owners if you're trying to attract art directors. If you're going to go for it, go for "your" it not just what you think is more lucrative this moment.

[TheAdventuresofTNT]

This why we love your channel. You are an inspiration to all creators in this space, not just photographers.

[jpbousquet]

There is a lot of truth in this video, thanks! The distinction about thinking you are/may/want to be an artist and people will love your photography/prints and the necessity to look at photography/print as a business are two totally different mindset as you point out. It is not easy ;-)

[wildcoaststudio]

A really great analysis. I've long struggled with how to monetize all my different artistic interests - especially as the inspiration fades on one idea. Such a simple idea to implement - thanks for sharing.

[marshalljvanderhoofphoto]

Super valuable message and very inspiring! Selling photographs as an artist/creator is very difficult. Your shift to a business approach is awesome. Thanks for the great content.

[JR-xngl]

I’m not intending to make a business out of my photography or a part thereof, but man! this was excellent advice. . . pure gold.

[GunslingerMediaCo]

I’m straight up using this strategy today. Setting up focused instagram pages instead of a general art pages, and selling prints and merch.

[carolynparr]

Another problem that many photographers have when selling prints is that they’re not opening themselves up to enough online photo selling platforms.
Personally I sell on 4 different platforms:
Etsy
Pic-Time
Pixieset
SmugMug

[aps-pictures]

Reminds me of several musicians - they say the song when it becomes public becomes other people’s. Their own inspiration and emotion stays with them, and the original - but after that it’s a commodity for anyone else to embed their own interpretation or experience upon.

[kidheyful]

What I really appreciated from this was how few cuts were made when you were explaining everything. The clarity you had with these points really showed. I'll be following this advise.

[andrefelixstudio]

You are 100% right, I have been a professional working photographer for over 30 years, I sell is my ability to capture an image I’m not really in the business of selling pictures but I am in business! I take my ideas and use them when I’m asked to create images for a client all I do is put the client in the idea and then they pay me!

[ivycooper]

I need to start my art business a little more because I have to work a full time job I don’t like and I’m praying for a career change 🙏🏾🙏🏾

[elboogie]

Excellent video and a great idea. The vintage car thing is awesome too. I have a ton of pictures of cars from car shows that I haven't been able to do anything with. Plus, from this video alone, I just learned some different ways to shoot them.

Thank you for this video.

[danewell]

Just watched this for the 20th+ time (twice today) because I swear you're talking directly to me. Excellent info and insight. ^5

[coeurvision]

Thank you Evan for this video. This is exactly the point where I am today : see how to serve people keeping my values as a photographer. Have a nice day 🌞