Selling Photos Online: This Is What Professionals Do

Are you looking to generate revenue through photo sales online but are facing challenges or just starting? There are various options available for photographers and artists to sell images online. Options that are tailor-made to suit a photographer's expertise, effort, and revenue expectation. This blog will shed some light on what some professionals do to make their work stand out.

Researching before choosing a niche

Take the time to experiment with various photography styles and research what clients are looking for. Then, consider the popularity of a photography style by conducting keyword research to determine the most profitable niche. Some popular places include people, businesses, food, architecture, objects, and nature.

People's portraits and candid shots are ideal for general interest websites, while office-themed images are great for website landing pages and promotional materials. Food photography is highly demanded by businesses in advertising and publishing, while architecture photos are a hit with travel blogs, hotels, and schools.

Many platforms often seek single-subject shots, like books or clothing, for their product pages, and images of flowers and landscapes are sought after for photo prints and tourism sites.

Choosing the best platform

There are numerous avenues for photographers, be they professionals or novices, to monetize their photography. The choices are abundant, from stock photo websites like Shutterstock to e-commerce platforms like Etsy or even building a personal website using WordPress. Each option has its pros and cons; for instance, selling images online on a stock photo site grants a broader audience reach and marketing support but at a commission fee.

Mainly there are two categories of eCommerce platforms for selling digital photos, stock, and non-stock photography websites.

Selling on a stock photography website is a hassle-free option, as the platform handles everything from hosting to marketing and sales. Examples of popular stock photography websites include Getty Images and Depositphotos.

However, there are limitations to selling on a stock photography site. For example, you must adhere to rules regarding image resolution, licensing, themes, and equipment, and revenue from the sale of your images must be shared with the platform.

On the other hand, selling your photos on a non-stock photography website gives you more control over your images and branding. As long as you abide by the platform's community guidelines, you can sell photos online of your choice, use various image formats, and set your pricing.

While selling on a non-stock photography site requires you to handle the sales and promotion of your images, you stand to earn a higher profit margin in the long run. This is because, payment-wise, stock photography websites generally pay you monthly once you reach a certain threshold, while non-stock sites pay you with each sale.

Protecting your work from stealing

One of the most important factors to consider before starting. To protect your photos and ensure they are not used without proper licensing, consider adding a watermark to any images you share in the public domain. This can significantly reduce the likelihood of unauthorized use.

If you find that someone has used your photos without permission, your initial step should be to contact the individual directly and request that they remove the images. Unfortunately, they may not be aware that they are violating your copyright.

If the individual does not comply with your request, you may need to involve a mediator to help resolve the issue. Legal action through the court system may also be an option, though it can be lengthy and costly.

Reaching and growing the targeted audience

Maximizing your presence on social media is critical to growing your online photography business and attracting potential clients. Clean up your existing profiles or create a new one dedicated to displaying your photography work.

 Utilize hashtags to increase your visibility, and consider expanding your reach by setting up profiles on various social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, Tumblr, Pinterest, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Additionally, engage with other photographers by creating accounts on photography-focused networking sites like Flickr. For even greater exposure, consider investing in sponsored posts on platforms like Instagram or Tumblr for targeted advertising and detailed performance reports.

If you want to create a website on WordPress then always use the FooGallery plugin because with the help of this plugin you can create beautiful and responsive galleries for your website. With this plugin, you can easily manage and display your images, videos, and other media on your website in a visually appealing and organized manner.

Conclusion

Selling photos online as a professional requires research, strategy, and effort. However, you can effectively monetize your photography and grow your business by choosing a profitable niche, selecting the right platform, protecting your work, and promoting your brand through social media. Always stay creative and dedicated; success in online photo sales is within reach.