Archives For What Sells

Cascades du Herrison - Jura, France

What Sells: Collections

Varina Patel —  January 7, 2013

When you present your images for sale, consider using gallery features that allow you to group your images into categories based upon similarities. For example, I have a gallery that is dedicated only to unusual geology, and another that is just for water shots. You can set up a gallery for images with a dominant blue color theme, or for photographs from a specific location. Your options are wide open.

We use SmugMug for our online print sales, and I absolutely love the Smart Galleries feature. It lets you use keywords to create collections, so that potential buyers view images with shared characteristics. When a buyer wants more than one image, they often have a theme in mind. One buyer asked me for 30 detail shots that she could sell as a wallpaper collection. Another wanted several waterfall photographs for decorating a newly opened hospital. In Cleveland, a buyer wanted images of local parks and iconic locations for the walls in an office building. As you build your portfolio, keep an eye out for images that work well together, and be sure to present them as potential groupings.

To learn more about photography check out our eBooks and webinars below:

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Extraordinary Vision

What Sells: Electronic Content

Jay Patel —  December 20, 2012

In the past, Varina and I spent large amounts of time sending our images out to print magazines like Popular Photography, National Parks Magazine, and others. In the last few years, the exploding popularity of tablets and smart phones has had a dramatic impact on how content is created and how it is consumed.

Two and half years ago – when we decided to publish our first photography books – we decided to abandon the traditional paper-based publication. We made the careful decision to move directly towards digital eBook technology. Not only did this give us an opportunity to market out product directly to the consumers without dealing with a middle-man, it also allowed us to be creative with our content.

In 2012, all the publication requests we’ve received have been for electronic media. Literally – ALL of them. Most recently, our work appears in the first issue of Extraordinary Vision – an iPad Magazine for Photographers.

In this issue, we discuss tips for making money from outdoor photography – as well as how to create your own Google Currents based Magazine directly from your website. Extraordinary Image also provides a detailed account of Varina’s Icelandic Disasters… including some interesting photographs.

You can view the magazine on your iPad by downloading the app at: https://itunes.apple.com/nz/app/id563485634

The resource page can be found here: http://extraordinary-vision.com/contributor-resources

To learn more about photography check our our eBooks below:

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Curves

What Sells: Vertical or Horizontal

Varina Patel —  November 1, 2012

Take a look at these shots from The Wave in Arizona. When we are in the field, we sometimes find that a composition works best in either horizontal or vertical orientation. But in most cases, after capturing the most visually appealing image, we will work to find another shot that works with the camera turned 90 degrees. Why? Because sometimes the buyer needs an image that works in a particular orientation. Is he looking for a collection of calendar images? He’s probably going to need horizontal images. Is she looking for photos for a magazine? She’ll need a vertical shot to grace the cover.

Since you never know who might want to purchase your images in the future, you can’t know which orientation will work best for their needs. Shoot in both orientations, and you’ll be ready no matter what they ask for.

To learn more about photography check out our eBooks below:

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What Sells: BIG Canvas Prints

Varina Patel —  March 15, 2012

Would you be surprised if I told you that giclée canvas prints are some of our biggest sellers? There’s just nothing like a really BIG print that makes a statement or ties a room together. In most cases, I don’t get to see a print after it’s hung, so it was a real treat to be able to see this one in its place of honor over the fireplace. This canvas print is hanging in a beautifully decorated home near Atlanta, GA. The colors in the room were actually chosen to match the print – the entire room is coordinated to match the colors in the photograph. I wish I could give you a tour of the whole house – which is a work of art itself. I guess this little shot Jay took with his iPhone will have to suffice. :)

Canvas prints are more expensive – especially really big ones… but most people hang them without a frame, since they stand alone so well. So they avoid the expense of framing, making the price much easier to swallow. If you are selling your photographs, consider offering them on canvas at large size! A photo printed at that size packs a whole lot of punch!

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Looking Glass

What Sells: Local Images

Jay Patel —  February 20, 2012

Cedar Falls, Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio (OH), USA

Not too long ago, Jay sold this shot of Cedar Falls (titled The Looking Glass) as part of a collection of fine art images. He has many shots of waterfalls, and this is not one of his favorites. The image lacks the vibrant colors or grand vistas that you typically find in Jay’s more popular landscape photographs. When the client asked about waterfalls, his first instinct was to send them samples of the most popular waterfall images in his portfolio. One of the first shots he sent was Arizona Dreaming… the brilliantly colorful “icon shot” from Havasu Falls in Arizona.

Arizona Dreaming - Jay Patel

But, the client passed on all the iconic and popular shots from Jay’s gallery. Instead, she chose the quieter image… one that he had never sold before. He was curious about her choice, and he asked her about it. The answer was simple – she wanted images of local icons… no matter how ordinary they looked in comparison with those iconic locations.

Next time you attend a local art fair, make sure you have plenty of local images. Colorful photographs capture the eye of the viewer – but familiar places capture their hearts.

To learn more about photography check out our eBooks below:
Workflow Series Collection
Apprentice Series Collection

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Choosing a Dress - Varina Patel

What Sells: Beauty in the Details Screen Saver

Varina Patel —  September 26, 2011

Last week, we told you about Second Nature – which recently purchased twenty-two images from each of us for nature-themed screen saver collections. They have kindly offered us 50 free downloads to hand out to friends and fans on our websites. I know many of you downloaded Jay’s screen saver last week. This week, you can download Varina’s collection. Free of charge for the first 50 people.

Use the following link:

http://www.secondnaturecd.com/beindebyvapa.html

Special Coupon Code: vardetpat

Instructions: Use the Regular Check-Out Method. At the bottom left of the Payment screen, enter your special coupon code.
(If you use the Yahoo Wallet Method: At the bottom of the Review screen on the bottom left, enter your special coupon code.)
The final cost for the collection will be $0.

A big thank you to Second Nature for offering these free downloads! We hope you enjoy them!

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What Sells: Into the Light Screen Saver

Jay Patel —  September 15, 2011

In our digitized society, we sell images to a wide variety of buyers – it’s not just magazines, books, and calendars anymore. Earlier this year, we were contacted by Second Nature, which produces high resolution screen savers for computer desktops. They licensed thirty of Jay’s images – and 30 of Varina’s – for nature-themed screen-saver collections!

As part of the licensing deal, we are able to give away 50 FREE downloads to our fans. If you are interested, you can visit the following link:

http://www.secondnaturecd.com/inlibyjaypaw.html

Special Coupon Code: jaylightpat

Instructions: Use the Regular Check-Out Method. At the bottom left of the Payment screen, enter your special coupon code.
(If you use the Yahoo Wallet Method: At the bottom of the Review screen on the bottom left, enter your special coupon code.)
The final cost for the collection will be $0.

Next week, we’ll provide the information for free downloads of Varina’s collection.

We hope you enjoy your new screen saver! A big thank you to Second Nature for allowing us to offer them free of charge!

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Publication: Landscape Photography Magazine

Jay Patel —  July 11, 2011

This shot – along with a variety of others from my portfolio – was published recently in Landscape Photography Magazine. I was surprised that they chose this shot, since I have very few nighttime photographs in my collection. Click here to check out the whole issue.

The magazine is nicely designed and has some good information on various locations, as well as some interesting articles about photography. It was an honor to be asked to contribute!

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What Sells? Fine Art Wall Calendar

Jay Patel —  July 24, 2010

The photography market is undergoing dramatic changes as digital imagery becomes mainstream. From photographic equipment to media libraries – the industry is seeing major upheaval. And yet, the market for annual wall calenders seems to be relatively unaffected. One of Jay’s highest selling photographs – titled Heaven’s Gate – was chosen for the front cover of the Weingarten 2011 Wall Calender.

Heaven's Gate

The same calender saw the publication of 3 more of Jay’s photographs.

Rain of Fire

Painted with Light

Valley of Shadow of Death

Images for calendars like these are chosen based upon location, theme, or terrain (seascapes, forests, waterfalls, mountains, etc.) – and shots from National Parks are some of the most popular. Most wall calenders are designed with daily scheduling in mind, but this one is intended to be an artwork display. Each month is represented by a large and beautifully printed photograph, and each page has a small calendar at the bottom. Most of the photographs showcase dramatic light.

How did the calender company find Jay’s work? Via the internet. Most of our clients find our work on our blog or websites – and many discover our posts on popular photography websites and discussion groups. If you are hoping to sell you work, make the most of the internet for advertising. Keep your online portfolio up-to-date, and add photos regularly. A diverse collection of themes will attract buyers from a wider variety of markets – we shoot everything from tiny pebbles to majestic mountains.

Jay and I will be announcing a contest in a few days, so keep an eye on the blog. We’ll choose a theme and ask for photographs from all of you. The winner will receive a Weingarten 2011 Wall Calender – and we’ll showcase your winning photo here on our blog… along with the work of a few runners-up.

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What Sells? Graphics Company Calendar

Varina Patel —  January 22, 2010

One of the best markets for landscape photography are annual calendars. Recently two of Jay’s images were chosen by a local company for publication in their large art calendar. This photo, titled Reflections of Beauty, was selected for the cover.

This one – titled Stranded – was selected for the October page.

Images for calendars like these are chosen based upon location, theme, or terrain (seascapes, forests, waterfalls, mountains, etc.) – and shots from National Parks are some of the most popular. Most of the time, the calendar company is looking for landscape images that are appropriate for a particular season – so we try to make sure that we shoot in a variety of seasons. For example, if you have photos of Yosemite in Summer, but not in Winter, the publisher will have to go with someone else for those winter images. We visit locations more than once to fill in gaps in our portfolios.

Several months ago, we got a call from National Geographic asking about images for their 2010 Calendars. In the end, they selected two images from National Parks which were published in their 2010 National Park’s engagement calender.

The market for landscape photography for calender companies is pretty broad. You can maximize your chances of getting published by expanding your portfolio to include a diverse set of images from a variety of locations – during a variety of seasons.

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