Anyone with a camera can sell their photos online. All you need is a good eye, some creativity, and a willingness to learn the ropes of how to sell your photos online. This article will give you all the information you need to start.
Where to Sell Your Photos Online
There are many websites that sell stock photos. iStockPhoto, Shutterstock, and Depositphotos are some of the more popular websites. There are also sites that sell photos specifically for certain uses, like food photography or nature photography. When you’re just starting out, it’s a good idea to sell your photos on as many sites as possible to get exposure and build up a portfolio.
How to Sell Your Photos Online
Use a Good Quality Camera
This doesn’t necessarily mean an expensive DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera, Even a good quality point-and-shoot camera can take great photos. Make sure the photos you’re submitting are high resolution and focused.
Edit Your Photos
Most stock photo sites will have basic editing capabilities (cropping, adjusting brightness/contrast, etc.), however, it’s always a good idea to edit your photos before you submit them. This shows that you’re willing to put in the extra effort to make your photos look their best, and it will give you a better chance of having your photos accepted.
Choose Your Subjects Carefully
Think about what kind of photos sell well. Stock photo sites carry images of popular topics like food, travel, business, technology, etc. You’re more likely to sell your photos if you have a portfolio of well-edited photos on popular topics.
How Much to Charge for Your Photos
Stock photo sites typically sell photos for a few dollars each. When you’re first starting out, it’s a good idea to sell your photos for the lowest price possible to get exposure and build up your portfolio. As you sell more photos and build up your reputation, you can start charging more for your photos.
You may have multiple buyers for each photo, so don’t be afraid to sell the same photo multiple times for a competitive price. You can also offer exclusive rights for a photo for a higher price, however, this means that the photo can only be sold by you and can’t be sold again.
Tips for Selling Your Photos Online
Start With a Few Good-Quality Photos
You don’t need to have a huge portfolio of photos to sell, but you do need to have some good-quality images that will interest buyers. Choose your best photos to start with and submit them to stock photo sites.
Use Keywords to Help Buyers Find Your Photos
Most stock photo sites allow you to add keywords to your photos. These keywords help buyers find your photos when they’re searching for specific topics. Use popular keywords that buyers are likely to use when they’re looking for photos like yours.
Choose Popular Topics for Your Photos
As mentioned earlier, stock photo sites are always looking for photos of popular topics. You’re more likely to sell your photos if you have a portfolio of well-edited photos on popular topics.
Sell Your Photos for the Lowest Price Possible
When you’re first starting out, it’s a good idea to sell your photos for the lowest price possible to get exposure and build up your portfolio. As you sell more photos and build up your reputation, you can start charging more for your photos.
Offer Exclusive Rights for a Higher Price
If you’re willing to sell the exclusive rights to your photos, you can charge a higher price. This means that the photo can only be sold by you and can’t be sold again.
Offering exclusive rights is a good way to make more money from your photos and it’s also a good way to get your photos noticed by buyers.
Promote Your Photos on Social Media
Once you’ve sold some of your photos, promote them on social media to get more exposure. This will help you sell even more photos and build up your reputation as a photographer.
Join a Community of Photographers
There are many community forums and websites for photographers where you can share your photos, get feedback, and learn from other photographers. Joining one of these communities will help you improve your photography skills and make connections with other photographers.
Conclusion
Now that you understand where and how to sell your photos online, it’s time to get started. Choose a few good-quality photos to start with and submit them to stock photo sites. Use keywords to help buyers find your photos and choose popular topics for your photos. Sell your photos for the lowest price possible when you’re first starting out and offer exclusive rights for a higher price. Promote your photos on social media to get more exposure and join a community of photographers to improve your skills and make connections. With a little effort, you can start making money from your photography.