Great video with some excellent ideas. Here is a tip I have found handy as my customer base for selling prints is quite international, due to my travels. To enhance affordability with shipping and to circumvent tariffs and unexpected taxes at borders, I employ multiple print labs located in different regions. I have one in Europe, another in North America, one in Asia, and one at home in New Zealand. I ensure to have each lab conduct test prints for me the first time i use them and only rely on those with reputable track records. This approach not only aids in reducing the need to transport prints across long distances but also contributes to a lower carbon footprint.
I looked you up on Facebook and saw that you are based out of Japan. I am also in Japan. I am looking to print work and would be interested to know who you use in Asia to print.
Hi Matt. For years I printing my work with a 24 " Epson printer - but in the recent (5 years) the cost of online printing has fallen well below the cost of doing it myself - due in part to the high cost of the printer ink cassettes, printer head cleaning, etc. As well, whenever I took a couple of months off printing, I would inevitably screw up on the next print, which costs. Granted, the labs I now go to offer less iterations and tweaking compared to diy printing, but the cost saving is big, including the extra shipping cost if I do not send it directly to the clients from the print lab. Also, as you indicate, getting your work in front of people in a real venue is a way to get sales there and online. Best wishes for future sales!
00:00 📸 The speaker discusses various avenues for selling photography, including online platforms, galleries, and coffee shops. 02:13 💻 Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram can be effective for selling prints, especially to older demographics who own homes and have wall space. 06:00 🖼 Starting with a free website on platforms like Weebly or Wix can be a good initial step for showcasing photography work. 09:41 ☕ Coffee shops provide opportunities for short-term and long-term art displays, allowing exposure to local communities. 12:45 🛒 Adding an e-commerce section to a personal website enables online sales with customizable options for prints. 15:17 🖨 Investing in a professional printer allows for in-house printing control, although learning to print effectively can be a process. 19:10 🖼 Galleries provide exposure and potential sales opportunities, typically taking a percentage of sales in exchange for representation.
Thank you for the details of how you got started and made photography work for you. I have recently gotten my business license and have a portfolio website. I’m a little hung up on picking my print company because there are so many options. I’m not really efficient and would prefer someone who does all the work for me. However, I’m starting with no money in reserve so I don’t have the ability to drop hundreds or more on inventory for show. I’m hoping that I can print a couple of items per month to accumulate product. It’s very difficult to start a business! This is the first video of yours that I have seen but I will be watching them all! Thanks again!
Congratulations on getting your business license and setting up your portfolio website! I understand the challenges of choosing a print company. Considering your budget constraints, you might explore print-on-demand services which is basically how my online store works. Take their full deposit before you contact the printing company you will soon work with 😉. They will then handle printing, packaging, and shipping, allowing you to start with minimal upfront costs (that is to say they offer those services). It's a great way to build your product offerings gradually. Best of luck on your entrepreneurial journey! I hope you like my other youtube content. Cheers
Excellent video Matt, I lived in Sidney five years ago with a studio above my barn! Your information will be valuable to a photographer starting out.... well done!
This helps so much, because I'm 5 years into photography and I've been trying to make money with it. So, I will be using a lot of this to help me start my possible future.
Great insight video Matt on selling ones photos. I have sold prints in all the venues I have had the opportunity to display in, and I would say it has not been an easy journey. I believe selling prints is not as popular as it was in 35mm film days so in todays instant gratification culture it can be challenging venture.. I do Fine Art prints of wildlife which seem to be popular, and it took me apx 12-18 months to get my first gig. Covid and lock down did not help at all, however it was a difficult time for all of us. I would like to get my own printer, however I do not sell enough at the moment to warrant one.
Thank you for sharing your experiences! Selling prints indeed comes with its challenges, and it's commendable that you've found success despite the evolving landscape of photography. The current climate, especially with the impact of Covid and lockdowns, has undoubtedly added an extra layer of difficulty for many. It's a thoughtful approach to consider getting your own printer, aligning it with the demand and scale of your sales. It's all about finding the right balance. Keep persevering, and I'm sure your dedication will continue to bear fruit in the photography world. Best of luck on your ongoing journey!
Thank you. Be sure to mention my name to get 10% off if you are interested in printing with The Print Lab. Their staff is great. Thank you for watching and Merry Christmas to you too!
I am a New Orleans landscape photographer shooting monochrome images of the gulf coast. Right now I need a good print lab, preferably local. Ive had mixed results with online labs.
This video was very helpful. i am at a place where I'm just trying to get things off the ground as far as selling is concerned. I have many photos that I've adjusted on photoshop to make them as high quality as possible. I actually have a big Giclee printer in my apartment that can print up to 24 inches wide. I've printed 11 photos on canvas at 18" x 24" and stretched them on simple stretcher frames so I have something to take around in my car and show cafes, I've opened a shopify account and am trying to get my first print up on there. I'll try facebook like you mentioned and other things you mentioned. I am just having a hard time gettin it off the ground though and its discouraging.
You didn't discuss pricing but that's fair. Every artist, market place and subject matter will command appropriate values. What I would have been interested in is which of your vendor spaces were the most productive and were there subject categories that did better than others in a given venue.
Great video! ❤ The best I’ve seen about printing auteur photography for sale. Great to know local artists! Questions: 1) what platform for your website did you choose and why? 2) have you collaborated with online platforms selling art & photography like Saatchiart, Artfinder and similar? And what was your experience 3) it would be good to know more about types of photo prints and what your prefer personally (canvas vs matt/gloss vs metallic etc) 4) What helps you to decide on how to price your photos? 5) Do you think phone photography and compact cameras / mirrorless photography could be used for art photography prints over 8*11in ? 6) what do if you ou do if you are traveling? Out of the country? Is someone helping you with the business side? If you have any links to videos on these topics it would be great to see them! :) Cheers from Vancouver 🌿
This is a great video Matt. I've never printed anything in my life, I have numerous ppl telling me I should sell my stuff...Including a friend who's just started a printer/gallery. Lots of good advice here...thanks for doing this! - Adam
Thank you so much, Adam! I'm thrilled to hear that you found the video helpful. It's fantastic that people are recognizing your talent and encouraging you to share your work. If you ever decide to take the plunge into printing and selling, I wish you the best of luck. Your friend with the printer/gallery sounds like a valuable resource. Keep capturing those incredible moments, and don't hesitate to share your unique perspective with the world! 📷 Thanks for watching, Cheers
Lots great info here! Not sure if you mentioned it in your video but did jump in full time or did you have a "day job" and transition into photography? Thanks for sharing your process!
Thank you for the info ! Super interesting ! I used to live in BC... loved it! Based now in NYC.. Planning to go back to visit and see some wildlife... ;). cheers!
@@MattShannonPhoto Yup NYC is quite the contrast no doubt! I lived in Vancouver. Loved it. Agreed, upstate NY is beautiful.. nothing like BC, but pretty nice! ;) Cheers!
Hi Matt, thank you for sharing all these useful information. I have a question for you about sharing on FB, how do you protect your photos to be downloaded/stolen from Fb? As we know lots of people do that. Is true that the quality isn't very good once you shared on Fb, but still can be downloaded easily. Let me know please, thank you.....ps love your style of photography.
For me, canvas seems to be more popular. There are so many options with framing a print and it can be expensive not to mention heavy if it is really big.
My friend and I had this debate recently. It seems the 'pros' sell high quality fine art paper prints but the perception is that canvas is a lower quality. So hence sell for a lot less. Maybe it's a personal choice?
Question...when you placed your photos in coffee shops, did the shops buy from you or did you get new customers for your work as customers saw them hanging on the walls?
Great informative video. One question I still have is how did you get started? There’s a huge investment in equipment. I see you use a Nikon Z9 and D850. I have a Z7II and couple of lenses. Having the capital to get started is tough.
Hey Matt. Great video. I haven't been out to see the gallery for awhile. Would certainly be interested in learning more about the technical points of the printing process and and try a few coffee shops myself..Cheers.
Bonjour Matt , ta video et tes explications sur ta vie de photographe est tres explicite , merci . C est tres inspirant , je suis passionné de photo , c est 7ne source d inspiration que tu donne ici . En france , l art photographique n est pas reconnu … ou si peu . J aimerais pouvoir rapidement faire des photos tout mon temps . Bonne continuation , c est genial tes videos , magnifiques images stef
Thank you for the video Matt. Lots of practical advice. Appreciate that very much. I am starting my print selling journey and could use all the help I can get. I have found my POD vendor and have tested their products. I am satisfied with them doing a professional job. Now my task is to get the sale! I am considering Etsy and Shopify to get some traction. Have you had any experience with either of them? What e-commerce platform are you using on your site? Thanks a bunch.
Thanks for the video Matt. Curious to know how you feel about image sizes. Is it even worth it to offer 5x7 & 8x10 sizes which you would need to sell many of to make it add up to anything substantial. It just seems like middle to larger size prints is the way to go. That long print you sold looks great and I’m sure the profit was as well.
Good morning just recently came across your channel really like your channel. I’m a photographer from Manitoba Canada. That’s one of the things that I’m struggling with is selling my work and I do not have an Instagram or Facebook account. The only thing that I currently have is VERO true social media. And I have my own website. I would love to meet up with you one day because I’m a nature photographer.
Thanks Matt. Do you think that iPhone images can work for a business like this? I assume a DSL would be better, but I was just wondering if you think it's still possible to do it with a camera on my phone vs having to invest in and carry a separate camera? Thanks again.
Some people say it works. From personal experience, iPhone photos look good on screen, but not enough detail in them to print and sell. I upgraded to a mirrorless camera and the difference is amazing.
😂😂😂 yes....a LOT of work but I enjoy it. I market myself too which is something I didn't go over. Without marketing, there is no print sales. You have to constantly let people know that you have prints for sale and hope luck is on your side like you said 😅
While online print sales can be tough, some artists find success with good marketing and quality products. It might take time, but with persistence and creativity, turning a profit is possible. Keep exploring and promoting! Cheers
Have you sold your photography prints before? What tips can you share, I'd love to hear how you were successful!
My experience is you don't sell the size you don't have. If you want to sell a 40*60 you need to show people what that looks like
Great video with some excellent ideas. Here is a tip I have found handy as my customer base for selling prints is quite international, due to my travels. To enhance affordability with shipping and to circumvent tariffs and unexpected taxes at borders, I employ multiple print labs located in different regions. I have one in Europe, another in North America, one in Asia, and one at home in New Zealand. I ensure to have each lab conduct test prints for me the first time i use them and only rely on those with reputable track records. This approach not only aids in reducing the need to transport prints across long distances but also contributes to a lower carbon footprint.
I looked you up on Facebook and saw that you are based out of Japan. I am also in Japan. I am looking to print work and would be interested to know who you use in Asia to print.
Hi Matt. For years I printing my work with a 24 " Epson printer - but in the recent (5 years) the cost of online printing has fallen well below the cost of doing it myself - due in part to the high cost of the printer ink cassettes, printer head cleaning, etc. As well, whenever I took a couple of months off printing, I would inevitably screw up on the next print, which costs. Granted, the labs I now go to offer less iterations and tweaking compared to diy printing, but the cost saving is big, including the extra shipping cost if I do not send it directly to the clients from the print lab. Also, as you indicate, getting your work in front of people in a real venue is a way to get sales there and online. Best wishes for future sales!
Love your down-to-earth approach and the encouraging content of the video. Thanks!
You are too kind thank you! Great feedback!
00:00 📸 The speaker discusses various avenues for selling photography, including online platforms, galleries, and coffee shops.
02:13 💻 Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram can be effective for selling prints, especially to older demographics who own homes and have wall space.
06:00 🖼 Starting with a free website on platforms like Weebly or Wix can be a good initial step for showcasing photography work.
09:41 ☕ Coffee shops provide opportunities for short-term and long-term art displays, allowing exposure to local communities.
12:45 🛒 Adding an e-commerce section to a personal website enables online sales with customizable options for prints.
15:17 🖨 Investing in a professional printer allows for in-house printing control, although learning to print effectively can be a process.
19:10 🖼 Galleries provide exposure and potential sales opportunities, typically taking a percentage of sales in exchange for representation.
Thank you for the details of how you got started and made photography work for you. I have recently gotten my business license and have a portfolio website. I’m a little hung up on picking my print company because there are so many options. I’m not really efficient and would prefer someone who does all the work for me. However, I’m starting with no money in reserve so I don’t have the ability to drop hundreds or more on inventory for show. I’m hoping that I can print a couple of items per month to accumulate product. It’s very difficult to start a business! This is the first video of yours that I have seen but I will be watching them all! Thanks again!
Congratulations on getting your business license and setting up your portfolio website! I understand the challenges of choosing a print company. Considering your budget constraints, you might explore print-on-demand services which is basically how my online store works. Take their full deposit before you contact the printing company you will soon work with 😉. They will then handle printing, packaging, and shipping, allowing you to start with minimal upfront costs (that is to say they offer those services). It's a great way to build your product offerings gradually. Best of luck on your entrepreneurial journey! I hope you like my other youtube content. Cheers
Excellent video Matt, I lived in Sidney five years ago with a studio above my barn! Your information will be valuable to a photographer starting out.... well done!
This helps so much, because I'm 5 years into photography and I've been trying to make money with it. So, I will be using a lot of this to help me start my possible future.
This is one of the best information videos I have ever seen, Real talk love it thank you so much. I am a photographer in Florida. Great video.
Huge thank you, glad it was helpful! Thank you for the kind words all the way from Florida, cheers!
Great insight video Matt on selling ones photos.
I have sold prints in all the venues I have had the opportunity to display in, and I would say it has not been an easy journey. I believe selling prints is not as popular as it was in 35mm film days so in todays instant gratification culture it can be challenging venture.. I do Fine Art prints of wildlife which seem to be popular, and it took me apx 12-18 months to get my first gig. Covid and lock down did not help at all, however it was a difficult time for all of us.
I would like to get my own printer, however I do not sell enough at the moment to warrant one.
Thank you for sharing your experiences! Selling prints indeed comes with its challenges, and it's commendable that you've found success despite the evolving landscape of photography. The current climate, especially with the impact of Covid and lockdowns, has undoubtedly added an extra layer of difficulty for many.
It's a thoughtful approach to consider getting your own printer, aligning it with the demand and scale of your sales. It's all about finding the right balance. Keep persevering, and I'm sure your dedication will continue to bear fruit in the photography world. Best of luck on your ongoing journey!
Thanks, Matt for the excellent advice!!!
Great to hear thank you!
Hey Matt, Great video.
Thanks Matt, some good thoughts here. I will drop by the Print Lab and have a look at their work. Merry Christmas.
Thank you. Be sure to mention my name to get 10% off if you are interested in printing with The Print Lab. Their staff is great. Thank you for watching and Merry Christmas to you too!
Thank you Matt for the interesting vid great as always, cheers Michael
Thank you very much Michael! Back to an photography adventure in the field for my next episode, have a great day!
I am a New Orleans landscape photographer shooting monochrome images of the gulf coast. Right now I need a good print lab, preferably local. Ive had mixed results with online labs.
This video was very helpful. i am at a place where I'm just trying to get things off the ground as far as selling is concerned. I have many photos that I've adjusted on photoshop to make them as high quality as possible. I actually have a big Giclee printer in my apartment that can print up to 24 inches wide. I've printed 11 photos on canvas at 18" x 24" and stretched them on simple stretcher frames so I have something to take around in my car and show cafes, I've opened a shopify account and am trying to get my first print up on there. I'll try facebook like you mentioned and other things you mentioned. I am just having a hard time gettin it off the ground though and its discouraging.
Thanks Matt. Terry and PrintLab are the best in town!
Thanks so much for sharing another wonderful video like always and very useful tips👍🤗
Thank you! It is always great getting your comments, cheers!
You didn't discuss pricing but that's fair. Every artist, market place and subject matter will command appropriate values. What I would have been interested in is which of your vendor spaces were the most productive and were there subject categories that did better than others in a given venue.
This was insightful. Thank you for sharing what has worked for you and providing tips for others. 😊
You're very welcome! I'm glad you found the insights helpful. Thanks for watching!
Great video! ❤ The best I’ve seen about printing auteur photography for sale. Great to know local artists!
Questions:
1) what platform for your website did you choose and why?
2) have you collaborated with online platforms selling art & photography like Saatchiart, Artfinder and similar? And what was your experience
3) it would be good to know more about types of photo prints and what your prefer personally (canvas vs matt/gloss vs metallic etc)
4) What helps you to decide on how to price your photos?
5) Do you think phone photography and compact cameras / mirrorless photography could be used for art photography prints over 8*11in ?
6) what do if you ou do if you are traveling? Out of the country? Is someone helping you with the business side?
If you have any links to videos on these topics it would be great to see them! :)
Cheers from Vancouver 🌿
Nice to have a printer company next to the gallery, very cool!
Right! And their not owned by the same company which is great.
This is a great video Matt. I've never printed anything in my life, I have numerous ppl telling me I should sell my stuff...Including a friend who's just started a printer/gallery. Lots of good advice here...thanks for doing this! - Adam
Thank you so much, Adam! I'm thrilled to hear that you found the video helpful. It's fantastic that people are recognizing your talent and encouraging you to share your work. If you ever decide to take the plunge into printing and selling, I wish you the best of luck. Your friend with the printer/gallery sounds like a valuable resource. Keep capturing those incredible moments, and don't hesitate to share your unique perspective with the world! 📷 Thanks for watching, Cheers
@@MattShannonPhoto Thank you sir 🙏
Lots great info here! Not sure if you mentioned it in your video but did jump in full time or did you have a "day job" and transition into photography? Thanks for sharing your process!
I wonder if you could cut down on shipping costs by sending through to printers in other countries?
Thank you for the info ! Super interesting ! I used to live in BC... loved it! Based now in NYC.. Planning to go back to visit and see some wildlife... ;). cheers!
You are very welcome! Where in BC did you live? NYC is quite the contrast. The countryside of NY State is beautiful.
@@MattShannonPhoto Yup NYC is quite the contrast no doubt! I lived in Vancouver. Loved it. Agreed, upstate NY is beautiful.. nothing like BC, but pretty nice! ;) Cheers!
Thank you
You are welcome, thanks for watching!
Hi Matt, thank you for sharing all these useful information. I have a question for you about sharing on FB, how do you protect your photos to be downloaded/stolen from Fb? As we know lots of people do that. Is true that the quality isn't very good once you shared on Fb, but still can be downloaded easily. Let me know please, thank you.....ps love your style of photography.
Adding prints to a coffee shop is a great idea. Is printing on canvas more popular than printing on paper, then framing it?
For me, canvas seems to be more popular. There are so many options with framing a print and it can be expensive not to mention heavy if it is really big.
My friend and I had this debate recently. It seems the 'pros' sell high quality fine art paper prints but the perception is that canvas is a lower quality. So hence sell for a lot less. Maybe it's a personal choice?
Hey Matt Where who did you use for your web page and where did you find that e-commerce thing you can program with the sizes and prices ?
I have the same question!
Great information! Photo Organizing services are another way that many photographers have added a new income stream to their work.
Question...when you placed your photos in coffee shops, did the shops buy from you or did you get new customers for your work as customers saw them hanging on the walls?
Great informative video. One question I still have is how did you get started? There’s a huge investment in equipment. I see you use a Nikon Z9 and D850. I have a Z7II and couple of lenses. Having the capital to get started is tough.
Hey Matt. Great video. I haven't been out to see the gallery for awhile. Would certainly be interested in learning more about the technical points of the printing process and and try a few coffee shops myself..Cheers.
What are your thoughts on selling on an e-commerce sight like Etsy?
Great brief. Thanks so much. ❤
Glad it was helpful! Cheers
Thanks for all the great info!
My pleasure, thanks for watching! Cheers
Pod dachem nie nosi się kapelusza. Skąd ta wiejska moda?
Awesome content, Matt... thanks for sharing 😁
Bonjour Matt , ta video et tes explications sur ta vie de photographe est tres explicite , merci . C est tres inspirant , je suis passionné de photo , c est 7ne source d inspiration que tu donne ici . En france , l art photographique n est pas reconnu … ou si peu . J aimerais pouvoir rapidement faire des photos tout mon temps . Bonne continuation , c est genial tes videos , magnifiques images stef
Been selling my prints in drive through coffee shops for years. Still no sales.
Thank you for the video Matt. Lots of practical advice. Appreciate that very much. I am starting my print selling journey and could use all the help I can get. I have found my POD vendor and have tested their products. I am satisfied with them doing a professional job. Now my task is to get the sale! I am considering Etsy and Shopify to get some traction. Have you had any experience with either of them? What e-commerce platform are you using on your site? Thanks a bunch.
Thanks for the video Matt. Curious to know how you feel about image sizes. Is it even worth it to offer 5x7 & 8x10 sizes which you would need to sell many of to make it add up to anything substantial. It just seems like middle to larger size prints is the way to go. That long print you sold looks great and I’m sure the profit was as well.
Good morning just recently came across your channel really like your channel. I’m a photographer from Manitoba Canada. That’s one of the things that I’m struggling with is selling my work and I do not have an Instagram or Facebook account. The only thing that I currently have is VERO true social media. And I have my own website. I would love to meet up with you one day because I’m a nature photographer.
Thanks Matt. Do you think that iPhone images can work for a business like this? I assume a DSL would be better, but I was just wondering if you think it's still possible to do it with a camera on my phone vs having to invest in and carry a separate camera? Thanks again.
Some people say it works. From personal experience, iPhone photos look good on screen, but not enough detail in them to print and sell. I upgraded to a mirrorless camera and the difference is amazing.
I am photographer
Hello looks like a lot of work and a bit of luck. Luckily for me I just take photos for fun and don`t need to make money from it (I`d starve🤣).
😂😂😂 yes....a LOT of work but I enjoy it. I market myself too which is something I didn't go over. Without marketing, there is no print sales. You have to constantly let people know that you have prints for sale and hope luck is on your side like you said 😅
There is no profit in online print sales
While online print sales can be tough, some artists find success with good marketing and quality products. It might take time, but with persistence and creativity, turning a profit is possible. Keep exploring and promoting! Cheers
Nobody buys photos anymore. Anyone with a good smartphone can produce very good images of their own.
Take up pottery.
Do you send raw or jpeg to print shops. this would be good info for the photographer