How I Started Selling Prints of My Photos
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 22 พ.ค. 2024
- Real-world advice to elevate your photography and boost your print sales:
www.scottfrench.art/art-photo...
Video: Lots of requests for a video about how I sell my photography prints...so here it is! I retrace the ups and downs of how I built a small following-enough to start selling my work. I also walk you through some of the things you need to get your first sales! Let me know what you think in the comments. Like and subscribe if you found it helpful.
My Website: www.scottfrench.art
Instagram: / dscottfrench
Email: info@scottfrench.art
Additional Footage: artlist.io/
Music: artlist.io/
Ian Post - "New World"
Oliver Michael - "Witness"
Magiksolo - "Air"
Kevin Graham - "Rae" - แนวปฏิบัติและการใช้ชีวิต
Many of you have asked for more about how I sell my photography prints. So here it is - just in time for the peak art-buying season! If there's enough interest, I'll do a series of more in-depth videos on this topic. Let me know!
I am interested. As a photographer who is trying to start selling my work, your video was the inspiration I needed. Content and production value of your video is first class. I do not do videos but I have been around video guys and film makers a lot and I know the good stuff when I see it. I am surprised you don't have a lot more subscribers.
I subscribed and I am sending the link to your video to a few of my photographer friends to inspire them as well.
@@boristahmasian9604 Thanks so much, Boris! Glad you enjoy my videos. I appreciate the support. I have a couple of other print marketing videos in the works :)
@@scottfrenchart Looking forward to your videos. Thanks a bunch.
There is definitely interest!! Great video!!
Thanks so much!
The difference between you selling prints and most other photographers is that your images are exceptional.
Thanks so much :) I appreciate the kind words.
That is not correct. I have seen amazing photographers who sell nothing. The real difference is subject matter. If you pick the wrong subjects, you won’t gain any followers. I had a Instagram that got up to 650ish followers but was not making any sales from it. I just got the point where I got fed up. There are people on instagram doing selfies and getting millions of followers. And the selfies are not even that good in some cases. If he got sales it was because he captured subjects people liked. That is all. Not saying his images are bad. Just saying I have seen better images not sell.
@@OncewasgoldenDon't forget luck. It's extremely important. Simple luck is huge factor.
@@Oncewasgolden I guess you didn’t see the words “most photographers” in my statement ? Scott is a great photographer. Every image stands on its own at the same time all images complimenting each other as a set and would look fantastic as a series on someone’s wall
@@Oncewasgolden most photographers on Instagram are terrible and they are clones of other terrible photographers and they have 90k followers and sell books. It’s crazy.
You nailed this video hands down. Straight to the point and very informative. 👊🏽👏👏
Thanks for being one of those individuals who share really vital information and not just create a click-bait video to just gain followers and provide vague information. Thanks for sharing, I hope you have more ideas like this and that you share more with us who have no clue about what to do in circumstances like this!
The best to you on your career!
Glad it was helpful! Lots more coming, both on the channel and even more in the newsletter!
Scott this is a great channel, I subscribed straight away, thanks for sharing your thoughts and efforts. I think the key takeaway here is consistency… keep marketing and building your mailing list. Top advice.
Very gracious of you to offer all of your very helpful and concise information. 🙏🏻
Glad it was helpful!
So much usable information - thank you so much for sharing!
Scott, you made my day! I have been looking for a video like yours for sometime and have had no luck. This is by far the best crash course on selling photography I have ever seen. I have not had a chance to explore your site yet but I love the images you are showing in your video. Thanks a million.
Thanks so much...Glad you found me :)
This is a great video with so much realistic and actionable information. Thanks Scott!
Thanks! Glad you think so.
Hi Scott, you have made my day. Thank you for this crash course on selling prints, it's the best and most honest I've seen. In the meantime I've watched all you other videos as well, very inspiring. Looking forward to you next video.
Hey Gunther, glad you found it helpful! Next one coming soon.
Richard Prince may be on the hunt for your great photography to make a profit. Watch out my friend. I report on him in my art You Tube channel
First time I've seen your videos, great video, very honest and straight to the point
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.
Thank you for sharing your insights. I've gotten most of these checked off my list, now it's time to just SEND IT! Happy holidays 🎄
Happy holidays to you! Good luck!
These are the type of videos that I love! Thank you!
Glad you like them! Thanks
I just subscribed. You’re honest with no hype. I want to learn more. Thanks for making these types of videos.
Thanks so much!
This is the best video I’ve seen recommending an online selling plan for artwork/photography. Many thanks 😊
Thanks so much!
You are so amazing! Thank you for making these videos.
I appreciate the support. You are so welcome! Thanks for watching :)
I really like your calm delivery. This is a good video. Thank you for all the tips. Starting out with prices in the $100 range makes sense for new people.
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching.
Love the explanation of your process. Thanks!
Glad it was helpful!
Scott, that was great! I’ve been a full-time professional photographer since 2005, shot international magazine covers, six-figure ad campaigns and have been sponsored by major photo industry companies and yet, I’ve never been able to sell a print. Thanks for the inspiration. Liked and subbed!
Thanks so much! I appreciate the support. Never too late to start finding an audience for your prints.
Why do you feel your photography prints do not sell? Obviously, you are acclaimed and well-respected. I feel you do not need to promote so have not the drive to promote. Maybe if all was taken away and you only had your creative skill to feed the family, your direction would change and you would sell prints. My You Tube channel investigated art like this.
insightful and helpful and you have a very pleasing/comforting voice, thank you for your time and effort
You're very welcome! I appreciate the kind words.
I totally agree. Scott, your countenance separates you from the hoards of the shrill disingenuous.
I like your down to earth candor. I’ll keep watching!
Thanks! I appreciate you watching.
Excellent work Scott! I’ll be checking out more of your videos!
Thanks so much, Robert! I appreciate the support!
I appreciate this video so much. I've been a photographer for so long and haven't tried to sell any of my stuff because it's overwhelming and I'm not business minded. Your video broke it down in a really nice way and has inspired me
You're so welcome! I'm glad it was helpful. Good luck!
This was very helpful and insightful Scott. I especially like the part about building own website and partnering up with a POD to sell own artwork. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
So so good to find you again. Found you back some time ago and subscribed. This latest idea I got hooked up again.
Absolutely❤ love your training teaching info etc. Truly wise advice and not a hyper loud pushy obnoxious mouth time compressed giving us a headache to beat the band! Oh and
Too love your dry sense of humor as in instagrams identity crisis.
You offer a calm quiet relaxed enjoyable conversation with excellent advice.
Thank you!!
Looking forward to more and going to put together a plan for selling. I’ve tried several different approaches but now have a logical path to approach!
Thanks again Scott
Sincerely
Scott
I appreciate the kind works :) Really glad to hear this video helped. Good luck with your prints!
Yeah totally agree, people like Scott are what I prefer watching on TH-cam because they are genuine and come across as truthful without the forced hype.
@@phildalton5352 Thanks, Phil!
Love this! Truly the video I needed!
Glad it was helpful!
This guy seems so genuine and light hearted. I just subscribed and I would almost like to think he smiled when he saw it. The same feeling I get when I get an Etsy notification that someone so much as favorited my work. Thank you for this video, Scott.
Thanks for the sub and the kind words! Yes, I did smile when I saw this :)
@@scottfrenchart I'm late to the party, but hopefully you'll see this or someone else that can answer this question. Some photos just work being cropped to a non-standard size. In that case, can one just put it on a mat board to bring it up to a standard frame size?
@@Anon54387 You can definitely do that. The matte board will have to be cut to the non-standard size. If the customer is framing the piece themselves, it's just a little easier (and cheaper) to buy off-the-shelf/ready-made frames and mattes.)
Fantastic Prespective...Really great content. Thank you.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Amazing images. Can’t wait for your next video.
Thanks so much! I appreciate it :)
This was very helpful. I have been thinking about doing this very thing but lack the knowledge. I look forward to more videos from you regarding this topic.
Glad it was helpful! More to come.
This helped a lot...just finished my website,and about to start this adventure of selling ,printing my self,packing and shipping.....Im loving the process....thank you for your video...specially the pricing part....👏👏👏👏
Glad it was helpful! Good luck with everything!
Thanks for the guidance. Your photos are awesome
So nice of you to say! I appreciate it.
You did a really nice job of this video, with especially good use of stock footage. Good information about something that interests me. Subbed and liked.
Glad you enjoyed it! I appreciate the support :)
Hi Scott, I appreciate this video. I just wanted to share that I have been selling my art as prints online since 2000. I found it was much better to outsource the printing because it takes a long time to perfectly pack and ship your prints. I found my printer by experimenting and testing out companies. The one I finally chose I've stayed with for all these years because that's all he does is print art, then packs it and ships it. And he does it well. When the customer receives their print the return address is mine so it looks like it came from me which is blind shipping.
Thanks for sharing that Sylvia! Yes, I've tested a lot of POD companies myself. Not always easy to find a good one.
Which one do you use if you don't mind me asking? I've been doing research trying to decide on one.🤍
Which print company do you use?
@sylviapimental - who do you use to print?
With print on demand, is your signature digitally written on the print? Or, does your client receive an unsigned print?
Great content and delivery! I’ve struggled with wondering if my photos are good enough to sell and breakout beyond putting them on a website. This has really been a great push knowing there is a process to follow when (if) I decide to take the plunge. Thank you so much!
Thanks! Really glad it was helpful...you should take the plunge.
This was very helpful. Given me lots of ideas Scott. Thanks, Geo from Scotland.
Glad it was helpful!
Your content is outstanding! Im also a photographer, but I only do portraits. I moved couple years ago to a new country and it’s been an uphill! But I’m not discouraged. I love the work! Thank you for your insights.
Thanks for sharing! Glad you like the content. Good luck with everythng.
Awesome story and tutorial.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Great video, great photos. Thanks!
Thanks for watching!
Nice work. I found your video informative. keep up the good work.
Thanks for watching!
Your art business videos are so helpful. Thanks.
Glad you like them!
This was great...
I have been thinking about this for a long time.
But had no idea how to do it.
Thank's for the start...
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.
Such a good video Scott. Also, very important sidenote ... your photos are spectacular!
Glad you like the video, Rich! I appreciate the kind words about my photography :)
Thank you for this!! I know I’ll be successful with my prints 🖤🔥
Good luck with it!
Great video; well made, informative and motivating!
Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it!
One thing you should definitely be proud of is this video. Outstanding content.
Thanks so much!
I concur, it’s excellent
Insightful Ramblings. Subscribed!!
Thanks so much!
Dude congrats on that experiment! And thanks for sharing it
Thanks for watching!
THANKS FOR THE MOTIVATION
You are so welcome!
I've only sold 1 print through my website, everything else was during solo exhibitions or mouth to ear. It's frustrating because I know people love what i show, on average I sold 50%-60% of everything hanging on exhibit walls each time i did a show, so if people see in real they like, take time to appreciate it. But damn I agree with you all, online is tough, drown within the millions of other photography websites selling prints too.
Thanks for sharing this Maxime. You should be proud of the success you've had when exhibiting your work. I'd be interested in seeing your website and knowing a little about what kind of email marketing you've done (you can email or dm me if you like). There are ways to boost online sales.
Art Placer was exactly what Ive been looking for. Thank you for your "ramblings" very helpful! LOL
You are so welcome! Glad it was helpful.
Great advice 👍thx for sharing your experience, good model to follow
Thanks for watching!
Super helpful! 😯Wow🤩Thank you🙏🏻
Thanks for watching...Glad it was helpful!
Cool video, thanks for sharing how you started out and congratulations on your success so far :-)
Thanks so much! Glad you found it helpful.
Such a good video and nice to hear and watch someone on TH-cam who is really genuine. Some first rate advice ;-)
Thanks so much! Glad it helped.
Very well done. Thanks
Thank you too! Glad you liked it.
What a great, honest and informative video! Thank you for sharing!
You are so welcome! Glad it was helpful.
Fantastic video, thank you!
Glad you liked it! Thanks so watching!
Seriously - I visited your website. Very beautiful photography. Much success to you.
Thank you very much! I appreciate it. You too.
Another great video Scott. I like how you have a very defined brand and niche. I think that is so important. I have a friend is making it as a professional photo artist that shoots only fire flies. Well he shoots other things but only presents his firefly work for sale. Everyone knows him as the firefly guy.
Well said…finding your niche can help reach the people who will love your work enough to buy it and tell others about it.
Great info!
Thanks for watching!
Great video, thank you, very helpful
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching.
Great information! Photo Organizing services are another way that many photographers have added a new income stream to their work.
Thanks…I’m not exactly sure what photo organizing services are
Excellent. Nice tempo god info. Thank you😊
Thanks for watching. Glad you like it!
Been very interested in print editions and also potentially coffee table books. Great video mate!
Awesome, thank you!
Another very helpful video, Scott! Looking forward to seeing the next ones you have planned! Thanks!
Thanks so much....More to come!
This is a great help, just about to test the waters this winter - a side move alongside the steady work of property photography. Zero followers, zero online presence - going to go for building a mailing list, shopify, print on demand, craft events. A strategy, as you say its not a 'passive income' it will take work, but will continue to follow your progress with interest.
Thanks Derek, glad it was helpful! We all have to start somewhere. If you're doing any art shows/craft events, I'd suggest offering a print giveaway at the event and collecting names and emails of those who sign up for the giveaway. Good luck with everything!
I really like your ideas. Thanks
You are so welcome! Thanks for watching.
I like to start myself so thank you so much for your wonderful video 🥰
Thanks so much for watching! Good luck with it!
Outstanding Scott - again! Learned loads and having just had people ask to buy my prints, your video came at exactly the right time. Off to make a fortune
Thanks so much Callum! Glad it helped...good luck with your print sales!
Thanks for the video, great insights on how you sell your prints! I’m an illustrator and started a travel illustration project a few months ago. I started a new instagram account and am struggling a bit to gain followers there even though I’m posting regularly, I’m growing super slowly and seem stuck at 150 followers right now, I even have the feeling that instagram doesn’t show my posts to my followers! A month ago I opened a shop selling prints and calendars and while I sold a few things it hasn’t been a great success so far - I’m not too surprised since I have so few followers but it is frustrating. It’s very inspiring to see you got such good results with a small instagram account and that having people sign up for your newsletter with the freebie and discount and creating this urgency through the launch and using limited edition prints can really make a huge difference! Definitely going to try this when I have a new series of artwork ready to sell in my shop! Will check out your other videos to see if I can get some more inspiration that is also applicable to illustrators like me!
Thanks so much for watching and sharing your thoughts! My videos are aimed at photographers but the marketing stuff definitely applies to all artists selling their work. As far as instagram goes, I think on average only about 15% of your followers see your posts. So it is challenging. Reels do better plus any post that gets more likes and comments will be shown to a wider audience of your followers. If they like it, the post will start showing up in the feeds of people who don't follow you.
Thank you for this!
My pleasure!
Nice video! Thanks for sharing the details it was really helpful. I have everything set up to sell prints but I haven’t yet executed the “deadline driven event marketing push yet”
Thanks for watching. Glad you found it helpful. Some sort of 'push' helps a lot whenever you launch or introduce new work. Good luck with it!
Awesome video!!
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
I'm not sure how i got here but damn your voice is so smooth and so easy to listen to.
Haha...thanks. I appreciate you watching!
Bro.....brilliant video. Literally removed every apprehension hurdle. Super appreciated 🙏
Great to hear! Good luck with it :)
Your voice is incredibly relaxing
A few people have said that. Maybe I'll start a meditation channel :)
Years ago, I bought a book (Two Hearted Oak) by photographer Roma Loranc who did very good B&W work with Efke film. Part of his strategy would be periodic announcements that he was 'retiring' particular negative sets and so prints would not be available after such date. This allowed him to devote his limited time to start new material and provide fans with fresh work, as he put it. Although it seems plausible, you will note the sense of urgency he quietly suggested with the 'hurry, sale ends today' retirement theme. Sales pressure with kindness, and baited with future mystery.
Turning passion into a remarkable feat is not just about talent-it's strategy, vision, and drive. The power of creating a sense of urgency, as showcased in the video, can lead to results beyond our wildest dreams.
For every visionary reading this, this is your beacon. With unwavering belief and the right tactics, aspirations become reality. Rise, shine, and seize the moment! ✨📸
Thanks for sharing!
very interesting!
Thank you! Glad you think so.
Good info keep on keeping on
Thanks, will do!
7:52 in, Fist Pump and Cheer! 😃💰
Thanks!
Amazing work Scott and a very motivational journey. When you photograph the building did you have to work on getting property releases ? Or is that not required in this particular type of work. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge.
Thanks so much! I appreciate it.
I've had a lot of comments and DM's about that. Please keep in mind that I'm not a lawyer and not qualified to give legal advice but here are 2 links to articles which discuss the law governing photographing buildings for commercial use.
1) wahaviblog.com/en/photographing-copyrighted-property#:~:text=As%20a%20general%20rule%2C%20you,the%20owner%20to%20sign%20it.
2) www.justia.com/intellectual-property/copyright/photos-of-buildings-and-architecture/
While the law may vary from country to country, in general you can photograph a building from a public area (street, sidewalk, etc) for commercial use. However, if you are on private property, you will need to complete a property release with the owner details, and also get the owner to sign it.
If in doubt you should seek legal advice in your particular country.
MUCH appreciated, Scott! I just can't get myself to participate in Instagram for all the same reasons that many photographers have been steadily jumping off. Ugh! I think a much better tool may be just around the corner. Hopefully! :)
Yeah, I avoided all social media as long as I could but it's kind of necessary if you want to do print sales. It would be great to have something like instagram used to be. Thanks for watching!
Thank you so much. What software did you use to gather the emails from instagram. How does that work?
@@HartponderJr I just used Mail Chimp (they have a free version) to create a landing page. I put the link to that landing page in my Instagram bio and encouraged anyone interested to go there and subscribe. Mail Chimp then records the subscribers in your contact list and you can email them. Hope that helps!
Thanks a lot for guidline
You're welcome 😊
I grew up in Miami, I have sold artwork, but your stuff is so damn beautiful that I would even partake! So it’s not just a niche, you are sort of extra special!
Thanks so much, Shawn! You’re making we blush here. Really appreciate the kind words.
Very interesting. A few things stood out but two of them were, avoid a race to the bottom when pricing and don't be afraid to set a decent price. This helps to add value in the eyes of the buyer.
Thanks…glad it helped.
Great video and photos, amazing colors! What web solution looks great.
Glad you like it! If you're asking about a website provider/store, wix, squarespace, and shopify are all great options.
@@scottfrenchart thanks! I meant your homepage
@@andersphansson8335 I'm using WIX. Squarespace is good too.
Hey, thanks Scott. Something I've been thinking about for ages. I have thousands of images (and a web site), at least some of which (if I say so myself) are quite good and I'd prefer a fulfiller...but I'd also like to sign prints. I know I can probably get a printer to add a signature but it's not the same. I also have another, well-paying full time job so that kind of gets in the way of devoting time to print sales. I've got to do it though....if there's a few quid to be made.
Great to hear...you should go for it! There's a few different ways to make this work. Offering signed prints with lower edition numbers and possibly framing is one way to go. But you'll have to spend more time dealing with production/quality control/shipping/customer service issues. You'll also need to charge higher prices to make it financially feasible. At higher price points, you'll need much more interaction with potential collectors to make the sale...which take more time and effort on your part. I'm actually moving more in that direction myself. For me (and others) it made more sense to start out more along the lines of how I described in the video...although I'd do a few things differently if I were to start over. That's the subject of an upcoming video and newsletter.
Great video :)
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for watching.
My experience was soooooo similar!
Great to hear! Thanks for sharing. Really like your paintings!
Thanks for a great and intuitive video on selling prints I was starting to think about it since I was getting a couple of followers on my youtube account. I am planning on doing limited prints. I initially thought of printing it at home but realized its not cost effective in terms of time so bc I live in Tokyo I can let Fujifilm do the printing for me and package it from there.
but one of the problematic things bc I live in Japan is the print size in the US/North America the print size as u mentioned the standard is like 3:57
but in Japan its like A4, A3/ A3 extended
I realized that 100$ cant agree more on that...and work my way up from there...
Sounds like a good plan...Good luck with it!
Thank you
You're welcome
Thanks Scott, just what I needed to see here, I havealready around 4,000 followers and now need to launch a website for commerce. You have re kindled my enthusiasm...
Nice work! That sounds like a great following to start with...good luck with it!
I've got over 20,000 Photos and I have been wondering how to monetize hem. So glad I found your video, thank you!
Happy to help! Thanks for watching.
I like how you respond to people in the comments and take care to answer the questions people have.
Do you sell much outside the US and can you track the orders once shipped? Thanks
I'm based in Canada and I mostly sell to North America. I do have tracking numbers for all the orders, no matter where they ship. If you're shipping internationally it is a little more complicated with duties & taxes.
Very good video! What POD are you using right now?
I use a number of different partners depending on the print's final destination. If you're starting out, and shipping within your own country, a local printer that you can build a relationsip with often works best.
Thank you for not yelling. You have just won a roll of 120 Velvia dated October 2007. But it's been in the fridge, so we're all good. Probably.
Haha..thanks. I'm sure it's still good :)
Whichever company you choose to host your store and website, I'd recommend sending them an email with some questions before you sign up. It's not so much the questions but how quickly they respond that matters. If they take days or even weeks to get back to you, will they take that long when you need support? Test them!
Good points. Sounds like you've run into some problems. I've been lucky so far. No issues.
Thank you for filming such an informative video, i really appriciated. One question how can u exactly "test" print on demand shops?
You're welcome. To test I just meant that you'd have to order some prints of your work to check for their quality, packaging, delivery, etc
Hello.
Super video. I would like to know, which print on demand platform do you use? I'm afraid to use this kind of paltform for the sometimes questionable print quality.
Thanks! I use a number of different POD companies throughout the world. Choosing which one is best for you depends on your price point, type of products you offer, which countries you'll be shipping to, your volume, etc. I only recommended ones that specialize in fine art printing. You can get a list of my recommended POD companies here: mailchi.mp/scottfrench/print-sales-launchpad