It has never been easier to sell landscape photos. There are so many options and opportunities. But there is also lots of competition.
This means you must work harder and be much more organized and creative. This is true in the way you take your pictures and also the way you sell them. Read on for our top tips on how to begin selling landscape photos.
This article is about how to make money from landscape photography, from selling prints to stock photos.
Photography is like any other business. You need to create a long-term plan to achieve your goals. This might include deciding where and how to sell photos.
For example, are you going to be selling stock shots? Or are you going to sell your great landscape picture as a print?
The more comprehensive your plan is, the more likely you will see it through and profit from your photos.
Once you have your plan, begin researching the various elements within it. For example, how to sell photos online or in exhibitions and galleries.
This part of the process is important as it will impact the type of photos that you might take. If you plan on selling your photos to magazines, you may need to produce photos showing an experience.
This might mean including a hiker walking in your landscape image. But you may need clean images that look good hung on a wall.
Generally, there are three common ways to make money with landscape photography:
Each of these will need a different approach and slightly different types of images.
It’s wise not to overspend on photography equipment when you are starting. But you still need to buy the right equipment.
There is no point in purchasing an APS-C camera if the stock agency you plan to supply only accepts images from full-frame cameras.
As a rough guide, for landscape photography, you will need the following:
Over time, you may expand your setup with things like a remote release and more lenses. But starting with these should be enough.
It’s obvious, but the most important part of making money with landscape photography is taking great photos. This is the main factor determining how well you can sell your photos.
Some people struggle to take great landscape photos. But there is nothing wrong with looking at other photographers whose work you admire. In fact, you should spend time exploring the work of famous landscape photographers.
Try to read their stories, advice, and even what others have written about their work. Why do their images get such praise? What is it that you admire about their work?
The point of this process is to get inspiration to help you find your own way. So don’t try to copy their work—create your own.
One of the hardest parts of freelance photography is doing everything by yourself. You will have to respond to customers. You will have to invoice people. And you will have to promote yourself and your work.
So, even if marketing and promotion aren’t your strengths, you will need to learn the basics.
Learn how to use social media. Utilize email capture forms to send newsletters and updates. Or even hire a stand at a local trade show to promote your photos.
Your work might be amazing. But if no one sees it, you won’t profit from your photos.
This is often the most common question people ask when pursuing this profession. The simple answer is that there is no limit. Some photographers earn a lot of money from their photos. But these are few and far between.
Most people who venture into this profession soon find out that making money from photography is tough. Unfortunately, we live in a digital age where there is far more supply than demand when it comes to photos.
Most professional photographers can earn a decent income with the right approach and long-term thinking.
A great landscape photograph can look stunning anywhere. It can look great in a magazine, hung on a wall at home, or plastered across a billboard.
Making it as a professional photographer can be difficult. But if you set a clear long-term goal, you can make money with landscape photography.
