Are you a passionate artist or photographer? Would you like to make a living from your pictures? Here are some tips on how you can go about it!
Creating Images for Publication:
Magazine and book publishers require good pictures and are often open to receiving submissions from freelance artists and photographers. Although the market is competitive, if you can produce brilliant images that suit the target publisher’s style and readership, you’ll have a great chance of gaining commissions.
Tip: Focus on your strengths and target your markets.
Art & Photography for Greetings Cards:
The greetings card industry is huge and companies are constantly looking for fresh, new artwork. Most pay a one-off fee for your work.
Images for Business:
It’s worth contacting local businesses to see if they require pictures for their premises. Offices and workspace look so much more inspiring with the right images on their walls.
Tip: Prepare a sales letter and portfolio to present to local businesses. Give out your business cards at enterprise shows and conferences.
Working to Commission:
People and pet portraits are still the most popular art & photograph commissions, but you can also succeed in other picture niches. Perhaps you specialize in cartoons, landscapes, industrial, or social imagery. Focus on your niche and make yourself available for commissions.
Tip: Create a good website to promote your work!
Staff Artist & Photographer:
There are still plenty of staff jobs about for talented artists and photographers, either in design houses, media, or with specialist companies. Medical photography, for example, is popular and well paid!
Tip: Make sure your CV is up-to-date and create a good portfolio of work.
Sell to Stock Libraries:
As a freelance, one of the best ways of generating income from your pictures is to sell to stock libraries. There are plenty to choose from and popular images can generate regular royalties.
Enter Art / Photography Competitions:
Entering competitions gives you the chance to win prizes and create more exposure for your art and photography work. If you win, your images gain extra kudos and can increase sales.
Tip: Follow those competition rules carefully!
Set Up Your Own Online Studio:
There are plenty of ways to promote and sell your pictures and one of the most popular is to set-up your own online studio. You can either create your own website or have a gallery / profile page on other art and photography sites.
Tip: Use a variety of social media (Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, etc) to promote your work!
There you go - just a few ideas for raising your profile so that you can make a living from your art or photography. Wishing you great success!
Mark Fenwick is Founder of The Landscape Artists & Photographers Association at http://www.landscapeartandphotography.com and Photography Update at http://www.photographyupdate.com
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