What do you do with your photographs?

[NaturalWoman]

I’m new to this site, so can I use that as an excuse if this is posted in the wrong forum. Just out of curiosity, what do you do with your images after you take them?

Are they for sell, kept on a computer for personal enjoyment, do you hang them around your house, give to family members, make a photo book, upload to a blog, website or Flickr.

I would like to get more of my work out there for sale eventually. I have some of my prints around my house, sold four to my employer and two to a coworker, had a photo book made that I would like to have as a coffee table book for purchase, given (okay it was actually taken off my wall) one to a family member.

Obviously these are all low budget ways for me to advertise my work to gain a little exposure. I have two images that I would like to sell to bars and pool houses.

I was thinking of having them framed, taking them to a few establishments to see if anyone would be interested in buying. I enjoy photography as an expensive hobby, but don’t want the images to only sit on my computer hard drive.

What are your goals for your artwork and what do you do with your photographs? Thanks for sharing.

[Canuck935]

Interesting question.

I share my photo's on flickr. My favorites get printed and framed (when I get around to it ). I've given some as gifts to my immediate family. I haven't sold my work outside of some wedding and event photography. I'd like to, but I hate trying to sell things to people, and I'm afraid it'll ruin the photography experience for me. So for me it's not more than a hobby..

[OldClicker]

My biggest outlet is right here at PR - posting, listening, learning and hopefully even entertaining just a little.

I also belong to a local club where I enter competitions and we have critique nights.

TF

[NaturalWoman]

Interesting question.

I share my photo's on flickr. My favorites get printed and framed (when I get around to it ). I've given some as gifts to my immediate family. I haven't sold my work outside of some wedding and event photography. I'd like to, but I hate trying to sell things to people, and I'm afraid it'll ruin the photography experience for me. So for me it's not more than a hobby..

made you a flickr contact. i was just wondering and thinking about the time/money spent on my hobby. i don't need to make a bundle of money selling my artwork, but i don't want them to sit in archives either. i want to share them...for a small profit. i would even donate a few pieces.

anyhoo, thanks for sharing. i'm going to put together another photo book of my images and give them out as gifts.

[NaturalWoman]

My biggest outlet is right here at PR - posting, listening, learning and hopefully even entertaining just a little.

I also belong to a local club where I enter competitions and we have critique nights.

TF

cool. i looked into joining a photo club. i think one meets on a day i may can make it. will have to look into it again.

[dannier]

I used to taking photos for fun ,but now i'm somewhat kinda professional .Some people ask me to be the photographer on wedding ,and sometimes i sell my photos or won reward .I kept some photos to remember the exciting or exquisite moment .I really enjoy the moment i catch with my old buddy ,Nikon D5000 .It serves honestly for 36months .Even now there's D90 on market ,but some really professional guys say they are side by side .And D5000 is almost $550 cheaper than D90 .And the amazong thing is D5000 is on sale now ,you can view some nifos from http://tinyurl.com/ycgzqoq .It's deserved if you love shooting .You gonna let the great deal go ? Just think for a while .

[jetrim]

Valerie,
Checked out your website and you have some VERY nice pieces across the galleries, well worth giving more exposure to. Although stock doesn't pay like it used to, it would probably be worth checking out some of the better known sites (Getty, Corbis, Photographer's Direct, etc...) just stay well clear of the microstock sites that offer $0.50 an image. There are a few people here that have done really well at local art/craft shows as well, which might be an option, depending on the investment to secure a booth/table (they're ridiculously expensive to get in to here in S. FL). Where my parents live, the local YMCA has a wall that features local art/photography for sale by members. They offer a 70/30 split with the artist (30% commission is pretty standard in this area for local galleries as well). There are tons of options for getting your work out there, you just need to sniff out the ones that'll work for you in your local area. That said, most of the pros I know, do some other kind of photography to generate the revenue to finance their fine art stuff (or whatever they're really passionate about). It's usually the humdrum stuff that pays the bills - senior portraits, trade shows, events, weddings, etc...

[NaturalWoman]

I used to taking photos for fun ,but now i'm somewhat kinda professional .Some people ask me to be the photographer on wedding ,and sometimes i sell my photos or won reward .I kept some photos to remember the exciting or exquisite moment .I really enjoy the moment i catch with my old buddy ,Nikon D5000 .It serves honestly for 36months .Even now there's D90 on market ,but some really professional guys say they are side by side .And D5000 is almost $550 cheaper than D90 .And the amazong thing is D5000 is on sale now ,you can view some nifos from http://tinyurl.com/ycgzqoq .It's deserved if you love shooting .You gonna let the great deal go ? Just think for a while .

good for you. it's nice to earn a little something on your own time. i do enjoy taking pictures for fun, but i don't want them to just sit on my hard drive or flickr. i will start putting together some photo books and maybe donate a picture or two to a nursing home.

[NaturalWoman]

Valerie,
Checked out your website and you have some VERY nice pieces across the galleries, well worth giving more exposure to. Although stock doesn't pay like it used to, it would probably be worth checking out some of the better known sites (Getty, Corbis, Photographer's Direct, etc...) just stay well clear of the microstock sites that offer $0.50 an image. There are a few people here that have done really well at local art/craft shows as well, which might be an option, depending on the investment to secure a booth/table (they're ridiculously expensive to get in to here in S. FL). Where my parents live, the local YMCA has a wall that features local art/photography for sale by members. They offer a 70/30 split with the artist (30% commission is pretty standard in this area for local galleries as well). There are tons of options for getting your work out there, you just need to sniff out the ones that'll work for you in your local area. That said, most of the pros I know, do some other kind of photography to generate the revenue to finance their fine art stuff (or whatever they're really passionate about). It's usually the humdrum stuff that pays the bills - senior portraits, trade shows, events, weddings, etc...

thanks for that info. i will look into those sites as well.

[TaraG]

I agree with Jetrim - you have some excellent photos Valerie!

I'm more of a graphic designer than a photographer but graphic design relies heavily on photography. I've started to take a lot of my own pictures for my designs but not all graphic designers do. You do have the option of stock photography as Jetrim mentioned or find other outlets to approach designers. Maybe you could even try partnering with one?

[NaturalWoman]

I agree with Jetrim - you have some excellent photos Valerie!

I'm more of a graphic designer than a photographer but graphic design relies heavily on photography. I've started to take a lot of my own pictures for my designs but not all graphic designers do. You do have the option of stock photography as Jetrim mentioned or find other outlets to approach designers. Maybe you could even try partnering with one?

thanks. i took some photos of my mechanic while he worked on my car (yeah, i got a discount without even asking ) i enlarged them to 5 x 7 and gave him two prints. he loved them. another guy at the shop saw them and wants me to do some stock work for him. he owns a side business. it's not really my type of thing, as i no nothing about lighting - trying to learn, but i will consider it. coworker also wants me to photograph her biker's (motorcycle) club. i took a picture of her bike out in the parking lot and her friends like it. i really don't want to photograph people, i'm more comfortable with things and stuff - they don't talk back. hehehe. i do however want to do more than just let my work sit on a hard drive, so i will consider it.

[jaredk]

I joined http://www.focalpop.com Image seekers request images at a price and other photographers submit photos from their library or go out and shoot something original. The seeker selects and pays for the photos that they like. Its a great way to make some money on the side and gain some publicity by sharing your photos.