Those of you with a website...

[Shebang]

...to sell your photos - how are you doing?

[mtbbrian]

I have that option available on my site, but I rarely make any sales...
It's mostly about getting my photography out there anymore..
It's a lot of fun, I enjoy it.
My experience...
Brian

[freygr]

I have never sold a photo from a web site. To sell photos you have to go out and sell your self, that takes time, with family I do not have the time. (my web site is now out of date anyone can see it at: www.aracnet.com/~freygr

[CLKunst]

I don't use my website to sell photos anymore but did when I was using my Shutterfly account. It was for events and private sessions purchases though, no art. Ultimately though I got tired of Shutterfly getting a bite out of everything I made.

I agree with Brian & Frey and have two cents more. The internet is an entirely visual experience. They can book mark you and go back to that photo again and again. This dulls the 'Oh I love that!' experience to an "Oh I've seen that and they can make hundreds of copies'. You have to have a little stand or sit out somewhere where people are already impulse buying. You'll probably have more success in arts & crafts fairs or farmer's markets. At least there if you really hit somebody with a 'Wow I love it.' they're more likely to find it precious and want to make it theirs.

[mjs1973]

I have a website, but I don't have any functionality to order prints but I have sold prints through my website. Like CL said, mostly events and private sessions. Here is how I handle it. I create a gallery for the client and then email them a link to it. The gallery will show them their images with the file name below it. I have the customer send me a list of the file names, quantity and size they want along with a check for the total amount plus shipping. Once I get the check, I order the prints and have them drop shipped directly to the customer. I don't even see them. It's a bit of extra work on my end but I'm not splitting the $ with anyone else either.

If a customer wants to order an art print from my website, they can email me and we will work out a similar deal. My art prints I will actually matte and sign before shipping them. If they want it framed I may do that as well. Selling of art prints for me is pretty rare. I think I have sold 1 via the method above but it was for a client who had an image in mind that I didn't have. I then went out and created the images I thought she wanted and created a gallery for her.

I have much better luck selling in person at art fairs and shows like that.

[Shebang]

Thanks, all, for your time and responses.