How Photographs are Sold: Stories and Examples of How Fine Art Photographers Sell Their Work

Description

In How Photographs Are Sold , author and fine art photographer Alain Briot has compiled stories and examples of how several successful photographers market and sell their work. The book features information from photographers who earn a living from their artwork, as well as from others who sell their artwork to further their passion rather than as their main source of income. It also includes examples from Alain's personal experience selling his fine art photographs. The featured photographers come from a variety of backgrounds and use a broad range of techniques for selling their artwork. They share information about their personal styles, what has worked for them and what hasn't, where they have sold their work, and more. Also included are images of each photographer's selling environment and examples of the marketing materials they use. Topics include: A description of the selling venues used by each artist: wholesale, retail, galleries, art shows, websites, etc. Various photographic genres: landscape, wildlife, flowers, portraiture, etc. A variety of business challenges and solutions A description of the business approach used by each artist A biography of each artist Skill enhancement exercises to help the reader develop their skills This book is designed to meet the needs of both amateur and professional fine art photographers. Whether you're just getting started in the fine art photography business or have been working at it for years, this book will prove to be a valuable resource. This book differs from Alain's previous marketing book, Marketing Fine Art Photography , in that this is not a manual but a collection of stories and examples. While Alain's first marketing book tells you how to sell your work, this second book shows you how to sell your work. Review: Very useful book - This book is shorter than Alain's other books. It is also not as detailed as Marketing Fine Art Photography but it does not need to be. It complements it in my opinion. There is enough new information in this book to make it worth the cost many times over. There are a few marketing and sales tips that if implemented will produce better results. However, to me, the most useful information in this book comes from the featured artists themselves. I was pleasantly surprised of how candid and open their testimonials are. There is no sugar coating here. Making money as an artist is not easy. Making a living entirely from art is extremely hard and many things have to be done right for a long period of time for that to happen. Some do it out of the love of the craft and live on a very thin income. Others generate a supplement to their current income. It is all a matter of who you want to be and how you want your life to look like. It is doubtful any of the featured artists are as financially successful as Alain. One would be wise (from what I have gathered reading these stories, Alain's other books and listening to his podcasts) to build a fine art photography business based on multiple avenues to sell photographs so one does not have to always be present to sell his/her work. As sales are made and income comes in, use part of it to create passive income from a source entirely separate from photography, such as rental properties. The more passive income comes in, the more time for art and other things. Personally I do not think it is noble nor virtuous to suffer financially when one does not have to and for most, income from art makes the bank account look like a patient having a constant heart attack. Buy this book and read between the lines, it will provide perspective and renewed focus. What's the point in having a business if it becomes just another job? Review: It is as it was advertised to be - The interviews are as advertised and gave me some ideas of my own for marketing my photography. But I don't feel like it went far enough in telling the reader how to implement those suggestions