Inspiration To Help You Pass The Time Indoors
Project 4 of 7: Educate Clients & Encourage Print
Print Sales Support Independent Photographers & Artists
| At a time that may not be so conducive for booking new sessions, help boost income through print sales. It seems everyone is using online interfaces more heavily, and you can benefit. Send an email blast if you have a subscriber list, reminding your clients about the importance of preserving their memories (and previous sessions) in print. Seeing their images in tangible form will bring heartwarming sentiment that they can also share with the family. Or, if you promote to an audience of followers, be sure to consistently link to your shop so your fans can support you as an independent artist, by purchasing a print. |
Pro Tips: Ask Amy Dawnelle
Portrait Clients Seek Heirloom Presentation
| "Selling printed portrait products defines you as a 'professional photographer'. In my opinion, it's the only thing that's going to set you apart from the hobbyist or the aspiring photographer. Don't get me wrong, you've got to have exceptional work. But when your clients realize that you expect their portraits to be displayed like a work of art, they know that they're dealing with a professional who values quality. Selling gorgeous, tangible, heirloom products helps my clients to gain confidence and trust in me. My packages are set up assuming that clients are going to buy digital files. The upgraded packages include a wall collection or album of their choice. This structure implies that choosing a package with digital files and printed portraits is a better value than choosing a digital-only package. Not everyone will buy an upgraded portrait collection. But a lot of them do, and those clients are always more satisfied with their investment." |
| "Of course, there's more to it. Like educating your client with the initial contact. Giving an in-person sales appointment, having lots of beautiful samples for them to touch and see. Building a genuine relationship. But, most of all, listening to your clients' actual needs and ideas for their photography. If you ask the right questions and then stay quiet, your client will tell you what they really intend for their portraits. And literally, no one ever tells me, 'I'd like to have them to store on my phone'."
- Amy Dawnelle
Amy Dawnelle Photography | Temecula, CA |
Pro Tips: 3 Main Points From Richard Bacon
Know Your Audience and Know Your Worth
| "It's very gratifying to see your work in physical form, and it will help you to see what your images look like on different materials, whether it's paper, metal, canvas, or whatever medium you choose. One way to utilize a physical body of your work is to show it around town. Most coffee shops have a rotating list of artists that swap out monthly, so reach out and see if you can display your work. Even if you don't sell anything, you still have that inventory and it helps to get your work seen. You can then use those same photos to show somewhere else or try to sell them in a different capacity. I've had 20 images stay in a location for 2 months, didn't sell a single piece, and then a year later, sold them all to a real estate office, so look at them as an investment." |
| "Secondly, self-promotion can be an awkward subject for many, but as photographers it's a necessity. Social media can be a great way to let people know you're selling prints. A way I like to get the word out is by offering a print sale, also doing a small giveaway to one of your followers. Usually I'll have people tag a friend in the comments as part of the entry rules, which helps get more eyes on your post. Also, I like to inform people everytime I update my website with recent images and that's a great time to include the fact that you offer prints of all your images." |
| "And finally, knowing what customers are looking for can make a huge difference. I have my work displayed in a gallery, and while that might not be something you're interested in or have available to you, I think seeing what sells the most can benefit anyone. Here are 2 main takeaways: First, people are looking for something they resonate with. Something that has sentimental value to them. I keep about 95% of my gallery work local to the region in which I live for that reason. Secondly, think about the type of images people want to hang on their walls. Oftentimes, someone wants art to decorate their home and the most explosive sunset photo you love might not translate well. Many people want more subtle or minimal images that offer some sense of tranquility. So, when choosing images to sell or thinking of compositions to shoot, try to work in some different ideas. Shoot some details, focus on unifying color palettes, or get creative with a unique perspective." |
Empowering Resources To Help Encourage Print Sales
Timeless Prints in a Fast-Changing World
The Numbers Tell The Story
More Resources From PRINT. The Movement.
- PRINT Movement: Tools And Resources To Share With Your Clients
Tips For Selling More Artwork
- Art Storefronts: Sell More Prints With These 5 Tips
Inspiration For Your Standard Workflow
Partner For Successful Sales
"Only photography has been able to divide human life into a series of moments, each of them has the value of a complete existence." - Eadweard Muybridge