5 Things Each Freelance Photographer Should Be Doing Online
Often it appears the Internet was made solely for photographers. On a social level it lets us share photos with friends and families, we can get together and talk camera gear and photographic technique, and it helps a lot of us overcome the isolation that frequently goes hand-in-hand with a photography career.
On a pro level, it provides the wherewithal to showcase our work to Clients, access new markets and conduct the entire stock photography sales process without leaving our office. It also offers the means to monitor trends, watch what our peers are doing and see the images our buyers are buying.
And for all that, the unfortunate truth is, for many photographers, the pure volume of information and options becomes more of an impediment than a helping hand. They only have so many hours in a day, and choosing what's worth their attention and what isn't becomes a pain, and as a consequence they have an inclination to brush over the important stuff and get way-laid with the unimportant.
Well if you find yourself in that scenario, here's a bare-bones list of the 5 necessary internet site types each freelance photographer should have bookmarked and should be using continually.
1. Stock Image Library
Few serious photographers wouldn't have a stock photo agency catalogue of some type, but lots of photographers still leave it as something to do later when they're better established, or have more photos. Nowadays that is not obligatory and the best way tosell images online is to begin early and add to your stock catalogue regularly over a period of time.
Stock photography is a long term business though, so do take some time and find a photo stock library that is a good fit for your work and your style. Confirm it leaves you in charge of your work and does not need you to give up your rights, or give your work away, solely to access their services.
2. Photography Price Calculator
To this end, ensure you bookmark a good online stock photo price calculator. We all used to manage this with hard-copy books, but things move fast these days and new sorts of photography-uses emerge every week, so a live stock photo price calculator is essential.. Be warned though, many photographers are blown away when they first use these... That's because most photographers seriously under-price their work.
If you have never looked at a Stock Photo Price Calculator before, I'd suggest that you write down a list of 5-10 of your most important markets, and then list a couple of 'average ' usages for each. Then open the calculator and work out a price for each usage. Keep it convenient and you have a ready-reference guide if a Customer ever puts you on the spot, but equally importantly, you will get a whole new insight to the value of your photography.
3. Photography Business Reports & Info
If you are eager -- and you don't mind sitting at a P. C. all day -- you can subscribe to dozens of different newsletters and blogs to try to start recent with goings on in the photography industry. Or you can find a single Photography/Business site that does it all for you.
There are a few really good websites out there if you go looking. My suggestion is to look them over and follow a couple until you find one that does the job right for you, your field of work, your interests, your location and so on. The best sites will give you all the crucial information in summary then include links for more information if you want it, so you can stay current and get all the info you require without the info overload.
4. Shopping & Auction Internet Sites
It's common knowledge, photographers are gadget-junkies! We are always hunting for that next piece of must-have camera kit that we simply cannot function at our best without. The simple fact we've already functioned quite alright for years without it does not matter... After we know it's out there we simply have to have it. Sound all to familiar?
The flip side is, quite frequently we have got equally as much gear we should actually get rid of... And once again, if the Net was made for us then I am sure the creators of eBay are either photographers themselves, or they've a few in the family. So bookmark it and use it. If you've a cupboard of old camera gear that's not been utilized in years get it out and sell it, while it still has some value!
5. Online Photographic Community
Pro photography is generally a solo career so the facility to have interaction with your peers online should not be taken lightly. We all see dozens of pictures on any given day, but to be in a position to look at new photographs and discuss them with other photographers is priceless. Pre-Internet, it was something that only happened at Camera Clubs or waiting around at the Pro-Lab, but the internet forums and portal sites now give working photographers to capability to engage with their peers, share ideas and info and truly grow as artists. And if you're not making excellent use of them, you're quite possibly stagnating!
Well that is my top 5 must-bookmark website types. The web offers us the chance to 'round-out ' our photography businesses in ways in which we never could before, so make sure you are getting maximum value from the time you spend online... And remember all work and no play, leads to a boring photographer!
On a pro level, it provides the wherewithal to showcase our work to Clients, access new markets and conduct the entire stock photography sales process without leaving our office. It also offers the means to monitor trends, watch what our peers are doing and see the images our buyers are buying.
And for all that, the unfortunate truth is, for many photographers, the pure volume of information and options becomes more of an impediment than a helping hand. They only have so many hours in a day, and choosing what's worth their attention and what isn't becomes a pain, and as a consequence they have an inclination to brush over the important stuff and get way-laid with the unimportant.
Well if you find yourself in that scenario, here's a bare-bones list of the 5 necessary internet site types each freelance photographer should have bookmarked and should be using continually.
1. Stock Image Library
Few serious photographers wouldn't have a stock photo agency catalogue of some type, but lots of photographers still leave it as something to do later when they're better established, or have more photos. Nowadays that is not obligatory and the best way tosell images online is to begin early and add to your stock catalogue regularly over a period of time.
Stock photography is a long term business though, so do take some time and find a photo stock library that is a good fit for your work and your style. Confirm it leaves you in charge of your work and does not need you to give up your rights, or give your work away, solely to access their services.
2. Photography Price Calculator
To this end, ensure you bookmark a good online stock photo price calculator. We all used to manage this with hard-copy books, but things move fast these days and new sorts of photography-uses emerge every week, so a live stock photo price calculator is essential.. Be warned though, many photographers are blown away when they first use these... That's because most photographers seriously under-price their work.
If you have never looked at a Stock Photo Price Calculator before, I'd suggest that you write down a list of 5-10 of your most important markets, and then list a couple of 'average ' usages for each. Then open the calculator and work out a price for each usage. Keep it convenient and you have a ready-reference guide if a Customer ever puts you on the spot, but equally importantly, you will get a whole new insight to the value of your photography.
3. Photography Business Reports & Info
If you are eager -- and you don't mind sitting at a P. C. all day -- you can subscribe to dozens of different newsletters and blogs to try to start recent with goings on in the photography industry. Or you can find a single Photography/Business site that does it all for you.
There are a few really good websites out there if you go looking. My suggestion is to look them over and follow a couple until you find one that does the job right for you, your field of work, your interests, your location and so on. The best sites will give you all the crucial information in summary then include links for more information if you want it, so you can stay current and get all the info you require without the info overload.
4. Shopping & Auction Internet Sites
It's common knowledge, photographers are gadget-junkies! We are always hunting for that next piece of must-have camera kit that we simply cannot function at our best without. The simple fact we've already functioned quite alright for years without it does not matter... After we know it's out there we simply have to have it. Sound all to familiar?
The flip side is, quite frequently we have got equally as much gear we should actually get rid of... And once again, if the Net was made for us then I am sure the creators of eBay are either photographers themselves, or they've a few in the family. So bookmark it and use it. If you've a cupboard of old camera gear that's not been utilized in years get it out and sell it, while it still has some value!
5. Online Photographic Community
Pro photography is generally a solo career so the facility to have interaction with your peers online should not be taken lightly. We all see dozens of pictures on any given day, but to be in a position to look at new photographs and discuss them with other photographers is priceless. Pre-Internet, it was something that only happened at Camera Clubs or waiting around at the Pro-Lab, but the internet forums and portal sites now give working photographers to capability to engage with their peers, share ideas and info and truly grow as artists. And if you're not making excellent use of them, you're quite possibly stagnating!
Well that is my top 5 must-bookmark website types. The web offers us the chance to 'round-out ' our photography businesses in ways in which we never could before, so make sure you are getting maximum value from the time you spend online... And remember all work and no play, leads to a boring photographer!
About the Author:
Matt Brading is a stock photographer & writer with GlobalEye Digital Stock Photography. For other photography business articles be certain to visit their Sell Stock Photos blog & resources page.
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