5 Things Each Photographer Should Be Doing Online
Often it seems the Internet was made solely for photographers. On a social level it lets us share our photography with friends and families, we are able to get together and talk camera gear and photographic method, and it helps a lot of us overcome the isolation that frequently goes side by side with a photography career.
On a pro level, it provides the wherewithal to showcase our work to Clients, access new markets and conduct the whole stock photography sales process without leaving our desk. It also offers the resources to monitor trends, monitor what our peers are doing and see the kinds of photos our clients are buying.
And for all that, the sad reality is, for many photographers, the pure volume of info and options becomes more of an obstruction 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 chore, and as a result they have an inclination to brush over the important stuff and get way-laid with the unimportant.
Well if you ever find yourself in that scenario, here's a bare-bones list of the 5 necessary site types each freelance photographer should have bookmarked and will be using continually.
1. Stock Photo Library
Few professional photographers wouldn't have a stock image agency catalogue of some description but lots of photographers still leave it as something to do later when they are better established, or have more photos. These days that's just not obligatory and the easiest way tosell stock photos online is to start early and add to your stock catalog consistently over time.
Stock photography is a long term business though, so do take it steady and find a stock photo agency that fits your work and your style. Confirm it leaves you in charge of your work and doesn't want you to surrender your rights, or give your work away, simply to stay in the game.
2. Photo Price Calculator
To that end, make sure you bookmark a good online stock photography price calculator. We all used to manage this with hard-copy books, but things move fast these days and new sorts of usage emerge each week, so a live stock photography price calculator is essential.. Be warned though, many people are blown away when they first use these... because most photographers seriously under-value 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 principal markets, and then list 2-3 'average ' usages for each. Then open the calculator and work out a price for each use. Keep it handy and you've got a ready-reference guide if a Photo-Buyer ever puts you on the spot, but equally importantly, you'll get a new insight to the value of your photography.
3. Photography Business Stories & Info
If you're keen -- and you do not mind sitting at a computer all day -- you can subscribe to dozens of different newsletters and services to attempt to start recent with goings on in the business. Or you'll find a single Photography/Business site that does it all for you.
There are a few extremely good websites out there if you go looking. My suggestion is to look a few over and follow a few till you find one that does the job right for you, your field of work, your interests, your location and so on. The best websites will give you all the vital stuff in a nutshell, then include links for full info if you want it, so that you can stay current and get all of the info you want, without the information overload.
4. Shopping & Auction Websites
It's common knowledge, photographers are gadget-junkies! We're always searching for that next piece of must-have camera kit that we simply can't function at our best without. The simple fact we have worked quite alright for years without it doesn't matter... Once we know it's out there we 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 again, if the internet was made for us then I am sure the creators of eBay are either photographers themselves, or they've got a few in the family. So bookmark it and use it. If you've a cupboard of old gear that's not been out of the bag in years get it out and post it, while it still has some value!
5. Online Photographer Community
Freelance photography is generally a solo career so the option to engage with your peers online shouldn't be taken lightly. We all see tons of photos on any particular day, but to be able to look at new images 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 web forums and portal sites now give working photographers to ability to have interaction with their peers, share ideas and information and truly grow as artists. And if you aren't making excellent use of them, you're quite possibly stagnating!
Well that is my top 5 must-bookmark internet site types. The web offers us the chance to 'round-out ' our photography businesses in ways that 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, makes for a dull photographer!
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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