A while back Photoshelter released a free guide for selling Fine Art Photography. The guide included a collection of interviews with photographers in the Fine Arts field. Each interview listed some key takeaways to consider. After reviewing the guide I’ve paraphrased these key takeaways. If you find these interesting I highly recommend heading to Photoshelter and getting your own free copy of the guide!

1. Find out how similar Fine Art Photographers are pricing there work and use a similar pricing structure. Don’t be afraid to sell at a lower price point if you are just starting out.
2. Use printers that are close to your customer base to reduce the cost of shipping….or find a printer that ships for free to you most popular customer locations. MPix.com ships free in the use for orders over $100.
3. Have a portfolio printed and ready to go you never know when you’ll lhave an opportunity to show your work.
4. Sell local to start. If you stink at sealing your self build a strong relationship with a gallery who is willing to put some skin in the game and help with marketing and advertising…even after your work is no longer exhibited. Do your home work; know what the gallery is looking for and how they want to receive it before contacting them. Organize your thoughts and art work to present a clear message of who you are.
5. Leverage word of mouth advertising through what ever means possible and maintain an open communications channel with your contacts.
6. Take advantage of location assignments to capture some Fine Art shots
7. Blog, blog, blog! Post post post! And be active on social networks like google+, Facebook, twitter, 500px, flicker, etc. Check out StumbleUpon for increasing site traffic.
8. Create an outline of your purchasing process and include full contact information on your site so folks can get in touch with you to request additional information.
9. Promote your work in businesses that are related to the content of the photography. Example you go on vacation to the Bahamas and capture a beautiful sun set try to sell/display it at a local travel agency.
10. Add a feature to your site so folks can sign up for mailings. MailChimp is a great FREE resource for this sort of thing.
11. Don’t skimp on your materials. Quality materials results in quality work.
12. Use a mixture of on-line and physical displaying of your art work. Some folks have to see it person before making a purchase. Cross market your site and shows. Advertise your shows on your site and  at shows hand out flyers directing folks back to your site.
13. Don’t pass up an opportunity to work on a collaboration project or post your images as a larger part of a larger body of work your work will get more exposure from the other photographers advertising the show as well.
14. Develop your style…Be unique!
15. Don’t get discouraged…keep trying!

Photoshelter continues to impress me with the free resources they offer for photographers big and small. This ebook has given me some renewed spirt and fresh ideas. I hope you grab your copy and enjoy the same!

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