Often it seems the Web was made solely for photographers. On a social level it lets us share photographs with friends and families, we will get together and talk camera gear and photographic technique, and it helps a lot of us overcome the isolation that commonly goes side by side with a photography career.
On a pro level, it provides the resources to showcase our work to Clients, access new markets and conduct the complete stock photography sales process without leaving our office. It also offers the wherewithal to monitor trends, monitor what our peers are doing and see the photography our clients are using.
And for all that, the sad fact 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 deciding what's worth their attention and what isn't becomes a bore, and as a result they tend to brush over the significant stuff and get way-laid with the trivial.
Well if you ever find yourself in that case, here is a bare-bones list of the 5 essential website types every independent photographer should have bookmarked and will be using constantly.
1. Stock Photo 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 that end, make sure you bookmark a good online stock photography price calculator. We all used to handle this with hard-copy books, but things move fast nowadays and new kinds of usage appear each week, so a live stock photography price calculator is essential.. Be warned though, most photographers are blown away when they first use these... Just because most photographers seriously undervalue their work.
If you've never looked at a Stock Photograph Price Calculator before, I'd recommend you make a list of 5-10 of your principal markets, and then list two 'average ' uses 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 Client ever places you on the spot, but just as importantly, you'll get a completely new understanding to the value of your photography.
3. Photography Business Reports & Info
If you're ardent -- and you do not mind sitting at a PC all day -- you can subscribe to lots of different newsletters and services to attempt to start current with goings on in the business. Or you'll be able to find a single Photography/Business site that does it all for you.
There are a few truly good websites out there if you go looking. My suggestion is to check them out 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 ones will give you all the vital news in brief, then include links for full info if you want it, so you can stay current and get all the info you want, without the info overload.
4. Shopping & Auction Websites
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, often we've got as much gear we should truly get rid of... And again, if the web was made for us then I'm sure the creators of eBay are either photographers themselves, or they have a few in the family. So bookmark it and use it. If you have a cupboard of old gear that hasn't been put to work in years get it out and post it, while it still has some value to someone!
5. Online Photographic Community
Freelance photography is often a solo career so the ability to engage with your peers online shouldn't be taken lightly. We all see tons of images on any specific day, but to be able to look at new images and talk about 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 online forums and portal sites now give working photographers to ability to have interaction with their peers, share ideas and information and really grow as artists. And if you aren't making efficient use of them, you are possibly stagnating!
Well that is my top 5 must-bookmark site types. The Net 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 resources to showcase our work to Clients, access new markets and conduct the complete stock photography sales process without leaving our office. It also offers the wherewithal to monitor trends, monitor what our peers are doing and see the photography our clients are using.
And for all that, the sad fact 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 deciding what's worth their attention and what isn't becomes a bore, and as a result they tend to brush over the significant stuff and get way-laid with the trivial.
Well if you ever find yourself in that case, here is a bare-bones list of the 5 essential website types every independent photographer should have bookmarked and will be using constantly.
1. Stock Photo 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 that end, make sure you bookmark a good online stock photography price calculator. We all used to handle this with hard-copy books, but things move fast nowadays and new kinds of usage appear each week, so a live stock photography price calculator is essential.. Be warned though, most photographers are blown away when they first use these... Just because most photographers seriously undervalue their work.
If you've never looked at a Stock Photograph Price Calculator before, I'd recommend you make a list of 5-10 of your principal markets, and then list two 'average ' uses 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 Client ever places you on the spot, but just as importantly, you'll get a completely new understanding to the value of your photography.
3. Photography Business Reports & Info
If you're ardent -- and you do not mind sitting at a PC all day -- you can subscribe to lots of different newsletters and services to attempt to start current with goings on in the business. Or you'll be able to find a single Photography/Business site that does it all for you.
There are a few truly good websites out there if you go looking. My suggestion is to check them out 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 ones will give you all the vital news in brief, then include links for full info if you want it, so you can stay current and get all the info you want, without the info overload.
4. Shopping & Auction Websites
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, often we've got as much gear we should truly get rid of... And again, if the web was made for us then I'm sure the creators of eBay are either photographers themselves, or they have a few in the family. So bookmark it and use it. If you have a cupboard of old gear that hasn't been put to work in years get it out and post it, while it still has some value to someone!
5. Online Photographic Community
Freelance photography is often a solo career so the ability to engage with your peers online shouldn't be taken lightly. We all see tons of images on any specific day, but to be able to look at new images and talk about 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 online forums and portal sites now give working photographers to ability to have interaction with their peers, share ideas and information and really grow as artists. And if you aren't making efficient use of them, you are possibly stagnating!
Well that is my top 5 must-bookmark site types. The Net 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.