A road map for quitting my job

[MysticNacho]

Or trying too. In an attempt to support myself with something that doesn't require me to actually show up somewhere each morning, I've decided to sell photographs. Pictures I've taken, and friends have taken, during climbing trips. They're not very good, but looking around at some of the crap that's sold out there I figure its worth a shot.

 

So, I would appreciate any feedback y'all might have. Go and surf it, see what you think, and let me know. Hell, if you really want to, buy a picture and help me quit my job.

 

Cascadephotos.com

 

[chelle]

Good luck with the idea. The photos are decent, but you might want to rethink the pricing. Seems a bit steep given that the images are not fine art quality, are taken by relative unknows, and photos by people who do fine art photography are far cheaper (unless your prices include framing).

[jon]

Please don't take this personally, and remember my amazing graphic design skillz are responsible for the cc.com southpark theme, but if you are planning on selling photos through your website you will need something that is much more professional looking.

 

To give you a better idea what I'm talking about, web consumers will typically judge the apparent legitamecy of a business based on it's exterior. In brick and mortor it is the actual shell of a building that will bring them in and if there is a nice showroom they determine that it is a legitimate business. On the web, the user interface and the overall look of the website is what persuades an individual the value and legitimacy of any business, whether they are going to have their credit card stolen etc etc. A great and recent example of this is in the crossfit thread, look at any of those websites, most of them look like blogs and are kind of garbage, and while the thing is very legitimate you have to actual search around and read stuff to determine that.

[Gary_Yngve]

What megapixel are those digitals? Do you actually expect to get quality with a 16x20 print? Even with film, wouldn't medium/large format be necessary to get a juicy 30x40 print?

 

To reinforce some of the others' points, everyone would love it if money would magically appear for their amateur photography in the mountains. I don't see many shots here that are pro-level.

 

Finally, got any pictures of cougars on Si?

[MysticNacho]

Well, I'm under no illusions as to the quality of the photographs or the appearance of the website. Can't help the photos, and the website is my best effort for now... still learning that one. I could get a better slide scanner, but that won't replace actual skill behind the lens.

 

As for the prices, I originally had them set for much lower. Wiser minds than mine however, recommended higher prices. Supposedly, lower prices yield fewer customers because they don't believe its actually art. Customers are replaced with tirekickers. I agree with you Chelle, I think the prices are too high, but against my better judgement I'll leave them be for now.

 

Thanks for the feedback, keep it coming.

[MysticNacho]

Specifically Jon, what would you recommend changing?

[jon]

I'd recommend looking a other photographers websites and see what they are doing for their websites. He is one link that has a list. http://www.autumncolor.com/gallery/index.html

[Dr_Flash_Amazing]

http://www.patitucciphoto.com

http://www.onsight.com.au

 

Great business model and plan for sucess, by the way. "Yeah, this sucks, but I hope you pay too much for it anyway."

 

 

Here's to many more years in your cubicle, slacker.

[jon]

Mr. Amazing, how would you be anonymous... if everyone..... knew your name.

 

 

Don't be a dick, dude.

[Squid]

[Dr_Flash_Amazing]

Don't be a dick, dude.

 

 

A thousand humble apologies!

 

The Doctor was just making an honest statement, though (and giving some more examples of actual killer photography--a good step before embarking on any small business venture, no? Size up the competition?). One could do better than to make an admittedly half-assed effort and then admittedly overcharge for the product, but somehow expect success anyway.

[ryland_moore]

Also, I'd check out Ben Moon's site: www.moonfoto.com

 

Cool site from a nice guy and talented photographer. Here's your competition!

[Squid]

While we're on the topic

 

Tim Matsui

http://www.sportsshooter.com/members.html?id=4086

 

Mike Gauthier

http://www.crevasse.com/

 

 

I give Nacho points for his humble approach, but he's throwing his hat into a pretty mean ring.

[Gary_Yngve]

http://www.patitucciphoto.com

http://www.onsight.com.au

 

Wow, those are some nice photos!

[Dr_Flash_Amazing]

Wow, those are some nice photos!

 

Both of those guys have had beaucoup pics in the mags and for various companies. 'Specially Patitucci. You can see why.

[Squid]

Wow!

Those are really freaking good.

 

 

I wish you luck, Nacho, but you're going to have to work for it.

[ketch]

Nacho, Good on ya for trying. I would revisit the price issue though. There exists some photographers that make good money. Their pics are worth it but only when you are specifically looking for "that" photo. If the pics are of good quality and priced within reason they get purchased sometimes just because. John Scurlock is an example, he doesn't make a living from his pictures but I have bought several just because I really liked it when I saw them.

 

Here is Some of Johns work

[DirtyHarry]

You should get into porn. Its much easier and much more lucrative.

[chucK]

Through His Webcam, a Boy Joins a Sordid Online World

[MysticNacho]

I'm easily persuaded. I think I'll drop the prices and get into porn.

[Dr_Flash_Amazing]

I'm easily persuaded. I think I'll drop my trousers and get into porn.

 

Go get 'em, Slugger!

[griz]

Hey MysticN.Good luck on your idea. I don't know donkey dick about web design but do have allot of experience with graphic design and photography.

 

Things I see on your page that don't work...

 

-the header looks washed out,blury. Needs to be crisper.

-lose the (x) by the categories. the numbers are small and makes the site look amateurish and small time.

- I don't care what my IP address is or about the other tech stuff on the bottom is. lose it.

- the blue is too dark and makes it tough to read "artist", "information"

-if you had allot of artists on the site the drop box with a list of names would work but with just 3 it looks silly. Try an approach that focuses on each artist's work? Instead of a big mixed bag.

-an the page with the larger pic version the "8x10 Costs:$50" looks odd. I'd keep the pricing in the drop box only. "8x10 costs" sounds weird too. Is it even correct grammar?

 

Also, talk about what the prints are made on...did I miss it somewhere? are they inkjet?are they archival quality inkjet? are they LightJet prints? Giclee? From slides or negs? If a person is going to shell out 500 for a print they will want to know this info or should be made aware.

 

the competition is intense in this field. you have to be top notch for people to want to deal with you.

 

Also, what is your plan to direct traffic to this site? there are HUNDREDS and hundreds of sites like this and many of them with far,far better photographs. just putting up a site does not mean people will find it.

 

Like most on this thread I'm not trying to be a dick just giving an honest critique.

 

Again,good luck with your idea.

[MisterMo]

Okeedokee..........

 

I tried my hand at it once (mountain photos, not porn). I sold a few prints and what seemed like a bazillion postcards of Mt. Index before I accepted the fact that I did not have the necessary self promotional skills and drive to succeed as a photographer. You may find the following stuff useful:

 

(1)If you want to get consistently good, saleable photos every thing else you do has to wrap around your photography, not the other way around. The camera has to be out, ready to use, and at the front of your mind or youi'll miss the good stuff. As a seasonal example if you're out after freshies it's your subjects who will be enjoying them; you will be scoping out good shots and getting them.

 

(2) If you really want to get good photos and you work hard at it and shoot a lot you will get good photos. If, for example, like Art Wolfe you show up at McNeil River during the salmon run with a long lens and a semiload of Kodachrome and you get up early and work long and hard and shoot a lot of film, you will get excellent bear photos, no doubt about it. If, like John Scurlock, you work hard and spend a lot of time flying and photographing the Cascades then excellent results will also follow. And I'm not meaning to diss anyone or their work.

 

(3) The difference between 'outdoor' photographers shooting the type of stuff on your site who succeed commercially and those who do not is, I submit, not as much the quality of their work but rather their skills and determination as salespeople and business people. Granted one must have something to sell, but given that one must also bust their ass, for years, to differentiate themselves in a very competetive market. I don't have the slightest inkling what your day job currently is but I'd bet money that you'd have to work much harder as a photographer than you do now, for years before becoming financially successful at it.

 

(4)If you want to succeed more painlessly find a niche that nobody is in and do that well. John Scurlock's work is an example. Not only is his work stunning to look at, he's the only one I currently know of doing that little niche: Cascade aerials easily accessible on the web. I don't know if John has commercial aspirations but I believe that his mix of beauty and uniqueness would make it relatively easy for him to succeed.

 

I failed, my ego insists, because I was a crummy salesman, not because I was a crummy photographer. May your experience be better.

[marylou]

A quick look on the net shows your prices are about the same as Art Wolfe's. Whoever told you your work was going to command those kind of prices may not be real familar with the art market.

 

You might have better luck selling stock photos. I'm not sure you're quite ready for the bigs yet.

 

Good luck though.

[Distel32]

oh yes the renound art wolfe who photoshopped animals into pictures because he couldn't get the right set up....what an idol.....

 

he spent 3months in MGL and never found a snow leopard, bwap!