In the days before this thing we call the interwebs, photographers used to actually print their pictures to share them with the world. Getting images in the public eye was, and still is, the key to success. Nowadays, we’re inundated with so much media on our laptops, tablets and smartphones that it’s hard for a photographer to stand out. Setting up a quality website, like the one made for me by JR Customizations on SmugMug, was the first step. But no matter how great your images look online, there is still no substitute for seeing them large and in person.
My recommendation, if you haven’t done so already, is to print out a few favorite shots in large canvas prints. The technology is amazing — the colors pop, the details shine through — and it all looks like a masterpiece painting on canvas. Then what? Get your prints out into the public eye, that’s what! Find a place with high traffic that will display them. For example, I printed out several canvas prints from my recent album from the Andes, Click here to view! and found a popular Peruvian restaurant that was very happy to hang them on their walls, handing out my business cards (with links to my website), and handling sales of the prints, for a commission. Find someplace, anyplace, that would be appropriate for your images. Don’t be afraid to self-promote. Make calls, talk about your work.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
The other half of the public equation is your online presence, and if you don’t have a mind-blowing website, it’s hard to be taken seriously. Make business cards and hand them out during conversation (since with us, conversation inevitably leads to photography, right?). You never know who might want your print — a doctor for her waiting room (tax write-off!), a wildlife lover, or a retail business. Another method for drawing traffic to your website is through Youtube. Recently, I’ve been splicing together edited videos referencing my SmugMug site, and posting them to my Youtube channel, as well as to SmugMug. With the proper keywords, your videos will generate thousands of hits, and they’re up there forever. Here is an example of my latest video, from Mongolia, as seen on SmugMug, Click here to view! Youtube is free, use it!
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Good luck, and happy shooting!
– Jonathan Stewart
