Digital Cameras Nikon D50

Most photographers today are interested in selling photos online. However, like so many other areas, there's so much hype - and it sounds so good! Having an online presence and selling photos online successfully is simple (not easy - simple) and basic. I've bought, memorized and used most of the packages that promise to teach me all of the tips and "secrets that the pros didn't want me to know." Save your money. Do your research. Take your time.

I offer this list of Frequently Asked Questions that I get from other photographers and from my experiences on the how-to steps to establish and profit from an online presence.

Question: Do I have to have a website as a photographer?

Answer: Yes. A few years ago, when the internet was new and getting a lot of bad press, a photographer could 'get by' without an online presence (which could be a website or a blog). However, in today's world, a photographer without an online presence is simply not taken seriously.

Question: What is the best way to have a website built?

Answer: In my opinion, you must build the website yourself. With the tools available today, it is very easy. If you can send and receive email you can build, publish and manage your own website. Some websites can be built by someone else - not photography websites. Websites must be kept fresh. Building it yourself make freshness easy. If someone else builds it for you, you're then at their mercy when you need to make a change or two. Not good.

Question: What should I want my website to do?

Answer: Photographer websites are used to provide information about how to contact the photographer; to view the work of the photographer; to make photos available in galleries to clients; to make photos available for sale; to provide information; or a combination of all of these. It isn't necessary for your photography website to do everything right away. It can be done in phases. There are also companies that perform all of the mentioned services for photographers. Do an online search for "selling photos online" and "photography fulfillment" and you will have lots of resources to research for the best to meet your style and needs.

Question: What is the most lucrative market to sell photos?

Answer: That depends on you. A little research can show you which type of photos are currently being searched for, found and bought (actually, they're rented for use, not sold by the photographer); who's buying and what they are paying. There are a great many photography niches that require new photos continuously. You can find the markets and sell to them yourself or you can pay a third party to do so for you. Online these companies these companies take a great load work out of the necessary, but tedious, steps to successfully market and sell your photos.

Question: What type of camera do I need?

Answer: That depends, also. The markets vary and differ. Some require high resolution digital images. Other markets don't require such high resolution images. Your research will help you to find out who is buying the size photos that you are shooting and have for sale.

Question: What if I'm not internet savvy?

Answer: No problem. The internet is very, very learn-able. To those of us who don't know much about using the internet, it can seem intimidating. But, one of the beautiful things about the internet is that what you don't know you can easily find out about. With the advancement of technology, if you can send and receive email, you have the skills and knowledge to become very internet savvy in a very short amount of time. If you're reading this article online, you clearly have the skills needed to establish your web presence yourself - I promise! Try a website called Squidoo.com - you'll be online in ten minutes. If you give the site a consistent effort for three to four weeks (regardless of how much time per week you commit to work on it), I guarantee you will have a great deal of internet savvy. Try it. By the way, they're free!

Question: What assurance do I have that my photo won't be stolen on the internet?

Answer: Good question. First of all, there are copyright laws. Secondly, photographers electronically alter the image to make the photos almost useless to steal. For example, some photographers use watermarks. Others (most photographers) minimize the size of the photo displayed on the internet. These simple techniques are very learn-able. Many photographers use online fulfillment service companies specifically because the photographers want to ensure that their photos aren't stolen. The companies provide very secure encryption.

Question: How can I know if the businesses that want to sell me "Tips To Make $250 - $400 A Day" packages and products are for real?

Answer: When you find out, please let me know! All of the photographers that I know that make that kind of money have been building their businesses up for years - they didn't buy the "secrets and mystery tips" online. I must admit, however, the promises made by many of the companies are enticing and inviting. I must also admit that I have been vulnerable and bought the packages and products. Save your money. Take your time. Do your research. The process is very learnable, very doable and very basic and simple.

Selling photos online successfully is no mystery that requires the revealing of "secrets the pros don't want you to know!" The beauty of learning how to successfully sell photos online is that the simple (not easy - simple) and basic steps to be successful can be found online - and most of the valuable information and resources are free.

Good luck. Do your research - and you won't need much luck.

Kalem Aquil is a 'semi-burnt-out' photographer that dispenses free, unsolicited (yet, very good and accurate) tips and advice to budding photographers that want to take their photography business to the next level. He dispenses such advice to budding photographers such as "where to start," "what to charge," "how to know if you're really, really ready," etc. etc. etc. He dispenses his free and unsolicited advice here. Subscribe to his free ezine, the "Best Amateur Photography Tips Digest," and receive a Bonus Special Report - "How To Build Your Own Successful Photography Website." Click here to subscribe.