How To Sell Photographs To Estate Agents!
After learning how to produce great images from my digital camera, I researched how to sell photographs, and implemented a number of projects in order to make a second income from this. One project that works well, when the groundwork is put in, is selling to Estate Agents. Estate Agents need great photographs of the houses they are selling if they hope to entice people into taking a look round them. Many do this themselves (and often poorly). They are usually noticeable by the shoddy photographs in the window.
Just go to town and walk about until you find one with pictures that make you cringe. Once you find it you know you are on to a winner. After locating a potential Estate Agent it pays to show them a portfolio, so you need to prepare one. Go on a tour of upmarket areas near you and take photographs of some of the houses. It's best to politely ask the homeowner's permission first, otherwise you may seem decidedly dodgy. An alternative is to find a newly built, unoccupied, estate, and add a few shots of famous buildings.
Take lots of pictures and then go edit them, in PhotoShop, or equivalent. If there are rivers in the pictures then make them appear rich blue, instead of the drabby grey/green they may really look like. It's best to have taken the pictures on a bright day, but if necessary tweak these levels too.
After editing, it's time to start creating a portfolio that will impress estate agents. Take your best 20 to 30 pictures and have them printed on A4 specialised photography paper, with 2 or 4 pictures to each page. If your own printer isn't up to the task, take them to a local printing service to produce. You will get more impressive results using photo paper, and this will make your final presentation look professional. As for the presentation of your portfolio, use a ring binder with each A4 sheet slipped into a cellophane pocket - obtainable from any reputable stationers.
One thing to bear in mind when learning how to sell photographs, is to prepare some business cards. These don't need to be too flash, in fact a simple card with your name and contact details will do the trick. But giving a business card does help you appear more professional. These can be made up fairly cheaply (again by the stationers) or there are many affordable applications that allow you to create these on your pc at home.
When your portfolio is complete simply walk into your chosen Estate Agents and speak to them. Don't beat around the bush. Politely ask if they would be interested in a deal on the photography of the properties they sell. Some will be interested and will consider hiring you. Many will simply tell you no, and in this case you continue down the road and try another agent on your list. Don't let rejection phase you; remember, it's not you or your photography they're rejecting, only that the particular agent does not want to use such a service.
Having researched many ways of how to sell photographs, I can say that, while this is not the most lucrative, if done correctly, it can create you a steady income.
About the Author
Discover how to sell photographs and make a fantastic second income from your hobby. From my step by step guide, you will see that you don't even need pro equipment or pro skills. Check out http://www.howtosellphotographs.org for full details.
Tell others about
this page:
Comments? Questions? Email Here