Selling Photography or Getting It Displayed

March 4, 2005 8:43 AM

I'm an amateur photographer, but I'd like to see if I could sell it to someone, somewhere. If not that, maybe enter it in online or local photography contests. How do I get started?

I'm not even sure how I'd go about selling it--should I build a website and try for random people online? Present it to local coffee shops?
Or anyone have listings of contests, online, or around the Bay Area? I'd just like to do something more with it than just have it sit around.

posted by gramcracker to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (14 answers total)

I'd start with the website. Use something easy to manage it, like Photostack (http://photostack.org) and then you have something to show the potential coffee shops etc, without leaving the house first.

I'm not so sure about contests - what kind of photography do you like best? I would then Google any specific terms (alt process, fine arts, etc) to see what pops up.
posted by annathea at 9:00 AM on March 4, 2005

Art Deadlines List is a good resource for contents you can enter and upcoming exhibitions to send work to. My local photo school (ICP) keeps a copy in its library; maybe yours does too?
posted by xo at 9:40 AM on March 4, 2005

I haven't used it myself but I know people who are happy with Deviant Art. You can upload your photos. There's a community of people who take an interest in them. And you can choose to allow DA to sell prints, posters, etc., of which you get a cut.
posted by winston at 9:48 AM on March 4, 2005

Not sure about selling, but lots of folks use Worth 1000
contests to test their skills. I think it cost $10 to join, but you get contest chits in the deal.
posted by lobstah at 10:07 AM on March 4, 2005

If you have a relationship with a coffee shop in your neighborhood, make up a nice portfolio and ask there. I think this would be especially good if there's a brand new coffee shop opening up that doesn't have a presence in the neighborhood yet - they would probably be happy to have you, unless they already promised shows to all of their friends first.
posted by matildaben at 10:12 AM on March 4, 2005

PS: on Worth 1000. Usually it's known as a Photoshopping site, but they do offer Photography, Illustration, Multimedia, and even Writing contests as well. Also, it looks like there is a free sign up going on.
posted by lobstah at 10:13 AM on March 4, 2005

Check out megapixel.net I seem to remember them having contests and public galleries. Also, check out flickr.com for photo storage needs and exposure...you can make any pictures you want public and direct people to the site to view the pictures of your choice. It's pretty nifty.
posted by bakerwc1369 at 10:18 AM on March 4, 2005

If you're looking for exposure (either for critiques or clients), there's WetCanvas, photo.net, digitalart, GFXArtist..etc. There's another one I can't quite recall right now. Once you discover some good artists at the above places, just google for them. That way, you'll mine other quality communities and galleries.
posted by Gyan at 10:21 AM on March 4, 2005

Look for your town/regional arts bulletin--usually a monthly or weekly. That's how I first found out about statewide and regional juried contest, gallery opportunities, etc. In my area there is also a "Photo Arts Collective" club that runs its own shows/contests and alerts its members of other opportunities. I don't know what they have in the way of announcements anymore, but photo.net is an excellent source of info and critique of your images. I'd also be happy to look at some of your stuff myself if you're interested in some contructive vetting before you start sending stuff out; email is in my user profile. :)
posted by availablelight at 12:18 PM on March 4, 2005

I've got advice about, and links for, calls-for-entries websites, photo contests, awards and grants, and website design for photographers. See my profile. Good luck.
posted by Jim Beecher at 12:57 PM on March 4, 2005

I really like Photo Friday, it's a weekly photo contest based on a one word challenge. Submitted photos are voted on by the community and the six most popular are placed on the front page in a noteworty category. As far as photobloggers go, being chosen as noteworthy is a big deal, and it could get you some connections.
posted by splatta at 4:18 PM on March 4, 2005

Possibly not quite what was meant, but what about all the stock photography companies (Corbis, etc)? I've only ever been at the consuming end of them, so I don't know where/how they buy their photos. I imagine some are in-house only, while others take submissions. Does anyone know more about this side of the market?
posted by -harlequin- at 7:15 PM on March 4, 2005

An artist friend makes greetings cards by pasting glossy prints on to card. When he travels, he presents them to appropriate shops, also taking local photos where the muse moves him. Additional cards may be ordered. His stuff is quite good, too.
posted by Goofyy at 12:38 AM on March 5, 2005

JAMA publishes photographs by physicians and medical students - I don't mean medical-related photographs, but rather landscapes and such.
posted by ikkyu2 at 9:41 PM on March 5, 2005