Essentials Cafe

Hi everyone!

            I'm not a professional artist, but I immensely enjoy working with my personal photographs--cropping, tweaking and embellishing nearly every one. It all started, innocently enough, with Microsoft's Picture It and I'm currently trying to pick a favorite between Corel and Adobe's advanced programs.  Each one has unique features...can't decide.  Anyway...  I just ordered Adobe's plug in suite 4 and...while waiting for it to arrive...ran out to Best Buy and picked up a Wacom tablet.  I've had a blast playing with the trial Essentials  and am now questioning what I'm going to "DO" with all this incredible technology--besides my own self-satisfaction.  In sharing my work with friends, I keep hearing "you should frame this one--it's a work of art"...and... "you should do this for a business; your work is amazing; blah, blah, blah." It's true that--to me--all this 'Painter' stuff is nothing but fun (and you're only supposed to work at what you love--right?)...and I know that most folks--even if they own every digital photo program on earth--won't take the time to even remove glaring red eye from their photos....but I keep wondering: IS there a business opportunity here?

       I watched the scrapbooking "era" erupt with a frenzy and am now hearing about little home-based businesses that have sprouted from that.  For instance, a friend just told me she attended a baby shower and the gift everyone raved about was a pre-constructed scrapbook--ready to go, just waiting for the next 12 yrs of baby's life to be slipped into the open slots on each perfectly designed page.  Just like the folks who built incredible money machines from perfecting their faux painting abilities---I want to ride my own creative wave...(right to the bank.)

       I remember when my children were little.  There was always a group of completely untalented, nonartistic young mothers who would spend anything just to have the latest and greatest thing for thier children (and to announce to the world "aren't I just the most clever woman and aren't you just incredibly jealous?".  Remember Discovery Toys?....and all that hand-painted, personalized furniture and picture frames?  I think THOSE women are still out there--somewhere--and they would love to have someone take their favorite family photos (NOT a formal studio session with all the aggravation and expense) and digitally enhance them for framing or for a slide show on the family's tv.  But...I could be wrong.

        My friend is a realtor.  She was fussing about "what to give this client as a house warming gift" when I emailed her six digitally enhanced versions of the couple's new home and suggested she choose one, have it printed and framed and present it to them as an amazing, one of a kind piece of art.  She didn't get it.  She thought I 'ruined' the photo.  So...I'm concerned.  Are their more folks like the soccer moms with money to burn or Amy the Realtor who wouldn't 'waste' her money on "that"???

         Can I build a business around cleaning up other people's bad photography, dressing it up and handing it back--tied up in a bow and ready to go?  Nothing too fancy--just crop, a few effects, 'edge' and 'frame' should do it.   I've never seen a service like this offered by a photographer (they'd never do it--for any price, I'm sure) and Walgreens certainly isn't going to do it for thier customers...so: can I make money doing it?  Even though I'm just a neophyte, I've daydreamed about having a little studio where people could watch me work at the computer through the front display window (while waiting in a long line to place their orders for my skilled talent.)  Then...I have a nightmare...thinking about putting 1000's of hours into a little pile of "spec" photos---just to collect $10 on the one the client likes.  The offerings I see, here, in all of your galleries are amazing pieces that obviously took a great deal of time and talent.  It's clear many of you have built careers off your talent and found a niche in the business world that suits you.   What's a stay-at-home mom who's kids have grown and flown the nest supposed to do with this "gift" of photo editing/enhancement?  Do I have a good idea here?....or should I just spare myself a lot of frustration and accept that--those who want to fix their photos will buy a program and do it themselves...and those who don't--don't care.???

           Thanks, in advance, for any words of advice, links, ideas or suggestions you can offer.   I really need to decide what to do when I grow up; I don't want to just 'get a job' and I like playing with pictures.  Is that enough?

            Can't wait to read your responses!           Karen, in Cleveland

Hi Karen,

I do Photography and photo art as a hobby and have never sold any.  I am curious as to whether anyone here is selling their art now and how they go about it.   I have talked to artists and most of them either have works in Galleries or do painting on commission.   My plan is to enter a few art contests where they allow photos and art.  I will make a few large prints to enter.  They usually allow you to put a price on the work.  I may sell a few or not.  I will get some attention and recognition which might lead to something.  If you win a few contests, you can put up a web site and advertise that fact.

 I found an internet site that has a lot of books on making money from photography.  Of course it is always about marketing somehow.  Here is the site.  If you come up with an idea, maybe you can share it here.  Also, post some artwork here to get some responses.  Just remember, people tend to be positive rather than critique.  If you really want to know, ask for comments either way. 

Ron

http://www.photosecrets.com/books.sell.html

Hi Ron,Wardy in Scotland here,it is more than possible to sell your work.you are right though it,s all about marketing.When I first started using essentials Irealised right from the start that there was a market for this stuff.Scotland has to be one of the most photographed places on the planet,but when you travel about you see very little of the kind of work we do.Sure there are millions of photos ,but very few are done in our format.To be honest I think the best way is to just get out there and show your stuff to anyone who will look ,shops,museums ,galleries,and the like.I have had some of mine mounted,matted I think you call it in the  states(carded frame)and you would be amazed how much better they look.If you already have a website then put the details of it on the back.I t hink you will be surprised at how much interest this brings.Another thing is to not value you,re work too cheaply it puts people off believe it or not.This evening I had a phonecall from friends of ours in vermont to tell us they had seen some of my work on the web and they are going to show all of their friends.That,s how quickly it can all start Ron.I have seen some of your work Ron and I have no doubt whatsoever that it is sellable,so stick with it and good luck.Regards Alan Ward

Hi, Karen!  Anne is right; marketing is the key! I am presently marketimg my work on Zazzle.com as T-Shirts and stuff. It's free to set up a gallery; if you want to see mine, go to www.zazzle.com/pyrabird . I even design shoes! Lots of people make money fooling with pictures; but you have to let people know you're out there so they can find you! Are you in any photography clubs or anything, or do you know an instructor who could help you? Maybe a photo studio near you could use some help with their stuff? If you see an opportunity, take advantage of it! Good Luck! Pyra