Photo Sales Bulletin....

EVERY PICTURE SELLS A STORY

(AND EVERY STORY SELLS A PICTURE)

Seemingly small changes in business tactics can mean big changes in selling your work. A few years ago, one visit to a camera shop resulted in big changes in my full-time freelance travel writing career. I learned every picture can sell a story and now believe that travel writing and photography are a perfect combination.

Adding photography to my repertoire has led to an average 60% annual increase in my gross revenues the last two years. There are many reasons: I sold some stories that would not have sold without my pictures; I made additional income from my own pictures accompanying stories I had written; I sold many pictures on their own; I garnered many freelance photography assignments; and I now have several .                                                                                               stock agencies selling my slides for me.                               

Ann and Carl Purcell, a top writing and photography team, have perfected this popular creative combination. In Travel Writing and Photography, they say, "We can never forget the advantage we gain in being able to deliver to an editor a ready-to-publish package of pictures and text."

Almost any photographer or writer can reap the same rewards by adding a missing link. It's just a matter of buying a camera or computer and aggressively marketing your work independently and as a package.

JUST BUY IT

I consider my camera and computer equipment sound low-cost investments. My gear earns its keep every week, because I know I can sell what I produce with it.

I now shoot with a wide variety of Nikon bodies and lenses and highly recommend the Nikon line. Their "automatic-everything" systems make it easy to get well-exposed pictures, while also allowing me to shoot everything manually when the situation warrants it.

I own an IBM computer, as well as a Macintosh. Thus, I am able to provide diskettes in any format to editors. This makes my writing easier to market.

JUST SHOOT IT

Even with automated Nikons, you still need to practice and experiment often. I've taken the time to learn every function of my camera and it's often been useful for unusual situations.

I've read more than 100 books about photographic technique and technical matters. Every bit of advice has helped me take better pictures and sell more of my work. I use this advice to practice taking good pictures often.

I also shoot lots of film. It's the least expensive part of photography. If I find a marketable shot and story angle, I may use couple of rolls of film (creating inexpensive in-camera duplicates).

JUST WRITE IT

I firmly believe anyone (even photographers) can write. I've taken many writing courses and constantly study hundreds of magazines to see the type of writing that is selling to editors.

Photographers are often afraid of the written word and I believe this is detrimental to their careers (and wallets). Many resort to teaming up with a writer, but I am certain you can make more money by doing both.

JUST SELL IT

Pictures and words can only make you money if you send them out consistently and correctly. In his excellent book, Sell & Re-Sell Your Photos, Rohn Engh says, "Photobuyers would gladly use your photographs, if they knew you existed, and if you'd supply them with the pictures they need, when they need them." This is true for all writers and photographers.

The key is getting your pictures and writing to the right people at the right time. I do this by supplying my own pictures with every story I write; keeping magazine contacts posted on my travels and pictures available; constantly pursuing photography assignments; and providing several stock agencies with appropriate pictures.

I use the current Photographer's Market, Writer's Market, Travelwriter Marketletter, and Photo Sales Bulletin to market my stories and pictures. These guides help every picture sell a story (and every story sell a picture).