PRO CASE STUDY

MARIE DAVEY

(mariedaveyphotography. com) explains how to make the most of your photography assets

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A PHOTOGRAPHER? TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY IN PHOTOGRAPHY.

My photographic journey started in 2016. Before that I’d had a quiet interest in photography, but had never been out with the sole purpose of taking pictures. After a trip to Australia, I realised I didn’t have any shots that I was particularly proud of, but I had loved the process; the early mornings, the exploration, the eternal hope for the right conditions and light – it ignited something in me that spurred me on to dedicate more time to photography, and I haven’t looked back since.

WHAT ARE THE CHALLENGES OF WORKING AS A LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHER IN SUCH A COMPETITIVE INDUSTRY?

The hardest thing is building a portfolio of images that you’re proud of, that stand the test of time, and that hopefully in due course make you stand out in a crowd. Building up a portfolio takes time, patience, and a willingness to learn, but once you have a set of images that stand up to scrutiny, these become the foundations for your reputation. There are many great photographers out there, so you have to find your own style and path.

HOW DO YOU INCREASE THE VALUE OF YOUR IMAGES TO GET MORE SALES FROM EACH FILE YOU SHOOT?

The beauty of digital photography is that you can create so much from one image. I offer my images in a variety of sizes, have produced bespoke sizes at clients’ requests, and have also given thought to how I want to physically present my work above and beyond a ‘standard’ print. I look for images within an image and this has enabled me to get multiple ‘products’ from one shot; different crops of the same shot have led to me producing smaller square prints, which in turn led to a range of greeting cards. I also produce a calendar each year from my local photography.

HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHAT PHOTOS WILL WORK BEST FOR EACH TYPE OF PRINT PRODUCT?

This is a really tricky question, and I think it depends on what your audience is, and the platform from which you are hoping to sell. For example, if you are exhibiting in a gallery, then you want to ensure that you are displaying large format, impactful prints, presented in a professional way. If however you’re selling at an arts and craft fair, you may want to consider having a range of ‘products’ available, at different price points, and think about images that may appeal more as gifts. Ultimately, which photos work best for each product comes down to a bit of trial and error!

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS BEGINNERS SHOULD BE CAREFUL OF WHEN SELLING IMAGES FROM THEIR OWN WEBSITE?

Don’t undersell yourself. The temptation when starting out is to undervalue your work, (I know I did), but over time I have learnt to think of the effort that goes into each shot; it is unique to you. Hours of your time go into getting the shot and processing it, never mind the many failed attempts, your camera gear, petrol money, cost of your printer, paper, ink and all the rest. Also, ensure you work out how you will safely ship your work, and the cost involved, and add a buffer for the many failed prints you will have, as printing can often be a labour of love to begin with.