How to monetize "street photography"?

26 replies
Hey folks,

a friend of mine takes stunning photos of
situation during the daily life on the streets.

Every day (since Januar 1st) he puts a photo at flickr online
and he receives fantastic feedback from all over the world.

I'm sure: He will become a very famous and
succesful photo-guy when he continues this way.

But: How could he monetize his work?

Are there some famous examples of
artists who earn money with their photography
in weblogs or so?

I can't imagine a business model yet but maybe
you can inspire us with some links or tips.

Thanks!
#monetize #street photography
  • Profile picture of the author dvduval
    I would say first of all get some advertising on his pages (adsense or similar) and test the waters to see what that will bring. Then you can come up with some more elaborate plans like selling photos as art pieces, on t-shirts, etc.
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  • Profile picture of the author FreeMeal
    I personally love street photography, and enjoy doing a bit myself, but I think he will struggle to make money from it. If you look at the most well known street photographers you find that a lot of them aren't really making any money from it.

    The Photographers that are earning money usually earn their living from other areas of photography, such as commissions from advertising agencies, magazines, even wedding photography (even unrelated other jobs). Street photography is often a labour of love for them.

    Wedding photography shares many traits with street photography, so maybe your friend can have a think about doing that as a way to fund his Street photography?

    Another idea he can try is publishing a coffee table book of his best photographs. It's easy enough to do these days with the likes of Lulu. It will help get his name out there and establish him as a photographer, but I doubt it will make him/her rich.

    Here's a link to my fave street photog. His stuff is amazing. (PS. His stuff often needs a second look to see what's going on)
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  • Profile picture of the author garyv
    You can sell your photos on sites like istockphoto - How To Contribute and Sell Stock Photos And Images - iStock
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    • Profile picture of the author josh wu
      Originally Posted by garyv View Post

      You can sell your photos on sites like istockphoto - How To Contribute and Sell Stock Photos And Images - iStock
      here are possible ways to make money
      1. google "sell your photos", then you can find lots of site that you can sell your photo as stock photo, like istock photo, Flickr ...
      2. write a quality article with your photo attached, sell your article altogether, if you want to try, you can sell finished article with photo to popular magazine company
      3. build a photo / travel niche blog, make money from that, adsense, travel company affiliate offer
      4. create a product / program to teach others to shot great photos, you can sell the product on varies platform, includes jvzoo, udemy so on...
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      • Profile picture of the author webmarketer
        I love street photography. I take pictures myself. I especially love taking b&w film, developing it, and printing on double weight fiber. I can still hear the slow drip of water in the darkroom...

        You are courting trouble if you want to sell your street photography photos to stock photo agencies, photo licensing sites, as digital prints, in an ebook form, etc.

        The street photographer is liable to get sued if the subject of the photo finds out about the pic sold. No model release, no permission--no publication.

        If you want to play the numbers game, that is, "What are the odds the subject(s) finds out and asks for damages?" go ahead.

        If you're wondering why the past great street photographers got away with it and were able to publish their books, there could be many reasons--

        • maybe they did ask for a model release for some pics

        • maybe because they had major credentials (Magnum, press ids) and the subjects were intimidated

        • maybe because the subjects did not know

        • maybe because society was not litigious of photographers (no saturation of cameras--digital and cell phones)

        • maybe because the photographs were in print media where circulation was limited

        • maybe because there were no digital cameras, no internet, and no social sharing sites

        • snail mail

        The argument that the picture is environmental and that no specific person is targeted is for the lawyers to argue. There's a thin line between the First Amendment and intrusion of privacy. Street photographers--avoid Arkansas!


        Here are some interesting reads--

        Use My Photo? Not Without Permission
        http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/01/te...gy/01link.html

        Arkansas Senate Passes Bill to Make Street Photography Illegal in State
        https://fstoppers.com/news/arkansas-...al-state-65704

        This one is in Germany--

        In the Smartphone Era, Can Street Photography Be Illegal?
        In the Smartphone Era, Can Street Photography Be Illegal? | Idea Lab


        The better alternative to do is teach. Use YouTube. Post videos of the street photographer practicing his craft and providing tips as if the viewer is out with him taking pictures--or in a "safari hunt", depending upon your perspective.

        He could post one-day workshops at Find your people - Meetup. Registrants can come shoot with him for a fee. They get real-time tips and experience the moment.
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  • Profile picture of the author julesw
    Create a video course on Street Photography and advertise on the big photo blogs or do affiliate deals.
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    • Profile picture of the author LilBlackDress
      I agree with the stock photography suggestion. Great photos can sell over and over. Just make sure he snaps some pics of things people are looking for and tags them well.
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  • Profile picture of the author GuruGazette
    Street photography isn't likely to be accepted at stock agencies because it can't be used for commercial purposes without people and property releases.

    I would suggest he put the work on his own blog/website and run adsense and/or affiliate links. He might also get some success with offering prints or turning it into wall art and selling through etsy, a poster marketplace or similar.
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    • Profile picture of the author jogunn
      Originally Posted by GuruGazette View Post

      Street photography isn't likely to be accepted at stock agencies because it can't be used for commercial purposes without people and property releases.

      I would suggest he put the work on his own blog/website and run adsense and/or affiliate links. He might also get some success with offering prints or turning it into wall art and selling through etsy, a poster marketplace or similar.
      This is a great idea. Plus, if he watermarks his photos, you can drive major traffic in through social media (esp. Instagram).
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  • Profile picture of the author AJMontoya
    He could try opening up an Etsy store and selling prints or digital copies of his images. He could put a watermark on his images with his Etsy store url to send traffic to his shop.
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  • Profile picture of the author seobro
    He can sell e-books on photography as well as tripods, lenses and cameras. Best strategy is to create his very own channel on you tube and get more - exposure.
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    • Profile picture of the author muzikal
      You could do the following:
      1. Sell these images as stock images at istock, shutterstock or imgembed
      2. Use the Paletly widget to create shopping windows below the images with similar clothing products as those featured in the image. You can register at bloggers.palet.ly
      3. Create your own Etsy store and sell prints of your images
      4. Go on moo.com and create accessories featuring your images
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  • Profile picture of the author Adie
    Originally Posted by logilogitech View Post

    Hey folks,

    a friend of mine takes stunning photos of
    situation during the daily life on the streets.

    Every day (since Januar 1st) he puts a photo at flickr online
    and he receives fantastic feedback from all over the world.

    I'm sure: He will become a very famous and
    succesful photo-guy when he continues this way.

    But: How could he monetize his work?

    Are there some famous examples of
    artists who earn money with their photography
    in weblogs or so?

    I can't imagine a business model yet but maybe
    you can inspire us with some links or tips.

    Thanks!
    My brother has been doing this thing since early last year. The difference is that, he loves to photograph resorts, panoramas, tourists attractions, and the like. After posting those photos in his former facebook page, he contacted local hotels and resorts and told them that he can shoot professional looking photos and write a review about their business for free. He got his very first client. A hotel/resort in boracay. After a month that resort got 16 more clients through his blog where the review was posted. That review was free but after the successful result, the hotel management called him and gave him a VIP pass for 5 years and some luxury incentives.

    Today he has dozens of clients and several inquiries about his review service per month. He even visited almost half of the country (compliment of his clients). he is now a moneymaking local tourist. His clients includes hotels, resorts, restaurant, and other tourists attractions.

    Your friend can do the same if he has the guts to contact local business owners.
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  • Profile picture of the author travlinguy
    Just about every stock photo licensing site out there buys original photos and you can sell them over and over to all the sites willing to take them. He'll need help in determining what type of license to grant but that shouldn't be hard to find.
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    • Profile picture of the author savidge4
      I personally would label myself as a photographer. I also have a stepmother that is a "Professional" photographer, and a step brother that is a "Professional" photographer. My photography is mostly used in my web development business, but I do sell prints from time to time.

      My stepmother has an eye for the beautiful and bizarre, from breathtaking landscapes to junk yards. She sells her images across the country at craft and trade shows. I try and talk her into selling online, however she just isn't going for it. hahaha

      My stepbrother is a very localized photographer. His niche is the community around him. He sells most of his work to local business and the like. Again, he has no interest in selling online. He actually had a shot that won its division a few years back in the annual Nat Geo photo contest. Very talented, but is "Happy" where he is at.

      I think there are a few key elements at play that separate those that have photographs for sale, and those that sell photographs. First would be size. selling prints that you can have processed at walmart ( 4x6 8x10 etc. ) does not qualify as "Fine Art".

      Moving up into the 16x20 and larger category is that leap from selling photographs, to selling art. Keep in mind people don't look at an 8x10 and say "That would look nice on my wall" People looking at a 32x40 say "WOW! That would look fabulous in our living room!"

      Watch HGTV for 3 shows and you will see that those designers ALWAYS use large pieces. Art, be it photography is about IMPACT. The color, the subject the mood.

      The next key would be niche. Sounds like your friend has that down already. Suggest that maybe from time to time they should step away from their niche images, and take some images linear or color based. Creating that avante guard break out image.

      I could show you studies that show displaying 9 images in a 3x3 pattern, 8 being alike and the bottom right totally different draw attention to the entire block, creating an interest. This technique is used all the time in advertising.

      The human mind looks at the middle 3rd of an image or block of images ( the center row in this example ). Placing something totally different in the bottom right, triggers the brain to look more closely at the rest of the block. This trick will basically create more interest in the images in general.

      The last and MOST IMPORTANT key is the "story". Every great artist has, does, and will have one. That's what makes them artist. There is a reason they shoot what they shoot, the story is just as important as the image itself. The image is a representation of the story ( IE "A picture is worth a 1000 words" )

      I am not a huge word press fan ( I know, blasphemy ) but, there is a word press theme that is designed around photography. It is called "Photocrati". I believe it is even being sold at a discount right now. I have a Artist client/friend that is a painter, and we used Photocrati for his site. He loves it and so does his clients. <-- is always a good thing!

      If you need more input ask away!

      Hope that Helps!
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  • Profile picture of the author brettb
    Quirky photography blogs can easily go viral.

    Pictures of people are the most valuable on stock photo sites, but as the previous posters say, you need model releases and also streets are often full of logos and recognisable brands and stuff which the sites won't allow in photos.
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  • Profile picture of the author Jtraits
    promotion like blog, adsense, some art gallery, portfolio ... those are my guesses.
    also, some youtube videos would be nice
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  • Profile picture of the author gsinfovision
    Banned
    Originally Posted by logilogitech View Post

    Hey folks,

    a friend of mine takes stunning photos of
    situation during the daily life on the streets.

    Every day (since Januar 1st) he puts a photo at flickr online
    and he receives fantastic feedback from all over the world.

    I'm sure: He will become a very famous and
    succesful photo-guy when he continues this way.

    But: How could he monetize his work?

    Are there some famous examples of
    artists who earn money with their photography
    in weblogs or so?

    I can't imagine a business model yet but maybe
    you can inspire us with some links or tips.

    Thanks!
    You could set up a Pinterest account and promote the photographs there. Redirect the traffic to a pro looking photographer's site. Your friend could get some freelance work. Once the word spreads out it won't be difficult to get orders.
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  • Profile picture of the author OliverKluwe
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    • Profile picture of the author koolphoto
      Do some research on street photographer, Brandon Stanton, who runs Humans of New York. He does exactly what you are interested in.

      http://www.humansofnewyork.com/photographer
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  • Profile picture of the author FarNext
    Originally Posted by logilogitech View Post

    Hey folks,

    a friend of mine takes stunning photos of
    situation during the daily life on the streets.

    Every day (since Januar 1st) he puts a photo at flickr online
    and he receives fantastic feedback from all over the world.

    I'm sure: He will become a very famous and
    succesful photo-guy when he continues this way.

    But: How could he monetize his work?

    Are there some famous examples of
    artists who earn money with their photography
    in weblogs or so?

    I can't imagine a business model yet but maybe
    you can inspire us with some links or tips.

    Thanks!
    Seems really weird...
    Yet another example of doing something without :
    1) Knowing the end result (or how will you earn anything out of it)
    2) Without knowing the ultimate purpose

    Best wishes though
    .
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  • Profile picture of the author DRP
    @OP - your friend won't ever become rich or famous. But as others have mentioned, he can monetize his photos by selling them as stock photography. That's his best/your best option in all reality.
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  • Profile picture of the author tajib
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    • Profile picture of the author Kay King
      ...and the promotions begin...but the original poster last logged in well over a year ago. Check the date....or not....
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  • Profile picture of the author yurik09
    I agree with previous comments, its extremely hard to make money with street photography. One of the ways to do it - maybe google some cafes, bars or restaurant in your area and have a look on their websites, then go pay a visit and check out the interior. If you feel like they could do withs some nice framed photos - you can offer you services. Doubt you'll get much but in return you may ask them to mention your name or company, leave your cards etc to get noticed further. Otherwise Stock images for online sell..
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  • Profile picture of the author neteater
    dont know about street photography, but i'd made a good money by uploading street fight videos on youtube.
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  • Profile picture of the author sam770
    my idea:
    add some short (and inspiring) story to each picture, make sure that each picture + store will has its own dedicated page, add some ads to that page and you are on the go
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  • Profile picture of the author funkdoctor
    You have two options. The first is the obvious, stick ads on the website. Shareaholic for example, allows you to monetize with those posts that are actually ads (that say "sponsored"). Or there are other ways to post ads, for example Google Adwords.

    You would want to add share buttons to generate more viral traffic, and potentially a quote from a famous person, to even further increase shareability.

    The second option is that there are artists that in fact have made a fortune off of their art. For example, there is one that sells these large paintings of equally distant, different colored dots. And they have sold for something like $1mil a piece. If you search, you should be able to find him.

    If you search (physically and metaphorically) incessantly, you may determine the secret to some of these artist's success, and replicate it for yourself. (If you do figure it out, and make some bit of money off it, please tell me.)
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