Sales Tools for Professional Photographers
Text copyright Scott Bourne, all rights reserved

As a professional photographer, I need all the help I can get to make a living. There are tools that I use as part of my daily work as a photographer that I could not do without. In each case, I am describing something I bought and paid for with my own money. None of these companies sponsors or supports any company or organization that I am affiliated with.

Photoshop
Adobe Photoshop is a marketing tool! Without a doubt the most important tool in my tool belt. I use Photoshop for everything from printing images to building contact sheets and web sites. I use Photoshop to make marketing materials as diverse as business cards and table tents. The new web gallery tools make it very easy to get pictures up and on the web where potential clients can see them.

Amazing Mail
Amazing Mail is the greatest thing since sliced bread. At least that is how I look at this web-based post card creation and mailing service. Amazing Mail will print and deliver your color postcard to the United States Post Office the next business day for as little as 84 cents each! I find post cards to be a highly effective marketing tool. With Amazing Mail, I just upload my image, type in some marketing text, input a recipient (or a list of recipients) and hit the button. Like magic, they print and mail it. The quality is first rate and you don't have to commit to a large print order of 500 cards to get a good price. You can do one card or a million.

Impact Images
Impact Images sells clear bags. There are other companies that do the same but Impact Images happens to offer bags that closely match the sizes of most Epson printer papers. I use their clear 13" x 19" bags with a closure on the bag, not the flap, to cover prints I make on my Epson 2000. (The part number is B1319PC and they are 24 cents each in quantities of 100.) I also buy their 50-pt., double-sided white, acid-free, 13" x 19" backing board for 42 cents each in quantities of 100. I insert the board, a sales sheet and the print in the bag and then seal it. The item can be safely put into a retail environment or shipped for display in this manner without fear of damage to the print.

eStudioResources
If you want an inexpensive web presence with a fully operational shopping cart, I highly recommend eStudioResources (ESR) in Indianapolis, Indiana. For a one-time $95 setup fee and as little as $15 per month, you can have a web site that includes a very slick and professional shopping cart. This makes it very easy for your customers to order prints and ESR can even do the printing fulfillment for a fee. You pay a small royalty for each print sold or pay $50 per month and pay no royalty. Their online proofing, catalog and stock sales options are just a few of the reasons that this is a no-brainer for pro photographers.

Stone Editions
They always say, show what you want to sell. Well Stone Editions makes it easy to show your work with their Stonehinge system. They offer ready-to-bind inkjet pages, cover sets and accessories for printing and binding elegant photography books. With their supplies and an archival inkjet printer, you can print and bind elegant, fine art photography books that will last for 200 years according to Wilhelm. The base of the system is 100% cotton rag that will feed through nearly any inkjet printer. When combined with their linen covers, translucent interleaves and preservation boxes, the presentation becomes perfect for portfolios, small run books, wedding albums, etc. The books come in 8"x8", 12"x12" and 12"x15" sizes. They sell themselves and offer a good margin. I use it for all of the above with great success.

Marathon Press
Most photographers cannot afford expensive, customized stationery. I have used Marathon Press to provide the printed materials I use in my wedding business for five years and believe they give good value for the money. Pre-produced products are Marathon's claim to fame. For portrait/wedding photographers, they offer promotional and studio support materials. These products feature stock images, carefully chosen to reflect the type of work that qualified independent photographers typically produce for their clients. These materials are appropriate for use when they reflect the type of work your studio offers. They are especially useful when cost is a consideration or when you need to launch a promotion quickly. ZIP Code protection is available on many of the items Marathon sells. They also do custom printing and imprinting and generally have lower prices than your local custom printer will offer.

PayPal
If you want to sell your photographs, the first thing you need to do is set up to receive credit cards and Internet payments. I use PayPal and you can too.

Scott Bourne is a nationally-published photographer, teacher and writer. A pioneer in the digital imaging field, Scott has written numerous articles and is the editor at www.photofocus.com. His new book, "88 Secrets To Selling & Publishing Your Photography" (www.mountainschoolpress.com) is already in its second printing.

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