Serious Question

[smdave]

Is there a way for Huntwa to disable the right click function on the website here? This would stop people from saving them.

[92xj]

The single reason I purchased my large mallard photo from you was because you posted it on here and I saw it.

Once I get a little bit of spending cash I want to talk about a photo shoot challenge for you.  I would like a pic of living ducks the same way I have them mounted on the wall.  But, not sure when that will happen.

[Wazukie]

I do and have sold some of my landscape photo's.  As been mentioned, the key to online stuff is to post nothing bigger than a 800x600 and have that water mark where it can not be cropped.  You have some very unique and different wildlife stuff bone, stuff that I've never seen before and I know you work hard for those shots.  Nothing wrong with sharing small (web form) pictures online as they can never be blown up for framing purposes.  Unless some wants a wallet size photo 

I would hate to not see your stuff on here as it is an inspiration for me to get out shooting, but you have to do what is right for you and not for us.  Just my 

[Seabeckian]

I'm not on here as much as most, so I do miss a lot. Ergo I'm not aware you do offer your photos for individual purchase, however I do know about your calendar. I think if you were to advertise that a little better, it would help substantially. I have seen quite a few photos from you that it would be neat to be able to order a print of. If you advertised more, and protected what photos you do post, I think this site is an excellant avenue to get your name out.

[boneaddict]

I think it would help, People could shop online (so to speak).  You should place an add in the classifieds with price.  My only concern would be peole stealing the photo on the web and printing it themselves.   I would tend to think most will not go through the trouble to do that.  Also, I would love to buy a calender with your pics, but seems a little pricey.  I can buy other hunting calendars for 15$ or less sometimes.  Serious question (not trying to be rude)  What makes your calendar a 40 dollar calendar?  I was ready to pull the trigger till I saw the price and just couldn't justify it.  Help me justify it...tell me you donate 5 dollars to a worthy charity or something.   

Thanks

Johnny

They raised production price of the calender to 29.99, which is what I sold them for for last year.  I was torqued.  That means the photos are worth 5 bucks to me.  I drive, hike, take three weeks off from work, and I get that per calender.   Its robbery if you ask me.   I looked into another calender company and they produce them for 21.00 flat and the calender is half the size and like the free ones you get in the mail.   I like the quality product of this publishing company but man they really stick it to you.   I looked into doing a book and about laughed when I saw what they wanted.    I chose to go ahead and produce the quality one this year for the folks that wanted it. I agree with you.  Its a spendy product.   

Thanks

[boneaddict]

THANK YOU everyone for your input, insight and suggestions.   Keep posting if you ahve more.  I really aprreciate the thoughts.

[hrd2fnd]

more like Thank You Bone

[Wazukie]

Bone, one of your pic's in a 11x14, nicely framed is worth at least $200 if not more.   Look around, go to some gallery's and see for yourself.  It's hard to make a living as a photog but sure is fun trying 

[timberghost72]

I'm sure you have already done your homework as much as possible on this but you could check out P.O.T.N. There is a section on the business side of photography that can give you some ideas and answers to questions, legalities etc..

[popeshawnpaul]

I'm going to give my opinion in a roundabout way.  Most photographers have their niche.  Tony Bynum does Montana and Glacier park well.  He is getting into other stuff  but that's his home area and subjects he likes.  Don Jones does whitetail cover shots.  John Erickson does big farmed whitetail shots.  Tom Reichner does quality whitetail work.  Joey Olivieri does huge Cadomin and sheep images.  Alan Murphy does setup bird pics.  etc...

The point is, your niche is muley bucks of WA and as far as I know, nobody is really filling this niche.  This is not a niche that is high on the want list of print and ad work people nationally.  Anyways, breaking into that business is tough and next to impossible with pennies on the hour earned.  The micro-stock business has killed the traditional photo market with floods of cheap and good images so that's not very lucrative.  Therefore, your main selling base would be people that appreciate the muleys of WA.  That would be hunters and this is the biggest hunting site on WA.  Advertising here in some fashion makes sense for you.  If you were doing hunting mag covers, they would not buy them if you posted them here.  But that's not your market.  Honestly, I would start a website (cheap like smugmug or other) that people can buy through also by simple clicking.  I would also work the hunting shows.  Put some money into printing a bunch and framing and sell them.  I know you are handy, so some reclaimed barn wood frames would be simple and cheap to make.  You would sell a ton and lots of people would stop by and say hello, starting conversations and then they will look through your images. 

So to conclude, I would put images on here but maybe not as many and be selective.  If people want to see your work, they should be going to your website.  Only teaser type images from time to time and never larger than 800 pixels.  Then link to your website which image protects.  I don't try and sell but get thousands of hits on my website by posting in a few forums.  At the end of the day, I like shooting for myself and not other people.  I get where you are coming from as it's tempting to make a few bucks on the side.

Lastly, print work takes pixels.  Here is that excuse to get a large megapixel newer camera! 

[swanny]

 

I'm going to give my opinion in a roundabout way.  Most photographers have their niche.  Tony Bynum does Montana and Glacier park well.  He is getting into other stuff  but that's his home area and subjects he likes.  Don Jones does whitetail cover shots.  John Erickson does big farmed whitetail shots.  Tom Reichner does quality whitetail work.  Joey Olivieri does huge Cadomin and sheep images.  Alan Murphy does setup bird pics.  etc...

The point is, your niche is muley bucks of WA and as far as I know, nobody is really filling this niche.  This is not a niche that is high on the want list of print and ad work people nationally.  Anyways, breaking into that business is tough and next to impossible with pennies on the hour earned.  The micro-stock business has killed the traditional photo market with floods of cheap and good images so that's not very lucrative.  Therefore, your main selling base would be people that appreciate the muleys of WA.  That would be hunters and this is the biggest hunting site on WA.  Advertising here in some fashion makes sense for you.  If you were doing hunting mag covers, they would not buy them if you posted them here.  But that's not your market.  Honestly, I would start a website (cheap like smugmug or other) that people can buy through also by simple clicking.  I would also work the hunting shows.  Put some money into printing a bunch and framing and sell them.  I know you are handy, so some reclaimed barn wood frames would be simple and cheap to make.  You would sell a ton and lots of people would stop by and say hello, starting conversations and then they will look through your images. 

So to conclude, I would put images on here but maybe not as many and be selective.  If people want to see your work, they should be going to your website.  Only teaser type images from time to time and never larger than 800 pixels.  Then link to your website which image protects.  I don't try and sell but get thousands of hits on my website by posting in a few forums.  At the end of the day, I like shooting for myself and not other people.  I get where you are coming from as it's tempting to make a few bucks on the side.

Lastly, print work takes pixels.  Here is that excuse to get a large megapixel newer camera! 

  I completely agree here. Post up some of your good shots, teaser pics, and make people seek you out further for the REALLY good stuff. Your "good" shots are amazing enough to catch many peoples eyes here. Folks will do it, especially if there is a little link in the bottom of your signature on here. I couldn't tell you how many various websites, products, services, etc I have clicked on from various forums because of the link in someones signature.

[popeshawnpaul]

That reminds me Swanny, I should update my signature! 

[grundy53]

I think it's good to post them on here. Posting on here is free advertising. If I hadn't seen your photos on here I probably  wouldn't have bought your calendars. Im glad you're going to start selling prints. I look forward to decorating my man room with your pictures because I know the quality of your shots since I've seen them on here.

[grundy53]

You should also add a link to your etsy page in your signature.

[boneaddict]

Thanks Grundy and I will.   

I appreciate the advise Shawn, especially from someone with as much experience as you have in this industry.  Like you said, and I am the same way, most of the time I am taking pics for myself to share.   This site drives me more than anything.  The process of justifying putting some gas into the beast though has been weighing in more.   I cancelled several trips this year because of that.  Anything to keep the fun going. I won't have to say, its alot easier to convince the wife I am going to leave town for a couple weeks if there is a means to the end.       I am not a salesman.  I have always joked I couldn't sell a heater to someone freezing to death.  That is generally my problem.

Thanks again everyone for the kind words and the support.