SELLING PRINTS - Expectation Vs Reality in Landscape Photography 

Interesting. Here are some of my own experiences, from selling prints are street art markets in town centres in Leeds, Manchester and Cheshire: - Photographers don't buy prints. They only want to talk about photography. - I put a lot of time and expense into the quality of my printing, mounting and framing. Customers don't care. They'll happily buy quite shoddy stuff from other people. - Pictures are like pop songs. The prints that sell are like hit singles. You might have an album full of great album tracks but only one song that will make a single. - Customers commonly buy because of a personal connection with the place. - Black and white is just as popular as colour - Size matters (for my work). I sell most in my small size (30x40cm), and far less in my largest size (50x60). - Price matters - see above about size but remember your venue. I'm selling to people who are mostly buying on impulse. It's a street market not a London gallery. My price has to match. - If you want to sell prints yourself you can make your life easier by standardising your aspect ratios. It makes it easier to buy or make mounts and frames. If I could start again I'd choose square format for everything. Have to balance this with your comment about how panoramic sells so well. - If you are repeatedly transporting your framed work around the place (i.e. for street markets) choose frames in a distressed style - then small knocks won't show and you won't have to throw as many away. - Framed prints sell better than unframed. The customer can see what they're getting and it's a finished product. I wish I had more space to show more framed prints. - Real customers (mine, at least) don't care how you took it. Technical details don't matter. - My customers don't care about limited edition or "it's just a print". - People who look at my work and make a loud fuss about how beautiful it is won't buy. Real buying customers browse and look in silence. Nice pictures, by the way! I've been to your gallery, it's really nice.

Excellent points Stuart. I think you are in a unique position to have that fly on the wall observation which is valuable.

As someone who's looking into starting a business with photography prints, I think this video bursts the bubble straight away with hard true facts, which for me is good because I can learn from it and adjust my plan from the start. Thank you for the input Stuart. You have a great way of explaining it.

Thanks for offering this perspective and insight. I really have not heard anyone else talking so clearly about selling printed, your obvious experience gives the commentary gravitas. Brilliant

Another belter Stuart. Cannot beat hearing about experience like that from someone "living it". Having worked for the man for a number of decades, yours is the detail the public wouldn't get to hear from a marketing campaign - the team actually doing all the heavy lifting in the background, and that's where the real expertise behind the delivery sits.(hope that makes sense). Very insightful. Keep em coming. Ta.

So many useful tips that I’ve never heard anyone else mention, especially around the aesthetics of the prints and their aspect ratios. It was really insightful to get the perspective of a gallery owner on how the general public view landscape photography. A great video, I loved it 👌👏👍

I'm glad you've started this channel Stuart. I think your content fits a gap because of the fact that you actually run a gallery. I have visited your gallery many times since you opened and talked with you a few times. I think your images are definitely better than the other galleries in the area. I haven't bought from you only because I print and frame my own work (I print A1 images for my own personal use only). However, that doesn't stop me appreciating how fantastic your images are and how much work, time and effort goes into scouting locations and producing these images. Please keep the vlogs coming. They're great.

That's so true about the picture having to match the aesthetics of the room. I've suggested to the missus about hanging certain shots of mine I like and she rightly dismisses it as 'it won't go'. I now consciously think about certain shots and tones if they will fit a room. Nice video Stuart

Great video Stuart. Because digital photography is easily accessible for everyone people in general probably don't see it as the art form that it really is. As in your last point there is an element of ignorance and a lack of understanding in what it takes to create something special. Getting to the stage of printing and selling your work takes time and knowledge. Thanks

Fantastic Stuart. Lots of real and honest information about the reality of selling prints. Love your photos! I learnt an awful lot and really enjoyed the day I spent in your gallery learning Lightroom as well as the day out shooting on the 1 to 1. Look forward to watching more of your RU-vid vids.

Very interesting to hear your insights on what sells and what doesn't. You are spot on about other's perception of landscape photography and the 'I can take that on my phone' comment.

Wow, it was quite an eye-opener. I've been doing photography for several years and just now thinking about selling prints. Thank you for sharing the hard truths.!

You have explained the subject well and covered the right headings there are probably thousands of us dream of taking the plunge and open a gallery like yours. I was lucky to have an experience selling large canvas prints in a charity art gallery that welcomed all forms of creativity. Sadly that closed. Your comments on customer subject interests are very true.

I know this is a few years old now, but a very informative and realistic look at the market landscape photographers deal with. A few years ago I sold at a pretty high end and well regarded street/art fair. Several K's people coming through every day. I saw every reaction you've mentioned, from wealthy people sneering at "just a photograph" to people who bought big prints because "we've been there!" Also interesting, I sold ZERO on day 1 and day 2, sold a ton of stuff day 3, and ZERO day 4 of this show. Wierd.

Stuart i really loved this video. Very helpful and great insights. Most of all your experience with the gallery is invaluable. I wish i could pick your brain some more about this!

I've just recently found out that you had started a vlog through a post on TP. I've admired your work on there, Flickr and more recently in Instagram but am really pleased that you have taken to vlogging. I'm sure your channel will grow from strength to strength so good luck. A great insight into selling prints. I have sold a very few prints and canvases and the one thing that sticks with me is that I have found the images that I like most are generally not the ones that others like. Shots that I think are lacking in some aspect technically or composition etc can be the most popular to non photographers. As you say people just want a 'nice' print/canvas that fits into their home. Keep up the good work.

Excellent video Stuart. It’s always important to listen to people who know what they are talking about and you certainly do, thanks for making this video.

Finally got a chance to sit down and watch it properly. Great video, very useful information. Thanks Stuart!

Hi Stuart, i've just come across your channel and work - very impressive ! I had a gallery in Cape Town for 8 years and can relate to all your comments and observations about selling prints. I particularly like the punter comments you highlighted and could add a few of my favourites I overheard, or even said to my face about my work. When I first opened I used to get really indigent, but then as my gallery and work grew I got "thick-skinned" and developed some special replies to the worst - in the end it became highly amusing and supplied me with fodder for social conversation. Keep up the work you have great vision. ;-)

Very insightful video! Lots of things to think about as I look at getting started with my website and considering prints. Thank you for all these valuable bits.

brilliant video, very down to earth and to the point. So true about the public view of photography too

SUPERB video!! I especially like your point about print ratio! A fine point to consider!

Another great video Stuart, very informative. I was a press photographer for 18 years and always shot horizontal and vertical so the sub editors could fit a page. So have carried on that tradition into landscape photography. Must admit I've had the same experience of people not rating photography as highly as art. Even the camera crews were better thought of than press on photo assignments! I can remember in the last few years in the press business, lots of mobile phones would be used at events. People would take the same shot I set up with their phone, posting it straight to social media. Everyone is a Photographer now! 🤣

Really enjoyed this one - being up in the mountains is much better than in freaking office, lol. Good job, Stuart, as always. Keep 'em coming!

Another cracking video Stuart! Real insight and you are bang on when you say what people say about people and mobile phones! 'Its an easy gig! Everyone can do it!' Well actually, No They Can't! Keep them coming mate! All the best, Andy

Really useful video with a few points I'd not heard before, your unique perspective as a gallery owner is really valuable, thanks very much.

Very good video and thank for including your experience and not sell it off as end all be all knowledge. It had got me thinking and also confirmed some of my thoughts on the subject.

Very helpful and held my attention to the end. Thanks for sharing your experience.

Great video Stu! Can't believe I've only just found you channel. Love your work.

What a top video Stuart! this is great food for thought, I have some of my suff in Galleries but I don't get to hear peoples thoughts like you do on a day to day basis so this is really enlightening, re the warm images, totally get it 100% even my Mrs says the same thing, some of my favourite personal images are Winter ones but she won't have them in the house for the same reason... makes the room feel cold! (told her to just put a jumper on, but she's not havin' that either...) really informative, not something I've seen anyone do before wither on YT so big kudos for being original in what you're doing, still haven't got up your way since C19 but will call in when I do, keep up the good work, really enjoying the videos.

Thanks for your honesty you know your market and that is a great plus in the world of photography business!

That was a really interesting and thought prevoking video. With regards to peoples buying habits, I agree that they buy a print for a wall that firstly goes with the colour scheme of the room they're planning to put it in. It's got to be the correct size to fit the space they have and the subject matter has to fit with the mood of the room it's going to hang in. Colours follow fashion, so if you look back at what the popular colours on the catwalk were 12 to 18 months ago, you'll see those same colours being picked up in fabrics, whether they're being offered to cover sofas or for curtains or throws. Obviously, paint colours and wallpapers tone in with these and also flooring too. So yes, if you display prints in the gallery that contain colours that are on trend, you should do better with them. This year it was various shades of grey teamed with orange tones, particularly burnt orange. Last year, it was grey teamed with either pink or blue and the year before that it was grey and mustard. You also mentioned about panoramas being the most popular print size. Had you considered splitting a panoramic image into three portrait images? I know some of the prints we sell in store are often supplied in sets of three, consisting of a main landscape image with two balanced portrait images that will sit either side like a garniture. Lastly, for the photography heathens that come into your gallery on a regular basis making thoughtless and often amusing comments, well I think you can engage with them about photography as an artform, but probably just on the topic of composition. I get customers making completely ill-judged comments about the furniture I sell, sometimes to another customer and I step in at that point if they're factually incorrect just to set the record straight. I appreciate it's different with a print, but it's often how you can open the eyes to the value in a product by demonstrating the amount of work that goes into producing the finished product when it isn't immediately obvious. I look forward to the release of the next instalment.

Thank you for sharing what you've learned in the gallery.

Very interesting to hear Stuart. What you say makes sense and I have to agree I have heard public comments like the ones you quote. Your advice is good and can be applied to camera club members if they are showing prints in their club’s annual exhibition where members of the public get to vote on the prints displayed. I will bear it in mind. Keep up the good work. Love these vlogs.

Nice video - packed with down-to-earth, real-world common sense. Can't finish without saying just how good your pictures are - lovely composition. Thanks for going to the trouble of making this video.

Really interesting vlog/ perspective from a pro with 'hands-on' experience - thoroughly enjoyed that & thks for the tips etc. Defo 'food for thought'.. cheers, John

Good stuff, found this really helpful and insightful, more so coming from someone with a gallery which adds huge weight. Good work.

Thank you for the insight, I have just started receiving requests for a print or two so will keep this video in mind

A very insightful video Stuart with plenty of food for thought there, thanks for sharing.

I appreciate your honest viewpoints. Very helpful information! Thanks for sharing:)

Great video and insights about selling prints. It is a difficult task here in Brazil, but I believe in the whole world. Most of the points you mentioned are the same we face here

Thanks for your thoughts...has been helpful...just getting started with selling prints...still organizing and getting my website together

I will subscribe simply because I really like your attitude. I just stumbled onto your video but I will gladly walk to your work and go knowing I will be rewarded with great quality. Take care Stuart.

Thanks for another interesting and insightful video Stuart. The biggest predicament for most I guess is how to get people viewing your work in the first place? The digital gallery is very misleading and there really is nothing like seeing the print first hand, so your point about getting decent 'product' photos definitely is one to work on 🙏 As for visitors trashing the park, I have little faith for improvement unless it's nipped in the bud now 😕 Look forward to the next video, thanks again 😊

Invaluable advice Stuart. Lots of useful tips to take forward, although I had already worked some of it out, certainly about presenting work in the best light anyway. Another thing I've noticed is that drama sells, breaking Waves for example and Glorious sunsets. But it's all too easy to go over the top and end up with gaudy, overdone images. Certainly I have done that in the past.

A very informative video, with a interesting viewpoint form your experience of selling prints from your gallery. Thanks for sharing

Great tips, thanks. I can relate to the comment about the mobile phone images that anyone can take these days and the perception they will look great on a large print. You certainly are in a great position to comment on the user comments and desires, running your own gallery.

What a great video you really are a good landscape photographer with some amazing work and fantastic little shop.

Thanks for saying it like it is Stuart, very informative and a dash of reality and perspective I needed. It might be interesting to shoot and print images side by side with your cell phone so that people might better understand that there is more to a print than getting a cell phone shot.

Great video!! You seem like a great guy and I loved the points you went over! Also your photographs are killer!!

Great content and I really look forward to your videos coming out. Keep up the great work 👍🏻

Stuart, really interesting vlog, great points made and certainly worth taking on board. Those overhead comments are brutal ! all the best

I found this really fine information as I have thought about my photography as a source of supplement income foe retirement. You got a new subscriber here. Thanks for sharing.

Fascinating insight Stuart, the customer is not always right! lol. When I bought my first camera 35 years ago I thought it can't be that difficult, surely it's just a case of aim and shoot, it didn't take me long to realise the extent of my ignorance!

Great real-life insight into the world of commercial landscape photography and its marekplace

Very very interesting comments. Some viewpoints I hadn't considered. Cheers !

Excellent info, much appreciated. Thanks.

Thank you for your insight Stuart!

Even more relevant in year 2022. Thank You

Very good video and eyeopening. Thanks for that!

Very, VERY, informative. Thank you!

Some valuable advice, thank you. 👏

Hi Stuart. Interesting perspective and indeed , a good 'face the reality' moment... So, on the good side, i mostly only shoot panoramas since 1995 (my first one, i glued the photos (from film) together...). Yey! But then, hearing you tell the reason why people buy, with what intent, functional objective, etc... well let's just say i used to think photos not selling was the most depressing part... ;-) Best wishes for the coming new year. Cheers from France.

Very insightful. Makes sense though and food for thought. I'm in Keswick this week - I may pop in and say hello if I get chance

Thanks for sharing your well thought out professional views.

I really appreciate your points. I have a goal/ dream of selling prints. This makes me think I should just shoot for me.

fascinating insight! thanks for the tips! makes you think!

Selling prints can be hard. I consistently have prints in both the best black and white, and color shows in my city when only half for the entries are accepted. I've sold nothing. And, out of 250+ prints in each show, only about a dozen sell in any given show. i have had groups of people stop and look at mine for quite a while, then look at the price (which is in line) and walk away. Also, a well-known gallery here hangs paintings, watercolors, etchings, etc., on the walls but sets photographs unprotected on the floor.

Well said Stuart - thankfully, I am an amateur with no interest in selling my work, but I am interested in the idea of selling prints. I see some of the sickly 'picture postcard' images for sale in your town and think 'who in their right mind...' and then remember I am looking at them as a photographer, not a tourist. Who wants a moody monochrome image of a grim day on the fells, when they can have bluebird skies over Catbells? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and art is only worth what the collector is willing to pay. Keep making a living with photos 'not to your taste' so you can afford to make images that are to your taste Stuart. Thanks for sharing an honest account of pro life.

Interesting video and useful insights, thanks Stuart

Enjoyed that pal. It was nice to get an honest insight into the reality of selling prints.

Super interesting. Thanks for sharing

Excellent and thoughtful content, thanks !

Really interesting stuff. Thank you Stuart.

Good man Stu. Relevant and interesting 🤔

Really interesting and helpful, thanks.

I've checked the website, beautiful gallery space. I bet it was a lot of work to put it together. Definitely subscribed.

What a great video, thank you

Just discovered your RU-vid channel 👍 Have of your photos on the wall at home and have bought many cards from your Gallery. Interesting comments about what you hear people saying - your work could certainly not be produced by a casual tourist on a mobile. As a Cumbrian who is on the fells weekly I have many photos that I’m proud of but bought your work because of the quality of light and fell conditions when you captured the composition. Looking forward to watching other videos ATB

I love seeing this perspective and it all makes complete sense to me. Even the harsh bit about "it's just a photo". I can put myself in that persons shoes. The silver lining to this is that if you have tried to sell some prints and nobody bought them, it might not say much of anything about your skill as a photographer. There's a good chance a few of these factors are at play.

Great tipps, Stuart, thanks! 👍 It became clear to me that I don’t want to sell prints 😂

Very informative, thank you for sharing.

Great advice great video!

Well said…people have no idea the amount of work involved

Excellent Stuart, very informative 👍

Thanks for sharing your thoughts Stuart .. thick skin indeed given how many times you must hear these things in the gallery .. It is interesting what you say about the portrait 3x2 format ..I really do think to sell well it the portrait aspect ration need to be A2 or larger ..anything else and I think you lose the impact of the scene ... less forgiving with landscape format ... I've been shying away from printing some of my panoramics but I may give it a go with the rollers attached to see how things come out ..

Great video....! Thank you very much.

Just catching up on your vlogs! Very informative and think it helps a lot of people understand the realities of selling prints. For panoramas you could just use panorama mode on your iPhone. Reckon it'd be pretty much the same 😂

First time watching you Stuart, watched you on the Pubcast and liked you on that so thought I'd check you out, great start and look forward to watching more now.

Interesting Stuart. Thank you

A great insight to selling prints, its not that easy. What you think is a great image, doesn't always sell. Think the location is important to, i.e. can't sell mountains in Norfolk.. Keep it local. Looking forward to more vlogs from you, great content.

Nice video Stuart (👍) and interesting thoughts on the commercial side. I do make a living from photography (mostly the aerial stuff). But would love try selling my landscape images in print. Keep up the good work👍

Another great honest vlog.

Really interesting and enjoyed doing a chat vlog but at different locations, not just in the office

Some very interesting points and facts, but I am so glad I am long retired! I can still not understand though why a photographer would ever want to buy another photographers picture or calender! no matter how good it is......but I must agree your pictures looked great in your gallery, the best of luck with your business in this uncertain times that we are in at the mo......And I agree all the rubbish that tourists leave behind is a disgrace........

Excellent and informative video, “ya know”.

Very interesting. This was recommended watching from The Photography Pubcast by Darren. Well worth the watch. Subscribing.

It is interesting, thank you!

Some good points here Stuart, we had a talk by a guy who took photos and sold them on Knutsford market, he said that his best sellers were ones that most photographers would have probably deleted. He's had to alter what he shoots to try to keep his content saleable as opposed to what he thinks is good as a photographer.

Nice insight and thanks for sharing Stuart