"What I like most about photography is that it allows you to capture a moment and relive it time and again--as well as expressing your creative side..."
All of us have passions and hobbies--whether it be cooking, writing, performing, etc. With the advent now of iTunes, Amazon, eBay and Etsy--we can now become artistic merchants reaching a worldwide audience of prospects.
I recently decided to open an Etsy storefront to showcase my favorite photographic shots that I've taken over the years.
In 2007, I went to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons packed with a new 1.3 mg, Minolta Dimage Xi camera with optical and digital zoom. This was about the time camera's were going more digital and this one was the size of a cigarette pack.
It took some of the best shots I've ever taken (like the one above--Pastorale Stream, at my Etsy storefront, www.etsy.com/shop/verlinstudios).
In spite of the fact I now use an iPhone 5s and a Nikon, 16mg camera/1080 HD video--I still have the Minolta as a "just in case camera".
The ease of setting up and Etsy storefront took minutes. The hardest part was finding my older Yellowstone-Teton pics. I've featured many of them at the Etsy storefront.
Setting up getting paid via credit cards that Etsy accepts--then payments linked directly into your checking account was a breeze!
Now comes the challenging part--getting customers and fulfilling orders.
Obviously word of mouth and going viral will produce on-going results, there's still the need to market and promote. The good news is that Twitter, Facebook, GoogleAds, etc are there to help promote the storefront.
In spite of the fact Etsy allows you to offer digital downloads--I decided to feature 22 pictures in 11x14 quality prints using Shutterfly-quality enlargements--then numbering and signing each print.
While it will cost more and be more work--I want each customer to have a work of art they can suitably frame and treasure whenever they gaze upon it.
That's what I like most about photography--it allows you to capture a moment to relive time and again as well as expressing your creativity.
Obviously, offering your hobbies in book/e-book/mp3/podcast form are one of the easiest ways to provide content--as easy as downloading a new Amazon book or iTune.
The Etsy platform allows folks to showcase their needlepoint, ceramics, carvings, all sorts of arts, crafts and hobbies.
Can't sell it online? Then write about it and share your thoughts, recipes, pics, etc in an e-book--then sell that online.
It's all a part of creating a business out of a hobby and enjoying the process!
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And by all means--check out my new Etsy site and see if you'd like to purchase any of the photo's:
www.etsy.com/shop/VerlinStudios
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