How to Sell My Photography Work

One of the most common questions people who have participated in the photography contest ask is, “How do I sell my photography work?”

This article will clarify frequently asked questions about selling photos as graphic artwork that may arise. These basic guidelines can help you when taking your first steps in selling your photographs.

You can sell photos in multiple ways. It’s about your unique and original artistic expression, and because of that, we can say it’s ART. In this regard, you must be careful when certifying the exclusivity of a piece.

When editing photos, we can do it in the following ways:

1-UNIQUE PIECE.

A single edition, signed by the artist by hand.

2-MULTIPLE LIMITED-EDITION WORK

This arises from the need to reproduce a certain number of copies of the same image. For this process, you must specify that the series is limited to determine the cost based on the number of copies. You can freely establish the quantity. Consequently, the larger the edition, the lower the cost per piece.

The artist must sign each copy of the edition by hand. In addition to the signature, the original graphic artwork must be numbered.

You must indicate the number corresponding to each edition copy and the total number of copies made. An edition with 150 copies will be numbered from 1/150 to 150/150.

Ten percent of the edition can be marked with the letters A.P. These copies are the artist’s proof. They can be indicated only with the initials or numbered like an edition. For example, in the case of an edition of 15 artist’s proofs, they would be numbered as follows: 1/15 A.P.

A Bon à tirer can also be made, a single proof, the initial model, signed by the Artist. Since it is unique, it won’t be numbered. There can’t be more than one Bon à tirer per edition.

3-ON-DEMAND EDITION

There’s no limit to the number of prints. These editions are made as collectors’ requests and are often used to submit pictures to contests or for personal and group exhibitions.

Each on-demand print must have a Registration Sheet listing the basic information of the photo and the total sales..

When printing the photographs, include a copy of the Registration Sheet with the current number of printed copies. Indicate “Private Collector” on the Registration Sheet to protect private data.

In all cases, it’s about GRAPHIC ARTWORK. The Third International Congress of Artists held in Vienna in 1960 established the principles and requirements that an original graphic artwork must meet, which we’ve updated here:

• The artist must directly intervene in creating the work by choosing the medium and developing it to portray the image..
• All copies in the edition must be signed and numbered to indicate the exact copy number and the total units in the series.
• The artist has the exclusive right to decide the total number of copies produced using each technique.
• Once the edition is completed, negatives or digital files must be marked or destroyed to prevent the creation of more copies.
• Artist proofs must be limited to 10% of the total edition.

CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY

A certificate of authenticity is needed for selling graphic artwork, even when it’s a gift. This document verifies if the work is genuine and authentic. Although the layout may differ, a valid certificate should include at least the following:

1. Header: CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY
2. Artist
3. Title of the work
4. Dimensions
5. Technique and materials used
6. Work completion date
7. Image of the work
8. Date of issue of the certificate
9. Signature
10. Footer: This artwork is authentic and original. All copyrights and reproduction rights reserved to the artist.

Additionally, it can include the following information:

1. Series number and total number of the series.
2. Special instructions (for printing, montage, etc.)

Under no circumstances should the price of the work be reflected on the certificate of authenticity.

THE IMPORTANCE OF EDITION

It’s essential to review the editing and photographic printing processes. We recommend seeking a specialized workshop that offers personalized attention, cares for and nurtures your work appropriately, and allows you to review the editions throughout the entire process. This will ensure that your work reaches its highest potential and you get the expected value for your pieces.