Over the past four years, I transitioned out of the practice of law and into full time photography. The journey has been amazing and rewarding and now I field many questions about how I sell so many images. So this post is for you budding photogs (and artists). Please click through for some of my insights:

First, it is important to know that I have been a photographer for more than four decades. I did significant darkroom work during my college years and have never been without my camera(s). It has been my way to view the world around me one frame at a time. Professionally, I chose the path of litigation and had an amazing career as a consumer class action lawyer (think: false advertising, hidden fees, etc.), recovering over three hundred million dollars for consumers before retiring. Shifting into photography professionally was both easy and an obvious choice for me.

Selling, on the other hand, has been an interesting learning experience. Yet, as I have done with everything in my life, I dove in headfirst with exuberance. My first sales came through a local art gallery that invited me to present at a holiday show after seeing a piece I was having framed in their shop. That led to representation from another gallery in Laguna Beach. These were great launching points, but here’s the rub with galleries: you don’t get to meet the people who buy your art. The galleries keep their customer names and contact information private for obvious reasons. This, however, prevents you, the artist, from having the opportunity to follow up with collectors to compliment the pieces they already purchased.

To augment the gallery representation, I decided to build out my own website and market my work through social media. I have built up a loyal following totally organically and really relish the interaction with my followers, many of which are quite active and interested. And here is my first big tip: Don’t start from scratch. Rather, enlist the assistance of a company that has been there and knows what works and doesn’t work. I settled on an organization devoted solely to photographers and artists called Art Storefronts. This shortened my learning curve by years and has helped me reach customers all across the country. If you are on this journey, I strongly recommend you checking them out here: Art Storefronts

My second piece of advise is to talk with as many collectors, customers, and potential customers as you can. See what they like about your work. Ask what they are looking for. Find out what rooms in their house or office configurations they are seeking to fulfill. These conversations are not only instructive to your art, but are a wonderful way to connect with real people. Being a photographic artist can, at times, be a lonely endeavor so using these opportunities whenever you can is very grounding.

Finally, do as you do. Create what pleases you. Stay true to your calling. For me, that means connecting with the coastal environment, exploring colors, textures, and emotions in nature. When someone views your image and feels the same emotional pull you had when you decided to frame the picture, you have made an indelible connection. And, after all, connection is what we strive for as humans.