You know, I love writing and I journal daily, so I thought I'd begin to post some personal entries on here about my own process of moving from amateur to professional photographer. I greatly enjoy and am inspired by others who share their own process and experiences along the way, so I figured "what the hell! why not share mine?" =)
Just so you're aware, I'm a big fan of making up my own fun words for things - hence this post's title. It gets me fired up and keeps things fun, creative and approachable! Approachability is definitely key in making progress.
As I attempt to keep my focus on the creative projects I have going on at work - the usual happens when the workload isn't QUITE busy enough to keep a fire under my butt: I get lost in photo land...
This is a real problem for me. I'm deciding that I'm okay with that. This morning it was people's individual photo blogs... several of which I loved and plan to write up some Friday Features on soon. This afternoon I've moved on to the world of online marketplaces! Oh my!
At this point in my non-career in photography, I've not yet previously entered the world of the online marketplace. I'm sure in part because I doubt that my work will really sell. I have a way that this all plays out in my head... After the initial excitement of creating numerous accounts and uploading dozens of images and entering all the information about myself and my work - I will sit back with pride and watch... what? no purchases? Not a single ONE? NO ONE wants my work?!? And then the excitement will crumble away as the reality of my invisibility in the vast online world takes hold. I'm sure this happens to a lot of people. Right? (being hopeful here! don't leave me hangin!)
Ok, so even though I am not wanting to face that inevitable invisible place - I do still believe! I believe in my heart of hearts that this CAN happen for me - no matter how long it takes! I figure if i've got that on my side, then its worth taking the plunge!
So today I've signed up on a few online marketplaces. Its daunting the amount of info you have to enter, although its somehow exciting too. Just knowing that forward motion is happening is so refreshing! Even in small small steps.
I'm also discovering just how magical online commerce really is when you aren't used to it! You upload photos, set prices for your work, and BOOM they print and mail and the whole shebang! For someone who works full time, hasn't bought a book of stamps in 5 years and only goes to the post office at Christmas, this is AWESOME. And even better, you can link your professional FB account (next on my list!) to your online marketplace so that whenever you put new photos up for sale is shows on you FB wall. Maybe i've been living under a rock for years - but i'm sure there are others out there just like me, who are discovering these magical online tools and just sitting there in front of your screen in wonder. =]
So.... I don't actually HAVE any photos up for sale yet, as i'm still at work and all my full size files are at home. But the account is there! The bio is written, the profile pic is up, and the link to this blog is listed!
All in all, a successful day at Forwardification!
Thanks for reading! =)
*s
P.S. For those curious to spread their wings into the online world, here's a few of the sites I've just signed up with: (all free!)
