How to create an online presence for your photo business

Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 5000, ƒ/2.8, 1/250

I stopped by my online internet presence provider today while in New York City. My website is hosted through them. I also provide my images to my clients online through them. My clients can not only download pictures. They can order prints and more as I add those features to an online gallery.

I also am selling stock images of my own online and helping my mentor, who passed away, sell his pictures through my website. This is my way of helping out his spouse, who still is active.

Join Me On PhotoShelter


Now, if you click on this link, you will get a $15 discount, and I will get a small amount that helps support this blog.

Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 1250, ƒ/2.8, 1/250

Here I am with Kevin Davis, Director of Business Development, for PhotoShelter. I have referred many clients to use PhotoShelter’s Libris products to organize their in-house photo collections.

Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 12800, ƒ/8, 1/160

Many on their staff are also shooters, so they understand us photographers. This morning I was helping with a client’s Libris account and called and talked to Jon. He is in the hat closest to the wall.

Jon solved my problem in just a couple of minutes. I had not set up some files correctly, and he told me how to correct it and even offered to do this. WOW!!! I am a raving fan of PhotoShelter.

Here is an earlier post I did back in 2012 on using PhotoShelter for business.

I wrote another blog talking about how their website hosting works. Here is the link to the blog post Is your photography website scalable from Desktop to Mobile?

PhotoShelter has less than 50 employees. It has a minimal company feel, which means I feel like they know me.

Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 12800, ƒ/8, 1/80

Joining PhotoShelter gives you other perks, like discounts to these companies:

I swear by and use ThinkTank products, PhotoMechanic and Cradoc fotoSoftware.

For anyone starting out in photography, I recommend you use PhotoShelter for all your online photography needs. That includes your website, online galleries, and stock sales. I also would recommend buying Cradoc’s fotoBiz software for similar reasons.

Both PhotoShelter and fotoBiz help you run your business. They have made this super simple for the novice.

I also recommend you get your clients with photo collections to sign up for PhotoShelter’s Libris to help them manage and share those assets through a secure online system.

If you started using PhotoShelter and fotoBiz, you would have jumped about ten years past all my mistakes. Do you want to get an advantage over other pros? Then join PhotoShelter.

Unexpected moments

 
Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 12800, ƒ/5.6, 1/250

Sometimes you walk out the door, and you see this. Of course, everyone will grab a camera as these did at a recent The Carter Center in Atlanta event.

Everyone here is going for their smartphone camera.

Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 5000, ƒ/5.6, 1/250

I could zoom in with the AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR and get a much better shot than my phone’s camera.

Nikon D750, AF-S NIKKOR 28-300mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR, ISO 12800, ƒ/8, 1/50

I had my camera at the RQN Subway in New York at 34 Street – Herald Sq Station. I loved the music, which made me stop and enjoy a minute.

Nikon D4, AF-S NIKKOR 14-24mm f/2.8G ED, ISO 400, ƒ/8, 1/20, Nikon SB-900 -1EV

I also had a tremendous treat today. I visited with Brad Smith, the director of photography for Sports Illustrated. I dropped off some Chick-fil-A sandwiches from the Grand Opening this weekend in NYC. I also brought him a few of the Chick-fil-A Cows.

Since I had my cameras and the Nikon SB-900, I got a nice photo for Brad to keep and for me to have as well.

All this is to remind you some of the best photos are the unexpected moment. Will you be ready?