Prints For Sale!

I haven't posted in awhile and this is due to me being rather busy! Since I last posted I have now passed my driving theory test, done a weeks volunteering at an rspb reserve, taken more photos and finally put some photos up for sale!

I had actually passed my theory test once before several years but I never ended up passing the practical test so my theory eventually ran out. This meant I wasn't too worried about it but I still had to do quite a bit of revision. I'm now looking into doing an intensive recap course because I was at a passing level but its been over 3 years since I've driven so I feel like this is the best option for me. Being able to drive will give me a lot more photo opportunities!

A few weeks ago, I went to Blacktoft Sands rspb reserve with my best friend to do a week of volunteer work. It was a great experience and I learnt a lot but it was a very tiring week! We did some habitat management which resulted in me not being able to move the next day because my whole body ached! We also did some bird surveying and got to see some great birds that I haven't seen before and even some pretty rare birds. Unfortunately I didn't see a Bearded Tit which is the one I was most looking forward to seeing but it was a very windy week. I would love to say that I got some great photos that I could share with you but I had to get the train to the reserve and it was quite a long journey and I already had too much stuff to take so I didn't actually take my camera. Overall, it was a brilliant week and I met some amazing people that work there!

I have been taking some more photos and here's one example:

I don't usually do black and white photography but I really liked how this photo looked and thought it looked better like this than in colour! It is of a Sow Thistle.

After weeks of research and planning, I have finally got some photos up for sale on Etsy. Click the link if you are interested and want to find out prices and sizes. www.etsy.com/uk/shop/KatherinePowellPhoto

At the moment I am just sticking with selling prints just so I can get the hang of it before making it more complicated! I got some business cards printed to put in with the prints that I sell and I'll carry some around with me if I ever bump into someone that might like my photos!

The next step for me now is to try and generate some publicity for my website and to obviously keep taking photos!

If you have any questions for me then feel free to leave a comment or send me an email at katherinepowellphotography@gmail.com

Check out my new photos: www.katherinepowellphotography.com

Venturing into the World of Etsy

I have been going back and forth about whether to start an Etsy shop or not and I have finally come to a decision... I'm going through with it! It's a great site for people to buy and sell handmade items and I would definitely recommend checking it out if you haven't already! I've looked through their photography section and specifically at nature macro photography and I do feel like I could eventually sell some of my work.

My main worry about setting up a shop is having it turn out to be a complete failure and not sell one item! I suppose this is many people's concern when they are thinking about doing this but obviously a lot of people still go through with it. I've done a lot of research about setting a shop up and it will definitely be a lot of hard work and will take a lot of patience.

It seems to be that getting traffic to the site will be very important because obviously if people aren't looking at your shop then you arent going to be getting any sales! So before I actually set up a shop, I am trying to get more of a following and social media is a fantastic way of doing this.

I have made an Instagram account that is just focused on my photography and isn't personal. I feel like this will be a good way to show my work because of the hashtag system they have. I have a link to my online portfolio on there so if people are interested in seeing more of my work then they can. If you want to check out my Instagram, my username is: katherinepowellphotography

I am also planning on setting up a twitter account when I've set up an Etsy shop as this is a good way to tell my followers when I've put new items on my shop.

There is also this blog, which is my way of showing what I am up to with a bit more detail.

I have looked at a lot of other photographers on Etsy and a lot of them don't just sell prints. They also sell phone cases, mugs, coasters, bags, cushions etc. with their photos printed on them. This is definitely something I am going to look into more and check out prices.

This is just one example of what I could sell. I think my style of photos would work well with phone cases. This particular photo is of a Sow thistle head with water drops on it.

I think it would be good to have a range of products to sell because it would hopefully introduce a range of customers instead of people just looking for a photo print.

Setting up this shop will by no means be what I pay the bills with. I am being realistic with it and realise it will be difficult to get even one sale. It's more of a project for me to do up until I go travelling and then once I come back and get a full time job, it can be something I do on the side. It is also a good way for me to still do photography and I am really looking forward to getting the shop up and running! It will take a while before I do start putting my work up for sale because there is quite a lot I have to think about first and there's lots of planning to do but I am really excited!

If you have any advice on how I should start an Etsy shop then feel free to comment! Any help is welcome by me!

If you would like to see more of my work then check out my website using the following link: www.katherinepowellphotography.com