Open for business

September 1st seems a fitting day for a new venture. A new month marks a fresh start and a clean launchpad.

I’ve finally opened up an online store for my photography, using artist community website Redbubble as my platform. This enables me to display my goods and offer it in numerous formats, from greetings cards and framed prints to canvases. Customers can choose their favourite image and format, add it to their basket and have it delivered to their door. A more simple, direct approach than my old half-hearted, somewhat muddled idea.

This is not a new concept, but it’s a departure for me. My life as a photographer has developed a new strand. I would like to see my work appear on other people’s walls and be proudly displayed. But I’m aware it won’t be easy in an age when anyone can do it.

I have a virtual shop space that I’ve been carefully filling in time for today’s launch. Picking over thousands of images was no mean feat, and made me look at what I’ve done in a different light. Some photographs truly lend themselves to becoming a poster or adorning an empty wall space – they have selling power. I didn’t want to cram my portfolio – it can be carefully and gradually adorned as time progresses. Less is more, as they say.

I know that some of you, my regular contributors and friends here, are already selling your work. I’d love to hear about your experiences of going from hobbyist to dipping a toe in the commercial sphere.

Click on this image panel to visit my Photo Shop. It represents a sample of my wares

Tags: business, new venture, Photo Shop, photography, portfolio, Redbubble, shop

31 thoughts on “Open for business”

lena de almeida on September 10, 2013 at 21:28 said:

You really have a wonderful collection, Mike. All the best in your new adventure :-)

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- mikeosbornphoto on September 10, 2013 at 23:30 said:
  
  Thanks so much, Lena. Well, if you know anyone who might be interested, please send them in my direction :-)
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
lautal on September 3, 2013 at 15:39 said:

It is pretty tough business, Mike. However you have great portfolio, your pictures are really good, and I hope you are going to be successful. At least I wish you that.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- mikeosbornphoto on September 3, 2013 at 21:41 said:
  
  You’re certainly right, Alexander. Any success will be a bonus on top of th enjoyment of photography.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
jdtphotography.co.uk on September 3, 2013 at 09:59 said:

Massive congrats Mike and I am sure it will be a great success.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- mikeosbornphoto on September 3, 2013 at 21:16 said:
  
  Thank you very much, James. I know that you did it the hard way. It’s good to have an online platform.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - jdtphotography.co.uk on September 5, 2013 at 09:01 said:
    
    You are more than welcome Mike and again I wish you every success
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
    - mikeosbornphoto on September 5, 2013 at 19:11 said:
      
      Thanks again James, I really appreciate it.
      
      LikeLike
      
      Reply ↓
ckponderings on September 2, 2013 at 07:49 said:

Great work, Mike! I have a feeling it is going to go really well!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- mikeosbornphoto on September 2, 2013 at 19:22 said:
  
  Thanks so much, Richard. I’ll take your positive attitude and decant it!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - ckponderings on September 3, 2013 at 07:43 said:
    
    Haha! :)
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
edithlevyphotography on September 2, 2013 at 04:25 said:

Congratulations Mike. Good luck.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- mikeosbornphoto on September 2, 2013 at 18:59 said:
  
  Thank you very much, Edith. If you have any pointers, please pass them on!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Photographs by Peter Knight on September 2, 2013 at 00:24 said:

Nicely done Mike. You have some great work there; best of luck with it :)

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- mikeosbornphoto on September 2, 2013 at 19:22 said:
  
  Much appreciated, Peter :-)
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
maryqkaca on September 1, 2013 at 21:14 said:

Wow! Congratulations Mike!

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- mikeosbornphoto on September 1, 2013 at 22:08 said:
  
  Thank you Maria! We’ll have to see what happens…
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Noeline Smith on September 1, 2013 at 19:49 said:

A great selection of images Mike – and definitely, less is more. I wish you every success with your venture.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- mikeosbornphoto on September 1, 2013 at 20:13 said:
  
  Thank you very much, Noeline. We finally have a couple of my prints on the wall and it’s good to see them physically. At last this is something I can easily offer.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
RobynG on September 1, 2013 at 18:50 said:

Congrats Mike. Your images are fabulous and I’m sure you will have much success! I wish you all the best! Robyn

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- mikeosbornphoto on September 1, 2013 at 19:17 said:
  
  Thank you so much, Robyn, that’s really appreciated :-) It gives another edge to what I do and is all part of evolving, I’d say.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Cos on September 1, 2013 at 15:22 said:

Will you still be talking to me, when your rich and famous? ;-) Good luck with your online photoshop! It’s a great store (people, go buy some photos!!)

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- mikeosbornphoto on September 1, 2013 at 15:48 said:
  
  Oh I will, and looking at your previous week every Sunday morning :-) And thank you Cos, yes, the Netherlands (and beyond) needs to know!
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Photos close to home on September 1, 2013 at 14:56 said:

Mike, Good luck with your venture. I think you are taking the right approach.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- mikeosbornphoto on September 1, 2013 at 15:47 said:
  
  Thanks for your good wishes, Ben. I think managing expectations is the key here. In any event it’s good to have a convenient and serviceable platform at last.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
Picture-Bandit on September 1, 2013 at 10:46 said:

I am thinking about offering my images as prints as well. What is your suggestion, keep the prints on the platform where you share your art (for me http://www.deviantart.com) or submit certain, special images to a Print Shop (what do you think of redbubble, I never heard of that one before?) ?

Would be neat if you could give me a few pointers ;) Even more so because you just got started with that as well.

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- mikeosbornphoto on September 1, 2013 at 11:24 said:
  
  Hi Michael, good to hear from you. Well I chose Redbubble because you can upload your portfolio and they will manufacture and handle any online sales – it’s a one stop shop and ‘customers’ can handle it themselves. And if I wanted a photo of mine to be framed, I’d be happy to use RB myself.
  
  Also, I started from scratch so you really have to evaluate what’s special and what might be appealing.
  
  In any case, this is a better arrangement than I had before!
  
  Let me know if you have any more thoughts… I’ll try to help.
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
belgradestreets on September 1, 2013 at 10:10 said:

Congratulations Mike! And good luck!

Best, Andy

LikeLike

Reply ↓
- mikeosbornphoto on September 1, 2013 at 10:11 said:
  
  Thank you very much, Andy, much appreciated :-)
  
  LikeLike
  
  Reply ↓
  - belgradestreets on September 1, 2013 at 11:01 said:
    
    I will take a look at your wares! :-)
    
    LikeLike
    
    Reply ↓
    - mikeosbornphoto on September 1, 2013 at 11:03 said:
      
      Oh do have a rummage! I kept it fairly slim to begin with… but it’s very easy to upload an image to the portfolio if someone’s interested…
      
      LikeLike
      
      Reply ↓