Making a Profit with Your Artwork

MAKING A PROFIT

WITH YOUR ARTWORK

By Danielle Barabé-Bussières, MPA

I HAD TO SHARE MY PASSION FOR NATURE AND ANIMAL PHOTOGRAPHY WITH AN EIGHT-TO-FOUR JOB FOR THE PAST EIGHT YEARS. THIS PASSION FOR PHOTOGRAPHY WAS SO STRONG THAT I FELT LIKE I WAS WASTING MY TIME WORKING. GIVEN THE LIMITED TIME I COULD DEVOTE TO THIS PASSION SO IMPORTANT TO ME, I DEVELOPED STRATEGIES THAT COULD WORK FOR MY BUSINESS AND THAT I COULD OPERATE ON A PART-TIME BASIS.

I joined artists’ associations, which allowed me to exhibit my works in different places selected by the associations. We must explore the different options around us and make decisions based on the time required to achieve our artistic goals and ensure that these associations will bring us the visibility we are looking for and ultimately the sales we all deserve to obtain. Thanks to my accomplishments in the PPOC, I have forged links with local newspapers, which have also offered me opportunities to exhibit my work in my community. The PPOC press releases we receive are very important in demonstrating the level of excellence we have achieved. Equally important are the photo club recognitions that members receive – how to make them relevant and make them work in our favour. All this takes

time that we must invest in our daily life, and we must remain focused on what motivates us to want to create products that will end up in places where we will be proud to visit. I also got involved regionally in photography clubs where I made presentations on the techniques used for photographic shots as well as how I choose and work on the images that will be the most popular and which will be selected by my clients for themselves for their home decor. These interactions have also resulted in sales – by the score! All the sales initiatives that we attempt require some investment and if you want to be successful, you must work out a budget for the products (photo prints, canvas, cards, coffee mugs, blankets etc.) – and it must be worked out depending on what we want to offer our potential customers. I will also discuss the different marketing techniques (investment) that I use to increase my sales, such as calendars, cards, social media promotions, etc. I am now a young retiree who has time to explore the other avenues available around me – I have communicated with art gallery owners – I hope to be able to announce good news to you when we meet in April. Looking forward to meeting you virtually at CICE 2022 and sharing our marketing strategies.

Danielle Barabé-Bussières, MPA

Since her childhood, Danielle has been a lover of nature and uses it fully to recharge her batteries and to meditate when life goes too fast. She is also a mentor for three PPOC members. Danielle is the proud mother of two and the grandmother of three granddaughters. She can’t wait to teach them how to fish and introduce them to the wonderful world of insects! www.daniellebarabebussieres.com/ www.facebook.com/DanielleBBphotography/

Did you know

you can become a member of Canada’s oldest and most recognized professional photography association for as little as $27 monthly (plus tax)? Apply to join today! 1-888-643-PPOC (7762) info@ppoc.ca ppoc.ca