What sort of wildlife photographs sell?

Posted on 15. Dec, 2008 by Paul Burwell in Business, Everything, Techniques, Wildlife

Question:  I’ve just getting started getting serious about wildlife photography and I’d really like to find a way to turn this expensive hobby into something I can make some money off of.  What sort of wildlife photographs sell well?

Answer: The simple and boring answer is that it depends what photo buyers are looking for.  But, assuming you haven’t been given an assignment from a photo editor, here are some general guidelines to consider.  You want photographs that are very visually compelling.  You want photographs that really allow the viewer to connect with your subject.  It goes without saying that your photographs need to be sharp, well exposed and well composed.  Behaviour shots are often preferred over portraits because it is usually more interesting when an animal is doing something recognizable, even if its just walking.

Photographs of baby animals are eminently saleable.  Why is that?  Cute sells. It is just real tough to beat cute.

This photograph of a Lynx was made while the animal the playing on the log.  When the animal laid down and snuggled its head into a hollow, I was ready.  Lynx have large, almost cartoonish feet.  When you photograph them look for opportunities to show how large their feet are.

Siberian Lynx kitten lying on an old log - CA

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Tags: answer, Business, cute, lynx, question, sales, sells, siberian, Wildlife