Five Hundred Bucks For A Photo... Fast

Today:

*** Reader Feedback: How Shannon Earned $500 for One Photo
*** Practical Writing Prompt of the Week: You’re An “Insider” Where You Live – Turn Your Expertise into $$$

Dear Reader,

She took her camera to Appalacia in September and sold two of her photos for $250 a piece…

I just got this email from one of your fellow readers (a participant at our last photography workshop in Paris). She writes…

“Just thought I would pass on a little good news to you. I went to Appalachia on a photo trip in September… I sold a picture [from that trip] not just once, but twice!!! (for $250 a pop!) I also have sold my Paris bike picture twice since coming home and have more interest in some of my other photos. Hopefully this is just the beginning!!! Thanks for everything. Hope you and Rich are doing well and I will see you again at another workshop soon.” – Shannon Twiss

$500 from a single trip is more than enough to pay for her airfare, so my hat goes off to Shannon.  And I hope you’ll use her story as inspiration to get out and take more photos of your own this week.

Look at her website, too: http://mygalleryplace.com/shannontwiss

Shannon created her gallery site with the personal portfolio builder all ITWPA members receive (it takes about 10 minutes to set up a site like hers, and the service is free with your membership).

And the truth is, Shannon’s not doing anything you can’t learn to do. In fact, we hear stories like this all the time.

Photos (particularly ones you’ve shot yourself) make great holiday gifts. In fact, there are three types that work best as offerings to friends and loved ones — and they’re all easy to take and print in these last few weeks before the holidays.

Tune in tomorrow and Shelly Perry will show you how to do it.

I hope you have a great weekend.

— Lori
Lori Appling
Director, Great Escape Publishing

[Editor’s Note: Learn more about opportunities to profit from your travels (and even from your own home) in our free online newsletter The Right Way to Travel.]

PRACTICAL WRITING PROMPT OF THE WEEK

I just saw an article in an online travel magazine: 10 Things You Didn’t Know About San Francisco.

This idea is not only irresistible and easy to write, but several of the “things” could spawn their own features.

Since I was in San Francisco recently for our Ultimate Photography Workshop, what struck me was how, though my visit was brief, I nevertheless knew half of these “insider tips.” And, thanks to a guided walking tour we took, I knew several things that were MORE fascinating than what this “insider” revealed.

So your assignment this week: Make a list of “10 Things You Don’t Know About … Your Hometown”, or some other place you know intimately.

Pick varied offerings: public transportation, viewpoints, art gallery openings, special events, free concert series, historical tours, etc.

Almost anything a little under the radar qualifies — and write a sentence or two about each. Your local tourism board or Chamber of Commerce will be happy to offer assistance.