Kiwi Website Offers Great Exposure For Photographers
A New Zealand website is offering both professional and budding photographers the chance to sell their work to the
world. The site at www.photosales.co.nz was established in May this year by Christchurch-based web developer Steve Amstad, who is also a keen photographer.
The website is growing rapidly and attracted over 500,000 page views during November alone, which Amstad said was “not
bad for a Kiwi site”. According to Amstad, what sets the site apart from other photographic sites is that photographers
receive the amount of money they want for each sale. “100% of each physical product sale goes to the photographer and
85% of each digital download”, he said.
Peter Bell is one of over 120 photographers who have joined the website to date and he is very happy with the service
provided. “Photosales.co.nz is a wonderful site for New Zealand photographers”, Bell said. “It offers a shop window to
the world – for free. Although relatively new, the site is already the best stock site in New Zealand and it’s really
going places”, he said.
Bell is a member of a number of other photographic sites based around the world in countries such as Canada, Australia
and the US. According to Bell, the big advantage of the photosales.co.nz site is that New Zealand customers can purchase
online in New Zealand dollars. “Kiwis don’t like spending US dollars over the Internet. This site enables me to sell my
photos of local events, for example speedway meetings, to local customers”.
Bell also credits Amstad with providing a user-friendly site from both the point of view of customers and photographers.
“He listens to feedback from photographers and takes suggestions on board. It is really easy for photographers to upload
their photos to the site”, he said.
In addition to downloading digital image files from the library of over 4,000 images, visitors to the site can purchase
their selected image in the form of a gift item such as a framed print, jigsaw puzzle or coffee mug.
“Another great feature of the site is our photo request service”, Amstad said. “This is where customers can request an
image of a specific place or thing and our photographers will search their archives for appropriate images that meet the
customer’s criteria”.
The website is proving especially popular with New Zealanders living overseas as it offers a wide variety of New Zealand
scenic shots.
The site also provides general advice for the public on matters such as choosing a professional photographer and
purchasing a digital camera.
ENDS