Beginner's Guide: 9 tips for selecting the best images for your Picfair Store

First published:
July 5, 2023
Updated:
January 31, 2024

Beginner's Guide: 9 tips for selecting the best images for your Picfair Store

First published:
July 5, 2023
Updated:
January 31, 2024

All photos by Philip Mowbray

Learn how to curate an impressive collection for your Picfair Store. Follow these tips, from Focus Editor, Philip, to select your best images and create a visually cohesive store that engages viewers

How to choose your best images to showcase on your Picfair store

Creating a Picfair Store is an exciting opportunity to showcase your work and make some sales from your photography.

To make the most of your Picfair Store, it's essential to curate your image selection - the images that you are uploading to your store - carefully.

In this guide, I'll walk you through the process of selecting your best images for your Picfair Store, so you can make sure that your collection engages viewers and maximises your sales potential.

So let's get started...

1 Clarify your vision

Before delving into the image selection process, take a moment to clarify your artistic vision. Reflect on the type of photography you want to feature in your Picfair Store. Consider themes, styles, and subjects that resonate with your portfolio. A clear vision will guide your decision-making and create a cohesive and engaging collection.

2 Organise & review

Import your photos into a reliable image management software, such as Adobe Lightroom (screenshot below) or Capture One, or gather them in a dedicated folder on your phone or computer.

Begin reviewing each image with a discerning eye, and delete any duplicates or shots that don't meet your quality standards. You should focus on showcasing only the very best of your work in your Picfair Store.

Use image editing suites like Adobe Lightroom to organise your images

3 Assess technical excellence

Evaluate the technical aspects of each image, such as exposure, sharpness, and composition. Remove any photos with significant technical flaws that could compromise their visual impact or sales potential.

Make sure you view all of your images at full size (100%), as this will help clearly identify any problems, particularly when it comes to blur or focus issues in your images.

Your Picfair Store should reflect only your highest level of technical expertise.

When making selections for your Picfair Store, zoom into each image to view them at their full size to check for any technical problem like focus or blur issues

4 Embrace standout images

Identify the images that truly stand out from the rest. Look for exceptional composition, stunning lighting, vibrant colours, or unique perspectives. Choose images that evoke emotion or tell a compelling story. These are the types of images that will likely attract customers and drive sales in your Picfair Store.

Here is a selection of some of the images I have on my own Picfair Store, having only my best images and those that I feel stand out from the rest.

A selection of some of my best images, that I've chosen to add to my Picfair Store

5 Showcase variety and diversity

Embrace variety in your image selection to cater to a broader audience. Include images that showcase diverse subjects, styles, and moods. Avoid featuring multiple shots of the same subject unless they offer distinct variations. A varied selection adds depth and intrigue to your Picfair Store.

If you can, showcase a variety of different themes, subjects, or image styles across your Picfair Store - it can help add depth to your Picfair Store

6 Craft a narrative

If you're creating a series or collection of images for your Picfair Store, ensure that your images tell a cohesive and engaging story. Arrange your images in a sequence that guides viewers through a visual journey. Eliminate photos that disrupt the narrative flow or dilute the overall impact, and much of the time less is by all means more. So again, only select the very best of your images that fit the narrative.

If you're creating a set of images that forms a set or series, make sure you're selecting and sequencing your images carefully so the series flows well
Editor's note:

A great way to organise your images in sequence and showcase a variety of work is to display your photos in individual albums on your store. Read our guide on albums for your Picfair Store.

7 Fine-tune with editing

Once you've narrowed down your selection, enhance your chosen images using professional photo editing software. There are several options available, depending on your needs and budget.

For professional-grade editing capabilities, consider using software like Adobe Lightroom, Luminar, Affinity Photo, or Capture One. These tools offer a comprehensive range of editing features to adjust exposure, contrast, saturation, and more, allowing you to bring out the best in each photo. They also provide advanced tools for retouching, colour grading, and image manipulation.

Use image editing software to enhance your images before uploading them to your store. You don't need to make huge amounts of edits, just a few tweaks goes a long way!

If you prefer a free editing software option, GIMP is a powerful open-source program that offers a wide range of editing tools and functionalities comparable to professional software. Another popular free option is Pixlr, an online photo editor with a user-friendly interface. It provides essential editing tools and filters to enhance your images, and offers the convenience of being accessible through a web browser without requiring any software installation.

Maintaining a consistent editing style across your collection is essential. It helps create a visually unified Picfair Store, and viewers will appreciate the coherence and aesthetic appeal of your photographs.

Editor's note:

On Focus, we have a huge collection of image-editing tutorials, from ultra-beginner guides to more advanced tutorials, so you learn how to get the very best out of your images.


8 Take breaks and seek feedback

Give yourself breaks during the editing process to maintain objectivity (read more about this technique in our dedicated guide) and then revisit your selected images with a fresh perspective.

Additionally, consider seeking feedback on the images you want to include on your Picfair Store from fellow photographers, friends, or mentors. Their insights can offer valuable perspectives and help you refine your image selection.

9 Finalise and optimise

When you're satisfied with your curated selection, finalise your images for your Picfair Store. Export them in the appropriate file format and resolution, optimised for web viewing and online sales.

Next, upload them, and then configure your store layout. Choose an attractive layout that entices customers and showcases your work in the best possible light. For inspiration, see our guide on how to choose the perfect store layout.

Once you've selected your images and uploaded them, the next step is to craft the theme and layout of your store in a way that compliments the images the most.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you'll be well on your way to choosing the best images for your Picfair Store. Remember, the key is to curate a collection that embodies your artistic vision, displays technical excellence, and offers variety to your audience.

Take pride in presenting your finest work on your Picfair Store, and watch as your photography engages viewers and paves the way for making sales from your images.

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