Places Vs. Landscapes | Selling Your Artwork

When it comes to selling fine art photographs or paintings to homeowners or businesses there is a difference between selling landscapes vs. places.

Landscapes are fields, mountains, lakes, ponds, forests, trails, cliffs etc. Places are New York City, Chicago, Orlando, San Diego, Yellowstone National Park, Acadia National Park, hometown USA.

Landscapes are non-descript, generic, in other words they could be anywhere. Landscapes are an escape to the natural world with few people and vast natural beauty.

Places are specific. A certain city, town, neighborhood. A connection to home towns, places of work, vacation spots, places to travel. Places are tied to a specific spot, area, or region.

Places are displayed in politicians’ offices, hotel rooms, condo rentals, AirBnB homes — and most importantly places are easily searched for by keyword.

Keywords for landscapes describe the elements of the image – ocean, wave, boat, tree, forest, mountain, snow.

Keywords for places describe where on earth it is – Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Iceland, Germany, France, Springfield.

Landscapes give the viewer a general feeling – calm, peaceful, beautiful. Places capture the “vibe” of a city, the excitement of a town’s nightlife or the nostalgia for a birthplace.

Landscapes appeal to the masses. Places make a personal connection to the art buyer by invoking past memories. Landscapes can appeal to anyone in a general sense of appreciation for nature’s marvels. Places hold a deeper connection for those who have experienced them up close and personal.

One can travel the world in search of the most stunning landscapes yet find that the bestselling photograph might be in their own neighborhood.