What do you charge for photos?

[aphotographynut]

Hi all:

This may have been discussed earlier, but I showed a friend at work some 8x10's I printed and was planning on putting a few in my kids rooms as "art".

She indicated that she would put all 4 pictures in her kitchen and wanted to buy some from me. The question is: what do you charge for an 8x10 of flowers? I didn't spend a ton of time in setup on these, nor did I do a lot of editing. A semi-pro friend of mine charges $25 for an 8x10. I am no where near as good, and do not have "sittings" with flowers/birds, etc. I was thinking of $15 for an 8x10. I am GUESSING I have $2 of materials in the pic (ink and paper).

If someone comes up to me and says: My kid loves boats, can you take one of an old ship? For "work" like that I would charge the $25.

ANY thoughts are appreciated!!!!

Thanks.

Andy

[PGX]

When I had a print lab, I charged $12 for an inkjet 8x10 that the client provided.

Frankly, I think both you and your friend are underselling yourselves. For artistic 8x10's, $40 should be a minimum, with an established artist getting at least $100.

[aphotographynut]

Originally Posted by PGX

When I had a print lab, I charged $12 for an inkjet 8x10 that the client provided.

Frankly, I think both you and your friend are underselling yourselves. For artistic 8x10's, $40 should be a minimum, with an established artist getting at least $100.

Ironically: One of the people I work with said 40 bucks is fair. I just cannot see charging friends that much. I was thinking of printing off say, 30 or so prints and taking them to the local art fair and charging 25 for them..... Thanks for your help.

[phototakeouter]

Originally Posted by acigarnut

A semi-pro friend of mine charges $25 for an 8x10. I am no where near as good, and do not have "sittings" with flowers/birds, etc. I was thinking of $15 for an 8x10. I am GUESSING I have $2 of materials in the pic (ink and paper).

I'm sure it didn't cost Mr. Da Vinci 5 million dollars worth of material to paint the Mona Lisa.

Fine art should never be valued by production costs since the biggest raw material is intangible and invaluable. But even if you want to go that route, you didn't factor in the cost of your camera equipment.

I also think that $15 is much too low. I agree with PGX, $40 isn't unreasonable. I sold my first prints for $35 some years ago. If you browse around most photobloggers' sites, most of those selling prints ask in the $25-35 range.

But perhaps you'd rather be the guy who can safely sell fifty $15 prints than the one who's still trying to sell his second $100 print. There is no "right" price for art prints.

If possible, why not take a walk around the art fair and see if there are any other photographers selling their work and at what prices.

[aphotographynut]

Thanks for everyone's help in this matter. I now have a much better idea. I will be "raising" my prices. They still may range depending on who I am selling them to, etc.

Regards,

Andy

[akrab]

so what did you end up getting for them?

[aphotographynut]

Originally Posted by akrab

so what did you end up getting for them?

Hi Akrab:

I sold 4 and then another 2 for $15 each. I will raise them to $20 each for an 8x10. If someone wants something "special", meaning "Andy, go out and take a pic of sunflowers, etc." I will probably charge $40 if it's not too difficult to set up. If someone wants say, Bald Eagle pics, well that is something I would have to travel for and not sure .... I will cross that bridge when it comes.

[riha]

The problem i see today is the fact that cameras are so good today (and printers) that most people have the chance to take an good image and sell it or print it for private usage.

That makes more and more people to not wan´t to ay that much money for images, even if they are as good as for 5,10, 20 years ago (when an printed photo cost more).

I have the very same dilemma, especially when selling to my friends.


What i do know is hat in sweden there is an recommended price list to use as refernce when you set your price. It can be bought here in Sweden and there might be something similar available in your country.

[akrab]

Originally Posted by acigarnut

Hi Akrab:

I sold 4 and then another 2 for $15 each. I will raise them to $20 each for an 8x10. If someone wants something "special", meaning "Andy, go out and take a pic of sunflowers, etc." I will probably charge $40 if it's not too difficult to set up. If someone wants say, Bald Eagle pics, well that is something I would have to travel for and not sure .... I will cross that bridge when it comes.

I think that is awesome! I wish I could do that

[heartseye]

Alison...you COULD do that...why not? Cheers...Bob

[akrab]

Originally Posted by heartseye

Alison...you COULD do that...why not? Cheers...Bob

1. I dont know how...

2. I have no self confidence

[heartseye]

Well.....maybe make up some 8x10's of your favourite images and show them around...you have a distinct style which many people enjoy....put a price list together for
A. Selling prints of your own work as finished art pieces
B. Prices you would charge to take images of other peoples kids/ families etc.

See what happens......It's worth a try as an experience alone....but I think you would do better than just that. Cheers...Bob

[akrab]

Originally Posted by heartseye

Well.....maybe make up some 8x10's of your favourite images and show them around...you have a distinct style which many people enjoy....put a price list together for
A. Selling prints of your own work as finished art pieces
B. Prices you would charge to take images of other peoples kids/ families etc.

See what happens......It's worth a try as an experience alone....but I think you would do better than just that. Cheers...Bob

how does one guage prices? I wouldnt even know where to begin in that area..... or any area of it LOL besides hitting the shutter release!

[jfrancho]

how does one guage prices?

Look up local studios in your yellow pages, and start calling around.

[akrab]

Originally Posted by jfrancho

Look up local studios in your yellow pages, and start calling around.

DOH! good idea