Who buys 4x6s? How much to charge?

[Livinthalife]

I have an event coming up, and I have always sold 5x7 and larger. I'm having requests for 4x6s now. There will be about 20 families, and many more kids. This is a Christmas event. The parents want pics of the kids "in action." I had originally thought I was shooting a few family portraits, and pics with Santa. But now they want this additional deal...I can get 4x6s at 19-23cents. What do you all recommend in this situation? Have any of you gone through this before? How to charge for 4x6s? Thanks for the help! APPRECIATE ANY HELP! :)

[airfrogusmc]

I charge $6.00 for a 4X6...

[sevillafox]

$5.00 for me.

[Mike R]

I charge $8.00 for 2 prints for parents who insist on only buying that size. For a parent at a different school, I'm charging her $2.00 per print because of the high volume she is buying (over 80) But I really don't like to offer 4x6 prints because my experience has shown that the people who want a 4x6 are expecting it to be very cheap because they "can get them for less than .29 a print"

[Trainboy]

I usually charge $4...but I'm sure you more expensive people are better photogs than me ;)

[Livinthalife]

Thanks everyone for you inputs....I really don't like this idea of going 4x6...I don't to be a wannabe walmart photog...But if I was charging the right amount maybe I wouldn't have to worry. I just want to be taken seriously. Thanks again for all your inputs. :)

[chtgrubbs]

I don't put 4x6's on my prices list, just 5x7. If someone specifically requests a price for them then I quote the 5x7 price. If they question why I charge the same, I tell them it takes just as much of my time and energy to get a 4x6 printed as a 5x7, so the price is the same.

[Mike R]

I don't put 4x6's on my prices list, just 5x7. If someone specifically requests a price for them then I quote the 5x7 price. If they question why I charge the same, I tell them it takes just as much of my time and energy to get a 4x6 printed as a 5x7, so the price is the same.

I like this. My problem is I would sound sarcastic when saying it. It wouldn't be intentional but just how I sound.

[liza]

You might politely tell them that it discourages copyright infringement. ;)

[sonshine_rae]

I am a lower end.. (just by nature of being a new business I guess) Portrait Photographer.. and do end up selling quite a few 4x6's .. but I purchase them from my professional lab.. just like all the rest of my prints.. quality is the same.

The reason I still offer them is a lot of Moms like them for small albums to show around. Though it is tempting to just offer pre-made proof albums instead.

granted.. I don't sell these 'by themselves' .. they are along with a session fee, and a larger portrait package generally.. these are just 'extras' that the parents custom order.

*ETA.. duh forgot.. the prices! Last year I was way to cheap on my 4x6's and only did $1.00 each .. next year I plan to sell them 3 for $15 .. all of my prints 8x10 and smaller will be in sets for $15 a set this coming year. So likely the 4x6 sales.. will lessen.. in the coming year.. and instead wall portraits will increase.. I hope anyway. I will price my wall portraits individually as well as have a mix of them in portrait packages (though no 4x6's in the packages).

[cdifoto]

My prints are as follows:

$10 - 4x6
$20 - 5x7
$30 - 8x10
$60 - 11x14 (or 12x18)
$100 - 20x30

[Livinthalife]

Thanks, I'm surprised to see how many of you offer 4x6s. i know most people don't JUST buy 4x6s, but still am surprised.
Thanks for all the pricing.

[symes]

I simply don't offer them...or if I do it is at the same price as a regular 5x7 so $20.00.

[notapro]

Mine are $4, but that is for a portrait session. Would probably charge more for the situation you're looking at. Also, I tell clients that the 400x600 pixel proofs will print a reasonable 4x6 because frankly, I'm not interested in printing a 4x6 of every photo for them because there is just too much work involved. I'd rather they print it themselves knowing it won't be top quality than have me do the work for basically nothing. That way I only have to deal with processing and ordering their favourite pics, which they order larger.

[cdifoto]

Mine are $4, but that is for a portrait session. Would probably charge more for the situation you're looking at. Also, I tell clients that the 400x600 pixel proofs will print a reasonable 4x6 because frankly, I'm not interested in printing a 4x6 of every photo for them because there is just too much work involved. I'd rather they print it themselves knowing it won't be top quality than have me do the work for basically nothing. That way I only have to deal with processing and ordering their favourite pics, which they order larger.

I figure there's a good markup on a 4x6 so it's worth adding to the list. Doesn't really take much effort to order from WHCC. :)

[airfrogusmc]

The only time I usually sell any prints are 4X6 proofs from the corporate events I shoot. They usually get a low res proof disc and a set of 4X6s proofs. Most of the time they order high res one time usage images for either press releases/ in house news letters/ or low res images for their web sites.

[asdisc]

I charge a dollar less then the 5X7 price...its sometimes my biggest money maker. Nothing like making 700% profit on an item.

[notapro]

I figure there's a good markup on a 4x6 so it's worth adding to the list. Doesn't really take much effort to order from WHCC. :)

I don't put a lot of work into processing their proofs, so to have somebody order just a 4x6 of a photo, I then have to give it the same TLC I would any other ordered print, and for only $4 minus cost of print and shipping. Maybe I should just start charging more to make it worth it.

[Emberghost]

I charge $6

[Rubi Jane]

I don't have 4x6 listed on my site but I do list it on my pricing PDF at $10. However, for events similar to what you're shooting where I expect 4x6 sales I tend to offer 'sheets' for $20. A sheet is defined as 2-5x7 or 4-4x6 prints of the same image, but they are printed as individual prints. I've been impressed with the consistency of my local Walmart and can now trust them with these event shots, usually all candids. My portrait prints go to a pro lab.

[cdifoto]

I don't put a lot of work into processing their proofs, so to have somebody order just a 4x6 of a photo, I then have to give it the same TLC I would any other ordered print, and for only $4 minus cost of print and shipping. Maybe I should just start charging more to make it worth it.

I don't do anything beyond the basics no matter what. Heavy processing is extra.

[Mike R]

I don't put a lot of work into processing their proofs, so to have somebody order just a 4x6 of a photo, I then have to give it the same TLC I would any other ordered print, and for only $4 minus cost of print and shipping. Maybe I should just start charging more to make it worth it.

How true, I gave a parent a break by only charging $2.00 per 4x6 because of the volume ordered. She wanted to order all shots I have of her son. Now I have to crop,edit and upload 112 shots.

[Rubi Jane]

How true, I gave a parent a break by only charging $2.00 per 4x6 because of the volume ordered. She wanted to order all shots I have of her son. Now I have to crop,edit and upload 112 shots.
This is the situation where I intentionally price the hi-res files to sell. I price them at $50 each or the entire shoot (my proofs) can be purchased for anywhere between $100 to $250 depending on the number of files. Once I'm in Lightroom it's quick to prep them for burning and all my proofs are colour corrected before getting posted online so I really don't have any extra work. If they want more editing I charge separately for that. I can make more sales selling them print ready hi-res files than I would selling them prints and the client gets more for their money, so it's a win-win. Most clients buy 2 or 3 larger reprints but they don't want to give up any shots...they want them all, especially the scrapbookers!

[kevo2005]

I charge units. $10.00 a unit:

1 8x10
2 5x7
8 wallets
4 4x7
or
4 5x3

[sevillafox]

I charge units. $10.00 a unit:

1 8x10
2 5x7
8 wallets
4 4x7
or
4 5x3

Wow, that's cheap. I charge double that.

[notapro]

I charge units. $10.00 a unit:

1 8x10
2 5x7
8 wallets
4 4x7
or
4 5x3

I thought about taking this approach, but the major kwik-e-photo place in my area charges by the sheet and I thought it would make the contrast in price too obvious.

[sevillafox]

I thought about taking this approach, but the major kwik-e-photo place in my area charges by the sheet and I thought it would make the contrast in price too obvious.

I think a lot of places that charge by the sheet offer the same combo. At least the one I used to use did. I've also seen a lot of other photogs around doing the same kind of thing. The pics may not come as a sheet but it's a certain number of the same pose. I've decided to do this for a selections package-people buy 5-20 selections and they can mix and match poses as long as they don't break up the selections: 1-8x10 or 2-5x7 or 4-4x6 or 16-wallets.

[notapro]

I think a lot of places that charge by the sheet offer the same combo. At least the one I used to use did. I've also seen a lot of other photogs around doing the same kind of thing. The pics may not come as a sheet but it's a certain number of the same pose. I've decided to do this for a selections package-people buy 5-20 selections and they can mix and match poses as long as they don't break up the selections: 1-8x10 or 2-5x7 or 4-4x6 or 16-wallets.



I do have a pacakge for multiple prints of a single pose: 1-8x10, 4-5x7 or 4-6x9, and 8 wallets. But other than that it's all single prints. oh, except wallets. I only list 8 wallets, but if someone asked and they were ordering more prints of that image, i would do a single wallet.


Livinthalife - I just realized that you never mentioned whether you would be paid for this gig or your only payment is coming from the print sales, and also whether any of that is going back to the organization. if you are not being paid in any way, then i think it is reasonable to charge more per print than your regular price might be for a portrait session or something, as the organization isn't absorbing any of the cost of having you there for the attendees.

[Livinthalife]

Livinthalife - I just realized that you never mentioned whether you would be paid for this gig or your only payment is coming from the print sales, and also whether any of that is going back to the organization. if you are not being paid in any way, then i think it is reasonable to charge more per print than your regular price might be for a portrait session or something, as the organization isn't absorbing any of the cost of having you there for the attendees.

Well, I already gave them a price sheet which I won't say the prices, BUT they are unreasonably cheap. What I'm going to put in my pamphlets is that the prices are due to the group I will be shooting for. They are in no way sponsoring me, but I will make it look like so. I'm hoping the families will contact me later on down the road for a real shoot and pay the real prices. My income will only be from the prints, This was all thrown together last minute. But next time the attendance fee will be raised (not dramatically) and I would receive that plus print fees. right now if no one orders prints, I make no money. I can't have that all the time. So we are learning from our mistakes you know.

[notapro]

Well, I already gave them a price sheet which I won't say the prices, BUT they are unreasonably cheap. What I'm going to put in my pamphlets is that the prices are due to the group I will be shooting for. They are in no way sponsoring me, but I will make it look like so. I'm hoping the families will contact me later on down the road for a real shoot and pay the real prices. My income will only be from the prints, This was all thrown together last minute. But next time the attendance fee will be raised (not dramatically) and I would receive that plus print fees. right now if no one orders prints, I make no money. I can't have that all the time. So we are learning from our mistakes you know.

not necessarily a mistake. If this is an organization you really want to help or believe in (or, hey, that will get you good contacts) then there's a lot to be said about giving something back to your community, both from a PR and a just plain old good spirit perspective. It was smart to make it clear that those are not your regular prices, though, or else you might run into lots of people who want them same deal later. Charity only goes so far....

[Livinthalife]

Thanks Amanda. I was pretty worried about being taken advantage of. At least I feel better, and this IS a good step in the right direction.
BTW the organization, My wife attends this group, It's all Japanese people living in America and they have these quarterly get togethers. It's fun, so us regular amercians meet other americans who have married japanese. They all exchange little motherly tips, best places to buy asian food, etc etc. So I agree with you, Thanks! ;)

[spcalan]

$2 bucks for me

[kevo2005]

Wow, that's cheap. I charge double that.

Yeah, I will charge more as I get more experience.

[marcus769]

Where do most of you get you prints printed? Prefer mail order services, retail stores, or special (local) print places? I got my holiday cards printed at Walgreens and was very impressed with the color I got... I sent some pics I took while in New York, and some other randoms that I was all very happy with... Was I born yesterday, or do I need more photo printing experience?

4x6 prints range from $.10-$.29 each, depending on quantity at Walgreens...

[Mike R]

Where do most of you get you prints printed? Prefer mail order services, retail stores, or special (local) print places? I got my holiday cards printed at Walgreens and was very impressed with the color I got... I sent some pics I took while in New York, and some other randoms that I was all very happy with... Was I born yesterday, or do I need more photo printing experience?

4x6 prints range from $.10-$.29 each, depending on quantity at Walgreens...

You may have hit it lucky with a tech that was knowlegable,or cared at the location they were printed. I use Exposure Manager for my site and printing needs. I also use MPix, jsut be sure that your monitor is calibrated and they will both give great results.

[notapro]

Where do most of you get you prints printed? Prefer mail order services, retail stores, or special (local) print places? I got my holiday cards printed at Walgreens and was very impressed with the color I got... I sent some pics I took while in New York, and some other randoms that I was all very happy with... Was I born yesterday, or do I need more photo printing experience?

4x6 prints range from $.10-$.29 each, depending on quantity at Walgreens...


Once you've seen a print from a pro lab, you can definitely see the difference. But regular consumer prints are pretty good for regular stuff. I use a local-ish pro lab, but they ship to all of Canada.

[bubbawillums]

I get mine printed from a pro lab and i charge £5 (about $10)for a 6x4. I mostly sell 6x4 prints and it costs me 10p to print them. my 7x5's are £8 and i offer A4 for £20.

[funpix]

This is something similar to a couple of events I did last year at a local chain retailer. They did not pay me for coming in 3 days - 6 or 8 hour day. We did a single 4x6 print and a quick sit for $5.00. This more than covered the print. Plus we also offered 8x10's 2 5x7's and a 5x7 + 2 3.5 x 5 prints for $18.00 each. We clearly stated that the single 4x6 was the only one included and that it was a special for the event only. People continued to purchase a single 5x7 for $10.50 without question. It's all a mind set. Oh yah, you probably want to know what we paid to the store $2.50 per sitting. In all we rented a prime location for about $100.00 Not bad. On average we sold over $1500.00 in prints over the three days.

[amfoto1]

Hi,

I currently charge $7 for online ordered 4x6 (also 3x5.5 and 4x5).

We tack on an extra dollar for the same size print when we print and sell it on site. (Hey, we have to hire a printer for the day.)

I usually don't print anything myself. I leave it to Printroom to fulfill the orders, figure the shipping cost, charge the tax, collect the payment and guarantee their work. They kindly send me a check mid-month.

But, there are exceptions. Someone just ordered 24 copies of a single image, so I printed them myself and only charged her $2 apiece. After all, it was a single image and I have a large supply of 4x6 paper on hand (and bought really cheap on close-out).

I've had plenty of first-time buyers get a 4x6, then come back and order the same image in a larger size later.

Online we offer 65 sizes and types of prints... Plus 36 other photo imprinted items.

When on site, we only offer 4x6, 5x7 and 8x10, all in glossy finish only.

Probably will be raising prices shortly after the New Year. Many of our costs have gone up and we haven't raised prices in about two years.

[kevo2005]

I use WHCC for everything. Mpix is good too, just ordering through WHCC is easier. A 4x6 is .70 which is 2.80 for four so I'm making about 7.00 for a unit of 4x6.

[MJPhotos24]

I charge $8.00 for 2 prints for parents who insist on only buying that size. For a parent at a different school, I'm charging her $2.00 per print because of the high volume she is buying (over 80) But I really don't like to offer 4x6 prints because my experience has shown that the people who want a 4x6 are expecting it to be very cheap because they "can get them for less than .29 a print"

Ditto...$8 for two on order forms, don't offer singles. On-line do at $4.00 each...and for a friend offer a really good deal because he buys over 100 every time. Had the same thoughts though of "quickie-mart prints them for .29cents". Ok, fine - you buy the 30K worth of equipment, post process yourself, send it to wal-mart so they can screw up the coloring and then you have your print.

Exposure Manager is where I get EVERYTHING printed, never been let down and they have trained eyes checking the prints, instead of putting it on auto like a lot of 1-hour film places do.