PRICING

[slimenta]

I shoot multiple youth sporting events and post edited pictures on my website. To this point I have charged a minimal markup for prints and have allowed people to download jpegs. But I want to be sensitive to professionals and not give away my shots. I also will be shooting a series of events with someone else who will be charging for his pictures. We have agreed to set the same pricing. We both use smugmug as our backbone.

So the question is how would people set prices for prints and for downloading jpeg files?

www.sportsactiondigital.com

[tracknut]

I would set them by looking at photographers of comparable sporting events in your region, comparing the quality of your product versus theirs, and coming up with something that seems in-line with the standard.

Dave

[MJPhotos24]

Welcome to the forum, check out the search button because you'll find this answered a lot.

Good starting point...
http://blog.exposuremanager.com/2009...ase-sales.html

[amfoto1]

You are welcome to follow the link below to my Printroom galleries and check out the price list I use for most of the sports/events there. Just go into any of the galleries and click on any thumbnail to see a complete list of products and prices (there are over 100 products, considering all the possible print sizes and finishes, plus printable items.... I'll be adding some new ones soon, including some seasonal stuff).

In my area (N. Calif.) there are photographers who charge less and photogs who try to charge more (some a lot more.... I have no idea how that's working out for them, though... I suspect they aren't selling much).

I'm not sure why you wrote about being "sensitive to professionals"... You are a professional, as far as I'm concerned, simply for the fact that you are charging for your product. Of course you are free to charge whatever you want (and there are times when it's appropriate to discount or even give some limited usage away to good clients).

You need to look at your costs and the competition, then evaluate your pricing appropriately. This market space is so crowded, though, selling prints to participants is only marginally profitable even at its best. You'll eventually need to find additional ways to leverage your work and develop other revenue streams from it.

I looked at your website and your "About" page. I was trying to find out where you were located, and finally just extrapolated from the names of some of the galleries you've posted that you are in the VA area. You might want to mention the area you serve, somewhere on your site (well, maybe I just missed it). Another thing, personally I'm not sure I'd mention online that this is a sideline to my day job, that it's a part time gig (it's not for me). I think there's really no reason to mention that at this point, only if it comes up as a conflict if and when you have a request to shoot.

You didn't ask for feedback on your website and the way you are presenting yourself, I know, but these two things jumped out at me. You might disagree and that's fine. To each his own. I'm just mentioning what I'd do, personally.

[MJPhotos24]

Originally Posted by amfoto1

I'm not sure why you wrote about being "sensitive to professionals"... You are a professional, as far as I'm concerned, simply for the fact that you are charging for your product.

I can't disagree with this more as just charging for something doesn't make one a professional. There's so much more to that word for me, maybe it's a personal thing but there's just so much more to being a professional than charging.

Aside from that - back to the OP.

First question I would ask is why would anyone buy your photos? Are they good enough to be sold, yes they look to be. The reason I ask is you have the original files on there and anyone can take them free - so why would anyone buy them if you don't have them protected?!?!?! Watermark and have small res on there, not the originals or they'll just rip them off. They won't even pay the .01 cent for a digital download if they can steal them for nothing!! Digital downloads take a look at the pricing structure at MaxPreps...

http://www.maxpreps.com/photo/galler...d-f34889d3959e

(Don't need to copy them exactly but good starting point for digital)

Second - change your prices IMMEDIATELY!! If people get used to having that low of prices it will hurt you in the long run when you change them to a more standard fee. The quality is there it seems and you are seriously hurting yourself with too low of prices. You don't want to be the highest or the lowest priced and can guarantee you're the lowest right now! Change them fast (copy someones temporarily, something!) and then get the price structure figured out by local competition. Read the EM post I originally posted - the part about they will buy either way on prices is VERY true.

Third - Way too many products, it looks like you have everything offered in there and it's just too much for people to go through. At this time I think I have too much and going to re-do my entire product list in the new year.

Fourth - take the sales option off the NASCAR images. They are VERY strict on what people can do with images from NASCAR events and you are not allowed to sell prints by their rules. Looks like you had good access (media pass?) and if they see it don't expect to ever get one again. I know more than a few photographers who are banned for trying to sell prints without licensing. One isn't even allowed in as a fan anymore if they catch him (different sport but same concept).

Fifth - similar to fourth. Make sure you have permission to sell the teams you're selling. Have to remember for anyone just going and shooting doesn't give the person the right to sell the images at times. Some schools have exclusives and since it's their event they can make the rules. Even if nothing illegal about it they can just ban you from shooting any further events. It's not a wide open shoot, post, sell, anything goes thing. Public schools and leagues can make it so you can't shoot there anymore. This is why I shoot pretty much at our local school only, visiting teams as well - but if I'm going anywhere else I'm calling ahead and checking things out.

Sixth - Personally I'd change your about, it's one thing to be a newbie but it's another to come off as one. You have good soccer images, seem to know what you're doing, sell yourself, skills and what you can offer instead of what you lack. Do you want to hire a mechanic that likes to work on cars but keeps telling you how he's new and learning - no, you want the guy who knows what the hell he's doing so your engine don't fall out on Interstate 90!!

[slimenta]

amfoto1 and mjphotos24, thank you for your help, it is very useful. Your points are well made.

I am really in the process of moving from amateur to professional. I have had comments from true full time professionals that people shooting on the sidelines and "giving away" their pictures hurts them. I have been encouraged to protect and start charging for pictures and downloads. I know that my jpegs can be downloaded for free, that was intentional and I m going to change it.

I am located in Charlotte, NC. Feedback regarding my "about" section. I understand and will change it.

You both gave different recommendations regarding products. SMUGMUG which is the backbone I use has about 200 choices for photos and sizes. One of you said give more choice, the other said give less.

Feedback actually can be given and has been given on my site under guestbook.

In regards to selling images, is there a good place to look for the actual rules. I did have good access at the NASCAR events and certainly do not want to break any of the rules either there or elsewhere.

[MJPhotos24]

If it's professional sports you need licensing (MLB, NASCAR, MiLB, NFL, NHL, etc). NCAA says selling prints will not hurt a student-athletes eligibility but many schools have exclusives with photographers and some high schools do as well. Basically the best way to find out is ask, work with schools you know are open by asking the athletic director, etc. Good to know you want to know as many just choose to ignore it and that only hurts them in the long run.

More isn't always better - it's great to have options but not overwhelming. A lot on my list have never sold at all and they'll be gone soon while other products have sold well. Lot of trial and error though to see what was liked/disliked (and looking at what others offered).

[Frugal]

Looked at a few of your galleries and right now I can buy prints at the price Smugmug charges you. Ex: an 8x10 for $2.50 !!! It's easy to set your own prices on smugmug or remove the buy button