Need Help With Pricing

I am a hobbyist generally posting stuff on FB and 500px. Lately I have had some people ask me what I would charge for a couple of pics and I honestly haven't a clue. The threads I have been able to find are mostly related to wedding packages, etc, and even those do not mention specific pricing.

I'm wondering if someone would be kind enough to tell me (or point me) towards a good starter primer on pricing landscapes and still life for both downloading/printing. Since this might be my first sale, I am afraid I'd price it too high, but on the other hand, I don't want to undercut my self either.

Also, if I offer jpgs, what resolution should they be, and what sort of conditions should they come with regarding copyright, etc.

I have thought about looking at some of the canvas print sites, calculate my cost, then tack on $X profit for myself, but what should that number be?

Sorry if these questions sound primitive, but I'm not very business minded and any help would be appreciated. Thanking you in anticipation

Freddy Khan

I am about to start selling some of my pictures as prints, canvases, standouts, etc. My approach to determining prices was to do research about what other landscape photographers charge on the web. From that I created my own reasonable prices for 8x12, 12x18, 16x24, 20x30 as standard sizes. From there I went to top of the line print shops on the web and shopped around what they would charge for standard sizes for other types of media (canvas, standouts, etc). I factored in a set difference in print versus canvas or standout for example. Lets say I sell a print of 8x12 for $50 and 12x18 for $100. Giclee canvas could be lets say 8x12 for $200 and 12x18 for $250.

PS. I bought a print from someone on this forum because I liked his posted picture. He told me it was the first print he ever sold. He charged me $50 for 8x12 as well.

Here's a question for you...is your name or your work known in the area...that has an impact on what prices you are going to GET for your images, you can ask whatever you want. Your market (and name recognition) will determine what people are willing to pay for your work.

I personally dont sell the digital images unless the person is willing to pay considerably more. I have worked my prices up to where I sell 8x12 print for $40, 12x18 for $60, 24x36 for $100, panos start out at $100 and go from there in person. If you buy them online, the price is higher of course. If they are matted, the price is higher as well.

Thank you sirs for taking the time to reply; I am glad I asked the question, and both of you were very helpful.

To answer your question Tim, no, I am not well known, but I sure as heck am trying to be Of course, in social circle, and FB friends, and some FB friends of friends .. a lot of them have shown interest. It does look like Fine Art America is a very good way of getting exposure and not have to worry too much about anything other than uploading your best works, and setting proper prices. How long have you been with them Tim?

At this time I would like to ask you (or any other passerby) if there are other sites that also offer the same sort of one-stop-shop for artists; just so I can do a compare. Also, any positives, or negatives about fineartamerica.com, or any other site would be welcomed as well.

I am also going to totally revamp my flickr and join Getty; that would be a different way of exposing your work, but hey, the more the merrier, right?

Thanks again guys.

Ive been with FAA for 3 years now, if you are serious, make sure you sign up for POD (Pay On Demand), its $30/year and allows the buyer to purchase right then. You set the amount you wish to make from each size that is available (based upon the file you submit).

Remember, FAA does NOT do advertising for you...you still have to let folks know you have your work there. I have my FAA site tied into my website. My Buy Now link takes them to my FAA website.

Good Luck

Freddy,

I am a total amateur but have been selling framed images from a local pub gallery. The small A4 (ish) prints have not sold at all, what does go are the 405mm x 305mm prints in 20" x 16" frames. These sell for £35 each. I decided on this price after very carefully calculating the material costs which add up to £16, netting me £19 each.

I am aware that others sell for far more, but from town centre shops with large overheads. I'm doing slow but steady business.

Lowner wrote in post #15040236
Freddy,

I am a total amateur but have been selling framed images from a local pub gallery. The small A4 (ish) prints have not sold at all, what does go are the 405mm x 305mm prints in 20" x 16" frames. These sell for £35 each. I decided on this price after very carefully calculating the material costs which add up to £16, netting me £19 each.

I am aware that others sell for far more, but from town centre shops with large overheads. I'm doing slow but steady business.

Youre covering your material costs, but what about your time...time putting it together, gas for delivering the prints etc....add all that in...and subtract from your sale prices....then how much are you netting from each sale?

Before you consider anything else. get a Business Licence, Tax ID and find out who you need to pay monthly sales tax to. The minute you charge someone you better have all the listed above.

stillinamerica wrote in post #15040452
Before you consider anything else. get a Business Licence, Tax ID and find out who you need to pay monthly sales tax to. The minute you charge someone you better have all the listed above.

Crap! Totally forgot about that

I do have an LLC for my consulting (I should say non-existent consulting) business; wonder if that would work!

Guess this is why word of mouth or craigslist works so much better, eh?

Freddy Khan

Have you done a scan of what others in your area are charging? That was a big help for me in deciding on what packages to offer and at what price.

digirebelva wrote in post #15040304
Youre covering your material costs, but what about your time...time putting it together, gas for delivering the prints etc....add all that in...and subtract from your sale prices....then how much are you netting from each sale?

I'm more than covering my costs. I'm making around 118% clear profit. Believe me, that £16 cost covers everything. Yes, I've had to be careful sourcing frames, mounts etc, because it can very easily cost twice or even three times as much. The pub I am exhibiting in is local to me so my only delivery cost is shoe leather.

Lowner wrote in post #15040675
I'm more than covering my costs. I'm making around 118% clear profit. Believe me, that £16 cost covers everything. Yes, I've had to be careful sourcing frames, mounts etc, because it can very easily cost twice or even three times as much. The pub I am exhibiting in is local to me so my only delivery cost is shoe leather.

Richard, are you doing the mounting and framing yourself as well?

ellioj wrote in post #15040667
Have you done a scan of what others in your area are charging? That was a big help for me in deciding on what packages to offer and at what price.

No, not really ... I was in a studio buying a 5D off CL one time and they had large wall hangars with fancy frames priced at $3500! There's lots of old horse farm money around here, but no I have not done a whole lotta looking around for examples of what the middle class would buy. Thanks for that tip.

Freddy, you need to check your own state county and city rules.
Not sure what you mean by assumin that 'word of mouth and craigist' are better....it sound like you mean so you can fly under the radar, correct me if I miss read that.

It is far easier to do it the right way from the beginning rather to have to back track later down the line. Not to mention that doing it the right way is the only legal way.

I only mention this because you said you were not too good with business, unfortunately there is not a lot of help for photogs starting businesses. That's why people on here are here to help.

stillinamerica wrote in post #15040727
Freddy, you need to check your own state county and city rules.
Not sure what you mean by assumin that 'word of mouth and craigist' are better....it sound like you mean so you can fly under the radar, correct me if I miss read that.

It is far easier to do it the right way from the beginning rather to have to back track later down the line. Not to mention that doing it the right way is the only legal way.

I only mention this because you said you were not too good with business, unfortunately there is not a lot of help for photogs starting businesses. That's why people on here are here to help.

Yes, I did mean flying under the radar But you are correct, the best way is the legal way. I'm too paranoid to do otherwise Might have to spend an hour with a CPA ..

alphamalex wrote in post #15040724
Richard, are you doing the mounting and framing yourself as well?

Yes. I'm buying ready cut mounts, backing boards and frames, then adding the print*. I paper tape the reverse after assembly and add a 3" square paper with the title, my web site and email address. I can do it in 10 minutes while watching TV.

*Note: I have been using paper tape to "hang the print from the backing card, but now use spray glue the secure the two together. I found that in the wrong light it was not lying totally flat but its now fine.