Another "how much to charge" thread

I swore to myself that I would never start a "how much would you charge" thread, but I got a email requesting a print today,and I have no idea what to charge. There are a couple reasons why I can't decide on a price. #1 is I haven't sold too many photos in the past. #2 is the lady that wants to buy my picture seems to really,really want to buy it. Maybe I could ask for a little extra since she is so motivated.

Here is the email she sent me:

Your photos are spectacular! so crisp and solid and engaging. I fell in love with Bison on a trip last summer to Yellowstone. My husband has offered to purchase me a Bison photograph and I've been searching for "the" one that offers the feeling I'm looking for. Your "Bison after crossing the Yellowstone River" is by far my favorite. So, I'm checking to see if you sell copies, or digital formats that can be printed. And, how much it would be. It is such a powerful picture it could be beyond my budget but I'd like to check anyway. So gorgeous! Thanks.

She wants the print sized at 13 1/2" x 19 1/2. Any suggestions. Here's a link to the photo if it helps http://www.pbase.com/r​bndave/image/49947590

Thanks for any help

Dave

$150 mounted + shipping????

Thanks Zepher. That's what I was planning on charging. It seemed like a lot, but when I think about the amount of effort it took to get that picture $150 seems fair. Her husband wants a print of what I consider a lower quality photo. I think I'll cut them a deal on that one.

Any other ideas?? Anyone

Thanks Dave

$150 really isn't a lot at all..... it's a fair price... you could probably even get a little more for it... but if you are comfortable with $150, then go for it! And then offer your other print for $40 unmounted. If mounted then you'd need to charge appropriately so as not to incur a loss at least. This way you made both people happy... and they will probably return to you for more.

Great job!

I thought 150 was a bit much... but after thinking about it.. If it was mounted = framed? or just put on a hard poster board kinda thing...

Its really hard to say some times... I told a print 8x10 size for $10.00 after getting it printed at costco for $2.00

Too cheap maby?

You aren't selling the print based on what it costs to print, the buyer is paying for your expertise and artistic talent.

mounted doesn't = framed. Framed is extra, mounting is just having the pictured mounted on a hard backboard.

Excellent point... which I tried to hit on earlier, you just said it better. Art, regardless if in paint, or photography, is almost always "valued" by what a client is willing to pay for an image that they love. While others may say "big deal, it's a friggin bison!" (not my opinion... love the shot), others obviously will say... "I HAVE TO HAVE THAT PRINT!" It is to those people that you want to talk to and feel out what they feel it's worth.... not in words, but in their reaction to your work. If someone is really extatic about a print, they'll pay for it.... just as I would if I wasn't shooting it myself. Even then, there are prints out there I would love to own, and would pay for if I weren't paying for photography equipment.

It goes back to the old addage, "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." She loves the shot, and she will gladly pay for it.... she obviously values the work. So, charge appropriately.... there is no shame in earning money for work you did. It is no less valuable than going to the doctor who charges $185 to check your blood pressure and listen to your lungs for 5 minutes.... think about it. It's a valued service, and people will pay. I think a lot of photographers have problems with it as they feel that "anyone can do it so I shouldn't charge that much." Wrong! If they could, then there would be thousands of similar prints to yours all over the internet. Obviously, there aren't. So congratulations..... enjoy the feeling of selling a quality print!