Do you price hike for festivals / events?

If so, do you up the price by percentage or dollar?
I am referring to landscape, cityscape, and/or nature photographs. Not people portraits.

I'm in the very early days of my photography business, but I've owned a business in another sector for the last 30 years, and I can tell you that price hikes for events are a sure way to lose customers. Festivals and events of any kind are the best possible showcase for a business. They bring you into contact with lots of people who wouldn't ordinarily hear of you, and the impression you make on them is very important. You absolutely don't want them to go away and tell their friends: the guy takes good photos, but his products are overpriced. It's the best way not to grow your business, IMHO.

What I have found at festivals and events (and I have lots of experience, albeit in another field), is that people will not buy large, expensive pieces, but they will buy small things. By small, I mean around $20 or less. I always make sure I have plenty of branded items in that price range. I also offer things in the $50 range, and they sell too, although to a lesser extent. It's nice to have some more expensive items available for people to see, but don't expect to sell a ton of them. I always look on the event as a showcase, so people can see what I do and come back to see me later if they need my products. As I said, the important thing here is to get on people's radar, and to have them go home with something attractive that bears your brand (for photography: your website address).

If you hike your prices, they're not going to come back. Simple as that. In business, you need to be fair, and you need to be honest.

I have a few large pieces to draw them in but they leave mostly with greeting cards, 9x12s and 11x14s

I try to remember I'm running a business not a museum

ceegee wrote in post #16660033
I'm in the very early days of my photography business, but I've owned a business in another sector for the last 30 years, and I can tell you that price hikes for events are a sure way to lose customers. Festivals and events of any kind are the best possible showcase for a business. They bring you into contact with lots of people who wouldn't ordinarily hear of you, and the impression you make on them is very important. You absolutely don't want them to go away and tell their friends: the guy takes good photos, but his products are overpriced. It's the best way not to grow your business, IMHO.

What I have found at festivals and events (and I have lots of experience, albeit in another field), is that people will not buy large, expensive pieces, but they will buy small things. By small, I mean around $20 or less. I always make sure I have plenty of branded items in that price range. I also offer things in the $50 range, and they sell too, although to a lesser extent. It's nice to have some more expensive items available for people to see, but don't expect to sell a ton of them. I always look on the event as a showcase, so people can see what I do and come back to see me later if they need my products. As I said, the important thing here is to get on people's radar, and to have them go home with something attractive that bears your brand (for photography: your website address).

If you hike your prices, they're not going to come back. Simple as that. In business, you need to be fair, and you need to be honest.

Thanks for the feedback. Now I know exhibitors do not raise prices to incorporate festival fees. This will be our first event, so had no idea.

SeattleSpeedster wrote in post #16660423
I have a few large pieces to draw them in but they leave mostly with greeting cards, 9x12s and 11x14s

I try to remember I'm running a business not a museum

We actually have a gallery in our home. Over 40 prints on display with most being 24" X 36". Some prints have not sold since day 1, so kind of like a gallery / museum

I thought about having some unframed paper (8X10, 12X18) prints on hand, but going to just stick with the canvases we've been selling. We also applied to sell at the April festival and will adjust according to March sales.

Thanks again for the feedback

I am doing my second festival of the year this weekend. First was last weekend.

After some very careful consideration, I raised my prices going into this show as I learned I was undercutting the market and myself pretty harshly. I know that there will be several people who will attend both and have made it clear that they are coming back to see me here. FOR THOSE CUSTOMER WHO ATTENDED BOTH FESTIVALS, I am honoring my prices from last weekend. Otherwise, you pay the new prices - take it or leave it.

I do not change prices during the show or sell absurdly higher than can be ordered off my website.

Price hikes? Seriously?

No, we don't price hike for anything. Our price is our price is our price.