| Author | Thread |
|
|
04/11/2008 09:37:20 AM · #1 |
I won a contest a few months back. Now I proudly have 3 12x18 photos displayed in my local library's permanent collection. I think libraries are wonderful indications of the quality of a town so when they were rebuilding this one I was more than excited to enter the contest. There are about 30 other photos in this collection also. Someone saw one of the images and wants a print at the same size.
So ... the question is - since I made $200 when each photo was chosen, would it be greedy to try to make a bit on a print for someone? If not, how much do I sell a print for? I want to be a "friendly local artist" as this person works as a writer in my city also.
Just looking for some opinions! Thanks.
Here's the specific photo (of a local popular restaurant):  |
|
|
|
04/11/2008 10:31:25 AM · #2 |
There is no reason that you should be able to make money off of you art regardless of any other money's you may have received (unless you signed the rights away to the Library).
How much is your art worth to you? How much is it worth to the buyer? I've seen 'crappy' photography hanging in coffee shops with tags upwards of $800. I've seen great photography hanging for $50.
I know it may not sound helpful, but it's all a bargaining conversation between you and your buyer. |
|
|
|
04/11/2008 10:43:24 AM · #3 |
It may depend on your crowd.
I recently had two showings and was selling my work for $150 framed. Sold a few for that price, no questions asked. |
|
|
|
04/11/2008 10:47:20 AM · #4 |
How much you've already made from a print doesn't really matter when someone else wants to purchase it. This is how artists make their money...profiting from their prints.
The first thing you need to consider is how much does it cost you to produce a single 12x18 print in the requested medium. You want to include your time to shoot and edit(how much is you time worth), cost of printing, framing, etc.
A formula to come to a minimum selling price would be cost x 3. Which is your monetary cost times 3. I use this formula only as a starting/minumum price because there are many other factors that can affect the value, such as your print is currently in the library's art collection(added value). Shop around to see what other artists sell their prints for in the same size and medium(competitiveness).
I personally wouldn't sell the print for less than $150 under the current circumstances. There are some who will say more and others who may say less but all in all it is your decision.
|
|
|
|
04/11/2008 10:56:38 AM · #5 |
Do they want it framed, matted, etc., or do they just want a print they can have framed themselves, or put in a cheap ready-made frame, or even pin to a bulletin board? From a buyer's perspective, $150 sounds high. They may be expecting to pay $25-$50, the sort of price one would pay if seeing the photo in a bin at an art fair. However, I suppose much depends on your location, abilities, reputation, etc....
EDIT: Look at DPC prints. There are some wonderful prints available at all sorts of prices. I picked a random "best seller" which costs $24.00 for an 8x10 matte print.
Message edited by author 2008-04-11 10:59:08. |
|
|
|
04/11/2008 12:15:41 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by citymars:
Do they want it framed, matted, etc., or do they just want a print they can have framed themselves, or put in a cheap ready-made frame, or even pin to a bulletin board? From a buyer's perspective, $150 sounds high. They may be expecting to pay $25-$50, the sort of price one would pay if seeing the photo in a bin at an art fair. However, I suppose much depends on your location, abilities, reputation, etc....
EDIT: Look at DPC prints. There are some wonderful prints available at all sorts of prices. I picked a random "best seller" which costs $24.00 for an 8x10 matte print. |
The basic cost of having a 12x18 printed is $10-$20 depending on the lab you use. He wouldn't make much, if any, profit if he only sells it for $25... $50 would be a viable price considering this would be a reproduction. That would cover time but not really allow for a profit. A lot of photographers, myself included, price or have priced their work so that they don't really make a profit when you consider the time and effort put into creating a piece of art. I still stand behind my original $150 recommendation taking everything into account.
I sell an 11x14 photographic print from a family portrait session for $40 and have been told that is cheap. I know people who have paid up to $80 for the same size print.
If your quoted price is too much ask him to make an offer so you can come up with something you will both be happy with. Or you could ask him to make an offer to start...it may be more than the price you were thinking. |
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 08/08/2025 11:01:07 AM EDT.
