What do you say when someone asks if you sell a photograph, but you never have? Hi from a newbie here. I'm an amateur photographer with a smug mug site. Somebody asked me if I sold my...

Lens4Birds Loc: Southern California

Hi from a newbie here. I'm an amateur photographer with a smug mug site. Somebody asked me if I sold my photographs, and what size I sell them in. I realize I must go into the smugmug to set that up, but could someone give me an idea of what I say, besides, "duh, I don't know" lol Hope this question isn't too vague.

redhogbill Loc: antelope, calif

M.A.Pathy wrote:

Hi from a newbie here. I'm an amateur photographer with a smug mug site. Somebody asked me if I sold my photographs, and what size I sell them in. I realize I must go into the smugmug to set that up, but could someone give me an idea of what I say, besides, "duh, I don't know" lol Hope this question isn't too vague.

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search.jsp?q=selling+photos&u=&s=0

here is a link to the question others have asked, it may help you,

I have not sold any photos either, mainly I do this for me, I have given several away, { I fell if I start selling photos , it will fell to much like a job} ...{that's just I fell about it now!}

good luck

Lens4Birds Loc: Southern California

redhogbill wrote:

http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/search.jsp?q=selling+photos&u=&s=0

here is a link to the question others have asked, it may help you,

I have not sold any photos either, mainly I do this for me, I have given several away, { I fell if I start selling photos , it will fell to much like a job} ...{that's just I fell about it now!}

good luck

Thank you redhog!! I get your point there!

:) :) :) :) :-)

canon Lee

M.A.Pathy wrote:

Hi from a newbie here. I'm an amateur photographer with a smug mug site. Somebody asked me if I sold my photographs, and what size I sell them in. I realize I must go into the smugmug to set that up, but could someone give me an idea of what I say, besides, "duh, I don't know" lol Hope this question isn't too vague.

Is the question do I SELL or have I SOLD? I used to post my shots on SmugMug, but didn't sell much. One good reason for having a site in the first place is to get paid shoots and sell photos. What is your reason? If you set up your site to sell then it is obvious your work is for sale.

Coolcameragirl Loc: Bradenton, FL

What size is your crop? 5x7, 8x10? Is there room enough in the photo to crop it to almost any size? Only you can answer that question. I have had people ask me if I sold my photos, and I have, just from exhibits, camera club, etc. I usually ask them what size they would like and can usually re-work the original in photoshop to give them what they want.

Good luck!

Leitz Loc: Solms

Interesting that no one has suggested telling the truth.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

The best thing you can do is ask the buyer what they want...

If they just want a print to hang on the wall, that's one thing. If they want to use your image on their website or for commercial purposes, that's another thing entirely. There are also stock photo sites that "troll" photo sharing sites like SmugMug looking for contributors.

If it's just a print, then I'd suggest you look what others are charging for similar size and type of image.

If they want to use it online or for commercial purposes, then you license the usage, you don't sell it outright or sell your copyright. Once again, there's a wide variety of costs depending upon the exact usage, length of usage or distribution, exclusivity, right of renewal and more. If being used for these purposes, in many cases if there are recognizable people and/or property in the image you also would need a signed model and/or property release.

If it's a stock photography company soliciting you, proceed very, very carefully. Some give you virtually nothing for your images and/or try to get you to give them exclusivity.

So, first thing you should do is contact the "client" and ask them what they are wanting to do. Then come back here with more details and maybe we can give you more and better guidance.

SharpShooter Loc: NorCal

M.A.Pathy wrote:

Hi from a newbie here. I'm an amateur photographer with a smug mug site. Somebody asked me if I sold my photographs, and what size I sell them in. I realize I must go into the smugmug to set that up, but could someone give me an idea of what I say, besides, "duh, I don't know" lol Hope this question isn't too vague.

Just say that to date you have NOT sold a pic but would love to sell them one, or not. Tell them what you would like to sell it for and if they say yes, them you've made a sale!
Everybody that sells starts somewhere. I've never used SM so have no idea what is needed to go through them or what % they take.
I certainly don't agree that the second you sell something it suddenly becomes a job and is no longer fun. Some people love their jobs and would almost do them for free!!
Anfoto has given you some good advice.
I guess the question is more, is it even worth it if it's the ONLY pic you will ever sell if you are going through SM. good luck. ;-)
SS

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

M.A.Pathy wrote:

Hi from a newbie here. I'm an amateur photographer with a smug mug site. Somebody asked me if I sold my photographs, and what size I sell them in. I realize I must go into the smugmug to set that up, but could someone give me an idea of what I say, besides, "duh, I don't know" lol Hope this question isn't too vague.

If you never have then the obvious answer to that question is "no"

joe west Loc: Taylor, Michigan

M.A.Pathy wrote:

Hi from a newbie here. I'm an amateur photographer with a smug mug site. Somebody asked me if I sold my photographs, and what size I sell them in. I realize I must go into the smugmug to set that up, but could someone give me an idea of what I say, besides, "duh, I don't know" lol Hope this question isn't too vague.

i dont sell photo's either, but if someone makes a offer on one, guess what it is gone...

bull drink water Loc: pontiac mi.

I just say " I haven't been that lucky yet".

Shutter Bugger

You have 2 options; lie or tell the truth.

If you have no integrity, your word is
not worth a dime and you want to be
a f@#k wit, do the former.

Imho if you are more than 12 years
old you should not need to ask that question.

JMB9250 Loc: Upminster, Essex, UK

'Shutter Bugger" - you should be deleted from this forum for giving an answer like that! Where is your common decency and respect for people asking an honest question?

Jcmarino

I would ask which one they are interested in and sell it to them. Doesn't matter if you ever sold one or not. I sell more general photos on Fine Art America than Smugmug but I sell all my portraits on Sugmug. When I first started out I sold (non portrait) 8x10 prints for $20.00 and if matted, $25.00 prices went up from there. These were sold at art shows, festivals and fairs and to anyone who wanted to buy a photo. I printed locally and matted the photos myself.

Shutter Bugger

JMB9250 wrote:

'Shutter Bugger" - you should be deleted from this forum for giving an answer like that! Where is your common decency and respect for people asking an honest question?

The honest question being; should I lie or should I tell the truth.

The OP should be a politician with plenty of sycophantic "advisors".