Jklovell Loc: Rock Hill, SC

I want advice on what to do here: I've been providing framed prints of my landscape photography to the hospital where I am employed as a nurse. I have done about 36 so far over the past 3 years. All have been the same size: 24"X36" black and white prints on Hahnemühle Photo Rag® Ultra Smooth 305 g matte paper, 4-ply white cotton rag mats, 3½" wide on the top and sides, 5" on the bottom, acid free Foam Cor backing, 1½" flat face black frames, 1⅜" deep, .118" non-glare acrylic glazing, a dust cover and security hardware. I charge $526 plus $20 to hang them. A week ago, they asked for some proofs to choose 3 from. I provided them (50) 9"X12" prints on metallic paper (to better represent the affect of glazing) to choose from. They came back with a request for bulk pricing for 8 with the above dimensions. Since they have been good to me, I took off $100 and the $26 for each of the 8. They agreed and I asked for them to tell me which ones they want. Two days later, (today) they are now asking for a price for just the 8 prints and they want to buy all of the 9X12" proofs. I don't like that. I priced my work on pretty much the high end of what multiple framing sites would charge for everything but the print. I never calculated the print's worth, but it sounds like they want to get them framed cheaper somewhere else. And as far as the proofs go, I have no idea what they want those for. I think I want to refuse to sell them the big prints unframed and if they want the proofs, I want to frame those too.
Any advice on how to handle this without affecting my reputation?

DWU2 Loc: Phoenix Arizona area

If you sell them the proofs, make sure they understand that you still hold the copyrights.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Do you want the sale or not? Figure out the print only price for both the large ones and the 9x12 proofs, and collect your payment. It even saves you the work of framing. They probably want the 9x12s to hang in offices where the big ones would be overkill. On the sales receipt, state that if they have someone else enlarge any of the proofs they owe you the difference in price from the 9x12 proof to the 24x36 and they have to have them labeled as your images, printed and framed by ***.
If they don't sign it, no sale. If they do sign it, you make some money for less work than usual. Hell, prepare a contract/form for them that if doctors etc. want to buy copies, they either send them to you to get them or they pay you your price for any they sell.
I have seen restaurants with works, ceramics, small sculptures, photos and paintings on display with artist's ID made plain & contact info for sales posted. The restaurant got a "finder's fee" from every sale.

Jklovell Loc: Rock Hill, SC

Thank you.

Real Nikon Lover Loc: Simi Valley, CA

Every professional photographer I have used had "PROOF" embedded on the photo when released to me. If I wanted a good copy I had to pay the set price. Your reputation will only be damaged if you go back on the deal. You should re-clarify your terms with the representative who is buying them.

Jklovell Loc: Rock Hill, SC

I probably should not have used the term "proof" in the traditional sense. I should have said "portfolio". I've provided fully edited prints for their selection process and did so for obvious reasons. I even used premium paper, not traditional proofing paper. As far as having "PROOF" written across the front, I feel like that would be a waste of paper, and I trust them. And, unless I was shooting JPEG's or HEIF's, editing a RAW image to less than it's potential, I wouldn't know where to stop. As far as going back on the deal, I had agreed to lower my price and their response was "Great!" And then proceeded to ask if I could split the bill over a few months. I even agreed to that. How far do I need to carry this out? I probably should have included with my "portfolio", some "terms". I will from now on. I appreciate your advice.

rcorne001 Loc: Cary, NC

What if you agree to splitting the bill with delivery upon "paid in full". Would that be something you could handle?

BebuLamar

I think the prints should worth more than the frames so I think you should sell the prints only if that what they want.

Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

It sounds like you are offering a top-quality product. Have you explained to the buyer how an investment in archival prints and matting will hold its value for many years to come? Tell him you could use lower-grade papers and matting but in 10 years the prints could fade and the mats turn yellow around the edges. Explain that your reputation as a photographer would be diminished if the prints didn't hold up so you would prefer to continue providing the products you are currently selling. As for selling the portfolio prints I can't offer much advice. It may be some of the staff want a smaller print to put in their office rather than exhibit in a public area. You might ask them how they intend to use the smaller prints. This would be a reasonable request for an unframed print since they may want to match frames already in use in their office.

mikeroetex Loc: Lafayette, LA

.
You selling pictures or frames?

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

I learned a long time ago not to to photography work where I worked. It never ends nicely.

yvesfeder Loc: Bath, ME

Yes - the proofs are your intellectual property. You may choose to retain them, but if you release them, they should be worth a healthy amount - certainly more than the prints.........!
Good luck.......

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

As a photographer, you should be prepared to sell "prints only" and you deserve a fair price for that; you should make a nice profit. Personally, although I do sell framed prints, I find I make more $$ by just selling the prints. Although I am capable of doing the framing myself, I find I make a MUCH larger profit on the image than the framing job, and I save an incredible amount time as well. Don't be afraid to charge $ 100, or more, for each print. Best of luck.

sippyjug104 Loc: Missouri

One of the many hats that I wore in the business was sales training and I reminded all of the trainees that we are ALL customers and those we want to sell to are no different than us.

People buy for THEIR reasons, not yours. It is also a buyer's market and unless you have an exclusive product, the buyer will always have other choices. Perhaps think about this: A picture of a landscape is far different than that of a staged setting. Why...? Because you do not own or have any claim to the scenery, which many times may be public areas. Did you get a release from the owner of the property you photographed to sell the image of their property for your financial gain? I suspect not.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

You've already lowered your price to chase this sale. That's now your 'reputation' with this customer. Either you agree to this new condition where they continue to bargain you down. Or, you take the change in terms as a chance to change your terms as well. Other have given other considerations. You might consider if this is the final sale with this client and treat your response to their requested update as to whether this is 'no sale', or the likely 'final' transaction with them, to get what you can.