nickims2 Loc: Mississippi currently

I know this has been addressed before but I didn't print it out. If you are selling matted photos on foamboard what do you usually charge for 5x7, 8x10, or 11x14 and larger? I'm talking about selling to people you know who you don't want to use to make a big profit. Just as a means to get your work seen - I may try the internet also, but I don't know the going price for things. Also, I have some framed (nice frames but not by a professional framer). Want to cover expenses and maybe make a little money. If anyone has any advice let me know.
Thanks!

twindad Loc: SW Michigan, frolicking in the snow.

What was your total cost per print. That includes all of it - the backing, the matting, and the print itself. How much time did you spend on each; and hour? Two?
Don't sell yourself short. If they're good, they're worth what you charge. If you give them away, metaphorically, you're telling people that even YOU don't think they're very good.

pigpen

nichims2

nickims2

Such a tough question, so many variables. Are you framing/matting yourself, or paying someone. Are your prints made at walmart/costcos with a coupon, or being done by a professional lab? Are the prints on regular kodak matte/glossy, or on Kodak Metallic or Fuji Pearl? Is it a shot of a city skyline during light up night and you drove 2 hours to spend 5 hours in 30 degree temps, or is it a squirrel from your back porch?

I know it sounds silly, but all things must be considered. Standard precut mattes and frames are much more inexspensive then custom made stuff. I, foolishly, do not think ahead while composing my shots. So a 8x10 or 11x14 will require me to crop and remove some of the photo, hence altering the composition. I print in multiples of 4x6, that is 4x6/8x12/12x18/16x24/20x30. I do not have to crop my image, but frames/mattes do not come pre-made in these sizes. If someone sees your image on line or via e-mail, and orders an 8x10, they will not get the exact same image they ordered. Unless you crop it for that size before you show them.

I just went through this over the summer, having my first show. You have to consider your client base, economic base, geographical base. Something that will sell for $400 in Manhattan, won't get that much in Toledo. (just an example, people from Toledo do not attack me).

I sold a 20x30 of PNC park to the women who let me do the show at her place for $250. I quoted the same shot to a local lawyer at $375. His response, "Is that all?" As far as my family goes, if they like something, I charge them cost. Sometimes they insist on a little more, but I won't allow much more. Also, just like anything else, if you sell it cheap, people will think it IS "cheap".

I find this kind of thing to more difficult than actually taking the photo.

Good Luck!!

Bruce with a Canon Loc: Islip

if you are proviiging pro quality service, youm should be charging pro equivelent rates ( or close ) too many folks are giving their work away and the prois complain the MWAC and OFWAC shooters are undercutting them. taking their business.

btw MWAC= Mom with a camera OFWAC old fart with a camera

I stay fairly close to prevailing rates anbd my photography pays for my gear and a toy or two now and again :)

nickims2 Loc: Mississippi currently

Pigpen....thanks for the response. I print all my own stuff presently, but occasionally if I have a really spectacular image I send it off. Since I print my own, I usually print the size I want - 8x10, etc. I am in the process of buying a large format printer so will be able to print larger, but for now, I print and buy the pre-cut mats and cut my own foamboard. I guess I will have to officially sell a few to "non-friends" to feel like I can charge big bucks, but, as you say, I don't want to sell myself short. I imagine that once I sell a few more I will want to send them off to a professional, but then it is necessary to charge a lot more. I tend to sell them matted on foamboard and ready to frame, letting the client chose his/her own frame. Just wanted a ball-park figure. I don't live in New York or Chicago (wish I did) so I don't expect to make a mint.

danberres

Don't get caught up in that trap!!! Everyone wants to be your friend so they can get your work CHEAP. You have to make money to pay for your time and investment. If you don't you will put your camera equipment away because your hobby is costing you too much miney. I have been there and I learned that I had to charge enough to make it worth my while. $27.00 for a 5x7 mounnted is cheap especially if touched up.

Gary Truchelut Loc: Coldspring, TX

I have found that I can print, mat and mount an 8X10 fairly inexpensively as I do all of it myself and have a lot of practice.
I sell my sleeved mounted and single matted prints for $26.00 at an art shop. The shop takes a percentage as well. I really don't make much doing this but my card and write up about me goes with the purchase and that's good advertising. I have sold some larger prints for 165.00 to 250.00 as well.

Fotog78155 Loc: Texas

I sell 13x19 prints on fine art paper unmounted and no matting for $135 ea... Don't sell you talents away... Set your price and stick with it

danberres

AMEN!!! Don't think because I'm new or whatever you can't charge. You hurt your self and all the other photographers around you too. I see many giving away cd's of the images FREE Nuts, in my opinion. What other store or resturant or car dealership gives their product away. Sorry, I try hard to give good value for my work and to see others give it away is hard for me

Mickey88 Loc: Central Florida

if you had a friend that was a surgeon, do you think they would give you a big friend's discount on surgery if you needed it ?

nickims2 Loc: Mississippi currently

Thanks for the comments...I agree that it would be a waste of time and money to charge too little for something you have a lot invested in. When you think of all the expenses leading up to making a good print (ant the time) one should not feel bad about charging what it is worth. I will just have to get a thick skin and get prepared for dirty looks from friends who expect a lot for nothing.

Fotog78155 Loc: Texas

One thing that I do & it works well.. I offer a Friends Discount of 25%. This is the same discount that I offer to repeat buyers, Non-Profit clients or to a decor agent

pigpen

Another thing to consider. A lot of business can come from other people who see your work hanging in their friend's/relative's/neighbor's house. If they want a copy, they are bound to ask "How much", so if you sell the first one cheap, you may get stuck selling them all cheap. If I give someone a discount, I ask them not to advertise that fact.

nyweb2001

Then again, you were the one who invested money in your gear, spent the time taking the pic, not to mention the time it takes to learn photography in the first place !

nickims2 Loc: Mississippi currently

Thanks for the replies....you are right - there is an awful lot of time and money that went into getting to this point!