Greenguy33 Loc: Rhode Island

Someone just asked me if I sell any of my photos.
What is involved? I mean, the framing, printing, etc...
How do you do all that and still make a profit?

Mr PC Loc: Austin, TX

Charge enough... All kidding aside, I've asked myself whether it would be worth trying a second career. Insurance for equipment, model releases, copyright issues, ungrateful people (I already have a computer repair business, not sure I need any more of the general public), etc. I'm afraid I would lose my love for photography if I made my passion my business. Think long and hard. Good luck!

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

Here we go again. :) You probably don't realize how broad your questions are and how little info you have provided.

Please read thru this thread then come back with specific questions, if any.
http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-319684-1.html

Greenguy33 Loc: Rhode Island

I don't want to start a photography business. I am just asking how to sell a few pictures. Some people try to read more into a question than there is.

TonyP Loc: New Zealand

G

I know just what you mean.
Heres what I accidentally found.
Find a subject or topic to photograph that you think is popular or could be popular.
Make a website. (Mine is really just for friends and relies to see what we are doing.)
Get a card printed that you can give to people (mine has just got my website address on it, no name, no other contact details).
Now, whenever I meet someone and I have my camera in hand and the subject turns to photography, I usually manage to give them my card, no pressure, I just say have a look if you want.

I've been doing this for about a year now and originally had 500 cards printed. I guess I'm down to about half left.
The website has had 14600 'page views' according to google stats and I've 'sold' (or given away at times) over 50 pics.
I sell a hi res JPEG, incl copyright for between $20-$50 and they do their own printing.
Most have been sold to either UK or US viewers, some who have never visited New Zealand. Most have become email 'friends' who have invited us to visit.

Takes time for it to build up, but for me it's a bonus not something I count on.
In the last 2-3?months I've had more enquiries than I had in the first 10 months or so.

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

Look at the costs plus something for your time (or not) multiply by 3.5 gives you a reasonable profit....that is what caterers use to work out meal prices.....But then they charge much less than most photographers. Caterers work on volume sales. I see pictures for sale from £45 on canvas and bad pastel pictures from £120..so just pick a number that feels right for you and don't give up on the day job

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

I would also add that if people come to you for your existing work Charge what you think its worth...if people want photo's taken then that is a whole different ball game

Michael Hartley Loc: Deer Capital of Georgia

Lots of people sell prints, and downloads, on Etsy.com. Seems to be a pretty good market for both buyers, and sellers.

dcampbell52 Loc: Clearwater Fl

Sold photos do not necessarily have to be framed... as for printing matting etc. all are between you and the client. If you have framing available, and what the clent wants, great. If not, then let the client purchase the frames somewhere else. You can offer matting, etc... I would NOT sell the raw file or the jpg.. I would ONLY sell a print ( there are of coarse exceptions to every rule... so never say never but if you sell the file, then you are leaving the client with the ability to make as many prints as they want.) Make sure that you charge enough to cover all of your costs including time and shipping... Remember that time spent post processing, taking images to printer, dealing with the client, emails back and forth are all chargable time.. Include them in your price.

Shoeless_Photographer Loc: Lexington

Fine Art America will do the matting and everything for you. You just upload the files and let everyone know your address.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Your third line is the big one. Easier said than done, especially when you consider your time.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

You dont.

Jcmarino

First what do they want? Just a print, a matted print, a framed print? Do you have something already produced and they want to buy it outright? If I'm selling prints, framed work or canvases, I use time plus materials and multiply by 3. Otherwise I will upload to Fine Art America and let them buy whatever they want.

mborn Loc: Massachusetts

If you only want to sell a few photos I would sell an unmatted photo and let the buyer mat and frame it themselves

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

I have a SmugMug professional account. The photos are posted there for the client to see. If they like one and want a print, or, a coffee mug with the image, it is available to them through SmugMug. I have done my part, putting the images up, SmugMug takes care of any sales. The customer views the images on SmugMug, selects images, selects the type, size, etc., pays directly to SmugMug. SmugMug then ships the prints directly to the customer. They take a small percentage of the sale and send me the proceeds. Easy-peasy! :thumbup: