Charge for a 16x20 matted print: I've been asked to buy one of my pictures that I took with my smart phone the other day while I was entering my office bldg. As I don't carry my D5300...

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Charge for a 16x20 matted print

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Jul 12, 2019 15:36:12 #

jayw Loc: Contoocook, NH

I've been asked to buy one of my pictures that I took with my smart phone the other day while I was entering my office bldg. As I don't carry my D5300 every day to work, this is all that I had. It actually came out rather decent.

Back to my original question - I do my own printing on a Canon Pro 100 using, in this case, Canon Pro Luster 13x19 paper. I figured my cost of paper, ink & matting (I used the cost for a pre-cut 16x20 white mat @ Michael's but I'll do my own cutting) to be $11.09. I'm thinking of selling it for $25.00.

No added labor in my costs as it took me all of 5 minutes to compose and expose, no post-processing (SOOC) and maybe 20 minutes to cut the mat and mount the picture. If I were to charge labor, what rate is acceptable for an advanced amateur? $25.00/hr? More, less or good as is?

Think $25.00 is a fair price for a co-worker?

Thanks

Jul 12, 2019 15:47:55 #

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

I would not work for less than$50/hr. For a friend, cost

Jul 12, 2019 15:49:26 #

alx Loc: NJ

Since this wasn't an "assignment", labor costs aren't the issue here in my opinion. You should price based on the artistic value of the photograph since that I what you are really selling.

The co-worker/friend aspect is a whole other factor that only you can determine based on the circumstances of the relationship that only you can decide.

Jul 12, 2019 15:51:18 #

alliebess Loc: suburban Philadelphia

I don't know if this applies to photographs, but I was told the rule for pricing handicrafts was to charge three times the cost of the materials.

Jul 12, 2019 16:03:57 #

jayw Loc: Contoocook, NH

alliebess wrote:

I don't know if this applies to photographs, but I was told the rule for pricing handicrafts was to charge three times the cost of the materials.

This is close to what I was thinking.

Thanks

Jul 12, 2019 16:05:17 #

jayw Loc: Contoocook, NH

Thanks for the info.

Jul 12, 2019 16:28:36 #

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

alliebess wrote:

I don't know if this applies to photographs, but I was told the rule for pricing handicrafts was to charge three times the cost of the materials.

Jeez, I hope not. An 8x10 costs me less than $4. It sells for $85. At $12, I'd go out of business in no time. Art/crafts has zip to do with cost of materials and everything to do with how good it is and how much people will pay. I am thinking of going to $99 for that 8x10.

Now, for a friend I would certainly do it for less, but the 3X markup as a guide is close to paying the customer for buying from you.

Jul 12, 2019 16:50:27 #

jayw Loc: Contoocook, NH

Curious, is this your prime source of income? If it is and you do assignments, I understand your pricing. Selling photos isn't a main source of income for me.

But, thanks for you thoughts.

Jul 12, 2019 17:12:05 #

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

jayw wrote:

Curious, is this your prime source of income? If it is and you do assignments, I understand your pricing. Selling photos isn't a main source of income for me.

But, thanks for you thoughts.

Yes, for me it is a business and I did not mean to suggest that my $4 cost I sell for $85 is what you should do. Just meant that a 3x markup has nothing to do with reality.

Jul 12, 2019 18:20:21 #

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

CaptainC wrote:

Yes, for me it is a business and I did not mean to suggest that my $4 cost I sell for $85 is what you should do. Just meant that a 3x markup has nothing to do with reality.

Agreed

Jul 12, 2019 18:26:23 #

bobmcculloch Loc: NYC, NY

Hmm, off the top of my head, "Cost of Goods Sold" should include, cost of materials, depreciation of equipment, overhead like rent & taxes, and labor. Even at $60 per hour, labor adds up fast, add in all the benefits that a business has to give you, Now you get to add your profit margin. Just because you got the shot on another trip does not remove the costs from the calculation.

Jul 12, 2019 20:21:20 #

jayw Loc: Contoocook, NH

CaptainC wrote:

Yes, for me it is a business and I did not mean to suggest that my $4 cost I sell for $85 is what you should do. Just meant that a 3x markup has nothing to do with reality.

I completely understand and was not offended. Having once owned a small business, I'm very much aware of the "art" of pricing.

For future consideration, if 3X cost is not reality, what would you suggest given this is a hobby?

Jul 12, 2019 20:48:41 #

boberic Loc: Quiet Corner, Connecticut. Ex long Islander

there are co-workers and there are friends. Since you said that this is a hobby rather than a business, if the 'customer" is a good friend I would give it to him at my cost. If the co-worker is not a friend 1/2 the commercial price seems reasonable- something like 40 to 50 $ seems reasonable. In fact he is paying for your expertise, not materials. Purely my opinion.

Jul 12, 2019 20:50:43 #

jayw Loc: Contoocook, NH

boberic wrote:

Thanks for your input.

Jul 12, 2019 22:53:21 #

JD750 Loc: SoCal

jayw wrote:

I've been asked to buy one of my pictures that I t... (show quote)

I think if you think it is fair then that is all that matters.

Personally, since photography is a hobby for me, I don’t charge friends who ask for copies of my work. I am flattered if my friends like one of my shots so I give them a print as a gift.

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