Rongnongno Loc: FL

While many here use only the web to display their work most photographers for one reason or another other are shy when it comes to printing. 11x14 seems to be a ceiling...

GO BIG!!!

I mean go above 20 inches as size for your print and mount it on canvas or whatever but not 'just a print'. This will really show the quality of your work and if you are in business will likely increase your sales. Oh and select gallery/fine art quality, not regular printing.

Yes, it is expensive, sometime really onerous but if you sell your work as fine art in fairs or for spot contract (portraits, wedding, others...) do not hesitate to print at least one image to a full, almost overwhelming size. The margin on these prints is about 200 to 500% not more... IF you know how to sell*. Note: in fairs? 300% minimal, no negotiation.


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* On those you never give a price at first and certainly do not list it.
- Print the image
- Loan it to the client. Yes, loan it for a month or so, no shorter and no longer.
- Friends and family will have the time to see the print. They will comment on it and place pressure on the client to keep it.
- More often than not the client will want to keep it. It is then that you announce the price and that your observations on the client being able to afford it enters the process. The price has to be high enough that they wince but low enough that they cannot afford it. I had a couple of clients say 'no, too expensive' then come back to get it. (Peer pressure at work).
- I noted at the time that every print after that were noticeably bigger when ordered by the family. I usually waited before taking family/friends orders. Once I had the same print reprinted three additional times (I got lucky, the bride's parents were divorced).

Rongnongno Loc: FL

By the way, this is the best reason you can have to select a high resolution camera and avoid cropping.

Note that if you post process anything as correcting flaws, make sure it is seamless and totally invisible. Every fault in that aspect will be noticed.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I'm going to start shopping for large printers right now! : )

Then I'll have to try to take a picture that's worth enlarging that much. : )

SuperflyTNT Loc: Manassas VA

I’m not gonna “borrow” a print I don’t know the price of.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Samples:

1) Top - Spider 30x30, personal, will be transferred in a café later on and replaced.
2) Bottom left - Kimberly 1989, sold 2 to the parents B&G
3) Bottom right - I cannot remember her name 1989, Sold 1 to her mother.

 

(Download)

SonyBug

It would give me the heebeejeebee's to have that spider on my wall, not to mention the nightmares of spiders.

tcthome Loc: NJ

My sister would have nightmares!

tcthome Loc: NJ

Nice work. On the bottom right photo , about eye level to the left. I notice some kind of mark on it. Is this suppose to be in the photo?

Chan Garrett

One important guideline I learned in my days of family portrait and weddings was, "You can't sell what you don't show." If all you want to sell are 4x5, 5x7, and 8x10, then that is all you display in your studio. If you wish to sell larger (16x20, 20x30, etc.) well framed canvas images, spend the money to fill your display area with those. Watch your sales of those sizes and frames increase.
I also adopted the philosophy that I was not in the business of selling paper, but images. Therefore don't undervalue smaller prints based on the fact that they used less paper. It is the image you are selling, so charge a price based on value. Once you consider your cost (include value for your training and equipment) it does not cost you that much less to produce a 4x5 print than it does to produce an 8x10 or larger print.

rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

My prints are generally 12x18 or 16x20. The matte borders vary between 2 and 4 inches. The printing and framing are done professionally for me.
--Bob

Rongnongno Loc: FL

These prints are 30+years old. They have been traveling with us all the time, so they are 'survivors'. What you see on the lover right is the print become loose from its support.

There are also a couple of tears. Not something I can use as display but on the web? They will do, especially in a forum just to show what the size is like against normal furniture and wall.

I just noticed water damage on Holly's...

Those are print pressed on canvas and made by a lab in Detroit, MI. Last time I went there the lab is... Well flat, another industrial area near Schoolcraft that bit the ground in every possible ways.

redlegfrog

Pretty shrewed, I like it!

Rongnongno Loc: FL

By the way, The bride's name was Holly. I think I could drive to her parent's place still. I just saw the wooden winding road in my mind in Chantilly.

Brucej67 Loc: Cary, NC

Printing is not my strong suite and I could use some education on printing larger than 11X7.5. I have tried printing 13X19 without success. My printer is a Canon Pixma PRO-100.

User ID

True. You will not.

Meh ....