where there’s smoke there’s forum fire
What do you charge for landscape prints? I have someone asking about a picture I took and I haven't ever sold a picture before. They were actually asking for me to send a high resolution copy so that they could make a print for themselves, but I don't really feel comfortable about even though I mostly trust and know the person.
A friend suggested printroom.com I also have a flickr account, but I don't know if there are any ordering options there or not that would work for me.
I've never sold my pictures either, but did get to look at a photographer's price list a couple of weeks ago, and my jaw dropped when looking at the prices. They were charging $40+ for a single 8x10. I have no idea really what would be reasonable though, maybe that is the norm. If that really is standard pricing though, I can see why so many people make a business out of it.
Obviously I don't want to undervalue the work, but on the other hand I don't want to scare people away. Obviously no one knows about my work other then friends and family members. I could see eventually raising prices if a print was popular or I became more well known. I am also not offering them in any gallery or anything right now. Really I am trying to build up a portfolio to have more pictures that someone would possibly want to purchase.
I was thinking along the lines of $20-$25 plus the cost of the print where ever they wanted it from. This is kind of a special case, but maybe after this I could setup something like the printroom.com store thing.
I am just looking for some advice for people that actually make money doing this.
I've sold a few, and I doubled the price of the print. So the last was a 36x24" print (big!) that my cost was about $55 each for from Mpix Pro and I sold 3 copies for $110 each. No one seemed to bat an eye, but they were really large, so I think that "sold" people.
Put it on canvas and you'll be amazed at how much people are willing to spend. I just sold 12x36 inch pano yesterday for $340 and a 24x36 inch landscape last week for $500. As a general rule I charge at least double what it cost me to make and frame/wrap the photograph.
I have sold 3 landscape shot this year 11x18 for $100 even with mount and frame. Prices listed here for 8x10 seem about right. Way to go SquamishPhoto you must have been happy! I've seen your work on this forum and I'm not surprised actually. Good stuff :)
Thanks, kanuck. Its that in-between season right now. Not summer, not quite ski season yet, so not many tourists at the coffee shops and bistros to see the local artistry. So, selling anything now is a plus for sure.
Thanks for the input. It would maybe be a little different if I had them in a gallery or something. It was kind of a random request and I wasn't even attempting to sell the picture...just happened to post it in the right place and someone liked it.
After this maybe I will setup something more along the lines of what everyone is saying.
You never know maybe bring a small portfolio to your local art store. I visited a paint gallery initially on Vancouver Island and ended doing some business with them, as they sold photography as well and had contacts to other galleries in the area. You really never know especially if your work is good.
I have also heard that canvas just looks amazing. I have yet to try it. I have seen a 8x10 go from $10 to the skies the limit. I think you just need to see what kind of market your prints would be in. Some say cheap price cheap photo. I have never agreed with that. When one is starting out sometimes it helps to get your name out there before charging to much. On the other hand you dont want to give away something you spent so much time and money to make. Good luck.
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