Ever sold a print?

[xerubus]

Has anyone here actually sold prints?

The reason I ask is that I've had a couple of people ask to buy a print of some shots, and I have no idea where to go from here.

If you have sold, can you share how you went about printing, prices you charged, what you would do differently, etc etc.

cheers and thanks in advance.

[Onyx]

No, but I would love to sell some prints! Xerubus, how did the potential buyers get interested in your work that they wanted to buy it? Was it off your newly created websites?

http://www.andrewmurdoch.net <- fellow OCAU'er Dinuc, he does it for a living. Just copy his pricelist and you shouldn't be too far off!

Edit: opps, silly me - that should be .net, not .com above... anyway, it's 404'ing on me so I dunno what's up with that.

[xerubus]

One of the shots is from my website/s... the other's were from one of my dad's workmates.. he saw a thumbnail i sent dad in the email and was very interested...

thanks for the link.. muchos gracious...

[BBJ]

Hi xerubus, i havent sold any pics like of landscapes but have sold some of my motorbike pics. Most i sell as files on a cd as 1 easier for me to sell that way no printing cost. i have osme printed only for those who wish to have them done, i have a deal with a camera procces shop here and they will print what ever at a cheaper price.

I have 1 team who races who buy all the pics i take of them and most have been with my film slr and they offered to pay me $5 for 6x4 prints.
Fow 1 weekend of motobike racing i made $300 for the weekend selling cds. I put it into buying memory, it all helps.
Would be nice to have you photo on a magazine though hey.
Cheers
John

[xerubus]

thanks for the reply bbj... just one question... when you put the image on a cd for these people, are you giving them full ownership of that shot? i.e. they can print it as many times as they want etc etc

[BBJ]

Yes i do in most cases as in people who want pics of just them on a cd i will let them have all rights if i sell 1 of an event with all sorts i mark them.
In some cases i will spend time on some and prepare for printing with borders and copyright.
Some of the motorbike shops in Adelaide buy some then i will mark all pics.
But i am doing this as a hobbie and not a bussines and i am friends with the pro who shoots all the major events and he charges like $40 for 1 file on a cd. I am still learning and i just put all the pics i have of that rider on cd.

[xerubus]

thanks for the heads up bbj... give me something to think about.

[Raydar]

Yes i do in most cases as in people who want pics of just them on a cd i will let them have all rights if i sell 1 of an event with all sorts i mark them.
In some cases i will spend time on some and prepare for printing with borders and copyright.
Some of the motorbike shops in Adelaide buy some then i will mark all pics.
But i am doing this as a hobbie and not a bussines and i am friends with the pro who shoots all the major events and he charges like $40 for 1 file on a cd. I am still learning and i just put all the pics i have of that rider on cd.

Cool mate

I have done this as well

I’ve sold poster print to some parents of young riders for $120 & they have never questioned the price.

I’ve also sold some of my weather pan stuff so the extra $ have gone a long way with my D70 lust collection.

One thing to think about when it comes to sport????
Printing on site!!!!!!!!

I’ve been toying with the idea for some time now-----I think it would work.


Cheers
Ray

[BBJ]

Even on my website as i post a lot of the pics on there and they go and look at them, i now watermark them, but most times they email me and ask for pics, in my case it is easier for me to handle cut out printing cost and so on, an A4 size picture if i have printed is around $20. i know that there is a lot more involved if you are selling print for magazine so on.
For me it is a few xtra bucks to help buy more gear or memory cards, cds, etc.
cheers
John

[Raydar]

Great stuff mate

As long as it pays for new D70 toys that’s all that counts

Cheers
Ray

[BBJ]

Hi Ray, yes mate that would be a good setup, i have taken, stole my brothers laptop and after race meeting in the clubrooms i dump ont o laptop and have on slide show and leave it going, surprising as to you end up with everyone hovering around the laptop looking at the pics. They email me and i made up some cards and leave there and people get intouch, but as i am involved with the club i am always there, at all the meetings and ride days and have free run of the track.
i am not a pro but i do sell pictures and i make do with the gear i have, i maybe just have to do a bit more work thats all. If they want pro pics they can go pay $40 a file.
Here is a list of prices that the pro charges.
13x18cm (5x7”) $ 12.00
13x19cm (5x7.5”) $ 12.00
15x20cm (6x8”) $ 15.00
20x30cm (8x12”) $ 30.00
25x38 cm (10x15”) $ 50.00
30x45cm (12x18”) $ 60.00
40x50cm (16x20”) $ 80.00
50x75cm (20x30”) $ 95.00
Anyhow i am happy with what i do and oneday i will get a better lens. LOL

[Raydar]

That’s it mate

I‘ve heard there a couple of blokes down Canberra way doing it with a poster printer on site.
There charging $130+ a hit!!!!!!! & can’t keep up with the demand.

The money is there just have to have the gear to do it. ATM I can do 6x4’s on site with a generator & laptop.

Cheers
Ray

[MattC]

Yes and No

How does that work?? If someone wants a print I will give it to them for the cost of printing. $5 for a 10x8, $1.50 for 6x4. Maybe there is a little for wear and tear on my printer. Considering that I have only printed three photos for myself in the last 18 months I think that is fair.

The photos which are published are done without me getting paid. I am talking about the local newspaper. They run on a shoestring so cannot pay for photos.

Cheers

Matt

[BBJ]

I guess prices can vary, with one bike team who gets all the pics i take they asked me how much for the pics i had taken with my Yashica 35 slr and as i had never sold any before said what do want to pay me and they said we will give you $5 for all my 6x4 pics of them. for cds i sell for $20, i think thats cheap enough. And like they say they cant race and take pics of themselves. It will depend on what you want to do, sell etc or be happy with and well they all seem to be happy with the service i give them as i still get orders for cds.
I take pics because i am trigger happy and enjoy trying different things, and learn on the way, it's all fun. oh and damn dear. lol
John

[gstark]

Ok ...

Bikes, racecars, rallies, etc ... entrants will be willing to pay for event images because (a) of their egos, and (b) if they have sponsorship, it provides a ROI to the sponsors.

Musos also have big egos - especially guitarists - and love images of themselves. I publish very low res images onto the web - printing them would be hopeless - but I'm happy to provide high res copies, usually just for the asking, and with the proviso that if they use the image for any purpose, appropriate credit be given.

[Raydar]

Parents well also pay what ever for a poster of there child doing what ever sport thing he/she is into.

Proud parents are money machines when it comes to action shots of there kids

Cheers
Ray

[xerubus]

Thanks everyone for the feedback... gives me a few options to consider..

[darb]

I had a work fucntion at a resort down south, took some photos of in and around the resort and emailed their management ... they asked how much, i suggested a spa suite by the pool for a weekend would be sufficient ... and off i went.

These were the pics I gave them ;

from : http://darb.net/agm-04












and these were teh pics from the free weekend : http://darb.net/abr-november

[dooda]

Wow, I really like the top three. The branches on that tree are so cool. I too visited a resort recently through work and took some reasonably good pics. I'll post them one day soon, maybe I'll email them and get some cash or a free stay..

[darb]

well I mean a "contra" deal really didnt csot them anything, or me anything ... so its all good, was a nice fun weekend

[Glen]

Darb, great idea. I feel like just taking shots of resorts and trying your idea

[JordanP]

If you have a registered business you could use the advantages of a third party (usually 20% commission) host who has all the image security and e-commerce attached. They also take the orders and organise the printing - all you do is take shots - up load them - price them - and pass the relevant web address onto potential buyers.

If that approach is of interest check out:

http://www.progalleries.com.au

Cheers,

[MHD]

hmmm... must look into that...
how much does it cost to register a business these days?

[JordanP]

'bout 130ish

[goodrich62]

I never thought any one would buy them. Then I found out that some of the ones I posted on smugmug were. They paid them for printing resized pictures and it was not just family
I walked into an office and there were pictures that I thought where mine of the Medicino Coast in Norther Califonia so I asked and was told he was pointed to the site by a friend, my cousin, he liked them and had sets made for his office did not know weather to be flatered or
I have no problem with smugmug it's a nice service they offer and family member can log in and if they see a vacation or other shot they like order a copy and it saves me the hassel of either having the shot printed or e-mailing the 3 to 6 meg original that they can print.
I don't sign or watermark my shots and will never be a pro but I also don't like the idea that I'm "something I got off the web" or even worse " do you like them there from my vacation in Medicino"

[sirhc55]

I suppose, in a convoluted way, that I have sold thousands of photographs. Every shot I take for clients whether it be wines for the majors or electronic components etc - I sell them.

They in turn are used in brochures, catalogues, web and posters etc.

Cheers

Chris

[MHD]

Rub it in why dont you

[xerubus]

I suppose, in a convoluted way, that I have sold thousands of photographs. Every shot I take for clients whether it be wines for the majors or electronic components etc - I sell them.

They in turn are used in brochures, catalogues, web and posters etc.

Cheers

Chris

Can i ask how much you usually charge on average?

[sirhc55]

Chris[/quote]

Can i ask how much you usually charge on average?[/quote]

No problem: Single shots of, say a wine bottle, is $30 +gst - these are shot here using studio lights and a redwing light tent.

On quantities I give a discount. On speciality shots (studio) anything up to $200 per shot.

Location - either quote up front or $400 day plus cost of each shot required.

Cheers

Chris

[xerubus]

thankyou.. much appreciated...

[Matt. K]

In the 1970's I exhibited in art galleries and sold a number of 10 x 8 inch black and white prints, (sepia toned), for $175 each. That was a lot of money for those times. These prints were framed and matted using archival acid free matt board. I got a great buzz out of the fact that people purchased my prints because they saw something of value in the imagery. The money was entirely a secondary reward. From this I learnt that you must believe in your own vision. If you love it...then others will also love it.

[Glen]

Matt, In the 70's I bought a car for $170, a Renault 10 to be exact, so $175 was a LOT of money

[Matt. K]

Glen
That's how much I payed for my Volvo in 2000. And I think I got ripped off.

[Glen]

Buy One Get One Free Sale?