Pricing Prints

[Pherdinand]

You said 1cm white border, so i assume you were consistent and ment 16x20 cm prints and not 16x20 inches. That way the comment about them being oversized is not valid.
But i might be wrong.

You should figure out what is the intent of the image and why someone should but it and sell prints accordingly.

 

[Jake Mongey]

You said 1cm white border, so i assume you were consistent and ment 16x20 cm prints and not 16x20 inches. That way the comment about them being oversized is not valid.
But i might be wrong.

You should figure out what is the intent of the image and why someone should but it and sell prints accordingly.

No it is in inches. Interesting way to think of it, i guess im trying to do that here but tomorrow when I go to reprint ill think of it.

 

[Huss]

Personally this is my favorite of your pics in the thread so far

Gotta agree. This one is very nice and clean.

Also Jake - I had a look at your website and those portraits with the crosses in the eyes are very cool. You should work on selling stuff like that .

 

[dmr]

I have decided to sell some of my work on the classifieds to fund a lens.

I assume you mean the classifieds here, correct?

If so, is the audience here going to be receptive? I would think that most members here are more into printing/displaying their own work than buying the works of others.

It's been YEARS since I bought a print (a Ruth Orkin) and I have bought some coffee table type books off and on, and I assume most of the members here are not prolific buyers of prints.

I might suggest looking into things like local art fairs and such.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Jake, you're only 16, you are still learning how to make good prints, you have no exhibition or publication record. Selling your work just plain isn't going to happen.

Its hard for people with art school or university degrees in photography, decades of accumulated technical skill, and long lists of gallery and museum exhibits to sell work in today's economy, and you'll be competing with real professionals like them.

When I was your age, my concern was improving my work. I was a talented kid, but my prints from when I was in high school sucked compared to what I do now. It took YEARS of constant, daily practice to get to where my work was good enough to sell.

 

[FujiLove]

Jake, you're only 16, you are still learning how to make good prints, you have no exhibition or publication record. Selling your work just plain isn't going to happen.

Its hard for people with art school or university degrees in photography, decades of accumulated technical skill, and long lists of gallery and museum exhibits to sell work in today's economy, and you'll be competing with real professionals like them.

When I was your age, my concern was improving my work. I was a talented kid, but my prints from when I was in high school sucked compared to what I do now. It took YEARS of constant, daily practice to get to where my work was good enough to sell.

Basically, what Chris said.

BUT...also screw what everyone says and just try. The worst that will happen is you won't sell a single print. However, you'll almost certainly become a better printer, get a better understanding of business and marketing and have your work seen by a much wider audience. You'll probably also develop a thicker skin, which is not such a bad thing in this world, and something I wish I had had at your age.

Back to the practicalities of selling prints to raise money for a lens...if I were in your shoes I'd be telling my story to friends, family, parents of friends, teachers etc. showing them my work and explaining why I needed more equipment and materials. People are much more willing to buy artwork from people who they have a personal connection with, even if that connection is nothing more than having a short face-to-face chat.

Also think about mounting and framing the prints. People are lazy and may be much happier buying something they can hang straight on the wall, rather than messing about spending time and money having framed. A good frame can add a huge amount of perceived value. It's also another skill that will serve you well.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.