Selling pictures online

Klyphton

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As some of you might be aware, I have a PBase gallery devoted to NYC's Tribute In Light (www.pbase.com/klyphton/tribute). Here is the problem. Almost daily, I get e-mails from all over from people asking me to sell them an 8 x 10 photo. I don't have any efficent way of doing this. Is there some site where I can just upload the images, and let people order the images they want. I really do not want to get involved with shipping, collecting money etc.

Also, on a moral note, would it repulsive to make a profit off such images or would it be better to just sell them at cost.--Clifton
http://www.pbase.com/klyphton
 
The worker is worthy of his hire. Your photos are beautiful , and there's no reason why your time and effort and emotional energy shouldn't be included in the price of an image.

If you choose to contribute some portion of the price beyond the cost to some relief fund because of some moral concern you have, that's your business. But there is nothing immoral about making sure that you can continue to take and make available such photos in the future... and that's what "profit" is all about.

-- jgr
As some of you might be aware, I have a PBase gallery devoted to
NYC's Tribute In Light (www.pbase.com/klyphton/tribute). Here is
the problem. Almost daily, I get e-mails from all over from people
asking me to sell them an 8 x 10 photo. I don't have any efficent
way of doing this. Is there some site where I can just upload the
images, and let people order the images they want. I really do not
want to get involved with shipping, collecting money etc.

Also, on a moral note, would it repulsive to make a profit off such
images or would it be better to just sell them at cost.
--
Clifton
http://www.pbase.com/klyphton
 
Also, on a moral note, would it repulsive to make a profit off such
images or would it be better to just sell them at cost.
The ppl who sent you the email requests want to buy them.

Determine the total costs of printing, package costs, and postage, then (IF you live in the USA) add $1 for shipping and handling. $1.50 if you figure it doesn't quite cover the per-print costs in terms of time and energy...

Personally, why not make a few bucks per order, as long as the prices are reasonable to the buyers and you? An individual 8x10 alone costs $10+ CAD at Black's digital photo shops, not includ. taxes.--Underbid the competitors and then, after the customer is committed, say, 'Oops, you really need to buy more stuff to make this work. Did I forget to mention that?' -- Scott Adams =[ The Dilbert Future ]=Goto http://www.printerboyweb.net/G2 for my own little gallery. =)
 
Keep the money, you deserve it. Art is art no matter how tragic the subject is. CNN photographers didn't cover the event for free and so should you.
 
I'd suggest a site like dotphoto that lets you put your images up for people to buy copies. You can set the price that they have to pay. I'd suggest going for cost price (remembering that cost includes your time to take and post process the image, any costs associated with uploading to dotPhoto, network, computer resources etc.

If you want to make some money from it, work out what your costs are and double or triple the number. What you charge is up to you. dotPhoto gives resonably good quality prints, and after you've uploaded the image they do the rest.

I haven't tried this though - so make your own evaluation.

Gordon
 
I recently had a go at action shots with my G2 of a national motocross round and to my surprise came home with some good shots.

I posted a link to my pbase gallery of them at a motocross web site and have received similar requests as well as a national mx clothing sponsor wanting to use a photo I have of their rider on their web site.

The offer was that they would display the photo with a credit for it and a link to my pbase gallery.

Do I say ok, but offer the full file size to them for their own use at a nominal sum.
Advice is appreciated
John here they are http://www.pbase.com/jonlg/mx--~
 
Opps, I just accidently deleted a ton of stuff on my server---quite a few that I hadn't saved since getting my computer repaired and have lost forever. Ouch--anyway, the example I wanted to give is back up there.
You might want to make something that will look good in the living
room or den. I took the liberty of altering my favorite of yours
(watermaark noted) to show you what I mean:
http://www.iapdatacom.net/members/catman/newyork.htm
 
Clifton,

Try Ofoto.com. You can set up a free account, e-mail the pictures a link to others who then can order from ofoto.com themselves. Plus, as you do this ofoto gives you discounts.

I have found this website wonderful!

Deb
As some of you might be aware, I have a PBase gallery devoted to
NYC's Tribute In Light (www.pbase.com/klyphton/tribute). Here is
the problem. Almost daily, I get e-mails from all over from people
asking me to sell them an 8 x 10 photo. I don't have any efficent
way of doing this. Is there some site where I can just upload the
images, and let people order the images they want. I really do not
want to get involved with shipping, collecting money etc.

Also, on a moral note, would it repulsive to make a profit off such
images or would it be better to just sell them at cost.
--
Clifton
http://www.pbase.com/klyphton
 
The worker is worthy of his hire. Your photos are beautiful , and
there's no reason why your time and effort and emotional energy
shouldn't be included in the price of an image.

If you choose to contribute some portion of the price beyond the
cost to some relief fund because of some moral concern you have,
that's your business. But there is nothing immoral about making
sure that you can continue to take and make available such photos
in the future... and that's what "profit" is all about.
Cliffton,

I would agree with JG. Charge a fair price for comparable pictures, which by the way, are great. This should cover all your costs, and include a reasonable profit, in general what the market will bare. I would the add a specified amount amount that you will contribute to a NYC relief fund of your choosing, which would be matched by you from your profit.

If you do this, I would guess you will get few complaints ( probably never none), and you will contribute to a good cause. In addition, you will feel good.

Good luck.
--Jim
 
I just want to jump in with my opinion that it would NOT be "repulsive" (your word, not mine) for you to profit from your photography. It wouldnt be out of line at all. You are worthy of compensation for your work. I thought that the first time I visited your PBase gallery. Photographers have profited for years off of their interpretation of tragic events. This is no different, other than it being so close to home for so many of us.

You will let us know what you decide, correct?

Paige
(Who is standing in line with credit card ready!)
As some of you might be aware, I have a PBase gallery devoted to
NYC's Tribute In Light (www.pbase.com/klyphton/tribute). Here is
the problem. Almost daily, I get e-mails from all over from people
asking me to sell them an 8 x 10 photo. I don't have any efficent
way of doing this. Is there some site where I can just upload the
images, and let people order the images they want. I really do not
want to get involved with shipping, collecting money etc.

Also, on a moral note, would it repulsive to make a profit off such
images or would it be better to just sell them at cost.
--
Clifton
http://www.pbase.com/klyphton
 
This looks exactly like what I am looking for. I would very much like to give these people the pictures they request, but I don't want to start a cottage industry (i just don't have the time).

Thanks Gordon, I will give it a good once over and let you know what I decided.
I'd suggest a site like dotphoto that lets you put your images up
for people to buy copies. You can set the price that they have to
pay. I'd suggest going for cost price (remembering that cost
includes your time to take and post process the image, any costs
associated with uploading to dotPhoto, network, computer resources
etc.

If you want to make some money from it, work out what your costs
are and double or triple the number. What you charge is up to you.
dotPhoto gives resonably good quality prints, and after you've
uploaded the image they do the rest.

I haven't tried this though - so make your own evaluation.

Gordon
--Cliftonwww.pbase.com/klyphton
 
Clifton,

Try Ofoto.com. You can set up a free account, e-mail the pictures a
link to others who then can order from ofoto.com themselves. Plus,
as you do this ofoto gives you discounts.
Ofoto is also good, I typically use them for prints I'm getting for myself.

Some other sites are more geared to helping photographers sell their work at a profit, rather than just the printing costs though.

If you just want to let people pay the price of the print, ofoto is a great option. dotPhoto I think give you the option of setting your own price. A few other sites (I think printaccess.com) also let you set your own prices.

Depends what you decide you need. I liked ofoto's quality over dotPhoto

but I've seen so many mixed reviews of all of these sites that I think they are all equally good or bad.

Gordon
 
Thanks Jan, this is very helpful.
Hi Klyphton,

Before you go and start selling pictures ... first have a look at
this site:

http://www.editorialphoto.com/

Maybe it's a bit more towards 'pro' photographers, but you should
protect
your work before it's too late.

p.s. Don't worry about asking money for your pictures, they are great.

Jan

--
My pictures -
http://users.pandora.be/jancastermans/gallery/dirindex.html
Your Pictures - http://users.pandora.be/jancastermans/g2galleries.html
--Cliftonwww.pbase.com/klyphton
 

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