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How many of you have sold photos and ..............................

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Mark J

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I'm curious to see just how many of you have actually sold some / any of your photos to the public ? To a gallery, etc ?

What size prints are you selling ? 8 x 10 ? etc.

What advice would you give to those who have not yet or are contemplating selling their photos to the publlic or elsewhere ?

I got into a debate with someone over the acceptance of "digital photos" ... the other person claiming nobody will accept a digital photo in it's present state of print quality ? Especially they say.... a gallery. They say a digital photo would never get past the gallery manager's desk.

Thank you for your replies..... maybe we can all learn a few things from this thread ??

Have a nice day,
Mark J.
 
I've sold digital images to newspapers, but not to books (yet). Seen them printed up FULL PAGE. That was unexpected and very cool.

I've sold to individual customers anywhere from 3.5x5 to 8x10.
Mark J said:
What advice would you give to those who have not yet or are
contemplating selling their photos to the publlic or elsewhere ?
Click to expand...
Advice? Make sure it's a good shot. People don't pay for bad shots. No, let me correct that. They do pay for bad shots. They pay MORE for good shots. Keep practicing your craft.
Mark J said:
I got into a debate with someone over the acceptance of "digital
photos" ... the other person claiming nobody will accept a digital
photo in it's present state of print quality ? Especially they
say.... a gallery. They say a digital photo would never get past
the gallery manager's desk.
Click to expand...
This "other person" is grossly mistaken. Look at the digitally photographed prints that are winning photo contests. Just print some out yourself, and show them to friends. They will tell you about the quality of the shots. Again, make sure they are good shots worth showing off.

--

Ulysses
 
And how much can one snatch up for a photo sale to a newspaper ???

I've always wondered whtat they'd be willing to pay. I know that news firms pay for videos. Just curious and, thank you for participating in this thread Ulysses!

Regards,
Mark J
Ulysses said:
I've sold to individual customers anywhere from 3.5x5 to 8x10.
Mark J said:
What advice would you give to those who have not yet or are
contemplating selling their photos to the publlic or elsewhere ?
Click to expand...
Advice? Make sure it's a good shot. People don't pay for bad shots.
No, let me correct that. They do pay for bad shots. They pay MORE
for good shots. Keep practicing your craft.
Member said:
I got into a debate with someone over the acceptance of "digital
photos" ... the other person claiming nobody will accept a digital
photo in it's present state of print quality ? Especially they
say.... a gallery. They say a digital photo would never get past
the gallery manager's desk.
Click to expand...
This "other person" is grossly mistaken. Look at the digitally
photographed prints that are winning photo contests. Just print
some out yourself, and show them to friends. They will tell you
about the quality of the shots. Again, make sure they are good
shots worth showing off.

--

Ulysses
Click to expand...
 
Shay... how much did you sell those prints for ? Framed / unframed ?

I am just curious and, did anyone actually pose the question to you about if it was a digital or SLR photo ??
Shay Stephens said:
I have sold 8x10's and 5x7's to the public, and digital images for
publication in books. I have not tried submitting to a gallery.

--
Shay

My Sony F707 Gallery: http://www.shaystephens.com/portfolio.asp



I miss my camera
Click to expand...
 
I shoot commissioned work, mostly architectural, but have also sold some photography at a small local gallery. I sold 8x10 prints in simple clip frame ranging form $40-$80 per print. To add some sence of importance to them I numbered and signed them (as a series of 50). I would only print as I needed them, and kept track of the numbers. Of coruse only number them if your going to be honest about it, I have not sold or given away more than 10-15 of any of the prints. I do a lot of panoramic work, so I set a higher price on those because of all the extra work that goes into them. I did not sell a lot, but my main goal was to show the work as I had just started my own visual media company and this was good networking and publicity.

I see more and more restaurants and coffee shops displaying artwork for sale, If you see a place like this might be worth talking to the manager, I am not sure but would expect typical arrangement would be that you let them display the work so they save on artwork costs and get to showcase local art and also have changing display, and then all the proceeds from sales would go to you, or at least most of it.

As I have more time to travel I'm building up a large collection of photographs, and I have been considering looking at stock photography companies as a means to sell photos, something like Getty Images (see below). Does anyone have any comments or suggestions about Getty or other stock photography agencies. I'd be interested in hearing what experiences people have had.
--
David Goldwasser
http://www.inertia-llc.com
 
I have sold about 13 total. The first time, I was invited by the head of the gallery at the local Univ., after he saw my photos, to participate in the alumni artists showing in conjunction with homecoming. I only took 8 photos, from 6 x 6, 5 x 7, to 8 x 10 -- all were cropped so not exact sizes, in 3" white mattes. I sold 6 for about $84. Priced to sell! and my first time so priced them too cheap. Then I did a showing with our artists group at a local Arts Center before Xmas and sold two, and then I showed my photos in the local library in May and June and sold 5 for $86 total but I made good prices to the librarians! Most were new prints, the patrons wanted different sizes than what I had matted, and to them I just sold unmatted prints so they could matte and frame them. I managed to crop to standard sizes on all of them. So I am pleased with what I have done so far, in 18 mos.! Most of the ones I sold were buZZed, flowers and landscapes. (Segmentis buZZ Pro filter http://www.fo2pix.com/ ). I printed them on my Epson 1270.

I currently have an Oly 2100 but am probably going to get a 717 unless something better comes along soon. Then I can sell better 8 x 10's and 11 x 14's.

Judy Howle
Digital Photography
http://www.cableone.net/howle/page/digital_photography.htm
Mark J said:
I'm curious to see just how many of you have actually sold some /
any of your photos to the public ? To a gallery, etc ?

What size prints are you selling ? 8 x 10 ? etc.

What advice would you give to those who have not yet or are
contemplating selling their photos to the publlic or elsewhere ?

I got into a debate with someone over the acceptance of "digital
photos" ... the other person claiming nobody will accept a digital
photo in it's present state of print quality ? Especially they
say.... a gallery. They say a digital photo would never get past
the gallery manager's desk.

Thank you for your replies..... maybe we can all learn a few
things from this thread ??

Have a nice day,
Mark J.
Click to expand...
--
Judy Howle
Digital Photography
http://www.cableone.net/howle/page/digital_photography.htm
 
Here's my question...

How does your work get noticed? For example Shay, how were your images for the books noticed by the publishers?

Thanks

-Shawn
Shawn said:
How does your work get noticed? For example Shay, how were your
images for the books noticed by the publishers?

Thanks

-Shawn
Shay Stephens said:
I have sold 8x10's and 5x7's to the public, and digital images for
publication in books. I have not tried submitting to a gallery.

--
Shay

My Sony F707 Gallery: http://www.shaystephens.com/portfolio.asp



I miss my camera
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
Here's a traveling digital photography gallery that some of online friends are a part of: http://www.dpinternationale.com/index2.htm I think the photos were 16x20 and bigger.

Lisa

P.S. I sold one 8x10 photo in a $6 frame for $50 at a local photography show. Only four out of about two hundred entries were sold. Mine were on the low end of price, part of the reason was because I framed it so cheaply. Most were asking $200 or more in matted frames.
Mark J said:
I'm curious to see just how many of you have actually sold some /
any of your photos to the public ? To a gallery, etc ?

What size prints are you selling ? 8 x 10 ? etc.

What advice would you give to those who have not yet or are
contemplating selling their photos to the publlic or elsewhere ?

I got into a debate with someone over the acceptance of "digital
photos" ... the other person claiming nobody will accept a digital
photo in it's present state of print quality ? Especially they
say.... a gallery. They say a digital photo would never get past
the gallery manager's desk.

Thank you for your replies..... maybe we can all learn a few
things from this thread ??

Have a nice day,
Mark J.
Click to expand...
--
My gallery: http://silvercharm.digitalphotochat.com/gallery
POTDs at DPC: http://www.digitalphotocontest.com/profile.asp?pid=11986
 
Idem as Shay ...
Shay Stephens said:
I have sold 8x10's and 5x7's to the public, and digital images for
publication in books. I have not tried submitting to a gallery.

--
Shay

My Sony F707 Gallery: http://www.shaystephens.com/portfolio.asp



I miss my camera
Click to expand...
--
If you don't snap it, nobody will snap it for you ...
Kafrifelle (Yves P.) Owner of DSC-F707,
No BFS, No hassle but strong vignetting on left
VCL-MHG07A, HVL-F1000 and some close up lenses ...
http://www.pbase.com/kafrifelle
 
Mark,

I have my prints on consignment in a local craft mall. I have sold 5x7, 8x10, and 11x14. I hang matted prints and have discovered that in my market price does matter. I price my prints at $9.95, $19.95, and $39.95 and they all sell. I feel, and TV backs me up, that you can sell almost anything for $19.95.

I would like to sell framed prints but the investment cost is prohibitive for me.
Dale
Mark J said:
I'm curious to see just how many of you have actually sold some /
any of your photos to the public ? To a gallery, etc ?
Click to expand...
 
Mark,

In past five years, I have sold over 3000 pictures. However, I do not sell for personal gain. I am an official photographer for a local Houston Hindu temple. I take several digital pictures of the Hindu religious ceremonies, especially of the children in action.

I buy photo quality glossy paper in bulk, a box of 8.5 x 11, 500 pages. I cut this paper in half, so, each half is 5.5 x 8.5. Than, I crop, size etc. to get a picture size of approximately 5 x 8. This is not a conventional picture size, but, looks good. After printing the photo, I cut the boarders off to make them boarderless. I use an office paper cutter for this.

My net cost for paper and ink comes out 30 cents per print for 5 x 8 picture. I buy only genuine HP ink cartridges. I do not frame them. I sell them at $3 per picture. I pay for all the supplies, labor etc. All the proceeds go to the temple.

All of above sound like a very time consuming job. However, It takes me an average of three minutes per picture from start to end including printing on my home HP990CSE printer.

I like to do everything myself. The fun of digital photography is, I have my own darkroom. I am not dependant on anybody for the final output. Also, it saves me a lot of time since I can do all this at my home, at my convinient time. I use PS to adjust brightness, contrast, colors, sharpness etc. etc. After I print them, If I do not liike the end-result, I use PS again to make some more adjustments and print them again.

Since I do this regularly, I have mastered this procedure and 99 % of the time, my end result is the way I want them and do not have to make re-adjustments and re-print them.

If anybody else is doing something similar, I would like to know how they are doing this.

Bharat J. Sutaria
 
I've sold exactly one :) I didn't set out to sell it, but someone asked me if I would, so I did. 8x10, matted & framed (to 11x14)...inexpensive 2 color mat, and inexpensive clip-frame from Bed Bath & Beyond...$35.

In addition to that, he told me he set his Browser Start Page to my pbase page where I had posted a set of photos for him to select from...that meant more to me than the $35!

Loren
Mark J said:
I'm curious to see just how many of you have actually sold some /
any of your photos to the public ? To a gallery, etc ?

What size prints are you selling ? 8 x 10 ? etc.

What advice would you give to those who have not yet or are
contemplating selling their photos to the publlic or elsewhere ?

I got into a debate with someone over the acceptance of "digital
photos" ... the other person claiming nobody will accept a digital
photo in it's present state of print quality ? Especially they
say.... a gallery. They say a digital photo would never get past
the gallery manager's desk.

Thank you for your replies..... maybe we can all learn a few
things from this thread ??

Have a nice day,
Mark J.
Click to expand...
--
http://www.pbase.com/lorenbc/
http://www.photosig.com/viewuser.php?id=4994
 
Ulysses said:
I've sold to individual customers anywhere from 3.5x5 to 8x10.
Mark J said:
What advice would you give to those who have not yet or are
contemplating selling their photos to the publlic or elsewhere ?
Click to expand...
Advice? Make sure it's a good shot. People don't pay for bad shots.
No, let me correct that. They do pay for bad shots. They pay MORE
for good shots. Keep practicing your craft.
Member said:
I got into a debate with someone over the acceptance of "digital
photos" ... the other person claiming nobody will accept a digital
photo in it's present state of print quality ? Especially they
say.... a gallery. They say a digital photo would never get past
the gallery manager's desk.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Member said:
I beg to differ:
Click to expand...
Digital Photography in Galleries here in NYC is all the rage. From
exhibitions at the International Center of Photography to trendy
SOHO galleries large digital prints (30x40 and larger) are all over those
white gallery walls. Very big with alternative photographers/galleries.
Member said:
This "other person" is grossly mistaken. Look at the digitally
photographed prints that are winning photo contests. Just print
some out yourself, and show them to friends. They will tell you
about the quality of the shots. Again, make sure they are good
shots worth showing off.

--

Ulysses
Click to expand...
 
David, thank you so much for being so forthcoming wtih this information. I'm certain it is bound to help someone..... even if just one person, it's worth it.

It's so hard for budding talent to get out in the field and figure out where to start and, as you know, there is a great deal of talent in this forum!!

Regards,
Mark J
 
Thank you Judy!!

What an interesting story you write. Just goes to show others how one can be creative in where to market their photos, when they are ready to do so!

Have a nice weekend,
Mark J
Judy Howle said:
I currently have an Oly 2100 but am probably going to get a 717
unless something better comes along soon. Then I can sell better 8
x 10's and 11 x 14's.

Judy Howle
Digital Photography
http://www.cableone.net/howle/page/digital_photography.htm
Mark J said:
I'm curious to see just how many of you have actually sold some /
any of your photos to the public ? To a gallery, etc ?

What size prints are you selling ? 8 x 10 ? etc.

What advice would you give to those who have not yet or are
contemplating selling their photos to the publlic or elsewhere ?

I got into a debate with someone over the acceptance of "digital
photos" ... the other person claiming nobody will accept a digital
photo in it's present state of print quality ? Especially they
say.... a gallery. They say a digital photo would never get past
the gallery manager's desk.

Thank you for your replies..... maybe we can all learn a few
things from this thread ??

Have a nice day,
Mark J.
Click to expand...
--
Judy Howle
Digital Photography
http://www.cableone.net/howle/page/digital_photography.htm
Click to expand...
 
Mark,

It is very important that you learn your market and audience. Spend some time looking at what other photographers in your area are showing and what they are selling them for.

I am retired and produce prints as a hobby. When I first moved here I joined a local art group and showed my prints at their gallery. When I first hung prints I was asked to raise my prices so that I would be in line with their pricing structure. Well to make a long story short after a year I had zero sales and found out that most of them had the same result. Their price structure did not match their market/audience.

I have since changed locations and pricing and now my work is now beginning to sale.

Dale
 
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