I am new to all of this and was wondering where some good places are to sell prints? (framed and not framed)
DPCPrints of course, but you might also try restaurants, dentist and doctor offices, and other businesses in your area. I used to do this with my paintings. Frame and mat them nicely, then place a small price tag in the lower corner of the frame. If the work is good and the prices fair, people will buy them.
What is a good quality to get the photos printed at? I currently print from a "MAC" to a "Canon i560" onto "Canon Pro Plus Paper" which looks great but I wasn't sure if there an "industry" standard as far as selling prints...
Basically wondering what people look for when purchasing a print.
OK. I was going to try to sell the images over the net, thats why I just want to make sure of the quality the prints made from my printer (not the actual photo taken) are good enough that the customer wouldn't be upset.
Some of my prints are worthless because no one would buy them. Some of my prints are worth $5. Some are worth $10. Some are worth $100. Some are worth $200.
All these prints may be worth more or less at some point.
A photographer can put a price on a print. The buyer determines the worth.
Basically wondering what people look for when purchasing a print.
A basic list. Not everyone buying a picture considers all of these things, but some consider at least some of these
1/ do I like it
2/ is the photographer's work worth a lot of money so that I can sell this for a lot later
3/ Does it match my couch/ curtains/ carpet
4/ will it last longer than 6 months before it fades
5/ will my mum like it
6/ will it be signed
7/ is it going to be part of a limited edtion/ is it rare
8/ will people I know think I'm cool for owning it
9/ can I afford it
10/ is it worth the price
Things normally not considered by mere mortals (but often obsessed about by photographers)
1/ What camera was it shot with
2/ How good quality was the lens that was used
3/ how many lines/mm was the printer capable of resolving
4/ How many inks did the printer have
5/ Was it digital or film
6/ is the hyperfocal distance set perfectly
7/ is the horizon perfectly flat
8/ was the drule of thirds applied as defined in the text books
9/ Which filters were used
10/ has there been any non-obvious digital editing
OK. I was going to try to sell the images over the net, thats why I just want to make sure of the quality the prints made from my printer (not the actual photo taken) are good enough that the customer wouldn't be upset.
eostyles,
Perhaps the answers that you are looking for are not clearly definable. If the point is to pick up some spare money by selling some prints that you like, then that drives one set of replys. If the purpose of selling prints is to provide a living for you and your family then that may elicit another set of replys. Remember, any activity that generates an income, is potential for review during an IRS audit. So carefully consider what you "really" want, and whether this activity is the right course for you.
It has been my experience that many sages here, truly want to help those with questions. The advice offered, even when conflicting, is given with heartfelt intentions. Casually asked questions, or those not well thought through, often get replys that try to determine the committnment level of the inquirer.
In this vein, have you visited any art stores and priced matted and/or framed prints? Have you considered what sizes your work is best displayed at? Have you priced the materials cost of matting and/or framing your work or are you goig to sub-contract it out? Do you have a DBA (Doing Business As) set up and filed at the local municipality? Do you need special contracts or model releases of your print subjects? Is your accountant (Tax preparer) aware of your interest to take on this endeaver? Do you understand your State's rules regarding domestic and non-domestic sales? Are you liable for sales tax to your state for any work sold? Are you liable for use taxes on any materials purchased from an out of state supplier?
Really need to discuss this with your tax adviser. Perhaps the impact would be negligable. My point was to at least consider the possible liability. Plan accordingly, price accordingly, then there are no surprises next year.
There are completely different scenarios if you sell one print for $10 the whole year to a neighbor or if you are selling $10,000 a month internationally. In one case you may not even remember that you sold the one print while in the other you might have export fees to contend with. Just understand your vision, think it through, list the questions, and plan it out.
