pricing photos

curlyfields

I am a new member. I have set up some galleries,but am in a quandry as to how to price my photos. I would like to be competetive, and would most appreciate suggestions. Marty

dusty-dog

I think most of us newbies are in the same situation. I just threw some numbers that I thought might be reasonable for people to pay, just to get something up. Then, I went around and started looking at what others charge. My prices are sometimes higher, sometimes lower, which by my standards mean maybe they're about right. I dunno. I really haven't had much time to do too much searching or changing. Then again, not alot of people are beating down my virtual doors to buy my photos.

If you search the forums, you'll likely find quite a few threads about pricing. I don't do events, so location isn't quite as important to me. If you are doing events, then you just need to do some homework.

Which leads me, the pro wannabe, to another question......

Is there any kind of search mechanism on smugmug that allows for relative location searches of photographers within the smugmug community? That may be helpful. It may be hurtful (thinking internet crazies out there). Just wondering.

Di

claudermilk

For pricing prints off my SM galleries, I started by browsing around other sites to get a feel for what the general market was. Then arbitrarily picked a place in the middle of that to start at. I haven't gotten any complaints on the pricing (too low then, prboably) and have only sold smaller prints. That's the nature of the market for me it seems. I just revised my pricing for the beginning of the year. No squeals yet...

There are innumerable threads about pricing here & at the Pro Support forum. Lots of information to go through there.

chuckinsocal

I've been in the same boat now for months. For prints, I just looked at the print prices of 10 random pros on SM and did a spread sheet. I found very little consistancy and a ridiculously wide range of prices for the same sized print, at least for the 10 I looked at.

From there, I just tried to find some middle ground that seemed reasonable and priced accordingly. But, I still don't know if my prices are too high or too low or just right.

If you haven't already, read my thread entitled "Urgent Pricing Question". One of the respondants provided a link to a wealth of information on pricing. There are also some links on that site to some software, some free, that may be useful. I downloaded some yesterday but haven't tried any yet.

Anyway, welcome to the Pricing Quandry Club. The only consistant answers I can find are "How much do you want to make?" and "What will the market bear?". I think it's pretty much trial and error. There are no pat formulas other than you need to make enough to stay in business.

And be watchful for the "you'll get the exposure" carrot. Don't chase it!!! You'll likely come home with a pocket full of exposure but no money to pay the bills and eat with. The time you spend working for exposure is better spent cultivating real clients who are willing to pay you with real money.

Just my $.02.

Good luck with it all and I wish you success.

Chuck Cannova
http://chuckinsocal.SmugMug.com

curlyfields

pricing info
Thanks for you prompt responses. I will followyour advice. Marty