BetterPhoto Q&A
Category: New Answers

Sarah Cordes

Selling photographs

Hi, my name is Sarah, and I am very interested in photography. I am only 16, but have been working hard on improving my photographs and expanding my knowledge. I have been asked to sell some of my prints in a store, and I am wondering if anyone had any advice for pricing and selling photographs for a complete amateur in the business ;-).

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March 21, 2006

John Esposto

Hi, Sarah, I think you should try selling your photos in the street as a vendor. That's what I do, Try to find
a nice busy location and at first start out small just to see how you would do. If you're going to sell your photos
in a frame, try first with 8x10 for $20
11x14 $35. Depending on how good you do then maybe you could up your price alittle more. also very important never sell in the same spot for long move around to a different spot ever so often because you dont want to get stale. I hope I helped you alittle bit.

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March 21, 2006

BetterPhoto Member

Hi Sarah;

What John suggests is an idea I've been using for years. I live in a high tourism area (Branson, MO). It's easier for me than most. I've got several stands set up in craft malls around town. The most I've spent on a stand is $20.00 (I buy them from stores that are going out of business).

Here's my addition to what John was saying. If you can, sell your prints in several different manned stores or flea markets. Sell different prints in each location. Try not to sell the same prints in different locations since you will end up with several stands that make no money for you.Here's a rundown on how I do on a good month (my best month is July).

I have ten stands set up that hold about 200 prints. The rent for each stand is about $100 a month. I mount hand signed prints that I make on my computer. I price each one at ten dollars. Each costs about three dollars. I will sell between 50 and 100 from each stand every day. I usually make quite a killing from May to September. Once a week, I rotate stock on each stand, Changing prints to a new location. This year, I'm setting up at six new locations.

I hope I've given you some ideas. Let me know how things go for you.

Have fun and keep shooting,
Mark H.

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March 21, 2006

Sarah Cordes

Thank you so much for the help! I have another question.....where can I print off my photos? I have a half decent printer, but it wont do the job. I'm looking for something cheap, but good quality. Thanks for any more comments.

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March 22, 2006

BetterPhoto Member

The printer I use is a Lexmark X3350 All In One that I bought from Wal-Mart for about 70 dollars. When printing photographs, I use a photoink cartridge in place of the black cartridge.

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March 22, 2006

Loyce Hood

So, Mark, what size prints are you selling , and is the mount the same size or are they mounted and matted?

Loyce