More newbie questions.
For those photographers that sell matted photos in addition to your framed items, what seems to work best for the individual matted-unframed-photos that you sell. All white mats? Does double matting make a difference on unframed items? Is there a size that sells better than others, or is it all about price?
Pricing framed and unframed work. I know that this is a tough question and answer. But, does anyone have any suggestions?
Do you have a "formula" you use for a price point on items you sell? Size of photo + framing/matting expenses? Quality of wood moulding used for framing? Time put in framing and matting? (Yes, I am matting and framing my own work--including chopping and joining frame moulding). For my first show I will have a few 20x30 photos framed and matted. Many more in the 18x24, 16x20, and 11x14 sizes.
Lots 'O questions, I know. But if anyone has any thoughts they'd like to share from the "School of Experience," I have my note pad ready.
Yak
Replies
I use white 6 ply mats. They are easier to deal with than double mats for my workflow. Matted outsells framed work about 2:1. I'd have to say that the 11x14 is the most popular size, but I sell quite a few of the 16x20 as well. I also carry 20x26, which corresponds to your 18x24. The smaller sizes sell in multiples frequently, especially if you have a pricing strategy that rewards this. I used to also carry 40x30 matted prints, but they rarely sold, and the cost of materials was too high to make it profitable.
The best formula takes into account three factors: cost of goods (including your overhead factor), labor and profit. Once you have the costs nailed, then you can price based on the amount of profit you need or want to take from the work. But it's a bit more complicated than that. If your materials are costly, and you're greedy, then your price may not be competitive. If you underprice, then you may not hit your profit targets.
Try to strike a balance, if possible. Take into account the quality of the materials and the workmanship, and sell based on benefits as well as the image. Larry's advice to see what others are selling comparable pieces for is wise. Knowing where you fall in the pantheon of photography is useful. You don't have to sell at the same price as other photographers, just know why you have set the prices you have.
Thanks Jim. I value your input and Larry's because having read other replies by you, I know you are a road warrior. Right now I am chopping and joining my own frames. Using Crescent Select Matboard--double matting my framed prints. I am using UV Conservation glass (clear-not non-glare).
I really appreciate this site.
Dale (Yak) Yakaites
Yak, you can see my current pricing structure on my zenfolio site at
photo.parkerparker.info
Off topic: If you are in the market for a good portfolio site, ZenFolio is pretty good. You can use my referral code to save a little dough if you decide you like it. 9BP-ZYX-ECM
You should also ask on my forum: http://ArtShowForums.com
Hundreds of photographers discussing art show issues.
The first thing you should so is walk a few art shows and see what other photographers are doing to market their work.
At most shows, unframed outsells framed by a lot. So much that I've made a decision to never sell frames again. My large size, though offered in frames are only available unframed and I carry two shrink wrapped of each picture in each frame. The pricing on the large frames says only available unframed and if someone wants one, I take it out of the frame and hang the same picture back up for display.
My smaller size is only available in bins unframed. I forgot to mention I only sell two sizes, one small and one large. The less choices you give customers, the faster they decide to buy.
Larry Berman
http://BermanGraphics.com
412-401-8100
Thank you Larry . I'll check your forum. Unfortunately, my first Art Fair is in two weeks and I won't have a lot of run up time to check other art shows before then. Flying quite blind this time.
Yak
When I started doing shows I came up with my own prices based on materials and labor, plus what I thought was a fair profit. I then spent some time online just looking at other landscape photographer's websites. I had 2 groups, one of nationwide photographers and another of Wisconsin photographers. I compared their price points with the one I came up with and noticed that I was way low. So I adjusted my prices based on what I thought was comparable work from other photographers. You might be able to do something similar before your show by comparing your price point to other's in Wisconsin.
My matted prints sell a lot better than my framed prints. That may be because of the types of shows I do and the sizes. My largest framed print is 18 x 24. With matted prints I can offer a lot more variety at a lower cost. Also, my profit percentage is a lot higher on matted prints than it is on framed prints.
I also use only white mats with a black inner mat (double matted). If the customer asks, I let them know that the front mat is hinged, not glued, to the backing, so they can easily change it's color.
I don't make my frames, but I buy well made inexpensive wood frames, nothing fancy. Usually either black, walnut, or mahogany.
I was setup next to another photographer at a show a few years ago. She had several different colors of mats and frames. Several times throughout the weekend I saw her reframing prints because someone wanted "that" photo with "this color" mat. It's nice to match a mat to a photo's color, but if it doesn't match the room it's going to, you've lost a sale.