How much should a person start pricing their photos for sale?

[AgentDrex]

If I ever get good enough with my own photography, I may want to sell them. I have a hard time deciding what a good pricing level would be. Take for instance this guy selling a photo for 100,000 USD:

Crystal River Reflection Fine Art by bonneauphotography on Etsy

If I ever start taking photos that are half as "good" (chuckle, chuckle) as his, do you think $200 would be a fair price for some of my current work?

[Ads]

[Forkie]

There are no rules really. Price them at what you think they're worth. If the public agrees, they'll pay it. If not, drop the price a bit until people start buying them. Then you know how much they're worth.

Don't shoot yourself in the foot though - make sure you cover any printing/framing costs in the price.

[Bitter Jeweler]

$2000

[KmH]

Note that the 1 only photo offered for $100,000 USD you linked to - hasn't yet sold. Apparently, for $100,000 you don't even get a frame, and it's only a 20x30 print.
The guy's web site is a not very well set up Zenfolio site.

Asking price and selling price often differ, and often differ substantially.

To a large degree it depends on what the photograph is of. That landscape photo you linked to will be a tough sell, at any price.

I've said it many times before - about 85% of all the photographs that sell - have people in them. Then something like 85% of those photos are bought by the people in the photos.

Selling photos is usually more about selling the photographer, than selling a photo.

At any rate, Selling is in the realm of the business of photography, so marketing, advertising, and promotion are key elements.

[Forkie]

Note that the 1 only photo offered for $100,000 USD you linked to - hasn't yet sold.

I'll be surprised if it does. Centred horizon, fake BLUE vignette, blown highlight in the middle. It doesn't even follow the Rule of Thirds!

Throw the book at them KmH.

[Infidel]

Note that the 1 only photo offered for $100,000 USD you linked to - hasn't yet sold. Apparently, for $100,000 you don't even get a frame, and it's only a 20x30 print.
The guy's web site is a not very well set up Zenfolio site.

Asking price and selling price often differ, and often differ substantially.

To a large degree it depends on what the photograph is of. That landscape photo you linked to will be a tough sell, at any price.

I've said it many times before - about 85% of all the photographs that sell - have people in them. Then something like 85% of those photos are bought by the people in the photos.

Selling photos is usually more about selling the photographer, than selling a photo.

At any rate, Selling is in the realm of the business of photography, so marketing, advertising, and promotion are key elements.

Yeah, get a funny hat and shoot 4x5 sheets on a press camera, just to be different.

[Infidel]

Also, make sure you include a certificate of authenticity.

[tirediron]

Your question is almost impossible to answer... as Keith alludes to, so-called "fine art" images don't sell a lot. If you're trying to make a living at it, then you CODB calculations will tell you what to charge. If you're just doing it because you can/want to, then look around your area and see what similar work is selling for (NOT what the asking price is) and use that as a base.

[AgentDrex]

All good points. I don't believe I would ever attempt to sell any of my photos...buuuuut I do it as a hobby to entertain myself. I thought, once I saw that photo at etsy, I would ask the question. I did start an etsy account for one of my photos just to see if one would sell. I haven't finished the account yet but once I do, I'll be selling this for $1000 for esses and giggles:

[jwbryson1]

One MeelYun Dollars!!!

[memudade]

like to meet good photographers

[2WheelPhoto]

LoL

[Bitter Jeweler]

Also, make sure you include a certificate of authenticity.

How can the buyer be sure the certificate is authentic?

[sm4him]

Also, make sure you include a certificate of authenticity.

How can the buyer be sure the certificate is authentic?

You have to also include an Authenticate Certificate of the Certificate's Authenticity. That costs extra.

[HikinMike]

I think the guy has a typo. I'm sure it's $100, not $100,000...

Ships from United States

United States	$100.00 USD	$100.00 USD
Everywhere Else	$200.00 USD	$200.00 USD