Getting Photos Framed

[Olympus E300]

Hey gang, I've got a question to which I am sure the answer(s) will vary depending on where you are located. None-the-less, I'll through it out there.

I have recently started a photography business...It's not what you think though! I'm not one of those guys who thinks just because I own a camera that I am photographer! Far from it! I have a very long way to go - IF I ever get there! I would like to possibly dabble in the realm of photography one day though. What I mean is that I don't think that it is impossible to believe that I couldn't potentially make a few dollars on the side, eventually. My heart is in it and I truly enjoy it. With that said, I'm not ready for this challenge yet and I know it!

However, I was thinking that down the road I might start by having some of my photographs framed and sold online (eBay perhaps). I wouldn't do it for profit but sell them at near cost perhaps. I think that this would be a great way of figuring out whether or not people appreciate my work and whether or not they are willing to pay for it. At the same time, this would allow me to work at MY pace and learn as I go. I have a few questions though...

I live in Canada and I know nothing about framing a photograph. Do most professional photographers frame their own work or do they have somebody else do it for them? Is there a place in my neck of the woods (Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada) or perhaps online that somebody might recommend using for their framing service?

Before one can frame, you need a print. Do most professionals print on paper or canvas or something else? I don't have the means to print my own large photographs (wall hangers) and therefore will need to source this out. Is this something that most photography stores (Henry's, Don's, ect...) will be able to offer me? Or is there an online service that is trusted and recommended?

Lastly, what can one expect to pay for printing and framing. I would image that depends greatly on the size amd materials used, huh? Let's ballpark average it for me. I know so little about it, that it doesn't really matter anywhat...LoL.

I realize that it seems like a fruitless venture to pay for printing and framing and hope to sell the work afterwards. I realize that there would be a lot of overhead put into the product before it hits the market and then the cost of shipping increases its consumer cost even further. I don't, however, expect or want to make any money with this venture right now. It's about getting a few photos out there, gaining some confidence, establishing a small business and creating a recognized portfolio.

One last note...I don't expect this to happen over night. In fact, I anticipate that this venture may well last a couple of years before I'm ready to start making any money (if that day ever comes).

Cheers!
- Daniel

 

[SlickSalmon]

I'll take a stab at a constructive response. If you have someone else do your printing and framing, you'll never need to worry about making any money, because you won't. Although many fine photographers outsource their printing, from strictly cost standpoint, you have to do it yourself. Having control over quality is a whole other matter. Likewise, professional framing is unbelievably expensive. You have to figure out a way to handle this yourself, as well. Being a money-making photographer is more than just snapping the shutter and whipping up an image on your computer. It's the entire downstream production process, as well...not to mention the whole business side. This is why I don't recommend that people invest all their money on a camera. The camera is just a small part of the mountain of equipment that you need to be commercially viable, particularly if your desired final product is a framed print. There are ways to keep production costs down. It helps to own your own printer, work in standard sizes, and buy framing materials in bulk. I hope that was helpful.

 

[cabrosh]

I like Mpix for printing, beautiful work and very reasonable. I'm not sure if shipping to and from Canada would be a problem. In the US, they use flat rate boxes, and up to a certain point, how many or few you order doesn't matter. If they fit in the smallest flat rate box shipping is a bit over $5.00, so it's better to order dozens instead of one or two. Professional framing is VERY expensive, but you could get by with basic pre-made frames and mats. They won't look quite as polished, but a simple frame with a double mat still looks fine to most people. Just be sure the frame corners meet properly.

 

[Zrock]

Another option for framing that i see everyday when people come into my store. They buy a nice picture take it home and cut the old picture and puts in their own picture. I know in my store i have at least 100 - 200 pictures at any given time. and our bigest picture is only around $49. you can't even get a picture frame close to this price from walmart. And we do have some verry nice frames.

 

[Olympus E300]

All very good advice. Thanks!

 

[CCericola]

I would avoid framing. 1. The person buying it will want to frame it based on where it will be displayed. 2. Framing is expensive 3. A framed picture is very expensive to ship. Will you be able to refund the person who buys your photograph if the frame and glass arrive broken?

 

[loopy]

For frames, check out Michael's Craft Store for frames, they often have great deals like 40% off or 50% off. If you have one in your area, watch the flyer.

However, shipping frames can be a pain. I've had glass break before during transit and it was packaged extremely well!

Canvas is becoming more and more popular for photography and can be stretched so that is ready to hang.

 

[Big Mike]

Check out Technicare https://estore.technicare.com/
Their head office is here in Edmonton but they have a branch in Winnipeg.
They are a very good pro lab with a whole range of great finishing options. You may have to apply for a pro account to get/see all the products they offer, but I highly recommend them.

As for framing, I'm sure it's won't be too hard to find a frame shop in your area. There must be 100 frame shops here in Edmonton...and yes, good quality framing can be very expensive, but if you build it into your prices, then you can pass that cost onto the consumer. It can be tricky though, because proper framing should complement both the photo and the location/decor of where it will hang...besides being attractive to the end consumer. One solution is to have your clients (provided they are local) go into the frame shop and choose their own frame, then you have it framed and delivered to the client when finished. Or you just sell the client the photo and recommend a framer (maybe talk to some framers and spark up a commission deal for work you send their way).

I wouldn't do it for profit but sell them at near cost perhaps. I think that this would be a great way of figuring out whether or not people appreciate my work and whether or not they are willing to pay for it.

Bad move IMO. If you want to make any sort of money selling photos (as opposed to selling the service of photography), you need to value you work...and by not trying to make a profit, you are basically saying that you don't value your work...so why would other people?
As weird as it sounds, it's may be just as hard/easy to sell a professionally printed & framed 11x14 for $400-$500, than it is to sell a cheap 8x10 print in a cheap frame for $30.
Most people who really like art, don't mind paying for it...sometimes a higher price actually makes it more attractive to them....but of course, you have to find those type of people.

The other end of the spectrum is selling 10,000 post cards with your image, with a profit of 5 cents each.

 

[AmberNikol]

Another option for framing that i see everyday when people come into my store. They buy a nice picture take it home and cut the old picture and puts in their own picture. I know in my store i have at least 100 - 200 pictures at any given time. and our bigest picture is only around $49. you can't even get a picture frame close to this price from walmart. And we do have some verry nice frames.

I've NEVER even thought of doing this...that is an amazing idea! haha Thanks for the tip!

 

[Rifleman1776]

Before knocking any business, Wal-Mart or otherwise, check your facts. Wal-Mart frames are about $3.00.

 

[RedWylder]

I used to work in a professional framing shop and my views are a little biased towards good framing. Framing can make or break and image imo. There are a lot of things to consider like acid free materials, UV glass, Museum glass, multiple mats etc. And it gets expensive in a hurry. For instance, if I wanted to frame a 8x10 picture professionally, the cost might look like this:

Matting: $45 for 2 mats (usually looks better than one)
Glass: $30 for cheap glass $60 for preservative glass
Frame: $60 for really cheap metal frame $120 for pretty nice wood frame

By getting it framed professionally you can count on your picture being handled with proper care and that they'll use proper preservative materials on your photograph but you'll pay out the wazooo for this. At the same time I can't suggest that you take any cheaper route because having been a framer, I believe whole-heartedly in taking care of your work and presenting it in the best way possible.

So my suggestion: You take care of the printing and you let the customer make whatever good/bad decisions about framing it. Or what Mike said and build it into the cost. Good framing can actually enhance the picture and make it worth more.

 

[Olympus E300]

All very good input. Thank you!

 

[Big Mike]

Another option that I forgot to mention, is glassless framing. I was at a seminar with a photographer who did this, and he persuaded Techincare to offer the same type of thing. This made it easy for him to do his own framing, but it also makes the product much easier to ship. You can now order laminated and framed prints, right from Techincare.

The above laminate is specially designed for photographs and has features such as a built-in UV
inhibitor and Neutral PH. This thin laminate is an excellent alternative to glass and is available in a
Lustre, Matte, Glossy, Leather or Brush finish.

 

[souperman]

If possible you could look into a local community college and see if they offer a matting and framing class as well. I took a class like this recently and learned how to do a number of different mats. I was able to pick up some framing tools on craigslist and luckily since my grandfather was and artist I was able to get a mat cutter. The process of mounting and matting is pretty easy with a little instruction. Even the framing isn't too bad.

I do agree though it might be wise to let your customer decide on the framing and even matting of the picture. If you think something looks good, they might not, because it doesn't match the room they want it in. This could in turn make people shy away from a picture they truly love. Maybe have a few things matted and framed as examples, but perhaps just having pictures mounted would be the best bet.

I also agree that when doing any framing, taking into consideration the materials is VERY important. If you want to have longevity with what you are selling it is essential to make sure you have the right materials.

Just another $.02.