Is HDR Photography Profitable?

Brick · Mar 31, 2011

user3977 said:
can i ask how much yall pay for frames? you mentioned if you can break even on the cost of frames. i have seen that posted before. what is it that makes the frames so expensive? i make my own frames and well i guess that is why i am puzzled by the cost of them. i have never bought a frame other than the cheap 12x16 $4 frames at walmart for show flyers to show in the shop.

Making your own frames is definitely an option, however you need to have some fairly expensive saws (which I don't have), paint, brushes, and you still have the mounting hardware, mat, glass and all the time it takes to assemble all that to consider as well. If you cut your own mats you can save some money but to do a decent job you'll need to spend a few hundred dollars on mat cutting equipment. Also, I used mostly 16x20 images so my frames were 21x29 - can't really find a frame that large at walmart, and definitely not for $4. You can find large frames at Hobby Lobby but even if they're running 50% off you'll pay $18 without the mat. I ended up using frames from IKEA, they're only $20 each including mounting hardware, glass, and mat. The sizes are a little odd but $20 each was definitely the cheapest option I could find without having to do a ton of work myself.

spacefuzz · Mar 31, 2011

Grats on the exhibit, I hope you sell a ton of pictures!

user3977 · Mar 31, 2011

Brick said:
Making your own frames is definitely an option, however you need to have some fairly expensive saws (which I don't have), paint, brushes, and you still have the mounting hardware, mat, glass and all the time it takes to assemble all that to consider as well. If you cut your own mats you can save some money but to do a decent job you'll need to spend a few hundred dollars on mat cutting equipment. Also, I used mostly 16x20 images so my frames were 21x29 - can't really find a frame that large at walmart, and definitely not for $4. You can find large frames at Hobby Lobby but even if they're running 50% off you'll pay $18 without the mat. I ended up using frames from IKEA, they're only $20 each including mounting hardware, glass, and mat. The sizes are a little odd but $20 each was definitely the cheapest option I could find without having to do a ton of work myself.

well i started in woodworking and went into photography from there so i have the equipment. I have a 48" mat cutter and love hobby lobby when they do the %50 off mats. i noticed yesterday the frames are not bad but i can not see paying what they ask for the way some of the frames look. the biggest issue i have is finding good glass that is not to expensive. the mat cutter is not hard to use and i would suggest getting one even if you do buy the frames it would save some money making your own mats.

myshkin · Apr 1, 2011

good luck with the sales. It sounds like a good way to be seen. Hopefully for you the restaurant is busy

I have started selling prints of HDR. As someone mentioned any type of photo can sell as long as someone wants it bad enough to pay for it

c.cloudwalker · Apr 1, 2011

Brick said:
Making your own frames is definitely an option, however you need to have some fairly expensive saws (which I don't have), paint, brushes, and you still have the mounting hardware, mat, glass and all the time it takes to assemble all that to consider as well. If you cut your own mats you can save some money but to do a decent job you'll need to spend a few hundred dollars on mat cutting equipment. Also, I used mostly 16x20 images so my frames were 21x29 - can't really find a frame that large at walmart, and definitely not for $4. You can find large frames at Hobby Lobby but even if they're running 50% off you'll pay $18 without the mat. I ended up using frames from IKEA, they're only $20 each including mounting hardware, glass, and mat. The sizes are a little odd but $20 each was definitely the cheapest option I could find without having to do a ton of work myself.

$20 is a good deal but I would want to know where the mats come from. They probably are not archival (acid free) and need to be replaced

Still would be a good deal. However, frames are easy to make with nothing more than a screw driver and in under 3 minutes. What I've always seen and used myself for photo shows were section frames available at all art and craft stores. If you really can't stand the aluminum type, there used to be wooden ones that were quite nice although more expensive. Those must still be available.

Picture glass is quite cheap if purchased from a glass store. I wasn't any good at it myself but plenty of friends cut their own and saved even more by getting large sheets.

Mats are easy to cut with a cheap mat cutter such as this: Handheld Mat Cutters: Deluxe Pull Style Up to what size you can cut a good mat will depend on how steady and smooth you are. For larger ones, I use the board mounted type of cutter. Although it seems expensive for 1 show, it pays for itself when you show regularly. Also I got my mat board in large sheets from a frame shop.

The only other thing needed is the tape. Make sure it is archival (acid free) like the mats. You don't want a buyer to come back to you in a couple years because your print has developed spots or discoloration of some sort. Wouldn't be very good for your reputation.

As far as HDR being profitable, I would say no more or less than any other photography. Art in general is a non profit business except for a lucky few. May you be one of those. I wasn't with photography but I always broke even or a bit better so I kept showing

What cut does this restaurant take?

Last but not least, congrats! Showing your work is a great feeling even if you don't make money.

Brick · Apr 1, 2011

c.cloudwalker said:
Brick said:

Making your own frames is definitely an option, however you need to have some fairly expensive saws (which I don't have), paint, brushes, and you still have the mounting hardware, mat, glass and all the time it takes to assemble all that to consider as well. If you cut your own mats you can save some money but to do a decent job you'll need to spend a few hundred dollars on mat cutting equipment. Also, I used mostly 16x20 images so my frames were 21x29 - can't really find a frame that large at walmart, and definitely not for $4. You can find large frames at Hobby Lobby but even if they're running 50% off you'll pay $18 without the mat. I ended up using frames from IKEA, they're only $20 each including mounting hardware, glass, and mat. The sizes are a little odd but $20 each was definitely the cheapest option I could find without having to do a ton of work myself.

Click to expand...

$20 is a good deal but I would want to know where the mats come from. They probably are not archival (acid free) and need to be replaced Still would be a good deal. However, frames are easy to make with nothing more than a screw driver and in under 3 minutes. What I've always seen and used myself for photo shows were section frames available at all art and craft stores. If you really can't stand the aluminum type, there used to be wooden ones that were quite nice although more expensive. Those must still be available.

Picture glass is quite cheap if purchased from a glass store. I wasn't any good at it myself but plenty of friends cut their own and saved even more by getting large sheets.

Mats are easy to cut with a cheap mat cutter such as this: Handheld Mat Cutters: Deluxe Pull Style Up to what size you can cut a good mat will depend on how steady and smooth you are. For larger ones, I use the board mounted type of cutter. Although it seems expensive for 1 show, it pays for itself when you show regularly. Also I got my mat board in large sheets from a frame shop.

The only other thing needed is the tape. Make sure it is archival (acid free) like the mats. You don't want a buyer to come back to you in a couple years because your print has developed spots or discoloration of some sort. Wouldn't be very good for your reputation.

As far as HDR being profitable, I would say no more or less than any other photography. Art in general is a non profit business except for a lucky few. May you be one of those. I wasn't with photography but I always broke even or a bit better so I kept showing

What cut does this restaurant take?

Last but not least, congrats! Showing your work is a great feeling even if you don't make money.

The IKEA mats actually are acid free surprisingly enough. And I did pick up some acid free tape as well.

I did consider cutting my own mats but I don't plan on doing this often so I would have ended up spending quite a bit of money up front that probably wouldn't have paid off in the long run. This process took a lot of time as it was. And I was very fortunate that spring break was last week so I had the week off from teaching to do all this, I can't imagine how much longer it would have taken if I had built the frames, cut the mats, etc. It was definitely worth paying just a little extra to not have to deal with. Since this isn't my profession I don't really have to worry about trying to cut down my costs to pull in a profit. All said I'm out $500, maybe $550 including frames, mats, prints etc. So even if I sell nothing it's not the end of the world - I still have the day job :thumbup:

The restaurant charged a flat $25 for the use of their walls and that's it.

And thanks! It is a good feeling, even if I do lose money on the deal. :mrgreen: