"Uniqueness" of an image is a consideration in stock sales, but other than size and format, we don't differentiate in pricing our prints based on subject matter. I have seen the work of several prominent photographers who appear to factor image unidqueness into their print pricing. Or at least that seems to be what's going on, since there is a range of prices for prints the same size, with the only variable being subject matter.
Good question and food for thought. It makes me wonder if there wouldn't be some kind of marketing spin that could be used on "premium" images.
> Good question and food for thought. It makes me wonder if there wouldn't be some kind of
> marketing spin that could be used on "premium" images.
What are "premium" images?
Posted by David Bostedo on January 21, 2008 at 5:34 PM
I would guess that for the purposes of pricing, a "premium" image is one that there is more demand for. Say, you have a great Polar Bear shot in an area where Polar Bear shots are popular. Maybe Polar Bears are priced higher than Moose or Eagles, for the same size print.
In addition to just playing on the demand, this could work psychologically, if people felt that they had to have the top end, or in the reverse, to make people think the lower priced prints were a better deal. Although I might be stretching the possibilities...
I would also think that it may be possible to create higher demand, and a willingness to pay higher prices, for certain "premium" shots. If the shot was hard to get, presented in a special manner, or part of a special collection, for instance. In this case, it would, as Hank mentioned, be a marketing aspect creating the demand, more than the reverse case.
Let's say you have a great photo of a lighthouse that is in a very populated area and all you have to do is walk up and take a photo. And every tourist does just that. And then let's say you have a great image of a lighthouse on a hard to get to island that has no tourists or any way to get to it other than by boat. And it is a private island that non-owners are not allowed to go to. Therefore, there are not very many photographs of this lighthouse anywhere to be found. And your image was taken in perfect light, perfect composition, and perfect exposure. While the first lighthouse photo may be as perfect as the second lighthouse, the second lighthouse would be deemed a "premium" print. Of course this can be transferred to many other kind of images and other criteria can be used to define "premium". I thought I would give this one as a "premium" answer!!
I wonder if doctors charge the same to take out your tonsils and they do to take out your gallbladder. Sometime I thing photographers get shortchanged.
Discussion
7 repliesDo you say an 8x10 is X amount or do you price each individual photo seperatly?
I guess the same would go for image usage also?
Good question and food for thought. It makes me wonder if there wouldn't be some kind of marketing spin that could be used on "premium" images.
> marketing spin that could be used on "premium" images.
What are "premium" images?
In addition to just playing on the demand, this could work psychologically, if people felt that they had to have the top end, or in the reverse, to make people think the lower priced prints were a better deal. Although I might be stretching the possibilities...
I would also think that it may be possible to create higher demand, and a willingness to pay higher prices, for certain "premium" shots. If the shot was hard to get, presented in a special manner, or part of a special collection, for instance. In this case, it would, as Hank mentioned, be a marketing aspect creating the demand, more than the reverse case.
Let's say you have a great photo of a lighthouse that is in a very populated area and all you have to do is walk up and take a photo. And every tourist does just that. And then let's say you have a great image of a lighthouse on a hard to get to island that has no tourists or any way to get to it other than by boat. And it is a private island that non-owners are not allowed to go to. Therefore, there are not very many photographs of this lighthouse anywhere to be found. And your image was taken in perfect light, perfect composition, and perfect exposure. While the first lighthouse photo may be as perfect as the second lighthouse, the second lighthouse would be deemed a "premium" print. Of course this can be transferred to many other kind of images and other criteria can be used to define "premium". I thought I would give this one as a "premium" answer!!
Troup