Posted by Katja Rosvall on February 6, 2010 at 2:33 AM
A funny thing happened. I got an image request through PhotoPortfolios, asking for the price of one my images and what the delivery method would be. I've never sold a photo before, and I certainly hadn't planned on selling through PPf. So, my simple question is:
What should I do?
Do others receive such requests? What is the usual procedure? I also have no idea what to charge. Perhaps I should first ask what the potential buyer wants to use the image for? I don't even know what to say about the delivery method. "Flummoxed" doesn't begin to describe me.
Please help?
Posted by Buck Ward on February 6, 2010 at 10:59 AM
Hi Katja
You didn't say, so I'm assuming that the request is for a print, hence the query regarding delivery. Prices for prints vary with size. Check out some photographers websites to see what they charge. Or figure your cost to have the image printed and add a suitable mark up. Once you've covered your costs, the mark up is kind of arbitrary and it's up to you. You may just have to take a shot in the dark. Don't sweat it too much and take pleasure in knowing that somebody likes your photography enough to pay you for it.
Shipping for prints up to about 11"x14", or a little larger, is easy - just put it in a flat cardboard envelope which should be available at your post office, shipping service, or at an office supply store. Larger prints might start to get a little tricky to package and you might need to roll the print and send it in a shipping tube. I don't know about Finland, but here in the US there are places that will package and send it for you for a fee, and they can tell you before hand how much it will cost. Remember to include your costs for handling and shipping.
If, on the other hand, the buyer wants a digital image file, I would think delivery would be by email. If the buyer wants the image file on a disk, you should be able to mail it. The price is generally based on the usage. Here is a link to a stock photo price calculator that might be helpful to you http://www.photographersindex.com/stockprice.htm If you send the buyer a digital image file, be sure to restrict his use only to that for which he has paid.
Congratulations on your out-of-the-blue photo sale request and good luck.
Posted by Katja Rosvall on February 6, 2010 at 1:11 PM
Thank you Buck, that's very good advice and a huge help for me!
The would-be buyer didn't say how he'd want the image, which doesn't lessen my confusion. And I have come up with even more questions:
If I send a file, how do I make clear the terms of use? Should I send a text file or something? And what should I do with the watermark; should it be removed altogether?
Thanks again for any advice
Posted by Buck Ward on February 6, 2010 at 2:31 PM
You really need to know what he wants. Personal use, advertising, editorial? Does he want to frame it and hang it on his wall? Will it be used on his company's website? Will it be used in a major advertising campaign? To illustrate a children's text book? A screensaver on his personal computer? It could be anything.
The request came by email, right? You can reply to the email message. Ask for him for more information. If he wants a print, ask what size. If he wants a digital file, ask him how it will be used.
Any restrictions on the use of a digital file should be included in the price quote you give him. Once it is agreed upon by both parties, it is a contract. You can send it by email, or by a PDF attachment to email, or it can be a paper document delivered by post.
Yes, you probably should remove your watermark, after you receive payment.
Don't worry yourself half to death about it. Find out what he wants and give him a fair price, even if you just have to make something up.
Posted by Katja Rosvall on February 6, 2010 at 2:53 PM
Thank you again Buck! You sure give good advice (especially that last point ). I truly appreciate it
Posted by Rodney Ninow on February 8, 2010 at 11:29 PM
Congratulations! Do you have any updates on the sale?
Posted by Katja Rosvall on February 9, 2010 at 6:19 AM
Thanks Rodney! No updates yet, as it seems I ran into a mail block put up by the potential client's service provider; perhaps someone has hacked *my* SP's mail system and uses it so send spam (not that I understand much about such things). But it seems I finally got a message through today.
Posted by Katja Rosvall on February 9, 2010 at 1:53 PM
I made the sale!
Now I just have to hope PayPal works like I want it to (I've never been on the receiving end) and the printer shop does good work...
Posted by Rodney Ninow on February 9, 2010 at 9:11 PM
What was the image, and what did they order?
Posted by Buck Ward on February 9, 2010 at 9:40 PM
Congratulations, Katja
Posted by Katja Rosvall on February 10, 2010 at 3:01 AM
Thanks Buck, and thank you one more time for the advice!
Discussion
10 repliesWhat should I do?
Do others receive such requests? What is the usual procedure? I also have no idea what to charge. Perhaps I should first ask what the potential buyer wants to use the image for? I don't even know what to say about the delivery method. "Flummoxed" doesn't begin to describe me.
Please help?
You didn't say, so I'm assuming that the request is for a print, hence the query regarding delivery. Prices for prints vary with size. Check out some photographers websites to see what they charge. Or figure your cost to have the image printed and add a suitable mark up. Once you've covered your costs, the mark up is kind of arbitrary and it's up to you. You may just have to take a shot in the dark. Don't sweat it too much and take pleasure in knowing that somebody likes your photography enough to pay you for it.
Shipping for prints up to about 11"x14", or a little larger, is easy - just put it in a flat cardboard envelope which should be available at your post office, shipping service, or at an office supply store. Larger prints might start to get a little tricky to package and you might need to roll the print and send it in a shipping tube. I don't know about Finland, but here in the US there are places that will package and send it for you for a fee, and they can tell you before hand how much it will cost. Remember to include your costs for handling and shipping.
If, on the other hand, the buyer wants a digital image file, I would think delivery would be by email. If the buyer wants the image file on a disk, you should be able to mail it. The price is generally based on the usage. Here is a link to a stock photo price calculator that might be helpful to you http://www.photographersindex.com/stockprice.htm If you send the buyer a digital image file, be sure to restrict his use only to that for which he has paid.
Congratulations on your out-of-the-blue photo sale request and good luck.
The would-be buyer didn't say how he'd want the image, which doesn't lessen my confusion. And I have come up with even more questions:
If I send a file, how do I make clear the terms of use? Should I send a text file or something? And what should I do with the watermark; should it be removed altogether?
Thanks again for any advice
The request came by email, right? You can reply to the email message. Ask for him for more information. If he wants a print, ask what size. If he wants a digital file, ask him how it will be used.
Any restrictions on the use of a digital file should be included in the price quote you give him. Once it is agreed upon by both parties, it is a contract. You can send it by email, or by a PDF attachment to email, or it can be a paper document delivered by post.
Yes, you probably should remove your watermark, after you receive payment.
Don't worry yourself half to death about it. Find out what he wants and give him a fair price, even if you just have to make something up.
Now I just have to hope PayPal works like I want it to (I've never been on the receiving end) and the printer shop does good work...
Rodney: My Common Brimstone as an A4 print:
http://www.photoportfolios.net/portfolio/pf.cgi?a=vp&pr=89145&pi=KAMARO&CGISESSID=4a909acd0ab9efd84765301cb376829b&u=16771