Selling to tourist knick-knack shops.

[Homebrew]

I ran a search but wasn't sure what keywords to use so I apologize in advance if this has been asked a bazillion times. If someone just has a link to an earlier thread I'd be grateful for it.

All over New York and other cities are dozens and dozens of stores which sell 8-10 or 11-14 photographs of the city to tourists -- the Statue of Liberty, Central Park, Flatiron Building, etc.

One of those stores which also does framing is interested in buying copies of the photo I brought to be framed and wants to see my other city pics. (I've got some pictures of standard city sights from non-standard angles, in unusual light, with interesting skies, snowfall before footprints, etc.)

Now, we're not talking mortgage money here; more like beer money or at best that new Speedlite I've had my eye on. But still it would be enormous fun

He sells his photos, unframed but with a semi-decent cardboard matte and a plastic protective sleeve, for $20ish. Says he buys them from his guys at $10 ish, depending on size and quality. He's offering me pretty much the same deal -- I print them at Adorama for $1.28 to $4.50 depending on size and paper, he buys them for $10ish also depending on size and paper. I keep copyright; he just sells the physical photos.

Does this sound about right for standard-issue tourist pictures? And if it works out, do you know who "his guys" are so that maybe I can market them to other stores cost-effectively?

[Rina Minca]

Great question, would like to know, too. I'm interested in doing something similar in my city (not the big one) Anyone out there have any suggestions?

[Niresangwa]

I would say whether it's a deal or not depends largely on the volume he wants from you. He's getting a good deal either way with you having to format, print, ship etc, not quite so much. How do your images stack up against his other wares?

[Homebrew]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

I would say whether it's a deal or not depends largely on the volume he wants from you. He's getting a good deal either way with you having to format, print, ship etc, not quite so much. How do your images stack up against his other wares?

Good question. Mine are... fine. New York City landmarks are massively overphotographed, of course. The guy's got a picture of the Flatiron building from every angle possible. Mine are a little different, but not really "better." His take would be to get something a little different and maybe pay me a buck or so less than his bulk suppliers.

As for my expenses, they're pretty small if there's a guaranteed sale. They're pictures I would take and process anyway, Adorama will print them for me at the prices above, I pick them up and deliver them as part of the normal walking I do in a day. He'd be the one sticking them in white cardboard matte and throwing a cheap plastic cover on them. And obviously if someone wanted them framed he'd get all of the revenue and profit from that. More than fair; I'm happy to be in the print-selling business as an avocation but I have no interest in the framing business.

Volume-wise, he was pretty straightforward. He liked the one I brought to frame but said unless I had six or so to sell to start it probably wouldn't be worth his time or mine. He imagines buying them in 10-to-20-print lots; rebuying anything which sold.

I'm bringing my laptop to show him some of my other stuff when I go to pick up the frame; I'm just looking for a fair price so I don't a) undercut other pros, b) make a fair return on what is essentially a hobby but also c) don't stick an artificially high price on what are essentially city snapshots which might have some advantages just because of good timing or whatever.

[Mike367]

I've never sold anything, but it's been my understanding that typical retail markup is 50% of the sale price, so if he sells for $20 his outlay can't be more than $10. Similarly.you have to double your out of pocket plus add something for the intrinsic value of your art. Since you're talking about multiple copies, and you can still sell to other retailers, I would think that $10 for prints that cost you under $2 would be a fair price. I hope you sell a hundred a week.