Pricing framed photos for sale after a competition

[mad editor]

Our local Art Center is holding a competition and there is a photography competition. All pieces entered must be matted, framed and wired for hanging as well as availble for sale and marked with a selling price. The specs do not include a maximum or minimum size. Theme is "a collaboration with nature." What kinds of prices do you go into that type of event with?
Thanks for your response!

[karen_s]

I'm in a similar boat. From surfing around the interwebs, here are few ideas I have found useful in determining some pricing ...

1. Start with the print cost and if you have framed it and matted it, include that. Then, at the very least, double it. Whatever you do, do not lose money on it. It's better to hang it on your wall than to take a loss and have it hang on someone else's wall.

2. Ask the art center for a ballpark figure from other contests they have had. Art pricing is subjective but that info might get you narrowed into the local market.

3. Presentation will make a difference. If it's presented as "art" (matted, signed, professional frame, maybe limited edition ...), then you might be able to ask a higher price. If it appears to be a standard photo in a cheap frame, it's probably not going to be seen as art and thus the asking price would probably be lower.

4. If you are an established artist with a following, you can ask more than someone who is unknown.

5. Know there are different levels of buyers. Many just want a pretty picture for their wall and will only pay Walmart prices. Some will want an image because they love the subject or may find a connection to the subject and as a result might be willing to pay a little more. Then, you get into art collectors who will pay lots of money just to own something you did. Liking or connecting to the image may be irrelevant to the art buyer.

6. Value yourself as an artist. Include your worth in the price.

7. And this is just my own thought here, but standard sizes and paper say standard print. I crop my images in non standard sizes, then place them in standard size papers (mostly 11x14 art paper) with a nice border that looks like a matt. It makes my images look more like art (I sign them in the border part) yet it allows one to buy a frame off the rack if they so choose. It also means you don't need a matt if you don't want to buy one. I'm kinda cheap that way.

Good luck with. It would be nice if you could come back later and let us know what you decided and how it went.

[digirebelva]

what size are you looking at...
these are my current framed prices

12x16 - $70 & up - depending on the image
16x20 - $160 & up...." " " "
18x24 - $175 & up " " " "

For me at least, in my area they work...I have seen prices all over the board from moderately less expensive to much more expensive. Some is area specific, some is based on the artist and whether or not they have a recognizable name and/or style.

[charlemackk]

The best way to get the right information, select the appropriate dimensions to understand is to direct contact with art picture framer. A well-informed picture framer will answer all your questions and help you complete the ordering process of the custom picture frame.

[digirebelva]

Originally Posted by charlemackk

The best way to get the right information, select the appropriate dimensions to understand is to direct contact with art picture framer. A well-informed picture framer will answer all your questions and help you complete the ordering process of the custom picture frame.

What they cant help with so much though is pricing, beyond covering your expenses, pricing is a subjective thing...what value do YOU want placed on your work, only you can answer that...that can give educated guidelines, I know, I work closely with a framer and when I asked what I should charge when I first started selling, they could only give me a general answer..which is what the OP's originial question was about...Pricing..