Hope someone can provide input or ideas for me.... I'm brainstorming for feedback.
Over the last year or two I've been taking photos related to coffee. Some are posted on this site but many are not. I've got a coffee shop business that wants my shots for display purposes. They desire to have permanent photos from what I gather (i.e. ones that are not for sale). As I see it I've got a three options:
1) Sell them the photos. That is the RAW files and have the business get the shots developed and framed. No clue what to charge for this. At this point they become the property of the business. This is the easiest way to go but price? $5, $10, $50???? Also how do you prevent someone from giving away your shots down the road? Write it into the sale terms and conditions? I could do this.
2) Allow the business to have permanent displays but also have a referral card to allow patrons the option to purchase the photos via some online business. I have to believe there is some business online that a photographer could refer a customer to for prints and possibly even framing. Anyone have recommendations?
3) Just sell the prints and include frames. Problem is I've not done this before and frankly I'm busy with life and work- my recent posts reflect this :). I doubt I could frame it myself and using a local business for "framing" would probably make the cost very high. This is an option but the least likely for me to really do.
If anyone has thoughts, please let me know. If you have another option I'm open. I'm somewhat inclined to try #2 above. Thoughts? Thanks in advance.
brian
I'd probably firstly ask them what they're thinking seeing as they've approached you? If you are selling the RAW, that's like selling your negative... and potentially selling the rights to the shot? If it's exclusive... if so, then those prices are low. I'm no expert in this though.
There was a thread just recently where Alexis made some awesome points and gave some great information... will try to find it.
This site may give you some ideas. I plan on using it soon to list some of my photos. Browse through and see what the artists are asking (some have even priced their "original" which I suppose would be equivalent to your RAW file): http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/coffee/all
Never sell your raw files!!!! Go with option #2 or #3! Give the shop a fair price, taking into consideration how many prints they want, and maybe give a little discount if they agree to let you include a small label with contact and sale info.
@ozziehoffy Thank you thank you thank you. @grizzlysghost That site is perfect for figuring out pricing. I like! Thanks. @orangecrush Agreed. Very good point. I'll keep the RAW files.
I'm going to try for option 2 assuming I can get a referral site figured out. I need to put this all together by next Tuesday.
Your coffee-related shots are fabulous. I can understand why this business asked for them. Do they intend to display the prints in just one shop or do they have a chain?
Hi - I worked in advertising for many years so I know a bit about this. These days, a client will probably want an electronic file, so that they can use it more than once. It will need to be high quality, so probably a large tiff file at a resolution of at least 300 is best. They won't want to mess about with raw files and a jpeg won't be good enough. If you give them a print, they will have to get it scanned, and the quality will suffer. You could try to negotiate a royalty fee so that you get a payment of some kind each time the shot is used-but don't hold your breath. Photographers can get ridiculously "precious" about ownership of their files-don't do this, just appreciate the fact that someone wants to use your work. Don't expect to get rich, either. If you go to a website like Stockphoto or Alamy you will see how small the fees are for using the pics. It's tough out there-too many photographers!
@aspada Two stores. I live in the PNW. We're are saturated with coffee shops. They seem to be surviving well...good following.
@pistonbroke agree. No plans to get rich doing this. It's just a curiosity. Yes you're right the tiff is the correct file to give them. I'm going to avoid this unless its an absolute. I'll negotiate something.
I've had lots of talks with people about the stock photography market. Very over saturated and the prices are a far cry from what they used to be 10-15 years ago from what I've been told.... The impact of the digital sensor ...everyone has a camera now and retakes do not cost anything.
@grizzlysghost I checked out that site more. I really like it. Very turn key and it seems they don't gouge you on the artwork sold. Interesting business model. I wonder if they get enough traffic compared to the other sites? Again, appreciate the referral. I'm going to start out using them and then evaluate later. Thanks.
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There was a thread just recently where Alexis made some awesome points and gave some great information... will try to find it.
@grizzlysghost @abirkill
http://fineartamerica.com/art/all/coffee/all
@grizzlysghost That site is perfect for figuring out pricing. I like! Thanks.
@orangecrush Agreed. Very good point. I'll keep the RAW files.
I'm going to try for option 2 assuming I can get a referral site figured out. I need to put this all together by next Tuesday.
Brian
@grizzlysghost Now where did I read about thin mints? :P
@pistonbroke agree. No plans to get rich doing this. It's just a curiosity. Yes you're right the tiff is the correct file to give them. I'm going to avoid this unless its an absolute. I'll negotiate something.
I've had lots of talks with people about the stock photography market. Very over saturated and the prices are a far cry from what they used to be 10-15 years ago from what I've been told.... The impact of the digital sensor ...everyone has a camera now and retakes do not cost anything.
@grizzlysghost I checked out that site more. I really like it. Very turn key and it seems they don't gouge you on the artwork sold. Interesting business model. I wonder if they get enough traffic compared to the other sites? Again, appreciate the referral. I'm going to start out using them and then evaluate later. Thanks.