How much to charge for a hi-res JPEG?

homerun_homer wrote: »

I've searched the forum for similar topics but they have been quite old and didn't quite give me an answer.

I got a request for three hi res images of my pics for use as a gift, presumably so they can go and get them printed etc. I'm wondering what I should be looking to charge for this if anyone could help advise. I don't want to scare them with a rate or do myself a disservice.

All depends from the image usage agreement.
You can get anything between €2 and €200.
For example open any stock agency e.g. Alamy.com, look for any image and see prices. Price depends from license type.

xshayx wrote: »

Maybe suggest selling them prints rather than the files

If you sell the fies what is to stop them making unlimited copies? Also make sure what they think they ar ebuying, ar e they buying copyright or think they are

Promac wrote: »

Are you making a living from photography, or trying to?

If so - you know better than us what to charge.

If not - hey! Someone wants to print out your photographs and give them to someone as a gift!

That's pretty f*cking awesome and really flattering. You're not a professional photographer so just give them some jpegs and tell them you're glad you could help them out. Make the world a better place instead of trying to make 20 euro that you weren't expecting in the first place.

If his work is of a high standard and of value to the buyer then why shouldn't he expect to be paid for it? Even if it's just a hobby photography is expensive, so if there's a few quid to be made from his work, why not. After all he's invested money to create that image.

The lines are so blurred between pro, semi-pro and amateur now anyway, there's high standards and a lot of work put in at all levels. The "professional" shouldn't reserve the right to make a few quid off their work while the lowly amateur is expected to accept flattery as a reward for theirs.

Anyway, to the OP, as suggested already you should probably get it printed yourself and sell it. If it's in physical form it'll be easier to put a price on it.

My opinion is, if it's a hobby treat it like a hobby and enjoy it. If your hobby is knitting, you don't go round charging people for socks.

I'm not saying you can't decide to start selling photos or even that you shouldn't - but if you have photos that "cost" you nothing to produce, that you were gonna produce anyway for fun on equipment you already own, then there's no harm in giving them away to people if they're purely for gifts anyway. It would make the world a slightly less greedy place.

homerun_homer wrote: »

Well to elaborate on this instance, I did what could have been a paid job but wasn't in the end. It was from a year ago and now I had the potential to make a little back from it. I called it a hobby although it is more than a hobby. Like quite a few people around, I give a lot of my time to shoot gigs as contribution to volunteer run websites. In the eyes of those who run it, if you get a chance to make money off of those photos afterwards then do. I apply this logic to pretty much any shots now. A professional is only a professional when it's their sole income. Someone who spends a lot of time taking photos as a hobby/volunteer basis has every right to make a few quid when someone expresses interest.

Personally, I think, if its not your job …..don't charge, you were willing to work for free for a "volunteer" website so why do you want to make money off the images, I would also question the "free" work ….. you do realise that by doing something for free/experience or a pass/access etc then you are helping the website/company build up to a position where they will be demanding more and more from you …. and will not pay (even if they do start making money) …its a normal circle within photography.

amateur photographer is approached (or approaches) a company to do some work for free or for access or a pass etc … he/she agrees … everything goes great - amateur gets "published" builds a portfolio…. everyone is happy !!

time goes by - amateur begins to realise that his/her images might actually be worth something or his/her time is worth something, company wants the photographer to continue as normal but photographer realises that every time he/she takes photos it costs the photographer money - but the company don't want to pay and find a new photographer who doesn't want money.

in this situation it appears you (OP) are at the I reckon my images are worth money - people want to pay and … if you have images of worth you have to decide do you give them or sell them …. either way …its your call, but be prepared to follow the path of hundreds of other photographers before you.

(I also didn't mention some of the various ways people suddenly thing they could sell/make money from photography …. usually its when they see the same images being done by professional photographers who are getting paid for doing the same gig etc - this is usually followed by thinking I could do their job and offer to do it cheaper so everyone will hire me because I'm cheaper and its a recession, other reasons involve people - usually family - talking up the quality of your work and this causes an inflated sense of value, random strangers requesting to purchase images is another thing which leads to the photographer having an inflated sense of worth etc etc)

no offence intended to you OP - but there have been many amateurs who tried to make the transition to earning money from photography - but the issue also needs to be raised about by doing the free work … are you taking money from a professional photographer (I'd say probably not - but at some point it will happen…. if you get paid work on a regular basis)….either way it all boils down to if you want to charge someone or enjoy the knowledge that someone values you work…. I'd say don't charge but remember that your photography has improved to a level where someone would pay…so ….well done !!

ps. when you cover these gigs for free … are there other photographers there shooting for free or are they getting paid (even if its petrol money, €25 or a few pints)…. and you are getting what ?? … and it costs you how much to do the job ??

Bill 'em

from your response you want to charge …so charge whatever you want and think they will pay.

even if you try to make them feel better by saying - I normally charge €35 per image but I'll give you the three you wanted for €60 or something like that.

I would also echo the request the others have made RE: digital files … offer to print them for the money - but giving digital files is asking for a dishonest buyer to print them off multiple times and/or sell the image themselves (then again …do you care about that sort of thing or are you happy to simply make money)

its very difficult to complete the sale from an initial enquiry - this person is looking for a digital file …so on the face of it …. how much do you charge for sending an email ? after all thats what it is in its simplest form….. if you send the digital file….. of course this person could be what is known as a tyre kicker in the motor industry…. they make enquiries … but never have intentions of purchasing, if you go back to the client and say €20 per image, how do you respond when they reply that you want to charge €60 for sending one email.

homerun_homer wrote: »

Corkbah, the person chased for my contact info, made the enquiry, paid once I said a figure and it was all sorted two days ago. I simply wanted to gauge here what others would charge for a similar request. I understand selling a print is ideal vs hi res JPEG and that you have to be careful with your copyright but I've stated already there is absolutely no fear in this instance.

to be honest …. I'm a bit annoyed ….why gauge peoples opinions after the fact …. our opinion is immaterial as the deal was done !

I kinda feel cheated - whats the point in contributing if its only to so you can feel good about your decision.

homerun_homer wrote: »

Ok, here we go...

I asked for advice on Monday... when the request came in. I had few responses.... but sorted by Wednesday. After the thread picked up on Friday.... and you jumped in with your feedback... I replied that it was sorted. I am not the one keeping this thread going, asking for opinions after the fact.... Once I said things were sorted.... that should have been the end of the thread.... but it's gone off in a tangent now.

you do realise you can ask a MOD to close the thread if you have gotten the information you requested (or sorted it out yourself offline) …this way ordinary people do not get annoyed by taking the time to write comprehensive responses only to be told … ah that matter is sorted your advice/opinion is of no value….goodbye ! (its like a shop having a sale and when you get into the shop you get told the sale ended last Wednesday).