Episode 17 - Making Money from Photo Prints
- Shutter Nonsense
- 5 hours ago
- 5 min read
A deep-dive into the business side of selling your photography prints
In Episode 17 of Shutter Nonsense, Michael and Jeffrey dive deep into the business side of selling photographic prints. From pricing and production choices to fulfillment and customer service, this conversation pulls back the curtain on what it really takes to make print sales work sustainably.
They discuss how to think about pricing beyond just cost, the pros and cons of printing your own work versus using a professional lab, and how different sales channels like online stores and art fairs shape your strategy. The episode also explores presentation, shipping, refunds, replacements, and the ongoing debate around limited edition prints.
If you are a photographer who sells prints or is thinking about adding print sales to your business, this episode is packed with real-world insights and practical considerations.
Highlights Include:
• Pricing photographic prints realistically
• Self-printing vs third-party labs
• Selling online vs art fairs
• Presentation and display choices
• Shipping and fulfillment workflows
• Customer service, refunds, and replacements
• Limited edition prints and whether they make sense
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Contents
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Episode Summary
Photography is often a journey that marries artistic passion with complex business decisions. In episode 17, hosts Michael and Jeffrey Tadlock delve into the multifaceted process of selling prints as a photographer, a topic that both empowers and challenges many artists. This intricate intersection of art and business can trigger imposter syndrome among photographers, affecting their confidence and approach to selling their work. Here, we revisit some vital insights from their discussion, centering on nature photography, pricing strategies, and artist confidence.
Understanding Pricing in Photography
As a starting point in the photography business, understanding how to price your prints is crucial. This decision can be daunting for photographers, especially those transitioning from a passion project to a commercial pursuit. Michael explains that many photographers struggle with finding the right price point, which stems from underselling prints due to imposter syndrome. To combat this, photographers must consider the cost of materials, time, and shipping while maintaining competitive pricing.
Setting a robust pricing strategy involves research into what other photographers in similar niches, such as nature photography, are charging. The practice of benchmarking against comparable artists aids in confidently setting prices that reflect both the quality and uniqueness of the work. Michael underscores the importance of avoiding market undercutting, which can diminish the perceived value of photography, thus affecting the broader community of photographers.
Navigating Imposter Syndrome with Confidence
A significant part of this discussion revolves around artists’ confidence in their work. Many photographers grapple with imposter syndrome, a psychological pattern where individuals doubt their accomplishments and fear being exposed as frauds. This mindset can hinder decision-making regarding print pricing and sales. Michael emphasizes learning from past sales data and feedback from customers to gradually build self-assurance in one’s artistic and business capabilities.
Moreover, nature photographers often face unique challenges in this regard. The unpredictability of sales can lead to questioning one’s value, but consistent effort, such as refining photography skills and improving SEO for online visibility, can aid in overcoming these barriers. Utilizing platforms like Patreon, where artists can engage with their community, fosters a supportive network that can buoy an artist’s confidence.
The Business of Nature Photography
Diving deeper into nature photography, the podcast illuminates the balance between creating art and managing business logistics. For nature photographers, especially, aligning one’s artistic vision with business objectives is a delicate process. Limited edition prints and strategic marketing tactics are examined as tools to enhance both value perception and urgency in potential buyers.
Michael and Jeffrey also discuss the pros and cons of producing prints in-house versus outsourcing them to third-party labs. Each route has its financial implications and levels of artistic control over print quality, decisions that must align with both personal and business goals.
Improving Your Photography Business Strategy
The journey from nature photography enthusiast to a confident business-minded artist is fraught with challenges. Yet understanding the fundamentals of print sales, battling imposter syndrome, and continuously honing one’s craft can empower photographers to grow both artistically and commercially. As highlighted in the podcast, keeping communication transparent with clients, setting realistic expectations, and handling logistics efficiently are essential steps toward a successful photography business.
Embrace your capabilities and confidence to build a rewarding career in nature photography. Remember, the key is balance: between art and commerce, creativity and strategy, and passion and profitability. Building artist confidence is a process that takes time, but with perseverance and the right strategies, it is an achievable goal.
Related Links
Red River Paper (affiliate link)
Shiny Prints (affiliate link)
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We have been pursuing our passion for nature and landscape photography for over a decade each. Developing Shutter Nonsense has required plenty of time, patience, and monetary investment, all of which falls on top of our existing efforts (and expenses) to manage our nature photography businesses. Without our supporters, producing the podcast on an ongoing basis would not be possible.
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Follow your Shutter Nonsense Hosts
Michael Rung
Michael is a nature and landscape photographer based in Texas, with a deep appreciation for quiet forests and the unique character of trees. His photography often explores the subtle beauty in overlooked scenes, capturing atmosphere and emotion through careful composition and light. Michael brings thoughtful insight, honest reflections, and a grounded perspective to every episode of Shutter Nonsense.
Jeffrey Tadlock
Jeffrey is a landscape photographer from Ohio who finds inspiration in waterfalls, scenic overlooks, and the ever-changing light of the natural world. He enjoys sharing stories from the field and helping others improve their skills through practical, experience-based tips. With a passion for teaching and a love of the outdoors, Jeffrey brings clarity and encouragement to fellow photographers at all levels.
