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Home: Video University Forums: Digital Photography for Videographers:
Selling Pictures

sunrisedigital
User

Apr 5, 2006, 9:59 PM

Post #1 of 6 (1419 views)
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Selling Pictures	Can't Post

I have read that some users on this site use Mpix, and that looks like a decent way to organize and share pictures. I have also read about what some people charge for their pictures.
My question is this.
I would like to take some pictures, say at a recital and upload them to a site that would allow me to have customers log in, choose the pics they want, order them and get them delivered to them. In order to make a little extra $ doing this, i would like to charge more than what Mpix or the other services do for the pics. I found a site called smugmug that allows you to upload the pics, share them and you set the price above what smugmug charges, they collect the $ and pay you later the difference. This account is only available for the "pro" level, cost is $140 a year.
Does anyone know of any other sites that do a similar thing.
Or, do I take the order from the client, then order them from Mpix, and just take care of the money, ordering, etc. myself?
Hope this makes sense.
Thanks,
Eric

Scott Brooks
Veteran

Apr 6, 2006, 12:10 AM

Post #2 of 6 (1411 views)
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Re: [sunrisedigital] Selling Pictures [In reply to]	Can't Post

Your last option is very doable. Also, you can try services like PhotoReflect, but you'll be giving up about 17% for them to take the orders.

Dieps
User

Apr 6, 2006, 9:36 PM

Post #3 of 6 (1376 views)
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Re: [sunrisedigital] Selling Pictures [In reply to]	Can't Post

I don't think you need the Pro level to sell pictures from Smugmug. It has been a while since I read the options but I think the Pro account allows you to link to your web site. That way it looks like part of your site. I think my Smugmug account was $29.95 a year. I went with Smugmug only because I like the way it displays the pictures.

I haven't sold from my acount but I think it works like this. You can set whatever prive you want for the picture - say $5.00 for a 4 x 6. The acutal Smugmug cost might be $.25 so you get 85% of the difference (85% X $4.75). I believe they send you the money when you get your account reaches $200.

A sport shooter in this area uses PhotoReflect. I didn't do a lot of research but I think the finanaces are similar between the various sites.

Jim

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Storm Crow
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Apr 7, 2006, 5:31 PM

Post #4 of 6 (1342 views)
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Re: [sunrisedigital] Selling Pictures [In reply to]	Can't Post

I currently use the last option you mentioned but as my photography load grows I will need to change this proceedure and let them order themselves with my profit already in the price. This is a good question and maybe guys like Jefferson Todd can answer it when he see's this post.
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DarrenS
Veteran

Apr 8, 2006, 1:34 AM

Post #5 of 6 (1329 views)
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Re: [sunrisedigital] Selling Pictures [In reply to]	Can't Post

If you know anything about running a server on the net (or someone who does) you could consider the software that drives this site. It's about $500. It's quite excellent and once you got it going you don't have to give anyone a piece of your cake to sell your images in pro style:

http://taylorphoto.lhhosting.com/...RIORS/Homes_exterior

RustyB
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Apr 8, 2006, 2:07 AM

Post #6 of 6 (1324 views)
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Re: [sunrisedigital] Selling Pictures [In reply to]	Can't Post

Anyone ever used ProShots by Kodak? http://www.kodak.com/...=0.2.4.8.6&lc=en

They have a free basic version, but the Studio Suite apparently has the online purchasing thing, as well as album creation, and you can print to the lab of your choice that supports ProShots, like Millers(mpix) for example.

I don't think there's a yearly fee, but I think the software may be expensive...their website is very sketchy about how much it will cost!! Also, I don't know if they keep a percentage of sales or what. Again, I can't find the details on it.

I'm not sure how well their album creation software is either. (I've never had an album printed....I just get my film developed at Walgreen and put them in cheap albums from Target. Laugh

) I saw some neat album creation software on Gary Fong's website, that looked interesting, so I'd hate to buy both if one sucks.

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(This post was edited by RustyB on Apr 8, 2006, 2:22 AM)