How to handle this client?

[Peter O'Connor]

I have received an email from the assistant manager of one of the more prestigious hotels in town.

Quote...'I really like the images you have of the hotel, the landscape one as well as the snowy shots.

How much would they cost to buy? Alternatively would it be possible to have a few photos (to put on our site) and sell others for you within the hotel?

I look forward to hearing from you.'

....

I have replied saying it would be good to meet to discuss...

Many ways to skin a cat of course, I would love to hear your views on how to approach this wonderful request..

Framed/unframed?
Maximise individual retail opportunities or try to manipulate the opportunity to sell more cheaply, the clients aren't cheap at the hotel of course....

I don't want to upset anyone with inflated prices but I dont want to shortchange myself either.

High grade large prints... what would you charge to the fancy hotel on the hill..?

Possible opportunity for sales of other products in the hotel if they are happy with me and my prices...

How much for the shots for their website.. ??

What would a hotel pay a stock library for an image with this kind of use??

I don't know these things, after a couple of years I'm grasping this photography thing.. I never was a businessman though...

Any input will be gratefully listened to.

 

[Chris Dodkin]

UK Stock Images charge:

Low-Resolution £20
Mid-Resolution £50
High-Resolution £100

for their royalty free digital images - so there's a minimum baseline if you want to charge them for the website.

Of course, your images are specific shots of their place, not just generic stock, so you could go 30-120 quid with no issue I'd say.


If they want to buy prints for the hotel, they may have their own framing and matting convention they wish to use

I so, then just offer the 'limited run' print - and suggest that they can sell additional prints and you'll give them a cut of each sale.

So they will pay you now for their copy, and potentially get their money back as they sell more of your work, and you make more money!

Here's a link showing how much pre-done photo art goes for: Buy Photographic Art and Framed PrintsThe Framed Picture Co

If they don't want to matt and mount themselves - offer them a turnkey solution - get quotes for the matting and framing and then sell to them + 20-30% markup.

Easy Art provide ready to order photos for hotels - here's a selection to get you a baseline price for mass produced stuff

http://www.easyart.com/scripts/search/specificsearch.pl?sc=prints.print_type_id:in:1,2,3,4,7,8&page_title=Food_%26_Drink&c1=229,230,231,232,233,234,235,236,237,238,239,240,241,242,243&n=229&c3=3

Your stuff is not mass produced, and hence is worth more - think about numbering each print in a 'limited run' and hand signing them as the artist/Photographer.

How's all this stacking up?

 

[Peter O'Connor]

That's the kind of fat I need to chew on..

I have to be up at 8 but let me research your links awhile...

Dynamite stroke from Chris. I'm lovin the limited run..

 

[Ralph Thornton]

Think Chris is right on target with his comments.