Right then. Check this out. So recently I received an email inquiring about the purchase of an image of mine that was featured on the cover of a local newspaper, it was featured there because I sent it to them and I said something like: "hey wanna see a picture?" or something like that. I'll send them pictures every once in a while and this was the second time that they ran one- anyways, so like I said: this lady emails me to inquire about the purchasing of said picture for her enjoyment or whatever she wants to do with it, and I responded explaining that I currently have one size print available for $165 dollars on my website at 16"x24". ( the reason I have that one size and price is that I think that is the perfect print size although I think that an 11x17" or 14" is lovely as well and theres nothing wrong with an 6"x^" print if it is matted and displayed well, but like I said I like that size and I like that price point.) This is the price that I arrived at back when I originally decided on it from looking at other of my peers photography prices who live in Maine as well. There are cheaper prices and there are much more expensive prices, but I want to be modest and I want to sell some work! Here's the picture:Lupine Cottage

"Lupine cottage" 6/20/2012

Where was I... on the second email from the prospective purchaser it was clear that she thought the price too high. I explained something of what I just explained here then went on to natter on about my approach and dedication to detail and quality and the archival glicee qualities of the print etc, etc. and explained to her that her purchase helps me to make more work and put food on the table etc. So, on her third reply it gets worse. Here I'll quote directly from a section of the email not for the sake of embarrassing anybody (I'm sure the person will never see or read this anyways), but for the sake of sharing with you what it's like to try and sell prints:  

Prospective Customer: "Do you ever print on canvas?  What would the price be on canvas?  I would probably be interested in an 11x 14, not 11 x 17.  I already have a 16 x 20 inch pink frame that I’m assuming will match the print (??)  I think that I will have to wait until I get up there on Columbus Day to actually see the print in person.   How much would an 11 x 14 cost on regular paper (not canvas)?  I am all for supporting Maine artists, but I was comparing your prices to other Maine photographers and your price is higher.  But I would be willing to pay it if I'm as blown away by the picture as I think I will be once I see it in person."

Me: Jeezum.

So the first thing is- I don't like canvas photography prints, if you do: good, it's just my preference. The second thing is that I composed and presented the image as a 35 mm comp so I would need to chop off a big part of the scene to fit the ratio being requested. So I was starting to get really frustrated by the whole state of affairs here and after I saw the email I had to drive home for 30 minutes and I thought on it the whole time as to how I should respond (which was either a big waste of time or a valuable learning experience for future like situations). And here was my reply: 

Prospective seller: "Right then- (1.) I don't print on canvas, I could, but I don't like it as I feel it's distracting and a bit gimmicky and the presentation is usually done as a gallery wrap with stretchers, which is nice and fine and all, but it's not for me.