Selling prints: are limited editions a good idea for you? How can you decide? What do you want?

[@MelanieMaguire]

Thanks very much, Keith. I was actually writing an artist statement last night to enter an exhibition, so it's good to hear your take on this - I totally agree, artists' statements are a load of ******* but they give the gallery etc something to print in their marketing... And fool (or try to fool) buyers into thinking you're a serious, pompous, artiste producing work with deep meaning - ha ha! Interesting points bout the limited editions - your opinion is always worth hearing and often makes me laugh! I think I can safely say that I needn't worry about limited editions for the time being!!! :) Thanks again for the info! :)

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks too, for the suggestion!

[@MelanieMaguire]

@@KeithCooper If any more great ideas pop into my head, I'll let you know! :)

[@danjensen9425]

Although I do astrophotography I have learned the most important things I need to know in getting my prints to come back like I want from your videos.I’m building a website to sell them. I was asked to display them at a local gallery and they will be for sale. Thank you for your efforts in making videos to help us navigate this process of everything photography.

[@KeithCooper]

Glad to have been of help!

[@robinjones6999]

Not appearing to be rude in any shape or form but you were stating the obvious. My wife and I go to a lot of craft markets and products are not exactly flying off the stalls. As usual Keith, a very succinct video - spot on.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - I do see a lot of optimism in many sales of work.

[@rosiebraggie]

Thank you, this has been helpful. I'm an artist but mainly for children's illustration. A friend has been pushing me into doing limited editions of my giclee reprints, but it just doesn't sit right with me. I think it's because I can re print them so easily.

[@KeithCooper]

Glad it was of interest. However - be careful with the 'giclee' word - it's nothing but marketing nonsense and means nothing whatsoever in respect of actual print type or quality ;-) ;-) It's question of marketing... Is there a market for multiple copies of your work? Can they be tied in to anything else or other products? Also, does this friend actually know anything about selling prints? I get asked a lot about this sort of thing and often it's from suggestions from someone just being nice, who hasn't the faintest bit of experience in actual sales or gallery management... However, you need to be comfortable with it... Seeing works as 'products' can be a difficult thing for photographers and artists.

[@richardterrell5309]

You made some valid points worth a consider.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks

[@kevins8575]

I love these videos!

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks!

[@boristahmasian9604]

Hi Keith, points well made. I would also reiterate your point that it is all about marketing and the hype that goes along with it. I know of a number of famous photographers (who shall remain nameless) who are at best mediocre but because of marketing have become household names so to speak. By the same token there are a lot of fantastic photographers out there who struggle selling work at bargain basement prices because they do not have the marketing machine hyping them up. This applies to other art forms too, not just photography. Your photographs look good to me. Better than most earlier mentioned famous photographers' work. You just need a marketing person who is in the photography space to make you famous... and why not?!😊

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - I think there are quite a few photographers who see prints, think 'I could do that' and don't consider all the marketing side ;-)

[@boristahmasian9604]

@@KeithCooper After so many years of trying, it is all about marketing and the HYPE more so than the quality of the work!!

[@KeithCooper]

Yes, it's an aspect I've never been overly comfortable with...

[@claudeboussemaere5018]

in some countries selling as limited edition is required to have a lower revenue taxation rate

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks - that's news to me. Do you know where? As I said though: 'Investigate your local market' ;-)

[@claudeboussemaere5018]

@@KeithCooper France and Belgium have special rullings for art work selling. For example in Belgium a reduced VAT of 6% instead of 21% can be applied if the art work is sold directly by the artist. Generally to be considered as 'art work' it must be a limited edition.

[@KeithCooper]

Thanks for the info

[@DavidBriard]

​@@KeithCooper Same in France, there is an "artist" status for photographers that allow to be charged only on what you sell, you can have VAT of 5,5% for prints, and for this status, you can only sell limited edition and no more than 30 copies. So no choice for me.

[@jbairdexp]

Yeah, but what if I tag my limited edition as a giclée fine art print? ;-)

[@KeithCooper]

Double super bonus point for you ;-)

[@thomaseriksson6256]

Nobody cares about my pictures but if they do I will use a limited editions for my boring woodland pictures. We need to protect the public.

[@KeithCooper]

Well considered! ;-)

[@MelanieMaguire]

😆😆😆

[@dunnymonster]

All of my images are limited editions....limited to how many people want to buy them 😋😁

[@KeithCooper]

Better than a big stack of prints in a drawer ;-)