Photography & 'paintings'

[HotHolly]

OK, I've been playing with a idea for a little while and to avoid shooting myself in the foot, I thought I would see what people in here think.

I am considereing making a large change to our family/ child sessions. Right now with our family/ child sessions, we offer X number of proofs. They get to choose from X different poses and they can purchase whatever they want.

Now, I am considering offering the session to get 1 shot that will turned into a photographic painting (an image that started as a photograph and was hand painted in a computer program, then printed on a gallery wrap).

I just meet with the mom and 2 grandmas from a session I did recently. I was kind of ho-hum about it, so I made one of their shots into a painting. Short version - they were ecstatic about the painting. The Mom was all teary.

My concern: If I offer the paintings, I can only offer 1 painting. They won't have choices (it takes too long). I asked the Mom that was in here and she said she wouldn't have minded no choice - but she'd already seen the painting. (She didn't know she was getting it, I just made it for her to see if it is something that would sell around here or not). I was also wondering if sales would drop due to lack of choice on the front end and then on the back end since there is only 1. Right now, most of our clients can't decide and order different sizes of each shot. The most money is spent POST sale.

I was wondering if anyone else in here offers just paintings and how they transitioned into it?

I used to paint, was commissioned, and all that. Usually children's portraits. I really loved it. I'd stopped doing it after I had my kids - little kids and oil paint is a bad combo. I don't have that issue with this type of 'painting,' and I would be so excited to get to paint again - even if I don't actually use paint. I didn't want my excitement to run away with me.

We do have good print sales post-session, and I would be concerned about loosing them. Do family members order duplicate paintings? Do you allow the painting to be ordered in as a print? Any details like that or opinions, would be helpful.

If this is as clear as mud, feel free to ask for clarification - my head is spinning with ideas. We need a dizzy smiley face - picture this one dizzy.

[Steelsun]

Sounds like a good plan.

Rangefinder mag had some stories a few issues back about people that specialize in "paintings" processed from photos, many of which have 'real' painting backgrounds, and are doing well at it. Even gave some great tips to make the paintings 'better' (i.e., after printing out, brush on the clear acrylic stuff to simulate the actual brushstrokes and to give it real texture).

[bondarnes]

I don't believe Rembrandt let his subjects choose. And Degas didn't make proofs. And you are an artist.

I would offer this as another product line above canvas. You can still offer all the things you offer now, but this would be your "Ultimate" finish. Maybe even call it your "Rembrandt Finish".

[zach-e2]

good luck on your venture.. sounds like an awesome idea!

[Clayton Wallace]

It sounds like a fantastice idea, but I would agree with Don. Add it as the "ultimate product" for those looking for something unique or different. And charge a crapload for it so that it is worth your time. If you find so many people are ordering your "ultimate product" that you are replacing the income from print sales, then it is prudent to make the jump. Oh, and if you really want to do it, show it like it is the best thing in the world. If you believe it is fabulous, chances are your clients will too.

[Howard Barlow]

They sell well, and for big bucks.

[HotHolly]

Even gave some great tips to make the paintings 'better' (i.e., after printing out, brush on the clear acrylic stuff to simulate the actual brushstrokes and to give it real texture).

I've used that stuff before (Gesso) with acrylic paintings. It adds a nice sheen giving acrylics luster and depth that's more like oils. However, it eventually yellows and cracks. Is there another something that doesn't have that nasty problem?

this would be your "Ultimate" finish

That's a good idea. I'll have to think of how to pitch that. Selling it on the front end is what has me concerned with this type of thing, since 2/3 of the total sale made is coming after proofing.

And charge a crapload for it so that it is worth your time.

What is going rate for this kind of thing? Not that it matters much, but just for a bench mark. Where is the crapload mark in your mind?

Thanks for the tips. If you have any more or opinions, feel free to share. :o)

[picasso]

The people I know that sell them do it for $2200 and up for the painting in a nice frame.

Originally Posted by HotHolly

What is going rate for this kind of thing? Not that it matters much, but just for a bench mark. Where is the crapload mark in your mind?

Thanks for the tips. If you have any more or opinions, feel free to share. :o)

[Gabby498]

Use acrylic gloss medium rather than gesso for the brush strokes. With your oil painting background it should be an easy task to emulate the painted surface.

[Clayton Wallace]

Where is the crapload mark in your mind?

Judging where that mark is tricky, because I've been told by those in the know I'm completely full crap.

Seriously, of course charge what the market will bear. I don't know what your market, or coming market will bear, but I don't think the $2000 mark is obscene. This will likely be the single coolest thing in those giant houses (that often look so boringly-similar). You are offering one-of-a-kind family art. Market as such. If I was you, I'd look for a super effective and powerful way to market them to high-end clients. Maybe find a client of influence (charasmatic, CEO, social, etc...) and arrange to shoot at their next big party (Christmas is coming, corporate...). At the party have 2-3 samples of the paintings, with a host-sponsored prize of a "free" portrait session/painting by HOT HOLLY (value $2000. The painting, not you).

Crazy effective marketing, the host looks like a hero for providing such an amazing gift (photos at the party AND the chance to win a custom family painting), and you get paid up front by the host. Anyway, you get the idea. Maybe not that, but small, effective marketing techniques like that will really get the word out about the amazing and unique paintings. I'd also have a brochure made that describes exactly what it is with sample photos of the finished product, client testimony, and prices. Think of places that have your clients as clients (plastic surgeons, luxury resorts, realtors, etc). Also, you could do a free session for the staff or company that owns a country club. What fantastic adversiting that would be...they'd show it off like crazy! Offer the frame, lighting, etc to make it easy...and come out just how you know it should look. That thing would be there advertising for you for thousands of potential clients for years...

And why do you have to do either-or? Can't you offer prints at prices that make it worth while, but offer the painting as the upgrade? Maybe when they buy the painting, it comes with a certain print credit? That way you don't exclude those that would like a few prints too, and make painting the main focus. Plus you can always phase that out if you continue to have the demand.

Is there another something that doesn't have that nasty problem?

Well, there is always the Mr. Bean method (the Mr. Bean movie).
Seriously, I don't know of a texture you can add on top of a print to make it look like paint. I don't think you can achieve a realistic effect this way (think shadows and the obvious yellowing). But you might check here to see if you get any ideas: http://www.nps.gov/history/hps/tps/briefs/brief28.htm

Alternately, you could develop your own method altogether. Think "digital meets fresco" or something crazy unique to brand yourself.

[HotHolly]

Originally Posted by Clayton Wallace

Judging where that mark is tricky, because I've been told by those in the know I'm completely full crap.

lol!

At the party have 2-3 samples of the paintings, with a host-sponsored prize of a "free" portrait session/painting by HOT HOLLY (value $2000. The painting, not you).

I was gonna say - $2K for hotholly. *Mike* would get kind of upset.

Seriously, I don't know of a texture you can add on top of a print to make it look like paint. I don't think you can achieve a realistic effect this way (think shadows and the obvious yellowing). Alternately, you could develop your own method altogether. Think "digital meets fresco" or something crazy unique to brand yourself.

You know me so well. The day I figure out how to combine photography and painting is the day I'll get rich. Well, maybe not rich - freaking student loans! But you get the point. The country club circles reveres art like its been touched by divinity, but they frequent the photographer more often than that the artist. So, thanks for the encouragement. Things come and go from my mind about all this stuff and I've yet to pull both mediums together in a way I feel like is 'me.' When I do, you guys will be 1st to know!