The True Value Of A Photograph

Mike Turner photography: the value of a photograph
Mike Turner photography: the value of a photograph

The following passage is from a great article about the value of photographs, written by kennethlinge.com, you can follow the link and see the original post. I thought it perfectly illustrated the true value of photographs on an emotional level. Its contents was originally intended to be read by other professional photographers

” Years ago a photographer friend of mine told me a true sales example of how he perceived the value of a picture. He was at a client’s home doing a sale’s appointment and they reacted to his price of $85 for an 8 × 10. This was around 1990 and we were still shooting film. Looking over at the client’s book shelf he saw an old, beautiful 8 x 10″ black and white photograph of a couple. He went over to the bookshelf to have a closer look at it and said: I love this picture, it is so beautiful. I would love to buy it from you, what about $200? The wife answered: It’s my grandparents and the only copy we have, so there is no way I will sell it; it means a lot to me. My friend said what about $300? She answered it is worth more than money to me. Then he said: And you think it is to expensive to pay $85 for the one of your own family?”

I hope this post can put some thoughts in your mind on the value of what we do and what we should charge; we are creating so many priceless treasures for people. Let’s treat our work as what it truly is, wrap it in silk paper, hold it up carefully by the edges when we show it to our clients and be respectful of the truth worth of beautiful images.