Photo Jewelry – Profit or Loss?
ByDoes selling photo jewelry cut into your profits? Does it bring down your perceived value to have photos on items like mugs and mouse pads? Does your studio get more exposure to new clients if your portraits are printed on purses and bags your clients are carrying?
Let’s toss some ideas around about selling accessories and see what happens.
What I do know for sure is that I would rather have the profit of an equivalent portrait sale over the profit of a jewelry sale. The cost of goods is much higher with jewelry items than a photograph. I also found that ordering jewelry was a longer, harder process so the hassle factor was high for me.
I did carry a nice jewelry line for a while and only sold two pieces. Were my sales so small because I am not a big jewelry enthusiast? Was the price point just too expensive? Did I not carry the jewelry line long enough to give my customers time to get hooked on it? Did I pick the wrong line? Or was it because I would rather make more profit on portrait sales than a smaller profit on a jewelry sale?
I also discourage clients from wanting to put my work such things as mugs, mouse pads, and other trinkets. For me it felt like an insult to my work and the art form. It felt devalued and cheap. I know that is not how the client looks at it but I was uncomfortable with it. Maybe I am a portrait snob, but in a nice sort of way of course.
Jewelry, purses, and bags can function as advertising, but does it work? Does someone hire a photographer because they saw an image they did on a purse? These items are definite conversation starters and are visible to all the client’s friends to see and comment on for sure.
I would like your opinions on what you think about offering wearable fashions and totes. How are these items affecting your bottom line?
