So I’m gonna be posting this on the acrylic painting subreddit and the small business one, because I have a small business in creating acrylic painting pieces for my Etsy shop. So, I sell my original acrylic paintings on Etsy. I do all different kinds, whatever speaks to me that day I guess, from landscapes, to cartoons, to festive art. And sometimes my family offers to buy one, or suggests I do a specific painting for them. Almost every single time I’ve done it for a family member, they’ve lowballed me.
For example, I created a very intricate piece for my father of a snowy scene, a church in the background, a truck driving by, trees everywhere, and tons of tiny little details that he SPECIFICALLY asked for. This is the biggest, and most detailed piece I’ve ever done for somebody, and it’s a commission. So I put my all into this piece, it took me 3-4 days and lots of material. When I messaged him and told him the piece was finished and sent him a photo he immediately called me. His words were something along the lines of, “Hi hunny, just let me know how much you’re charging me for it, I know you won’t charge me out my ass because I’m your dad.” And then continues on with “How much do you usually charge for your paintings?” That’s when I began telling him how it depends, because it’s my biggest canvas, (not huge but still my biggest canvas at 11x14.) has lots of little detail, and it took me 4 days. He then replied asking me if “40-45 dollars is good.” No, that’s not good. For what I’ve created, I would ask a random stranger for around 65-70. & My father is not the only family member to do so. It’s so extremely hard for me to sell to my family when this is what they do everytime. They somehow make me feel bad for charging what I believe my time, material, effort, and money is worth. And it fucking sucks. Am I alone?
There is no such thing as a “family and friends discount” for me. They either come to me to support me and pay my prices, or they go to someone else to get a better price. I always pay my family and friends a little extra to do work for me if I can afford it, and I never pay less than they would ask a stranger. That’s just the decent thing to do.
You need to start explaining to people that this is your job, and you have to charge them accordingly. If they have a problem with it, that’s their problem. You don’t owe anyone any favors. Unless you’re doing something special for a special event, your family are just customers that you happen to be related to.
Also, always discuss price beforehand and get a deposit. Even for family, they’re honestly the most notorious for backing out after your done because they know that you’re not going to go after them if they don’t pay.