Why Pricing Your Art Is an Act of Self-Respect
One of the most common patterns I notice among artists, photographers, designers, and workshop leaders is this:
they don’t truly value their own work.
They value the art, yes — the output, the joy of creating, the connection with others.
But they rarely put the same value on their time, their energy, or their expertise.
Some even excuse it by saying,
“I don’t have the degree others have.”
“It’s just a side project.”
“I want to do something meaningful, money shouldn’t matter.”
And yet, when we start to unpack what creative work really costs, a very different picture emerges.
The Hidden Hours
A friend of mine gives art workshops in a social community center. A wonderful project helping young adults find confidence and expression.
She gets paid 150 € for two to four hours on site.
After taxes, that’s roughly 125 €.
But here’s what’s not on the invoice:
- 3–4 hours of preparation
- materials and tools she brings herself
- setup and cleanup
- travel time & travel costs
- communication with participants and organizers
- social and emotional energy that can’t be measured in minutes
Add it up, and what looks like “two hours of art workshop” quickly becomes ten hours of labor.
That’s a wage close to minimum level, for work that demands skill, empathy, and vision.
The Illusion of the Hourly Rate
When we sell creative work, we often sell moments: a 2-hour workshop, a 3-minute song, a half day photo shoot.
But the moment of delivery is only the visible tip of the iceberg.
Below the surface lies the real work: the years of learning, the cost of equipment, the research, the client care, the trial and error that make excellence possible.
If you charge only for what people see, you’ll always be undervalued.
To build a sustainable creative practice, you have to learn to price the invisible.
Pricing as an Act of Self-Respect
Money is not the enemy of art.
It’s a mirror of the respect we have for our own time and craft.
When we underprice ourselves, we unintentionally teach others that our work and by extension, we ourselves are worth less.
When we price fairly, we create a system where creativity can actually thrive.
The goal is not greed: it’s balance:
enough to create freely, live decently, and sustain the energy to keep giving.
How to Reframe Your Value
Here are a few questions you can ask yourself before you set your next price:
- What does it really take to deliver this work?
Count every step: preparation, communication, materials, travel, follow-up. - What level of responsibility do I carry?
Are you teaching, mentoring, performing, or holding space for others? That matters. - What would it cost to replace me?
Think of your unique mix of skill, sensitivity, and reliability. That’s your true leverage. - What lifestyle do I want to sustain?
Your price should not only cover today’s costs, but also your health, savings, and creative growth. - Would I still feel inspired at this price?
If you feel resentment after delivering — it’s too low. If you feel joy and commitment — it’s right.
For a Healthier Creative Economy
The world needs art, but artists also need rent, food, and rest.
For creativity to be regenerative, it must be valued as part of the economy, not as its decoration.
At the Creators Foundation, we believe that valuing creative work is not about ego, it’s about equity.
It’s about building systems where artistic contribution and financial wellbeing can coexist.
Because when creators thrive, culture thrives.
What about you?
When was the last time you truly priced your work in a way that honored your time, your energy, and your expertise?
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