Shooting NASCAR.....How can I use them?

[racechaser]

Hey all! Its been so long since I've posted that my password didnt work, had to re-register, but I am formally Craftgirl aka Girlw/glass.....

I have searched and couldnt find a specific answer to my question about how I would be able to legally use my photos of NASCAR events with out a licence or release. If it is not possible to do so, then how can I go about at least being able to sell them to fans for personal enjoyment?.....I am an aspiring sports photojournalist persuing my BA in communications studies with a minor in journalism and I have some great connections to the sport. I'd like to find out how to get my foot in the door with out harming myself......I have a few great shots that I think might mean something to someone out there.

Any help and advise would be greatly appreciated! And if I have missed a good link to already posted material, direction would be appreciated as well....

Happy Shooting!!!!
Tracy

[transcend]

I believe NASCAR protects their images/video much like the NFL. In short, you cannot, in any way, make a profit off of these photos without the expressed written consent of NASCAR. The credentials they issue to photographers are usually for editorial use only.

I could be wrong, but this is how i understand NASCAR operates after having read some paperwork from them.

[racechaser]

I figured I'd have to contact Nascar or the racing team at least before i could use them in anyway.....they usually ask a pretty penny too.....I guess my question now is do i have to go to each team individually or can i contact nascar and get a "blanket" deal...lol....wishful thinking really.....I checked into getting a merchadise licence with Roush racing and they want 700 bucks a year....ouch...lol

[racechaser]

Transcend, thank you by the way~~~!!!!! :)

[IndyJeff]

A NASCAR license to sell images to the general public is $10,000 upfront on the first $100,000 in sales and I think it was 5% on everything over 100K in sales.
However, you can still make sales of an editorial nature to magazines, newspapers etc. DO NOT make any sales where the image will be used in an ad under any circumstances unless you see written releases from NASCAR claiming all releases required have been obtained. Personally, I would ask for a copy of such documents before releasing the image.

[racechaser]

Hey Jeff! Ive missed you!!!!!!

Thanks for all the info, that was my next question about Magazines and papers.....

I dont think that i would ever even put a dent in that 10,000, so i guess i wont be too much hassle for those big guys...lol.....

Im building a nice portfolio and would like to scout out my local papers to see if they bite....Guess we will just have to see!!!!! lol

Tracy

[transcend]

I was hoping Jeff would chime in, as he is probably the most knowledgeable on this subject. Quick question - from what I understood from the paperwork they sent me, i couldn't even sell the images as editorial to magazine, it had to be a staff photographer typde deal. Is this not the case?

[racechaser]

Good point Transcend.....

[IndyJeff]

I was hoping Jeff would chime in, as he is probably the most knowledgeable on this subject. Quick question - from what I understood from the paperwork they sent me, i couldn't even sell the images as editorial to magazine, it had to be a staff photographer typde deal. Is this not the case?

Typically when you get a credential you will sign an agreement, which is also a liablity release by the sanctioning body, and venue against any personal injury. Also in that agreement, if you are credentialed by a media organization, is a clause which allows you to only provide images for that particular media organization.

I don't know who you were credentialed with racechaser but, if you weren't working for a media client you should be able to sell to a magazine or newspaper. The only trouble is, betwen Cup Scene Magazine, AllSport, AP, Getty, WireImage and a couple of others, someone wanting a shot of something would already have a source in place. The best bet would be if you were the only one who caught a certain incident, say one driver hauls off and punches another one in the garage area and you happen to capture it. Then your phone will be ringing off the hook.

The best thing to do is to always ask for a copy of the agreement you sign when you pick up your credentials. I have had people look at me funny and ask why I want a copy. Well it is a legal document that I am signing with terms and conditions isn't it? I actually had one track tell me in 2003 they were short on copies and I couldn't have one. I pointed out that they were asking me to sign a legal document and refusing to give me a copy would make that document null and void. The head cheese came out then and got in on the conversation. After arguing my point, and a lot of other people began questioning why they couldn't have a copy, they agreed to let anyone who wanted a copy to get a copy. Read one sometime, you would be surprised at what you sign away, basically your life if you read closely.

[racechaser]

credentials? me? wishful thinking....lol....one of these days! :)

[IndyJeff]

credentials? me? wishful thinking....lol....one of these days! :)


Well then what are you worried about. You are free to shop to any magazine, newspaper, wire agency you wish. Just not stock or ad agencies, they probably wouldn't accept them anyway.

[racechaser]

how inspiring....whoo hoo.....well its worth a shot anyhow, to shop the magazines and such....the worst they can say is no and i can say i tried!....no pain no gain, im sure there is plenty to learn about how getting published works in there somewhere, too....

it NEVER hurts to TRY!!!!!
Thanks Jeff!!!!!

[E-Dude]

I have been going to one of the Pocono races for the last seven years or so. Only the last three have I taken a camera along. This last year I borrowed a friend's Rebel and 70-300 lens.

I don't have any credentials but I bought a pit pass and I was able to take pictures from pit road during practice and qualifying. Most of Sunday's pictures were taken from the grandstands.

Getting back to the point.... I believe that NASCAR retains all rights to just about anything that can be recorded at the race. Audio, still pictures, video and even the radio conversations. At least that is what I understand from reading the text on the tickets.

I feel comfortable posting pictures (http://www.pbase.com/hallerec/at_the_races) on the Internet but making money from them would probably be a problem.