Should I sell the RAW ?

[jbrown1]

I was at an event this past weekend shooting a horse show with the intent of selling prints on my website to the participents.

I took a shot of a little girl (who had just won a rosette) and her pony, as well as a few others of her riding.

I got chatting to her dad, and he asked me for my business card, so I obliged. He told me he was always on the lookout for photogs as he ran a publishing business, which includes selling images to dept stores for advertising etc. I told him I wasnt a pro, but I have got some images with Alamy, and if he wanted to deal direct with me we could work out a deal.

Anyways all that was peachy and we went our seperate ways.

I had a phone call from him earlier today regarding the photo's I took of his daughter. He told me he didnt want to order any prints of her off of my website, as he wanted to print them at work to canvas.

He then asked me what price I wanted to sell him the RAW images so that he could get his own prints done. I've never sold digital negs before, so I had no clue, and told him to email what he wants and I'll get back to him.

So my question is... should I sell him the RAW files and if so, what would be a fair price ?

[Gary_Evans]

Do you mean the file - as shot, or you shot in your cameras RAW format?

If its an actual RAW file make sure that he has the software to open it, tho' I would guess that he'll probably have CS2.

With regards to prices. I would sell him the file for the same as you would sell him the canvas print for. Certainly not less than the profit you would make on a 20x16

[98photo]

I agree with Gary, you should charge what you would had you printed it. I usually charge $150-$200 US for a canvas print depending on the subject matter.

[tim]

Selling RAW: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=205502

A JPG is what he'd most likely need, i'd refuse to sell the RAW. Tell him the price you're happy with, keep in mind what he's using it for and that he might (small chance) help you out in future. Or offer to sell him a finished canvas print. Don't be too greedy.

[chtgrubbs]

I think in this situation, I would probably just give him the shot as a professional consideration. He might be able to give you enough business in the future to make many times the amount you could charge him for the one photo. I've done this many times for art directors/art buyers and it is very good PR for you. Enclose a note congratulating his daughter on her achievement, saying that you enjoyed talking with him, and hope that he will contact you if you if he has jobs you can help him with. Be sure and give your contact info.

[rdking01]

I think in this situation, I would probably just give him the shot as a professional consideration. He might be able to give you enough business in the future to make many times the amount you could charge him for the one photo. I've done this many times for art directors/art buyers and it is very good PR for you. Enclose a note congratulating his daughter on her achievement, saying that you enjoyed talking with him, and hope that he will contact you if you if he has jobs you can help him with. Be sure and give your contact info.

i could agree more....the relativly small amout you might make off of him probably would not offset what he might throw you later! plus you really have nothing to loose doing it!

[Nortelbert]

Ditto to chtgrubbs' comments... a little gesture can go a long way towards getting more work. As he is in the publishing business, he may be able to manipulate/rework your images whether in RAW or JPEG anyway.

[Gerry@Rick]

You could do a bit of 'you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours'. Say "how about me mentioning that people can obtain large copies on canvas' etc. from Joe Bloggs contact through your website, you can keep the image on your website and at the same time give him a copy for restricted use. That way you both stand to get some mileage out of it.

[hufffoto]

Hey JBrown. Congrats on the interest in your image. My $.02 is this- in my expereince doing something free rarely leads to other business later. If it's a freind it's a different situation, but with a stranger you are only devaluing your efforts. You've established with him that your work is worth nothing, and that is how he will approach it later. With payment you have to opportunity to deal with him in a business sense which is huge. You can present a finished product, produce an invoice, maybe even provide samples for future work.

Of course, you know the situation better having been there, but I think doing something for free on the sole hope that it will lead to paid business later is damaging to you.

[hufffoto]

JBrosn. Sorry I jsut re-read your post, and I don't think my above comments completey reached yoru question.

I would not sell him the digital file. Cetrainly not a RAW- if anythign you want to be able to process it your self (.tif probably). If it were me, I would sell him the print.

[tim]

I agree with hufffoto. He could be saying "I could give you some work" just to get this image for free. Put a fair price on your work for the product he wants, if he likes your work he'll hire you later anyway.

[LBaldwin]

I think in this situation, I would probably just give him the shot as a professional consideration. He might be able to give you enough business in the future to make many times the amount you could charge him for the one photo. I've done this many times for art directors/art buyers and it is very good PR for you. Enclose a note congratulating his daughter on her achievement, saying that you enjoyed talking with him, and hope that he will contact you if you if he has jobs you can help him with. Be sure and give your contact info.

RED ALERT RED ALERT
Wrong wrong wrong. Does the gas station give you free gas in the hope that you will come back for more? Does the plumber fix your sink for free so that he can hope to do the shower? NO

Take your business acumen and get it a checkup, right now and don't delay.

This Dad saw the photographer coming well before he knew it. Photo Buyers never hire photographers becuase they got a great deal last time. I have been a PRO for over 30 years and I can tell you that you should never give away an image in hope to get more business. I won't happen. There are too many photographers out there.

As to selling the file to the Dad, if you do that then he can use it for whatever he wants it for without paying you any further income. That means he can give a picture to everyone in the family for cost and you get nothing. Your statement about not being a pro also does not hold water. If you create income from your images by selling online then you are considered a professional (by most states and the IRS).

If he is in the publishing business then he probably knows a zillion ways to get what he wants for next to nothing. Most mags and newpapers pay BELOW what they did 30 years ago for an image. Royalty free images, and low prices from the likes of corbis and getty cut right through our business too. So if he can get a free image from you now why would he pay you anything in the future?

Les Baldwin

[Gerry@Rick]

I withdraw my earlier suggestion. Les is absolutley right. What was I thinking of.:oops:

RED ALERT RED ALERT

Take your business acumen and get it a checkup, right now and don't delay.

This Dad saw the photographer coming well before he knew it.

you should never give away an image in hope to get more business.

If you create income from your images by selling online then you are considered a professional (by most states and the IRS).

Keep records

If he is in the publishing business then he probably knows a zillion ways to get what he wants for next to nothing.

if he can get a free image from you now why would he pay you anything in the future?

Les Baldwin

Don't sell him the Raw file but a JPG copy. Even a restrictive clause in any agreement is hard to police but having got a fee for the use of the picture will restore your standing a little but don't expect any favours.

[jbrown1]

Thanks all for the advice. I think I'll offer to sell the .tif or .jpeg and keep my hands on the RAW.

I dont know this guy from Adam, but without sounding too harsh, what he said and how he said it sent tiny alarm bells ringing.

I guess my biggest concern was giving him the photo's of his daughter for a knockdown price. Then he asks for more of my work, and trys telling me he'd offer me the same rate etc etc. A situation I'd rather avoid...