Client wants JPG for own printing

[Mike Hoyer]

Here's my situation. I've been approached by someone wanting to use some of my images to print on a canvas, as a gift for someone. Obviously they are going to want to use the full size JPG file for this.

Normally I only give large JPGs to trusted sources like magazines, who will pay their fee for it. What should I do/charge in this case?

Would it be sensible to charge a fee, and include conditions of use, i.e. one-time print?
Thanks for advice.

[tim]

Once they have the image they'll do whatever they want with it. If you're a professional photographer tell them your price for a canvas print. They're just being cheap.

[mbellot]

Once they have the image they'll do whatever they want with it. If you're a professional photographer tell them your price for a canvas print.

Or figure out the value of permanently releasing the photo and give them that price.

Better, do both and let them choose which price they like better. ;)

They're just being cheap.

Trying. It remains to be seen if they succeed.

[harryb49]

Just set your price for the intended use, audience, etc. I wouldn't release my photos without being adequately compensated.

[Mike Panic]

heres an idea... sell them the canvas either loose or have it stretched and bound, it is not super spendy to do and if its stretched and bound it can be hung right away or be framed. you don't loose out on having a jpg float around that they can do whatever they want with and the customer gets what they want

there is also (usually) a really nice mark-up from you to your customer on these types of things. if you don't know anywhere to get this done, shoot me a PM and ill give you the name of the lab i work at - we do this stuff daily.

[fortinaa]

I agree that it's just a cheap customer. What were the terms that this particular photo were taken under? If it was some sort of portrait session, I would never sell them the jpg for it, especially knowing they just want to buy it so they can go have it printed somewhere else. At the least, I would figure out how much pure profit you typically make on selling the canvas she is looking at having printed, and charge her that for the jpg, or tell her she can buy the canvas from you.

[funnypicmaker]

Sounds like the photo is *not* a picture of that person or their friends, meaning it could have commercial value to multiple other people. I wouldn't sell large JPEG's unless it's specific to a person, such as a portrait, wedding, etc. You have no control over what happens to a landscape photo and others with universal value. It could be shared all over the local message boards and via email forwarding, people print posters at home, and then never buy your prints because they already have it for free.

[sirsloop]

agreed... id only sell digital rights to pictures with sentimental value. High res shots of anything "stock" can get resold without you knowing!!!

[dpurslow]

Mike, thats a great question and one many many of us have come across, and I think its a real landmark when you do.

I generally have 3 rules of thumb. Number 1, NO ONE gets free photos - exception, my wife, sister, mum and dad, nikki's brother.

Number 2. If you want the rights to my photos you pay the full price unless you are covered by rule3. The full price of the photo in my case means either a print price or my 1/2 day rate or a full days rate. I also NEVER let images go out untouched by me first and I ask them what sizes they want and do the post processing. Typically if you only want one photo for a magazine, I will supply it in A4/8x12 size, 4x6 size and 2x3 size - this will cost you (if its an image I shot for someone else example - at a concert, and its a bacground photo, groups scene at a football game or something like that) - the cost for the image with non exclusive rights £150.00 If its a photo I shot while working for you, its covered by the original contract.

Rule 3 - Whats in it for me ? - Yesterday a guy I know very well, (I do a lot of networking groups like BNI etc.) This guy is a BNI chapter director, has a lot of connections and has and can open a lot of doors for me - He wanted a shot I have of him for a publicity campaign. I am supplying him the photo for £50.00 - in the 3 sizes listed above - I could have done it for free but I am a firm beleiver in if you give away your WORK for free, the person will see little or no value in it - I will rant more about this later.

So to answer your question quickly. Either A, give it to them (I never do) B. charge them a fair rate for limited use of the photo or C, if they can do something for you, make a nominal charge for your time etc.

P.S. I do from time to time work for some very large companies over here in the UK, If they need a job doing that I could do for free and could do easily, I will do it but ask them to make a donation of £25.00 to one of the charity's I do work for. I have never had one say NO or seem shocked to be asked to do this, it also have worked well for me because later talking to them it built up my respect level with them somewhat.

Last but not least - DONT be afriad to quote a price, they will either pay it or say its too high - if its too high, you can always come down but you can never go up !