They want to buy one of my photos....help needed!

[Grey56]

I got a call from a guy from a record company, saying that a band he represents likes a photo I took a few weeks ago. They want to include it in their CD sleeve in their next album. Usually I just take pictures and charge for the session, all photos are included (low-res, for web use). This is new to me.

So, I don't know what to charge. $20? $100? More? (I'm located in Boston.)
How do I go about some sort of release for the photo, so they can use it?
How can I maintain rights over it, so it stays MY photo?

This company also represents other bands that I'd love to shoot. More than money, I'd really just want the opportunity to shoot these other bands, for two reasons: (1) I'd get to shoot them, and (2) those shoots might lead to more (paid) work.

Are they any websites out there that may help me? Does anyone here have any info that could help me? I'm going to pop out for lunch but I'll be back. Thanks in advance.

Cheers!

[CanonXTuser]

Not $20?
.... unless paid work to you means continue to work for $20 ....

Please someone help so Jennifer doesn't shoot her and other photogs career in the foot by selling herself cheaply.

P.S. As for your reasons. Get rid of 1) it means nothing to the band/management and will make you look like a groupie, star struck fan that can be taken advantage of ... which is how a lot of bands see photogs resulting in them having ... a gee, I thought you do this just to get into shows free and get our affirmation that we like and want to use your pics.

[René Damkot]

From the Faq: Click (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showpost.php?p=2844940&postcount=10)

Might help.

I usually charge between 50-200 euro for stuff like that, depending on shot, band and their budget... That's smallish bands...

Copyright stays with you, they get a licence to use the image for such-and-such usage (spell it out clearly)

[narlus]

jennifer -awesome news! is it a major label? i'd go for a bit more than $200, personally, even if it's an indie label.

[CanonXTuser]

btw, where's the pic!!!

[Grey56]

Thanks for the info and the links.

I see how you mean about looking like a groupie - not the impression I want to give. I would love a more long term relationship with this label though, so I would like to keep the doors open for more work. It's a decent sized company - according to Wikipedia it's one of the "Big Four" so the opportunities could be cool. I just don't want to name a price, have them pay up, and never hear from them again. I'd be sad.

Then again, getting a bit of cash would be awesome, considering all I've put into this "hobby" these last three years or so!

As for the picture, I can post it, right? I mean, it's mine, right? I am at work now but will be home later. I can post it then.

Thanks again for all your help.

Oh, and Tim, I was at the Middle East last night and looked for you. No other photogs were there, though. The lights were decent, you would have loved it. :-) I was at iso800, and still shot at 1/125 and 1/90, with 100/2.0 and 30/1.4. Fun stuff. Good, happy crowd. Lots of energy. :-)

[narlus]

Oh, and Tim, I was at the Middle East last night and looked for you. No other photogs were there, though. The lights were decent, you would have loved it. :-) I was at iso800, and still shot at 1/125 and 1/90, with 100/2.0 and 30/1.4. Fun stuff. Good, happy crowd. Lots of energy. :-)

i was just getting back from NYC (travelling for my real job...); unfortunately no good bands were playing out in the few days i was there.

were you upstairs or down?

i will be @ the ME up tmrw for the phenomenon that is Acid Mothers Temple!

[short5]

I don't know what it should be sold for but NOT less than a few hundred dollars. Selling cheap gets you no respect and kills the industry for all photographers.

[Steve Parr]

If it's one of the big labels, then they have budgets for this kind of thing. I can assure you, those budgets allow for a payment consisting of more than just a few bucks.

The big thing here, that I see, is that the label called you. That's your trump card. If they thought enough of your work to contact you, then it's well within the realm of possibility that they would consider using your work in the future.

If you let the shot go for $20.00, you'll prove to them that you're not a professional, which is exactly how you want to present yourself. Further, since they called you, it's what they already consider you to be.

This is, I think, a step that a lot of us would like to take; take advantage of it. Honest and open negotiation, I would think, should garner results that all are happy with...