How much should I charge????

[Keyser Soze]

Hello everybody, I have been looking at this forum for a very long time, lurking about reading all the topics.... however this is the first time I have posted......

I am Location Manager who's trying to make a living out of taking pictures and would ultimately like to become a pro~photographer......

A couple of weeks ago I took some reportage pictures of a female singer and the label she is signed to would like to use the pictures in a program on her tour and inside her album sleeve.....

As I am a novice, I'd like the forums advice on what kind of prices I should be charging for the use of the copyright on the pictures??? Do I sell the copyright to them outright? If so how much should I charge??
I don't know if there are any guide lines for this??? What would you guys recommend??

Thanks in Advance for your help.......

[vvizard]

If there's a label-company wanting to buy them for use in a album-sleeve, and want the copyrights for them too, I would start high =)

BTW: I'm not a pro, merely an amatour, so I suggest you wait for some of the "better gifted" in this forum to reply :)

[jstatler]

First of all congrat.
My sisters in the music biz and she and friends usually buy the use of photos. If at all possible do not sell the copywrite. Unless you were shooting for this company you should still own the rights of your images. You may have to agree to let them use the image solely while you keep the right to use in portfolios etc. Try to make sure that you are recognized for photo ie. your name under photo in jacket.
As for price.. If it's a large label or wellknown performer start high. Some photos in US go for thousands depending on performer others for much less. My old pappy used to say never throw out an amount first always let them go first. It's all in how much they are willing to spend. If you start to low they'll just gladly agree too high and they might look elsewhere. Let them start with an amount(they usually pay) and go from there. My thinking is getting your name out there if your just starting is worth it's weight in gold. Good luck!!

[Motorsports Photo]

There are a couple of sites that will give you a "guesstimate" on the going rate for commercial work.

Unfortunately I cant find the URL's right now!

Do your homework so you know where to negotiate from.

-Pete

[Keyser Soze]

There are a couple of sites that will give you a "guesstimate" on the going rate for commercial work.

Unfortunately I cant find the URL's right now!

Do your homework so you know where to negotiate from.

-Pete


thank you all....

also pete, if you find those URL's please let me know.....

Many Thanks,

fingers crossed I won't get robbed!!!

[CyberDyneSystems]

Hey Keyser...

Where do I know your name from?

Do you crunch DC?

Do you play Delta Force?

Do you water cool and overclock your rigs?

I know i've seen that name before on a forum somehwere.. but I can't remember where?

.... Half Life?

Anyways.. good luck with the record deal!

[Bruce Hamilton]

Hey Keyser...
Where do I know your name from?

Glad I'm not the only one who recognized that name from somewhere... :)

Keyser, check out the thread titled "My Copyright" in the 'Talk About...' forum, the comment from IndyJeff might pertain to you as well.

[cmM]

Hey Keyser...

Where do I know your name from?

Have you seen "The usual suspects" with Kevin Spacey ? There was a guy in that movie with a very similar name, I remember.
maybe that's why it sounds familiar

[Keyser Soze]

Hey Keyser...

Where do I know your name from?

Have you seen "The usual suspects" with Kevin Spacey ? There was a guy in that movie with a very similar name, I remember.
maybe that's why it sounds familiar

one of my favourite films..........

[CyberDyneSystems]

Ahhh.. O-kay.. just someone else using the name.. :) :?

Thanks.

[Saturn]

Hello:

If this person want's your image, you've just become a professional; you're not a novice and you should not charge as a novice, first time sale or not.

Go to this site, http://www.editorialphotographers.com/

They will give you a wealth of insight on what to charge. There are a lot of "whores" (pardon my "french" :wink:) in this business, and the're the ones that go out of business first! Go to the EP site. They'll help quite a bit.

And good luck on your first pending sale!!

[Keyser Soze]

Hello:


And good luck on your first pending sale!!


Dear Saturn,

Thank you very much for your help, will let you know how it goes....

Keyser

[Saturn]

I've never sold an album cover or jacket image. Consider how much they're all going to make on this album. if you tell them $2,000, and suggest $4,000 for unlimited rights, that'll be a drop in the bucket to their total take on the entire promotion.

I would really post your query to EP and they'll give you another opinion.

Good luck, and let us knowl how it goes!

[Keyser Soze]

I've never sold an album cover or jacket image. Consider how much they're all going to make on this album. if you tell them $2,000, and suggest $4,000 for unlimited rights, that'll be a drop in the bucket to their total take on the entire promotion.

I would really post your query to EP and they'll give you another opinion.

Good luck, and let us knowl how it goes!

Cool, will do,

thanks again......

[defordphoto]

Here's an online calculator...

http://photographersindex.com/stockprice.htm