Would you charge for this?

[05Xrunner]

I went to a large Military AirShow on Sunday.
Well They saw my pics and someone from it contacted me asking to send the pics so they can put it up on the Webpage?

[gmen]

Yes. Get the full details of proposed usage and licence appropriately. There are plenty of guides out there to rights-managed pricing, e.g. take a look at www.alamy.com

---- Gavin

[05Xrunner]

hmmm..Seems they ran off after I asked for Compensation for use

[gmen]

Well. Better than giving your valuable images away for nothing. There are more fish in the sea.

---- Gavin

[MaDProFF]

Why is it everyone wants something for nothing, ????? They think as you have the photograph it is of no use to anyone but themselves, and hence think they should have it for free

[05Xrunner]

?????? guess since I am on the local forum might have just figure I would give it away since they asked on there.

[bungee]

Unless you took the shots with the intention of making a profit why not just give them to the poor sods. They probably have no budget for photography. Go on. Be generous and good spirited.

Why is it everyone wants money for something these days, ?? :p

[MaDProFF]

naa not everyone wants to make money, just to break even, or recoup some of the outlay you spent to take awesome shoots that everyone wants :)

[JohnnyG]

I'm not a pro but have made a few dollars here and there for mostly reprints of a photo from an event/party or something. My fees just covered costs.

But, if I took something and someone wanted some copies, like an air show, first of all I would be flabbergasted that they thought my photos were good enough for distribution and second I would consider who they were in order to decide whether to charge or not. If they were a boy scout troop, then no. If they were the US Government, well yes.

If they run and hide when you mention money then that's your answer!

[Time Thief]

Any one ever thought that if you give them your pics and people like them then maybe you will get some business out of it. Karma!!!!! Be careful as it can bite you in the ass or reward you plenty. Some times you have to give a little to get a lot. To answer the question, no I would not charge for that. Especially if you are going to not use them for anything. See if they will give you credit and a small blurb about your business. Just a few rambling thoughts.

[bungee]

I agree. What goes around comes around. So sow a little goodwill. Just make sure they credit your photos and include contact details.

[blackshadow]

Charge them something; they want to use your image to promote their event - in other words they want to make money from your photo.

It may not be money you charge - maybe media passes to future events they hold or ask them to hire you as the photographer for their next airshow. But don't just accept a photo credit on their website especially when they are running a commercial event.

[vwpilot]

Any one ever thought that if you give them your pics and people like them then maybe you will get some business out of it. Karma!!!!! Be careful as it can bite you in the ass or reward you plenty. Some times you have to give a little to get a lot. To answer the question, no I would not charge for that. Especially if you are going to not use them for anything. See if they will give you credit and a small blurb about your business. Just a few rambling thoughts.

I agree. What goes around comes around. So sow a little goodwill. Just make sure they credit your photos and include contact details.

Both of you are extremely wrong in those assumptions as well. Its pretty obvious neither of you have been in those positions before.

Its all well and good to think that what comes around goes around, the sad truth is that its simply not the case 99% of the time.

Normally you get a heartfelt thank you and a "we'll call you the next time we need free images."

I dont know ANY pro photographers that have landed solid, well paying work from a photo credit or something they gave away for free. It just doesnt happen.

Sure, there is the very rare time and there are certainly times to choose well thought out times to give out freebies, but you really need to be careful about them and know what is going to happen and have a good feeling about it.

Do you really think that the average joe looking at some website for an airshow is going to see a photo credit, track down the photographer and then offer to have him do a job for a good price? What dream world are you living in?

Also, and while I'm certainly NOT implying this in this case, have you ever wondered if the only reason that they want to use freebies is because of the price? People's standards are a lot lower when the price is right remember.

Do you buy no name tools at the dollar store because you think they are the best quality or because you have limited need for them and dont want to pay Snap-On pricing?

There is no reason to feel good about someone wanting to use your images when you are giving them away for free. Charge them a fair price and then see how interested they are.

Do you guys think you are the first ones to think up that idea of giving away free images to try to make money down the road. I guarantee you you're not. Maybe there is a reason that the consensus is to not give away free images is because many before you have tried it and realize it does NOT work. If it did, then it would be the first things the pros suggest when issues like this arise, not the first thing they discourage.

[gmen]

Both of you are extremely wrong in those assumptions as well. Its pretty obvious neither of you have been in those positions before.

Its all well and good to think that what comes around goes around, the sad truth is that its simply not the case 99% of the time.

Normally you get a heartfelt thank you and a "we'll call you the next time we need free images."

I dont know ANY pro photographers that have landed solid, well paying work from a photo credit or something they gave away for free. It just doesnt happen.

Sure, there is the very rare time and there are certainly times to choose well thought out times to give out freebies, but you really need to be careful about them and know what is going to happen and have a good feeling about it.

Do you really think that the average joe looking at some website for an airshow is going to see a photo credit, track down the photographer and then offer to have him do a job for a good price? What dream world are you living in?

Also, and while I'm certainly NOT implying this in this case, have you ever wondered if the only reason that they want to use freebies is because of the price? People's standards are a lot lower when the price is right remember.

Do you buy no name tools at the dollar store because you think they are the best quality or because you have limited need for them and dont want to pay Snap-On pricing?

There is no reason to feel good about someone wanting to use your images when you are giving them away for free. Charge them a fair price and then see how interested they are.

Do you guys think you are the first ones to think up that idea of giving away free images to try to make money down the road. I guarantee you you're not. Maybe there is a reason that the consensus is to not give away free images is because many before you have tried it and realize it does NOT work. If it did, then it would be the first things the pros suggest when issues like this arise, not the first thing they discourage.Well said Jim! ...and you beat me to it and saved me some typing :lol:

---- Gavin

[Time Thief]

Both of you are extremely wrong in those assumptions as well. Its pretty obvious neither of you have been in those positions before.

Its all well and good to think that what comes around goes around, the sad truth is that its simply not the case 99% of the time.

Normally you get a heartfelt thank you and a "we'll call you the next time we need free images."

I dont know ANY pro photographers that have landed solid, well paying work from a photo credit or something they gave away for free. It just doesnt happen.

Sure, there is the very rare time and there are certainly times to choose well thought out times to give out freebies, but you really need to be careful about them and know what is going to happen and have a good feeling about it.

Do you really think that the average joe looking at some website for an airshow is going to see a photo credit, track down the photographer and then offer to have him do a job for a good price? What dream world are you living in?

Also, and while I'm certainly NOT implying this in this case, have you ever wondered if the only reason that they want to use freebies is because of the price? People's standards are a lot lower when the price is right remember.

Do you buy no name tools at the dollar store because you think they are the best quality or because you have limited need for them and dont want to pay Snap-On pricing?

There is no reason to feel good about someone wanting to use your images when you are giving them away for free. Charge them a fair price and then see how interested they are.

Do you guys think you are the first ones to think up that idea of giving away free images to try to make money down the road. I guarantee you you're not. Maybe there is a reason that the consensus is to not give away free images is because many before you have tried it and realize it does NOT work. If it did, then it would be the first things the pros suggest when issues like this arise, not the first thing they discourage.

Well, I am truly sorry you don't believe in Karma. That is your problem. I on the other hand, do! Example, I was asked to be the photographer at a dance. I did it for no upfront pay but to sell my pictures and packages to the guests who would like to buy them. I then took a pic of the couple putting on the dance. I printed a 8x10 and GAVE it to them. What did it cost me? $2.00. For my good gesture what did I get? They absolutely loved the pic and ordered a package from me. Now they have set up a shoot with their church where they and two other churches will have a picture day to do some family portraits. Was it worth giving my pic away. I say yes. You say no.

Have you ever thought that the reason it doesn't work 99% of the time for you is because Karma is trying to tell you something. Please don't tell me I'm wrong when it was an opinion question, there is no right or wrong just an opinion. Opinions are like a**holes, everyones got one and they ALL stink.

[Vitruvius]

I think the main point here is that there is nothing wrong at least from the point of view of business to do something for free where there is a direct benefit or you already contracted with someone. For example you gave away one picture and got a package out of it. You were also there in person selling packages for the event itself. In this other situation, the images are non personal, going on a website and its a gov run airshow which means that those free photos will only be used because they could get them for free there is no interest in purchasing and very little chance of business generated from it.

Part of it is karma and part of it is the business sense to know when something given for free will possibly pay out for you.

[JWright]

I went to a large Military AirShow on Sunday.
Well They saw my pics and someone from it contacted me asking to send the pics so they can put it up on the Webpage?

Trade them for press credentials at next year's show...

But, if I took something and someone wanted some copies, like an air show, first of all I would be flabbergasted that they thought my photos were good enough for distribution and second I would consider who they were in order to decide whether to charge or not. If they were a boy scout troop, then no. If they were the US Government, well yes.


I'd give a freebie to the military, and charge the Boy Scouts...

[a521]

Most pro photographers are going to say "nothing for free!", while those of us that aren't making money with this hobby would give it away for free. Not too many jobs require you pay $15k up front to get started, so I would imagine it isn't easy to give anything away in that position.

[vwpilot]

Well, I am truly sorry you don't believe in Karma. That is your problem. I on the other hand, do! Example, I was asked to be the photographer at a dance. I did it for no upfront pay but to sell my pictures and packages to the guests who would like to buy them. I then took a pic of the couple putting on the dance. I printed a 8x10 and GAVE it to them. What did it cost me? $2.00. For my good gesture what did I get? They absolutely loved the pic and ordered a package from me. Now they have set up a shoot with their church where they and two other churches will have a picture day to do some family portraits. Was it worth giving my pic away. I say yes. You say no.

Have you ever thought that the reason it doesn't work 99% of the time for you is because Karma is trying to tell you something. Please don't tell me I'm wrong when it was an opinion question, there is no right or wrong just an opinion. Opinions are like a**holes, everyones got one and they ALL stink.

I actually I DO believe in Karma, however I am also a realist.

I treat clients right and it pays off. I treat other photographers right and have helped them out when they needed it (even for free at times) and its paid off with referrals and work down the road. I treat potential clients right and give them good product for their money and it pays off.

Your example is 100% and totally different from the one in the start of this thread. You were there actually working already, actually making money and you gave away something very small to a VERY SPECIFIC client and for a VERY SPECIFIC reason.

Look at it this way. If the dance had asked you for all free images to put up on their website, do you think that the couple would have found you from the website, from the photo credit, tracked down you and still asked you to buy a photo package?

Better yet, would it have been worth the chance to shoot the entire thing for free, give away photos and then HOPE that someone bought something?

That is more in line with what is happening here.

Giving something away with a specific end in mind is entirely different than pinning your hopes on a photo credit on some random webpage.

How about another example of free work paying off BIG down the road?

Do you make a living from your photography that you give away for free?

Or did you make a couple hundred bucks one time from giving something away?

When you consistently make good money off of giving away stuff for photo credits, you let me know.

The point is, you cant run a business that way. There are definitely times when its appropriate. I have given stuff away at times when I had very strong feelings it would pay off and it does virtually 100% of the time. I also know when not to give something away and know how to read the signs that its going to be nothing more than a freebie.

A very basic barometer for this is (though certainly not a given), if they are ASKING for free stuff, then they are very likely always going to ask and expect free stuff. When you can offer it out of the blue to market yourself, it can often work because the potential client isnt looking for free.

If they are looking for free, that is all they are generally ever going to look for.

And more to the point, photo credits mean crap. They dont pay the bills and they dont attract new clients. And that is what we are talking about in this thread.

[bungee]

Both of you are extremely wrong in those assumptions as well. Its pretty obvious neither of you have been in those positions before.

Its all well and good to think that what comes around goes around, the sad truth is that its simply not the case 99% of the time.

Normally you get a heartfelt thank you and a "we'll call you the next time we need free images."

I dont know ANY pro photographers that have landed solid, well paying work from a photo credit or something they gave away for free. It just doesnt happen.

Sure, there is the very rare time and there are certainly times to choose well thought out times to give out freebies, but you really need to be careful about them and know what is going to happen and have a good feeling about it.

Do you really think that the average joe looking at some website for an airshow is going to see a photo credit, track down the photographer and then offer to have him do a job for a good price? What dream world are you living in?

Also, and while I'm certainly NOT implying this in this case, have you ever wondered if the only reason that they want to use freebies is because of the price? People's standards are a lot lower when the price is right remember.

Do you buy no name tools at the dollar store because you think they are the best quality or because you have limited need for them and dont want to pay Snap-On pricing?

There is no reason to feel good about someone wanting to use your images when you are giving them away for free. Charge them a fair price and then see how interested they are.

Do you guys think you are the first ones to think up that idea of giving away free images to try to make money down the road. I guarantee you you're not. Maybe there is a reason that the consensus is to not give away free images is because many before you have tried it and realize it does NOT work. If it did, then it would be the first things the pros suggest when issues like this arise, not the first thing they discourage.

Who said anything about giving away free images to make money ? My advice to the OP was simply they could do it as a generous gesture if they liked and if a photo credit leads to some business that's great. If it doesn't - so what ? They made someone happy.

Being motivated purely for money is a pretty sad life.

[bungee]

I actually I DO believe in Karma...

Better yet, would it have been worth the chance to shoot the entire thing for free, give away photos and then HOPE that someone bought something?

That is more in line with what is happening here.....



No, this is not in line with what's happening here. The OP already took the photos - presumably for pleasure and without the intention of selling them to the event organisers.

Here we are talking about doing a favour at no (additional) cost to the OP. The OP loses nothing and MAY have an opportunity to gain something.

[vwpilot]

Being motivated purely for money is a pretty sad life.

Well, unfortunately I'm not independently wealthy and actually have to work for a living. Luckily I can do something I love to make that living.

Do you regularly go into work and offer to do your job for free that day because it might make your boss happy? Heck, maybe he wont lay you off sometime down the road if he remembers how often you worked for free.

My job, like yours I suspect, requires that I make money from it to survive. I dont have the luxury of doing it for free as you obviously seem to.

And to get back on track you and others suggested that giving stuff away for free is a good way to make money down the road. Several people that do it for a living stated it was not and doesnt work. Believe what you would like.