Big proposal for first time *need advice

[rohicks]

I've been shooting for a while, but never had the confidence in myself to take money from someone for a photoshoot.

But i received a phone call this morning from a buddy of mine telling me that a tuner magazine wants to feature some of my car photos in an article they are publishing in the magazine.

They want ALL the pictures i took which is somewhere around 16 if i can count right.
It's of the drag car (my buddy's, buddy car) i shot this summer at Import Truck Bash in Indianapolis.

Question is i know most of you are going to say i should be asking for money or some sort of compensation because, well, we all don't work for free right (or so that's a direct quote i read on a sticky in here somewhere)?
Or am i even able to sell these images?
It was a public event at a public track and there are images from the event all over the internet and have been sold before from other people.
Any advice on this?
To be honest i'm perfectly content with just getting my name out and just asking them if i can get a free copy of the magazine and article when it's published. But i also wouldn't mind a few bucks to go with it, ;)

But i don't know how to go about asking them for money (seeing as my buddy didn't mention anything related to compensation for the work, just that they'd give due credit), or how to set up a contract or a paper (for lack of better terms) to outline the work for a receipt.

Any help is appreciated and i need to do this fast seeing as when he calls me back later today i am going to be putting the pictures on a cd and delivering them this Saturday (Nov.24).
I'm thankful for any advice in advance; please help a guy out ;) ?

[Electric Monk]

I think it's fair to be asking for atleast a bit of cash, after all they are your photos, and like you said other people have sold photos from the same event. As for how much, I can't be much help there, maybe a couple hundred for the whole package?

[Rubi Jane]

I don't know what the value of your work is to them, but if they like your work and you provide it for free this time will they want to pay you next time? There's a number of place you can get estimates on what per image (check the stickies), or you could go the route of asking them what budget they have for the license they are going to purchase from you. Understand exactly what license they need (one time print in publication, indefinite web use, print advertising etc.)

As for being able to sell the images, if the vehicle is identifiable you should get a property release form for a number of reasons. First, owner grants you permission to use/sell the image; second, in the release make sure you and your clients are not held responsible for its use (there's standard clauses on release forms with this included) and third, it gives you a level of professionalism that goes along with selling the images.

Good luck

[rohicks]

Thanks for the replies.

I think i'm just going to go ahead and give this set of images away.
If any more the next ones will def. be charged, seeing as i'm giving them now 20-25 images that took me probably good 4-5 hours to shoot (following the car around the track the whole time).
I recently learned though that the owner(s) of the car have been using my images to show off on their build forums (specifically honda-tech.com) for the car.

And from what i know it was the owner's choice to use my images for the magainze feature.
They will also be using this as a electronic publication (on the magazine website).

Thanks again guys.

[bigjon0107]

If any more the next ones will def. be charged

Sorry to say it, but if there is a next time there is a 99% chance that they will not pay....to them you have already devalued your work by giving it away to them. If you gave it away once, why not again?

[rohicks]

Sorry to say it, but if there is a next time there is a 99% chance that they will not pay....to them you have already devalued your work by giving it away to them. If you gave it away once, why not again?
yah i know what you mean :(

I'm kinda stuck.
This shoot was for a friend though and he worked hard to get the article.
I'm giving them away on terms of this is for a friend. =/

[transcend]

Why even ask for advice if you are going to ignore it?

DO NOT GIVE AWAY IMAGES. PERIOD.

Depending on circulation, I wouldn't go for under $100/image half page, 50 spot use (1/4 and under). Web use is extra, and usually packed in at a lower than normal price. There is no reason you should "just give them away" under any circumstances. They make money of their magazine, why shouldn't you make money off of your contribution? If they are good enough to run, they are good enough to pay for.

Good luck getting paid next time,as it will be the same sob story. Does the magazine have ads? Yes. Good, then they can afford to pay for the content that attract the ads they charge a fortune to run.

Also, if the work is for editorial use (and magazine article falls into this,) you do not need a release. You need a release if it is commercial use. If not, a newspaper photog would need to get releases from every single person they shoot for newspaper artciles...including police, rioters, accident victims, speakers etc.