Price shock (Need help)

[Trainboy]

I never expected something like this. I had a nice price scheme figured out with some package deals that I figured nobody would use.
Today, I got an email from a 'small Canadian owned company' that wants to use one of my photos in a promotional mailer to be sent to roughly 35 000 people. I'm completely overwhelmed at this and I have no idea what to charge! Any advice from pros who regularly get published in this manner would be most welcome.
In case you're wondering, this is the photo in question. http://www.railpictures.net/viewphoto.php?id=207226

[rdsherwood]

Trainboy, there are a number of price calculators on the web. Here is a link to one: http://photographersindex.com/stockprice.htm. This article here: http://www.asmp.org/commerce/estimator.php also talks about different pricing options.

You can also go to Alamy, find a Rights Managed (RM) photo, enter the usage information, and see what they would charge.

Keep in mind these calculators are for a Rights Managed license rather than a Royalty-Free license. I would assume that they probably want an RM license, to retain some level of exclusivity within their market (and I think you'd want an RM license too).

If the whole RM vs. RF discussion makes your head spin, there are also a number of tutorials on the web. Check out http://www.asmp.org/commerce/royaltyfree.php and http://www.stockphotography.com/faq/CompareGuide/.

I hope this helps, and congratulations! It's a fine image.

[Dchemist]

Great image...Congratulations I have no idea how much this is worth but certianly others will. Dennis

[Trainboy]

Thanks Ron, using that I suggested to the interested party a fee of $400-$500CDN, for non-exclusive anytime useage rights. Sound good?

[rhys]

I love that photo. How well heeled is the organisation? The wealthier and more prestigious, the higher your fee could be.

[sfaust]

Your price sounds about right. Nice image too by the way!

Rhys, the price shouldn't be dependent on how deep the clients pockets are, but based on how it is used. Fortunately, larger clients with deeper pockets tend to use the images in wider usages, and thus larger fees than smaller clients with simple needs.

[SoaringUSAEagle]

I think $500 would be good. Just make sure the contract says only for use in that brochure and to have your name attached to it somehow in there so people know who took it.

[Trainboy]

Jeff, I offered them the option for free future use, as long as I was consulted beforehand and credited.

[transcend]

Thanks Ron, using that I suggested to the interested party a fee of $400-$500CDN, for non-exclusive anytime useage rights. Sound good?

Sounds very low. I would charge that for a small brochure full page (tri fold) for a one time usage. NEVER give away unlimited usage without a very large payoff. You can (and eventually will) get taken advantage of.

Make your contract very clear, one time use, max size etc.

Credit doesn't pay rent. Re-sale does. Most successful photographers make the majority of their money by selling the same image multiple times in different markets, and from re-use sales to the same clients. Do not sell yourself short and get taken advantage of.