How much should I be paid for my shot?

[keegsmeister]

I just got back from Uni today and I was a bit stunned with the email that I've got when I checked my mail this afternoon:

"Hello, My name is Maki Hodnett and I am writing to you regarding a book that I have written. I am currently looking for artwork to accompany my writings and your work “taking love to new heights” would be perfect for what I am trying to accomplish with my book. I wanted to ask If it would be possible to use this piece in my book? The book is entitled The Autobiography of Bliss and its basically a few of my writings that I have put together in hopes of inspiring people to follow their passion. I can give you a copy of the manuscript if needed. If this does sound like something you would be interested in contributing to, please tell me your rates for your work and I will be more than happy to oblige. Thank you in advance.

Best regards,
Maki Hodnett"

And on further enquiry....

"

I just wanted to give a little more detail about my book, and what I want to achieve with it. Basically the book will consist of a small portion of my writing accompanied with artwork/photographs and the rest of the book (roughly 100-130 pages) will be blank for the reader/owner of the book to begin writing their own journey. I am hoping to inspire people to find their hidden passion and to follow it. Two years ago I was doing biomedical research at one of the top universities in the country, yet I felt unfulfilled in my career because I wasn’t following my passion for writing. So I took the plunge and decided to follow my heart, and in the process have really found my bliss, and now I want to encourage others to be brave and follow their passions as well. So the book is geared more towards the reader to start their own journey towards bliss rather than just telling my story. I just wanted to write some words of inspiration to get them curious, and hopefully inspire them to at least start writing down their dreams, and subsequently decide to follow it. I think if more people had the courage to really do what they have always wanted to do, lives can be truly enriched. So right now my plan is to just self publish 333 limited edition handmade journals with my own money, and put them randomly all over the united states for people to find. I’m going to start with San Francisco, Chicago and New York. I truly believe that the right people will find them and I hope that the idea, and the book evolves to a higher level. So your artwork will be accompanying my writing at specific places in the manuscript where I really felt it could strengthen and give more life to the project. I also hope for people to see how ideas can bring people from all over the world together. I will have all of your information available underneath the artwork because I do want people to know who contributed to my dream and also it’s a great way for people who may be in the beginning of their creative journey to see and expose themselves to others who are already doing what they love-hopefully bringing attention and traffic to you as well. Thank you so much for helping me with this-it means more to me than you’ll ever know. The manuscript is not that long and would be more than willing to share it upon your request. As for rates, I too am new to this and I really want you to decide what is best for you knowing the circumstances. I am more than willing to give you your asking price. Thank you in advance.

Cheers,
Maki"

The composition:
http://www.redbubble.com/people/keegsmeister/art/110961-10-taking-love-to-new-heights

The buyer:
http://www.redbubble.com/people/slimpmp20

From what I gather, I do not think she's wealthy enough to pay too much for the composition.

I heard there's alot of licenses involved with selling pics and what not...could someone please explain and pass a quote so I know how much I should be charging?

Thanks in advance :)

[tim]

If it's a key photo ask for a percentage of the gross revenue.

[Boucher]

It sure is an absolutely awesome photo. I agree with tim here though.

boucher.

[ssim]

Using one's wealth, or lack thereof, to determine what to charge for an image is not a good idea, imo. Most of us have a standard pricing policy and it matters not to me whether they are being published for the first time or this is their 20th publication. A more popular author will have a greater circulation or number of books published and this is where you will charge more.

I would never ask anyone for a cut of their gross revenues. I could say with some certainty that this would probably chase them away. That would be like a model asking us for a cut of anything that we sell with them in an image. It is a can of worms that I wouldn't want to open.

There is no doubt that it is a nice image but I imagine if the author hunted hard enough she would be successful in finding this same image elsewhere given that it was taken at an airshow. Your image is only as unique as the number of other people that didn't take the shot and post it.

There are a number of links in the stickies that have recommendations on what you should be charging. I would review them. Basically I have a charge based on so much per year based on internet usage which varies by size and then again based on size in print how many are being published and distributed. I will gladly turn down offers of being published where I am being offered renumeration that is below what I feel local rates are. I do however, always note the request and check back on that publisher to ensure that they did not illegally lift a copy which one of the did and put it into a tourism brochure.

[keegsmeister]

I agree with you ssim on the gross revenue. Thanks for your input guys.

In my case, the buyer only wishes to make 333 manuscripts and distribute it around America (starting with New York and Chicago) and my pictures will be used several times in the book where she finds it appropriate.

Because I am an amateur, and I feel that she's an amateur writer too, I feel like charging USD100 not for a lifetime license, and use ONLY for the novel. Is this WAY too little?

[neilwood32]

Sounds fair - but bear in mind if that manuscript is picked up by a publisher - they will get revenue per copy while you only get the $100. Imagine for a second if there had been photos within some of the top novels - how many do they sell? Millions and you still get $100 - you wouldnt feel happy.

I would go for $100 for use in the manuscripts with an option to renegotiate if/when its picked up. That way if it becomes a million seller (dont laugh - it has happened), you get more realistic return.

[keegsmeister]

Thanks Neil. I've decided just sent her an email for a USD60 offer. Its still a long way from getting my BMW but as an amateur this is a huge milestone for my career haha.

My next question however, is whether I need to send her a conditional statement for her to sign, stating all the conditions I would like to set on the purchase of my work? Is this necessary so I can protect my work as well as myself in case it was abused/stolen?

Thanks for you input guys. appreciate it.

[Perry Ge]

Yes, write up a terms and conditions contract to be signed.

If you want my 2 cents, 60 is really very, very low for this kind of thing. I understand the concern over her financial situation, but you don't want to sell yourself short.

[HuskyKMA]

I'll second that $60 is way too low for this kind of work, regardless of whether you're an amateur photographer or she's an amateur writer. You're selling yourself short here.

[keegsmeister]

Yes, write up a terms and conditions contract to be signed.

If you want my 2 cents, 60 is really very, very low for this kind of thing. I understand the concern over her financial situation, but you don't want to sell yourself short.

I'll second that $60 is way too low for this kind of work, regardless of whether you're an amateur photographer or she's an amateur writer. You're selling yourself short here.

Hmm you guys do have a very valid point there. In any case, say if someone approached you for a copy of your shot to be published in a book (such as in my case), how much would you go about charging?

[tim]

Hmm you guys do have a very valid point there. In any case, say if someone approached you for a copy of your shot to be published in a book (such as in my case), how much would you go about charging?

Think about the time you've spent on photography, the money you've spent on equipment, and how much of your life you've devoted to it. Think about what people get paid at McDonalds. Think about how you'd feel in 2 years if you gave away your image for the price you're proposing.

$60 is what, 12 big macs? Will the image give more "benefit" to the user than 12 big macs?

[keegsmeister]

Think about the time you've spent on photography, the money you've spent on equipment, and how much of your life you've devoted to it. Think about what people get paid at McDonalds. Think about how you'd feel in 2 years if you gave away your image for the price you're proposing.

$60 is what, 12 big macs? Will the image give more "benefit" to the user than 12 big macs?

Thats quite true Tim, but your answer isn't helping. I want to know the base rate of charge for amateur photographers out there because I have no idea how much photographs are charged, especially when it is going to be licensed in a book?

[tim]

There is no standard rate that I know of, it's a case of take what you can get. I base my rates on what I think is a fair hourly rate, but that doesn't work for commercial stuff. I can't really help. Just make sure you walk away from the deal happy, not bitter.

[SlowBlink]

I look on this kind of situation differently. If you like what the person is doing and you're satisfied with the return that's the reward. If you sell the image for $1000 she can still make millions if the concept takes off. That doesn't mean you got taken advantage of. First ink is a great thing and the money is going to be spent no matter what you charge.