Band Management wants me to email photos once the gig is over.

[blakenib]

Hello,

I am new to the forums, and have browsed through the archive, but have been unable to find anything that seemed similar, so thought I would ask here.

I've managed to get my first proper photo pass for an up-and-coming band (Team Waterpolo) at my local university's venue. Their management has asked me to send them photos once the gig is over, in order that they might use them for press releases or the band's website.

Clearly they will want to see the photos first before deciding if they want to purchase the prints to use - how would I go about this? Because I don't want to email the photos, because they could then easily use the attachements - unless I heavily watermark them, or reduce the image quality - but this might then make them think the photographs are of little use. Equally, the idea of creating a website to host them and present them on as a completely professional package I have to admit daunts me - I'm not overly concerned at making a 'name' for myself right now, or getting credit - I have my studies to concentrate on! It's just if they want my prints, it would be good to make a little money.

I am anxious to appease the management, because as a student, I am eager to create contacts in the industry (my city has lots of bands, from the very small to the very big, passing through) and I don't simply want to become fobbed off by the management because I made things too complicated by telling them to visit websites to view the prints and so on.

On an aside, I am confident enough to want to be paid for any images they decide to use, so the issue is not whether I should charge them, but more as to how I go about presenting them in such a way that I won't get them taken, or simply have them ignored.

I assume people have had experience here, where clients want to see copies of photographs before they purchase them.

Any tips would be most appreciated,

Nick

[Vascilli]

Send the images either small or watermarked or both, and make it clear they can purchase the full size images.

PS I'm not experienced in this field but that's what I'd do.

[tim]

Tell them in advance you're happy to license images to them for your regular fee. Send them emails or put them on a website with images 500 pixels along the longest side, and put a decent sized semi-transparent watermark right across the middle.

[narlus]

it sounds like the band has granted the photo pass w/ the expectation that it's a quid pro quo for use of the images. it also sounds like you are not under this assumption. you should have this conversation w/ them now, before the show.

[basroil]

I'm assuming that you just went there and shot photos for an unrelated publication. If you shot for some publication, then you will need to check your contract with the publication. If there is none, or you represented yourself, you can send them a link to the gallery for that shoot on your website with the password (cuts down on hassles should they complain about that, since only they have the password). Emails with a lot of photos are usually bad, since many mail carriers still impose a 1,2,5, or 10mb limit on a single email.

Likely this management team will do all they can to take the photos from you for free if they are like the ones in my area, in which case simply refuse and go on your own way. If you give them anything, they will use it until the end of time, never call you back for anything, and simply forget about you. If they are willing to pay, then they may be the few that actually care about anyone but themselves, and keeping a good relationship with them will pay off in the end.

[cory1848]

Do you use Lightroom? One of there export features is for a web gallery. Exports and uploads all in one step. Very nice feature and you can add a watermark on export as well..

[EveryMilesAMemory]

Could also just put the photos on a contact sheet, so they can look at them all no problem, maybe a few 8x10's with 20 photos on each sheet, but if they want to use them, then they need to contact you for the originals.

[fishfoto]

Before you sign for the credential read the terms. If you don't like them, leave. I have been assigned to cover concerts were I have walked off without shooting because the managment company wants the images in trade for access to the pit pass. This is NOT OK. You will not be paid for your work, in some cases you may not be able to use your images for portfolio use due to the terms.

There has been a huge back lash against bands due to this.

Keep in mind many concerts are 90 seconds to 3 minutes, or the first 3 songs, and then you're tossed out. You will be in one spot in the pit in the front or on a riser in the back at nearly all shows. You will not have access to the 'cool' angles.

I have done work for music managment companies , as well as venue management companies and spent days negotiating terms that should be standard. The access is still often lacking because I refuse to give up my right or turn over images for free.

You don't care if they use the images in a press release, it won't help you, or further you. You won't get work from it, you probably won't even get a thank you e-mail back. If they use your work you need to be paid. The band is paid, the band manager is paid, their driver if paid, the hotel they stayed in got paid, the guitar string company got paid, the stage hands were paid, security was paid.....YOU SHOULD BE PAID

You send them low-resolution if you feel like it. You make sure you watermark the images in a way that they cannot crop the watermark out or clone it out. You make sure if they do use it you use a contract with your terms and payment in place and make sure the person you are dealing with has the authority to make the contract. If they balk and say 'other people' or 'we generally don't' or 'most people' walk away.