Help with pricing please

[taramcg]

I have a local magazine interested in using some of my images. Their circulation is 130K per issue, but it's a freebie magazine that you see at doctors offices, children's play places, daycares, restaurants, etc. I am a children and family portrait photographer so this right up my alley. I would ask for a usage fee, but I have no idea what to charge per image. Also, they asked me if I would be interested in shooting for an article they have coming up. I have no idea how to price that either. Can anyone help me? If I have model releases from my clients and they are interested in using their images, do I need to compensate my clients? I would of course run it by them and not proceed if they objected.

Thanks!

[*Mike*]

Often those publications don't have much of a budget for photography- or anything else. It depends on whether it's published by the local paper - for example Scripps Howard publishes one around here - or by an individual (often a work at home mom) that bought a franchise type deal (http://www.kidsdirectory.com/). Do you know which is the case with the one you're looking at?

As for using client images, I'd be somewhat leery. I would try to use the image of a client that is going to be excited about having their child's image published... For many people that is more than enough compensation. Others, it doesn't matter what you offered to pay, they don't want their child's face being plastered all over.

[Alleh]

Maybe like $50-$100 per image and like $200 for a cover photo. Publication like that are cheap so they may not even go for those prices.

[Matthew Patrick]

You could swap usage for ad space. Remember just because they give it away for free doesn't mean they don't make money. They make money by selling ad space. If this publication is viewed by your target audience, then a nice sized ad could generate some new business.

[Atiyeh]

I'd say give it to them, with a clause for no resale. If it gets your name out there and builds your portfolio, all the better.

[MysticalPhoto]

As for ad space!! Bartering is the way to go!