Help! Transfer of rights and no credit?

[rubyscooby]

Hi I just got a contract from someone who wants me to shoot their catalog. The contracts states :

TRANSFER OF RIGHTS. The Photographer grants to the Manufacturer the all rights to the photographs, digital images or work products and retains no rights to the product, there will be no personal photography taken with Manufacturer products.

Is this normal? I am just starting out and the pay for this job is not all that great thought they are well know. The amount of garments being shot is almost ridiculous. I calculated 10 min per garment per background. I am almost ready to say it's not worth it.

It also states he does not have to give me credit for the pictures?
What would you do?

thanks Ruby

[Jon]

No, it's not! I'd walk away, or make a counter-proposal that you think is fair for the work you'll be doing. If they wanted catalog rights, and wanted to restrict you from other use of the photography without their consent, that'd be one thing - after all, it's their products. But to expect you to sign over all rights for a one-time fee (which you consider too low) is unreasonable.

[rubyscooby]

Thanks, I think I may let this pass.

[Bruce Hamilton]

The Photographer grants to the Manufacturer the all rights to the photographs, digital images or work products and retains no rights to the product, there will be no personal photography taken with Manufacturer products.

Here's the contract I would send back...

The photographer grants to the manufacturer all rights to purchase the camera and lens of manufacturer's choice, to set purchased camera and lens on purchased tripod, and to photograph manufacturer's product at manufacturer's convenience.

Assuming they can read between the lines, they'll get the message. :rolleyes:

[PhotosGuy]

I wouldn't expect a credit for catalog work, or to keep the rights to the pics. Where are you going to sell them, anyway? Stock? TRANSFER OF RIGHTS. The Photographer grants to the Manufacturer the all rights to the photographs, digital images or work products and retains no rights to the product, there will be no personal photography taken with Manufacturer products.

Is this normal? Sounds like "Normal" Work for Hire boilerplate. 10 min per garment per background. That's not all that unusual, either. Assembly line pics. (Someone has to do them!) ;-)

[rubyscooby]

You know maybe it will be good for the learning aspect of it. I may do it after all. The stuff I am shooting is so riskey that I wouldn't show it to clients anyway.
Thanks Ruby

[DwightMcCann]

Ruby, did you mean risque? :-) I would suggest that until you have enough practical experience to know when the deal isn't acceptable to you that you give it a go. I did Pro Bono work for several years before I got the work I wanted. The more work you do the more self assurance you will have and the more professional you will appear (and actually be.) So, I agree with PG, who wants photocredit for a catalog? What you want is experience that brings self confidence!