Need advice for selling concert pics

[nighthunter310]

Hi Everyone,

I recently photographed a concert (with photo pass and consent of the band's management) and as it turns out the band really liked them and now wants to make a deal with me where they can sell some of them as prints through their website.

I have never really sold any of my pics and I am wondering if anyone has some advice for me on how to approach this. Should I sell them the rights to the pics, or ask for a percentage of sales? How much is a fair amount?

Thanks so much!

[skifurthur]

When I have done deals like this I have offered a turnkey solution. I allowed them to purchase and sell a limited run of the photo(s) which I had printed at my lab. I then signed and numbered them (limited edition). Hard core fans of any band are collectors. When an edition runs out the market is ready for a new limited edition.

Most bands' merchandise accountings are a bit loose so I would stay away from percentage of sales. It's much better for all parties to know exactly what they are getting into and what they are going to get from it. Having a set price allows the band to mark up the photo to what they think they can get. If they can make a killing on the price, good for them. Treat this like a large photo sale and you will be happy too.

[Viva-photography]

When I have done deals like this I have offered a turnkey solution. I allowed them to purchase and sell a limited run of the photo(s) which I had printed at my lab. I then signed and numbered them (limited edition). Hard core fans of any band are collectors. When an edition runs out the market is ready for a new limited edition.

Most bands' merchandise accountings are a bit loose so I would stay away from percentage of sales. It's much better for all parties to know exactly what they are getting into and what they are going to get from it. Having a set price allows the band to mark up the photo to what they think they can get. If they can make a killing on the price, good for them. Treat this like a large photo sale and you will be happy too.

^nailed it.

[photoguy6405]

I would not buy a signed photo, though, regardless how "hardcore" a fan I was. I want a photo of the band, and *who* took the photo means absolutely zero to me. I don't want any extraneous crap on the photo. To me, the photographer signing a photo of a band is like the clubhouse attendant signing the team baseball.

[nighthunter310]

When I have done deals like this I have offered a turnkey solution. I allowed them to purchase and sell a limited run of the photo(s) which I had printed at my lab. I then signed and numbered them (limited edition). Hard core fans of any band are collectors. When an edition runs out the market is ready for a new limited edition.

Most bands' merchandise accountings are a bit loose so I would stay away from percentage of sales. It's much better for all parties to know exactly what they are getting into and what they are going to get from it. Having a set price allows the band to mark up the photo to what they think they can get. If they can make a killing on the price, good for them. Treat this like a large photo sale and you will be happy too.

Thanks for the advice. I don't have my own lab, but I could probably have some printed at a professional lab. How much do you think I should charge them for something like this? Shouls I have them sign a legal document?

[The Moose]

I like the limited run idea. The band signing them might be a good choice too, I'm not sure if that's what the above meant by signing them?

Don't print anything until it's set in stone but a limited run sounds good. I'd agree on a figure for you (a premium) and then let them sell the photos on their website. Means you've already got your money and hopefully it's a nice amount too.

[skifurthur]

I would not buy a signed photo, though, regardless how "hardcore" a fan I was. I want a photo of the band, and *who* took the photo means absolutely zero to me. I don't want any extraneous crap on the photo. To me, the photographer signing a photo of a band is like the clubhouse attendant signing the team baseball.

The decisions of me signing the photo(s) was made by the bands' management during negotiations. I'm lucky enough to have some traction in the collectors market, so they felt it only added to the value. I should be more specific that I didn't sign the actual area of the photos. The photos were signed and numbered in the border.

Thanks for the advice. I don't have my own lab, but I could probably have some printed at a professional lab. How much do you think I should charge them for something like this? Shouls I have them sign a legal document?

When I said my lab I was saying the pro lab that I have a continuing relation with. You should always have a contract for any merchandise work. As for price, each band had different needs, wants and budget. I took into consideration how they sold merchandise both online and at concerts, what price points they sold stuff at and how sucessful they are in the marketplace. It took me a lot of research before I gave them a price and it was a unique price each time.

I like the limited run idea. The band signing them might be a good choice too, I'm not sure if that's what the above meant by signing them?

Don't print anything until it's set in stone but a limited run sounds good. I'd agree on a figure for you (a premium) and then let them sell the photos on their website. Means you've already got your money and hopefully it's a nice amount too.

One of the keys to this is that many upcoming bands these days is that they show up at the merch table post-show and sign things. If the photo is one that has good space to autograph, it gets bought for that purpose.