Typical Remuneration for Photo in a Textbook?

[astrostu]

I was just asked by an art manager for a division of Pearson (they make textbooks) if they could use a lunar photo I took in an upcoming astronomy book. "We'd like to permission it for print and electronic rights (ideally for all future editions). Can you please let me know if you are willing to license the photo under these terms, and if so what fee you would charge?"

What's typical for this? What should I ask for? The author sent me a $100 check for 4 photos I sent him for a planetarium show.

[Park Street]

Depends on the size and placement. Ask for details on usage like size and whether the photo will be used on front or back cover or for chapter openers. For less than 1/4 page I used to get in the $150 per photo range but have not licensed to textbooks in awhile. Ask him what their standard page rate is.

[Tony_Stark]

http://photographersindex.com/price-ed-calc.htm

[astrostu]

Thanks for the help guys, and the link Tony. I've asked her those questions (size, distribution of book, and typical remuneration). I do know that this is the #1 astronomy textbook used in the US for college undergrad non-majors (and all four authors were at my university, though only 1 is still here), so distribution is likely well above $50k. From Tony's link, it looks like my starting asking price should be $150 and I definitely should insist on at least a small contract that specifies that usage agreed upon (e.g., if they decide in version 10 to use it for the back cover, they need to come back to me and pay me more ¢a$h).

[Tony_Stark]

Also knowing how much textbooks go for the price you charge should that into considerations. I know the cost of textbooks run us students in to the ground

[astrostu]

They're a typical textbook price, somewhere in the neighborhood of $100 each.

[casp3r]

Well fair play to them for asking what your fee is. Sick of hearing stories of publishers, website etc wanting to use image(s) with just credit given.

[Zansho]

Personally, if they want perpetual rights, the amount goes up.

I've seen figures as high as 50k for one image (something truly unique), to as low as 2k for full perpetual rights, nationwide.

In all honesty, they're asking for the farm - basically the right to reprint that image as many times as they wish, without further compensation to you. Imagine them selling thousands of textbooks and making ridiculous profits from that, and all you see is a paltry $150.00 from it? bleh.

Ask them how they plan to use it - on the cover, specific passages, how many pages, all that. The more information you have, the better decision you can make with a figure that's rewarding to you - after all, that camera, the expertise, and know how to use said camera didn't exactly come cheap to you, yes?

Licensing fee, I'd do $1000.00 for 5 years - with an option to renew that for another 5 years for $700.00. If they want full rights, AKA, you can't ever use this image again, and they own it - it should be substantially higher - $5-10k sounds good to me.

Most companies don't need full rights, as most images will have a limited shelf life. Believe me when I say a company like Pearson has a good budget for purchasing imagery for their books.

[astrostu]

Here's what she just sent me:

Hi Stuart,

Thanks for getting back to me.

1) less than 1/4 of the printed page
2) we're estimating 500K for this title combined with the "Essentials"
version.
3) My "go to" 1st quarter moon photo is from UCO lick and they charge $50
for one time use.

Can you tell me what your fee would be for one time use, and if you're
willing to license it for all future editions, please tell me that fee as
well.

Thanks again,

(Name)

[Zansho]

Sorry, but that's not worth it. They're making a bundle off of sales from this, and $50.00 for one time use is an insult.

time, effort, your equipment, travel, post work, and all that for your image, and all they're wanting to pay is $50.00 for one time use? It's not one time use - they're using it for subsequent editions, that makes it a perpetual use.

I'd /facepalm them, personally.

[astrostu]

I agree that that seems incredibly low. From the page Tony posted, I should minimum be getting $150 for one-time use.

I should note, though, that these are photos I took 5-6 years ago, just sitting on my hard drive. There does come a point where getting money for something I did 6 years ago and is just sitting around is kinda attractive. And if I say "no" or ask for something much higher, it sound slike they'll just spend $50 and go for the other one....

[Zansho]

They're claiming that they want one time use, which I'd be decently ok with just paying me $150 bucks for a one time thing.

But they want to use it in future editions, meaning they have no intention of paying you for the use of your image after this "one time use." That's not what one time use is about - they need a license for the duration of the use of the image. If you want to do it 5 years - fine - 50x5 - $250 bucks. /shrugs - it's really your call, but in my opinion, I'd tell them to go pound sand :P.

[astrostu]

Small semantics - my read of her e-mail is she wants to license it for one-time use (this edition) and is also curious about what the fee would be to license it in perpetuity. I think she's asking for two separate dollar amounts.

[astrostu]

BTW, I clicked on your forum signature - you take some beautiful wedding photos.

[Littlejon Dsgn]

If it was me (and I am in no way a pro, just a guy with a camera) and it was just sitting on my HD not doing anything, take what ever you can get for it and use the fact that it was published as a selling point (or bragging rights )

Heck $50 is better then $0 right (I am sure I will get flamed by the Pro's for that comment right there )