How to offer event pics for sale to media outlets?

Im curious as to how some of if anyone offers their pics to a local newspapers, magazines or other media outlets? I hear of storm chasers selling footage of storms to local media for "extra cash". Is this done with photography as well?

Interested to know how to go about doing it properly.

Thanks in advance!

marcus769 wrote in post #12288344
Im curious as to how some of if anyone offers their pics to a local newspapers, magazines or other media outlets? I hear of storm chasers selling footage of storms to local media for "extra cash". Is this done with photography as well?

Interested to know how to go about doing it properly.

Thanks in advance!

I think this depends largely on what the images are. If its sports, not likely to get any traction at all as most papers are cutting staff already and/or using free subscriber submitted stuff (believe it not). You may have some luck if its breaking news as its tough to always have a crew or shooter on site. Best bet is to send a letter with some image samples to the desk editor and explain what you wish to do, then follow with a call. If you can establish great repoire with him/her and then happen to be in the right place at the right time consistently, you might be able to sell them an image here or there. Personally, I don't think you could make enough at it to make it worth the effort though.

Thanks namasste. Makes sense!

I wish I could be more upbeat about it Marcus but its a little grim at times. Just this morning I had to write our local paper and strongly "suggest" that they remove an image of mine that they were never authorized to use. I never even did any work for the paper (ever) and somehow they snagged an image of mine and actually ran it online without ever contacting me and definitely without any compensation. I suggested they run it with a credit and send me a check for the use and I immediately got a message from the editor that the image had been removed with his apology. That's how bad it is right now. They'd rather remove the content already published than pay me the $25 for the use.

Wow $25, I only get $15 from our local paper.

AP64 wrote in post #12289279
Wow $25, I only get $15 from our local paper.

I told them that I'd do $20 if they'd use me as a stringer on a regular basis and they weren't sure so I stuck to my $25. Interestingly, they didn't have a single shooter at the game so let's see, 45min drive x 2 = 1.5 hrs, another 1.5 hrs of shooting time then another 1.5 for edits and my rate is a whopping $4.17/hr. Net out a meal (the media room was devoid of food) $7 and gas $7 and my $25 becomes $11 or $1.83/hr. Obviously, they don't insure me or my gear since its freelance and I actually lose money by selling it to them for even $25. The ONLY reason I'd still do such a poor sale is because I was already paid to be there and my contract allowed for outside sales for editorial use only.

I will admit, before I started doing freelance, I offered to shoot a basketball game for free. They printed two of my images. However, since then, they have been calling me over and over asking for photos and giving me $30 for each printed image. I live on a college campus, so I don't have to worry much about driving to the games. So I make a decent check at the end of the month... Especially during basketball season!

RobbyG wrote in post #12293290
I will admit, before I started doing freelance, I offered to shoot a basketball game for free. They printed two of my images. However, since then, they have been calling me over and over asking for photos and giving me $30 for each printed image. I live on a college campus, so I don't have to worry much about driving to the games. So I make a decent check at the end of the month... Especially during basketball season!

Thats a pretty cool gig man!