How much for licensing a photo you've been approached for in a book?

Dan Marchant wrote in post #18328555
Yes, the standard rate is "whatever the parties agree to".

There sort of used to be back in the days of film, completely before digital appeared. I believe that ASMP or some such similar organization even published a guideline on what was generally accepted. Naturally rates could be negotiated. When digital hit much of the formal price structure went out the window and a free for all took over many segments of the market.

Yep, remove - - - due to the small nature of your publication - - - and you're good, IMHO.

Bumping this helpful thread for my own similar situation. Any thoughts are greatly appreciated.

A few years ago, I shot some photos of a Central Texas first responder and his search dog for a modest fee. The dog was retiring that year, and the two had been involved in a handful major rescues around the nation over about a decade.

The first responder emailed me yesterday to tell me that he has a book in the works regarding his experiences and about this dog. He is asking for terms of a license to include a portrait of the two of them that I took during that shoot.

I am wondering what would be fair. Photography is a background business for me, and I'm mostly funding the photography or hobbies, so $100-$500 seems like it would be plenty (I'm trying to fill out a rock-climbing kit so my daughter and I can climb outdoors). I'm imagining that this photo would be full page somewhere in the book. I don't know what kind of distribution we're looking at here, but clearly not going to be an NYT best seller. Anyone have more guidance?

Not sure if image is useful for context/answers:

IMAGE LINK: https://photos.smugmug​.com …S/IMG_6310-S.jpg&lb=1&s=A

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I would try to talk to him and get more information about the book he's working on. . Is he self-publishing? . How will the book be distributed (if at all)? . How will the photo be used? . Talking with him about the book won't only help you price the license better, it will probably be very interesting.

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Me, personally, since photography is no longer my bread and butter but just a hobby like you, I would let him have the rights for his book if he would give credit on or underneath the photo and a copy of the book. I still shoot occasional portraits so something like that would be pretty cool to have in a portfolio. Good luck.

How modest was the original fee? Under $100? then I would say the $50-100 is a good starting point. If the modest fee was $500 then I'd be inclined to give them the file for $20 or less.

But that is just me, and I like returning customers/advertising by word of mouth... and that seems to work for me.

waterrockets wrote in post #18455644
I'm imagining that this photo would be full page somewhere in the book. I don't know what kind of distribution we're looking at here, but clearly not going to be an NYT best seller. Anyone have more guidance?

Don't imagine... ask. It could be the cover image of a book that there will be 20,000 copies of because his friend (who just happens to be the host of a breakfast TV show) is going to feature it. Or it could be a self published/print on demand book the only marketing for which is him telling his mates.

The value of your image depends on how it will be used and how many people are likely to see it (how many copies of the book are planned to be printed). Without knowing these things you can't come up with a fair price.

The value also depends on how cheap it is to come up with a viable alternative.

Faced with too steep of a price, what choices would the Author/Publisher have?
1. Pay or find for free, someone else to shoot a new shot. (Is the dog still living?)
2. If the dog is no longer living, a shot of the Author with an inset of an existing shot of the dog. (Not ideal, but a budget driven alternative)
Obviously, the higher your price, the more attractive plan B may look to the Author. But yes, discuss and ask questions. Good luck with the negotiating process.

I was recently contacted by an art director friend who was doing a project for a local publication who was putting out a coffee table type book about a local beach area and wanted to use some photos I'd taken back in 2014. He's the breakdown of what they were offering:

"Each photographer will receive 2 books. In addition, each photographer will receive $25 per photograph. The $25 fee per photo can be exchanged for a book and as many exchanges can be made as you’d like. Example: A photographer for whom we use 5 photos will receive: 2 books plus $125. The $125 can be paid in cash or up to 5 books, in any combination. Books will have an approximate retail value of $44. Additional books can be purchased at the approximate wholesale price of $25 each.

We're also listing all the photographers with there websites at the beginning of the photo credit index."

I don't know if the price was too low but it sounded alright to me so I "licensed" them 3 photos and took the $75 and 2 free books.

I know it's not an apples-to-apples comparison and I don't know the print run but maybe that'll give you a ballpark figure to work with.

Kevin

waterrockets wrote in post #18455644
I am wondering what would be fair. Photography is a background business for me, and I'm mostly funding the photography or hobbies, so $100-$500 seems like it would be plenty

As others said, what's fair depends on how your photo will be used and how widely the book will be distributed. You might also want to go low, recognizing that the man and the dog perform a difficult and dangerous public service.

Thanks everyone!

waterrockets wrote in post #18456607
Thanks everyone!

So......how did you decide to handle this?

What communication have you had with the guy since you last posted to this thread?

Of those who posted here, which ideas and/or advice did you find to be most helpful?

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The whole volume of help was pretty equally important -- good points on all sides.

I decided to offer for $100, which will cover any additional effort to dig up a contract and make any edits needed for printing. He said "Thanks, I'll keep that in mind." so I clearly didn't blow him away with my generosity