Someone is asking to use my photo

So something that has never happened to me before happened this weekend. I recieved and email requestion permission to use one of my photos. And now I'm wondering what my options are. I've always considered photography as a hobby and never really considered that someon else might want to use one of mine.

Hey Rugger Joe,

You don't know me at all, but I loved your "Flame of Freedom" photo. As a matter of fact, I wanted to ask you about using it for something special.

I work at a live music theater (www.granburylive.com)​. At the end of our shows, we recognize our veterans with a song called (believe it or not) "The Flame of Freedom." We also like to give them a little something to take with them. We were wondering about giving them a copy of your photo with our song lyrics superimposed on it.

Please contact me regarding the possibility of using your photo. I, of course, want to give you proper recognition for a great photo, etc We will be giving these away for free to our veterans.

Are you open to this? I look forward to hearing from you.

Carey Dyer

So like I said before I'm wondering what my options are and where I should even start.

As far as I know, the only thing you need to know is how much the photo means to you, and if you want everyone to have a copy of it. Of course, you should be properly credited with your name on each photo or something, but you'd also need to decide whether a sum of money would be required to part you from your picture.
It's your picture, and you can give it away if you desire to do so. The question is...what will it take to persuade you to give it away? Is it enough to know that your picture was deemed "great" by someone else?
I'm not saying either way is the "right way", it's all up to you.

It's up to you on the end to decide this, but personally "proper recognition" is money they pay for my work... yes work. Unfortunately I can't go to store and buy bread and milk with byline.
I went into this way too many times already, but once again... Why is it ok to pay for everything but photos? Do their veterans mean so little to them, that they don't want to spend few $ for their present? If so, then they can easily give them blank paper with some handwriting on.
But as I said... it's up to you to decide what is "proper recognition" for your work, and if you are open for their suggestions

If I were in that situation i would charge the theatre very little, maybe only 1-2 hundred dollers for as many copies as they want to make since they are not using the pictures for advertising or profit. If they ask for it for free say something along the lines of "I cant buy bread and milk with a picture" like primoz said.

I'd give them a license to use the image for this specific purpose. Stating of your name should be compulsory. I would not do this for free.

Are there standard contacts for this? How much would be reasonable for something like this?

It's your choice to charge money or not. Make sure you limit the use to this exact purpose. Value and satisifaction are not always tied to money. I get much more satisifaction from bring a smile to servicemans face than a few hundred dollars would give me. But I'M biased as my son is in Iraq now.

Try trading the photo for free access to the theater.

Not being a full time or even a part time pro I think you need to take into consideration who or which oraganization is requesting your photo. I am more then happy to oblige the Fl. chapter of Audubon to use my photos in presentations or however they see fit as long as they dont profit from them and I receive credit. It furthers their cause which I closely identify with. On the other hand I have been approached by a few websites ( commerce ) who have seen some of my shots and wish to use them. At that point it becomes strictly a business deal.

In reading the email you posted I'm wondering...who would be getting the photo? Is it just an everyday Joe Schmoe or will it be given to a Veteran?

If it is just an ordinary civilian, I'd charge for it. As has been said a few times, you can't live on credit alone.

If this is in fact being given to a veteran, someone who was in military service to protect our freedoms then I wouldn't charge.

Either way, I would go ahead and send it in for proper copyright protection in the event of unauthorized publication,seeing as how it has now become a sought after image.

Just my 2 cents

Reckon you could post up a thumbnail of the photo in question?
Just curious on what it looks like

Ed

went to your site and that is a more than great "unintentional" shot

Saw the flame on your flickr. Nice photo. I would let them use it for free if it were mine. I have another job that pays for bread and milk.

Ditto!

when i first saw your picture of Flame of Freedom the flag looked upside down. i don't think the military would like that, just my two cents navy vet 65/69

kilowat wrote in post #2129441
when i first saw your picture of Flame of Freedom the flag looked upside down. i don't think the military would like that, just my two cents navy vet 65/69

The flag is upside up. You can clearly see stripes over the stars at the bottom of the flag.