Give it away, or charge somethin?

Hello all,

I was wondering if I could pick your brains on this one...

I am not a pro, do not sell my pictures, or hire myself out. I do take nice photos (big thanks to everyone here at potn for that!) and have considered setting something up, but I have not.

Anyway...

I host some of my pictures on flicker and add a copyright tag on them and say not to use without my permission.

So now I have someone asking for permission to use one (boat in Mazatlan) in a magazine article. with photo credit. (yeah I know woopie!, but hey she at least asked)

My initial thinking is I am not opposed to giving him the shot (credit or not) for free but I want it to be one time use only and would like to charge money if he plans to use it more than for a one time article.

How do you think I should respond?

Here is the e-mail:

From:

HTTP response: 404 | Byte size: ZERO

stephsanko

I am working on an article for mazatlan, and wanted to see if you were interested in providing a pic for this publication. I have pasted the link to the pic I had in mind. I will be happy to place your name next to pic as photo credit.

Also, if interested, do you have a high res of this photo? Thanks
my email is jenny@artisticmedia.or​g
flickr.com/photos/9760​3721@N00/2309093791/

Chris, seeing the image in print is a rush, getting the byline is the icing, BUT getting paid is off the hook. Magazines employ photo editors to troll sites and try and get free or cheap images. But those a--h0les charge 2500-10k for ad space. And they sell loads of it. There are several software packages that can assist you in pricing and usage. Please remember if you give it away that means that a working pro may not get those funds or that business. You do not have to be a full time pro to understand that 350-400 bux in the bank is a good thing.You have started well by protecting your copyright, don't fumble now, charge them a fair rate for the image.

Oh and don't fall for the "we have no budget" or maybe we can "send you a future shoot" or you will get business from the byline - it is bovine bupkis.

Don't give it for free. Not sure how big the photo will be, but I sold a small, crappy 2 x 3 photo from BACKPACKER magazine a few years ago and got $150.

Nice shot!

What publication, circulation, size they'll run the image, are questions you need them to answer.
Then Editorial Estimator can help.

I would definitely charge them to use it. You shelled out a lot of time and money for the equipment and learning how to use it, and you took a unique photo that they want. You're much better off charging people from the get-go than turning around next time and asking for money after you've already given them free photos in the past.

Artistic Media are graphic designers.(http://www.artisticmed​ia.org/index). They sell their services, their current promotion is a 6 x 6 full color postcard design for $65.00

Have a look at their portfolio at http://www.artisticmed​ia.org/ArtisticMediaPo​rtfolio.pdf (pdf file) and ask yourself if you should be giving your work away, knowing she will be making a profit from it.

Sometimes its worthwhile doing some digging. She has given you a link to her flickr profile. No avatar, profile information or images on show but 109 favourites. It looks like she is using flickr as a source of images for her graphic design business. Nothing wrong with that, provided she pays the market rate.

Definitely charge something, even if its only $25. Any image is worth that and more if the person using it will make money from it. I wouldn't give Apple my iPod so they can sell it for a profit, its not different with images.

I vote no, and always have. I get requests often from various sources (my website, flickr, omp, etc). I always give them a reasonable price, and most go away, but maybe 20% come back and pay for use. I gave one image away (pregnant belly/baby shoes) for a non-profit that works socially with mothers and babies, and relies on donations as their primary source of income. Most everyone on the staff are volunteers, and they wanted to use it for their blog. I checked with the model and she was fine with it as well. Sure, in that case, I'm game

But to allow someone else to make a profit. Ahhh, no, not really

You most certainly should charge something and be careful to limit the usage of your photograph to reasonable terms.

First you need to ask for a lot more exact specifics about how the photo will be used.

If in a magazine: what size? inside or cover? Color or B&W? Size of press run/circulationi/distr​ibution? One time rights?

If on a post card: What size press run? One time rights? Option to renew license and reprint? Exclusive or non-exclusive? Royalties, flat fee or combination of both?

Then go buy the book "Pricing Photography" by Michael Heron.

These people want to use your photo for commercial purposes. They will make money off of it. They most certainly should pay you for usage, too. It is only fair.

The only time I "donate" usage of any of my photos is when a charity is involved.

I will sometimes "trade" services and help support a vendor who works for me or an organizer whom I work for. But this really isn't a donation, since we both get something of value. It's just not monetary.