You are the 1, 000, 000th "How much?" thread! (Need advice, really.)

An advertising agency wants to use some photos of mine in a brochure, and have the right to use them again without limitation.
Any good general advice?

They want to purchase the image outright? Or purchase a license to use it for a specific time without any limitations?

If it's outright, it's going to cost them quite a bit, since you can't sell that image to another agency ever again, and you need to think how much your image is worth to you. If they want a license to use it as they need to for "x" amount of time, that'll be easier for you to retain rights but still charge a cheaper rate. You'd be better asking them what they intend to do with the image and for how long, and what scope the image is being used for. If it's for profit, and for revenue generation, charge accordingly. If it's for non-profit, or something along those lines, take that into consideration. Bottom line is, don't give it away to them for free.

Show us the photo (watermarked). Make sure your price has at least three zeros, maybe four.

This is one of those situations where there are as many options as you can think of, and the same amount of outcomes.

If It were me, I would first think "What do I want the end result to be?". Depending on the situation it might be a good opportunity to hook a company into doing photography for them, or a good chance to give away (at a good price) the rights for some amazing photos. Then again, if I am looking for a name, and the chance to have something to show for it, it also affects my outlook of the situation.

Regardless of the other party's request of God-like rights on the photos, I do try to push for the simple credit recognition. It costs me a few bucks, but I never want to see a photo out there that is making money to someone else, without some sort of caption anywhere in the document (even if it's 1/2 font points) .

I could tell you give it up for 50 bucks, and you may lose a great chance at making some money.

I could tell you to charge them 50k for it, and you may lose a great chance at making business with a company on the long run. (Yeah, you can justify by saying 'hey, at least I did not sell myself too cheap' but it does not benefit you much in terms of comfort later on, with millions of photogs out there and trillions of photos).

So, take every bit of advice with a grain of salt, and then sit down and see which one applies to your situation.

Best of luck, and buy us all a shot when you get your money .

I asked him for the specifics of usage and suggested that unlimited usage would be somewhat costly (I'm only 18, and haven't made a sale larger than $200 before, so it seems a bit scary to ask for a large number) and I'll probably get a reply and update you tomorrow morning.

I say judge on the size of the company. If they are global, anything around the $500-$1000 mark easy but you could mention that it is something to negotiate.

Like Mario said above, you dont want to over or undershoot your mark.

So apparently it will have a circulation of about 25K people, as well as being used on the website. (It, or they, depending) and they'll want to use it at least four more times.
Thoughts?

http://photographersin​dex.com/price-corp-calc.dbm

Good little tool to have. Numbers aren't the most effective, and at times seem a bit high or low, but they make a good basis from which to negotiate. If it's a corporate magazine with a distribution between 10k and 50k (closest thing there), a one time use would be an average of $337.50. Lets say a 1500 starting point would be where you should start looking. If they really want your shot, they will try to negotiate down.

Unlimited use again FOR THAT BROCHURE client? Or for any client that comes along?

How unique is your photo? Ad agencies usually pay quite well as they just bill their clients for the photograph....however imagine the following:

You photo. Sold for $500 to the ad agency. Jolly good you think, some fine money you made and the photo is in a brochure of your local gardener.

Months later, you're on your way home from the grocery store and pass by a magazine boot. You're kinda into architecture, and see a new mag came out. You flick through it and see you photo as background for a half page ad of a famous watch manufacturer.... bummmmmmmer heh?

Just saying "how bad" it C O U L D be of course