I had the exclusive rights to photograph a performing arts event who's purpose was to bring awareness to the gang issues in our area. The whole gig started with me shooting/designing posters for the event. A close friend of mine was the writer/director of this performance, and I told her I would shoot it for free if I got exclusive rights to be the soul photographer, which meant I would be the only one allowed to shoot during the production, and the media would have to use my photographs for publication. Simple right?
Here is what is going on. The gang awareness non-profit organization didn't mind giving me exclusive rights to photograph, and allow me to sell prints on my website... but they didn't put my website in the program for people to log-in. When I complained about it, they put it in, but got it wrong. Then at the beginning of the performance they referred to me as a "resident photographer" which I am not exactly sure what they meant by that. I would have preferred to be called the professional photographer.
When they directly asked in a email if the media could come and take pictures, I said "absolutely not, they kinda defeats the purpose of having exclusive rights to photograph." Then during the opening comments at the being of the second night the MC stated, "no photographs except by the media, and our resident photographer." About 20 minutes into the production I heard a shutter go off, and looked over and there was a photographer from a local newspaper taking pictures. I went to someone with the organization, and told her to find out who they were, and once she verified it was the media, she told him it was ok.
So now it gets a little more complicated. I hired a videographer to record the performance as a favor to the director. Once the organization found out, they wanted a copy, which isn't a huge deal, since it is their event. But then after a series of emails they wanted me to provide 50 copies of the DVD's... and when I hit them with a price for each additional copy, they started back peddaling on all that they had stated before.
Now I know that I won't deliver nothing without a written and signed contract from the organization. But I am looking for advice on what my stipulations should be, and how I should go about it. I am thinking I should put my name on every photo, and state it can't be croped to remove. Up to now I haven't given them anything, but I don't want to be a jerk about it, because I am all for what the organiztion is about.
What started out as a simple favor for a close friend, has turned out to be a hassle. But I am still willing to work with the non-profit organization to make sure they get quality photographs and video, although I feel that they didn't hold up to there end of the bargin. There wasn't a signed contract by the organiztion before I shot, and although I asked for one they were too busy to think about arrangements and said we could do it this week. I wouldn't be so annoyed if I would of got media reconition, or if they would of gotten my information right in the program, or if they didn't insult me as a professional photographer, or if they didn't want me to provide 50 DVD's for an insulting price of $150.00 which included lightscribe label, custom designed sleeve, and DVD case.
Just looking for advice in what direction to go... not for people to bash the organization. I respect the people for what they do, and I really like my contact person in the organization. I just don't want to get burned. I wasn't planning on making profit, just simple recognition.
