Donating Photos

A local nature trust organization is looking for photos, I’m guessing it’s for some of their advertising and fundraising. Since it’s a non-profit group I obviously wouldn’t get paid anything if they choose to use one of my submissions. On one hand I would like to donate something for their cause, and who knows maybe someone will see the picture and really like it and contact me about other work. But on the other hand I find it hard to just send out high quality pictures that groups can do whatever they want with and I have no say. I had emailed them 2 weeks ago to inquire about how images would be used and for how long but have not heard anything back from them.

I’m just wondering what your thoughts on photo donations are?

how about just printed/framed copy?

I shoot for non-profits. I shoot for national and local companies and charities. It's up to you what your goals are. I like it when they use my name or company name on their material, but it doesn't make me crazy when they don't. I process the RAW files that I feel are good, give 1-50 images that I have worked on. They use them as they wish. Sometimes they put it on the net 10 minutes after I send them the pp image. That's wonderful to see. But sometimes, they ask for high resolution shots they are putting up poster size. That scares me, but I don't mind. It's my work, and I earned it. If you are doing this to make money, don't do it! If you are worried that your work is getting out there without your name, don't do it! If you are worried they will publish an image, edit it and then put your name on it, don't do it! Once you give away the images, it's out of your hands. After the pp'ed images, I may be asked to supply every image I took on a DVD for them. I only let go the JPEG files, no RAW. They wouldn't know what to do with them anyway.

Yes, I give away the farm, but only for the families and organizations I want to help. It's a work of love and giving back. If you are shooting for money, one or two pro bono jobs can't hurt. It does get your name out there. And you will really see how wonderful it is to give back. I've been shooting for 5 years now for many organizations and travel all over the world. It's wonderful and very rewarding. I've seen my work in print and on the net many times now. If you want to start this way, it's good practice and you can meet a lot of people. But don't do it, if you're sweating over the rights.

rogazilla wrote in post #9657977
how about just printed/framed copy?

It's likely for print material so they need a digital copy.

I treat it like any other donation. Say the photo would normally sell for $50. Would you donate $50 to these folks? If so, then cool, send the photo. I "pass" on donations to for-profit magazines, where many of my competitors are fine with it, but I donate photos for dog rescue, etc.

Dave

SuzyView wrote in post #9658014
I shoot for non-profits. I shoot for national and local companies and charities. It's up to you what your goals are. I like it when they use my name or company name on their material, but it doesn't make me crazy when they don't. I process the RAW files that I feel are good, give 1-50 images that I have worked on. They use them as they wish. Sometimes they put it on the net 10 minutes after I send them the pp image. That's wonderful to see. But sometimes, they ask for high resolution shots they are putting up poster size. That scares me, but I don't mind. It's my work, and I earned it. If you are doing this to make money, don't do it! If you are worried that your work is getting out there without your name, don't do it! If you are worried they will publish an image, edit it and then put your name on it, don't do it! Once you give away the images, it's out of your hands. After the pp'ed images, I may be asked to supply every image I took on a DVD for them. I only let go the JPEG files, no RAW. They wouldn't know what to do with them anyway.

Yes, I give away the farm, but only for the families and organizations I want to help. It's a work of love and giving back. If you are shooting for money, one or two pro bono jobs can't hurt. It does get your name out there. And you will really see how wonderful it is to give back. I've been shooting for 5 years now for many organizations and travel all over the world. It's wonderful and very rewarding. I've seen my work in print and on the net many times now. If you want to start this way, it's good practice and you can meet a lot of people. But don't do it, if you're sweating over the rights.

Thanks for the info SuzyView. I emailed them again to try and get some information.