Would you give up an image just for a credit?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Mud
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Mud said:
Now offered $50. Isn't $200 standard for these things?
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No such thing as standard, tell them they can have it for the correct market value.

Ask them what they wish to use the image for, license duration, market sector, territory (worldwide or local) exclusive, or not.

There's a big difference between use on a website and a global marketing campaign.

Then go over to the Alamy price calculator, enter the details they have given you and offer them a price you're happy with which is close to the Alamy price.

They will almost certainly have already done that.

Offer a small (10%) discount if that pay in advance via paypal.

That's exactly how a professional photographer would deal with this sort of random enquiry from someone who may be in an another country and may not pay up when you send an invoice.
 
If you list what the usage is I'll put it into my price calculation software for you (fotoQuote) [region, circulation, use, category, duration, size of use etc.]

Then use the Alamy calculator and take the average value. I'd say $200 is about right. But let's see what the price calculators
 
Ok..."worldwide and the image would remain in our archives forever and could potentially be used again for a different story published by American Express Publications and or syndicate".
 
I meant how many being printed/monthly visits to site?

(Assuming just web use for ~5 years, average sized site, for commercial/business purposes calculator gave figure of - £321 :p, :o)

Also what size on the website/what size on the paper?
 
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It seems it has 250-300 visits a day. £150ish sounds reasonable if they want it for print and web use. If not accept £50 but for use on the site only (perhaps a few prints too).
 
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Hmm, sounds like a lot of money for a not very artistic photo and not many hits, thanks for the advice but I don't think I'll push this one too hard. I'll give a gentle nudge.
 
Yeah, it wouldn't be so bad but it's seems to me they want all the rights to the photo (don't take offence) for a not very inspiring photo. If you request a limit on the copies £50 for web and a few thousand prints (say 3000) would be acceptable in my book.
 
I agree it isn't a great photo. I've said $50 sounds fine for limited the limited use you specify, but can they stretch to $150 for full rights.
 
It's hard to price without all the information which is why once you get to know a few places they come and request/download your photos and you just invoice them at the end of the month for your normal rates.

Alamy quotes £90 for a limited print run of <20000 and web use <450px for a year. So that $100 or so dollars.

FYI the "worldwide" bit adds lot's to their quote.
 
Yeah, I'm sure I'm not negotiating this properly and their emphasis on website use then appending the unlimited use by them and syndicated partners bit is a negotiating tactic. That said, that bit appears to be a form letter, and unless another plane lands in the Hudson I doubt there'll be any commercial use for that image!
 
Mud said:
Ok..."worldwide and the image would remain in our archives forever and could potentially be used again for a different story published by American Express Publications and or syndicate".
Click to expand...

Worldwide, ok.

'archives forever' ? I'd offer a 12 month license to begin with, see how the image performed and, just as important, how the client behaves.

The syndication bit worries me.

If the image is syndicate-able then the client believes the image may be worth more in the long term in the wider market.

That may simply be an inexperienced employee misinterpreting/representing.

If the initial client is hot to syndicate then let the initial client market the image *short term* for you and, when the image is more widely known AS YOURS, you can offer out further licenses direct to other clients.

Personally, from experience, and without knowing all teh facts (obv) I'd offer a clearly defined single use license and see how it goes both with this image and this potential client.

The fact that they are still talking to you is a good indication of their understanding of licensing, their idea of the commercial value of your image and the fact that your image is - clearly- of a commercial quality.
 
Yeah, the usage sounds a bit open, I'd happily decline their offer if it were a photo I cared about or it was my primary source of income...this red-headed step-child can just treat me to a restaurant dinner and I'll take it as a learning experience though. Thanks for your help, I know more should the situation arise again :)
 
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