Posted by Ken Wyatt on October 15, 2006 at 2:13 AM
Hi All,
Although my passion remains nature photography, I subsidize this passion as a part-time photojournalist for our weekly paper here in Teller County - something I've been fortunate to have been able to do for over eight years now. Mostly, I shoot community events on the weekends, but the last three years I've been moving towards sports photography (it's as challanging as wildlife - just a different kind of subject!).
Anyway, I was shooting the Pikes Peak Hill Climb from near the finish line and noticed several VW diesel Touaregs had been entered as a separate class - a publicity stunt, I suspect. I was pretty much shooting everything that crossed my path and managed to get several shots of them.
Two weeks after the race, I get this call from an ad agency in Miami, representing Volkswagen of North America. "Did you shoot the race this year" - Yes! "Did you happen to get shots of the Touaregs?" - YES!! $$$ in my mind at that point...
To make the story short, they ended up buying the rights to one of the images (shown above) for a major ad campaign, at first, offering about 1/3 the worth. We ended up right on target pricewise ultimately. Then just last Friday, they wanted an additional image for the same rights! They plan to use them for newspaper ads, dealer posters, t-shirts, and Web. I can't discuss the actual price for these two images, but let's just say, I could purchase a 1DsMk2 and at least four "L" lenses!
Lessons I learned:
1) while in the field, shoot anything that might have future value to someone. By all means, carry some minimal gear in the vehicle with you - you never know when "Bigfoot" may pop up!
2) Be sure to post a wide variety of samples on your Web. Be sure to include enough description with each image so they may be searched via Google - this is most important, and how the agency found me in the first place!
3) The value of an image is VARIABLE depending on the usage and rights conveyed. Know how to find this value and learn the various rights that may be conveyed. Don't give up your right to the actual image! Don't undersell your work! The book, Photographer's Marketplace, the Editorial Photographer's Web site (www.ep.org) is helpful and one of the best pricing tools (as well as negotiating guidance) is the software FotoQuote.
Anyway, I'm kind'a jazzed, as this is by far my largest sale to date. Just wanted to share with the group.
Regards, Ken
Posted by Momo Vuyisich on October 15, 2006 at 2:58 AM
That is awesome! Congrats.
Posted by Todd Caudle on October 15, 2006 at 8:23 AM
4) It's probably not wise to post the image on a public forum after selling them the rights to it, however exclusive or non-exclusive those rights may be, just in a goodwill sense.
Nice shot though. Congrats!
Posted by Todd Caudle on October 15, 2006 at 8:25 AM
I could purchase a 1DsMk2 and at least four "L" lenses!
Or a VW Touareg! (That's a frightening thought: a camera body and 4 pro lenses, or a car?)
Posted by Nat Coalson on October 15, 2006 at 9:49 AM
Congratulations Ken! I'll keep an eye out for the ads...
Posted by Roger Rouch on October 15, 2006 at 3:01 PM
Ken, congratulations! As much as I enjoy taking photos, it's never been one of my ambitions to make a business of it. But I'm always impressed at the hard work and dedication of those who do. A deserving break, I'm sure.
Discussion
18 repliesAlthough my passion remains nature photography, I subsidize this passion as a part-time photojournalist for our weekly paper here in Teller County - something I've been fortunate to have been able to do for over eight years now. Mostly, I shoot community events on the weekends, but the last three years I've been moving towards sports photography (it's as challanging as wildlife - just a different kind of subject!).
Anyway, I was shooting the Pikes Peak Hill Climb from near the finish line and noticed several VW diesel Touaregs had been entered as a separate class - a publicity stunt, I suspect. I was pretty much shooting everything that crossed my path and managed to get several shots of them.
Two weeks after the race, I get this call from an ad agency in Miami, representing Volkswagen of North America.
To make the story short, they ended up buying the rights to one of the images (shown above) for a major ad campaign, at first, offering about 1/3 the worth. We ended up right on target pricewise ultimately. Then just last Friday, they wanted an additional image for the same rights! They plan to use them for newspaper ads, dealer posters, t-shirts, and Web. I can't discuss the actual price for these two images, but let's just say, I could purchase a 1DsMk2 and at least four "L" lenses!
Lessons I learned:
1) while in the field, shoot anything that might have future value to someone. By all means, carry some minimal gear in the vehicle with you - you never know when "Bigfoot" may pop up!
2) Be sure to post a wide variety of samples on your Web. Be sure to include enough description with each image so they may be searched via Google - this is most important, and how the agency found me in the first place!
3) The value of an image is VARIABLE depending on the usage and rights conveyed. Know how to find this value and learn the various rights that may be conveyed. Don't give up your right to the actual image! Don't undersell your work! The book, Photographer's Marketplace, the Editorial Photographer's Web site (www.ep.org) is helpful and one of the best pricing tools (as well as negotiating guidance) is the software FotoQuote.
Anyway, I'm kind'a jazzed, as this is by far my largest sale to date. Just wanted to share with the group.
Regards, Ken
Nice shot though. Congrats!
Or a VW Touareg! (That's a frightening thought: a camera body and 4 pro lenses, or a car?)
Jim
Don