Out of the blue, I get an email from a professor at FSU wanting to use one of my waterfall pics for a cover pic in his upcoming text book in 2008. This is very new to me, and I've heard others have been approched before for something like this.
Anyways, he is asking permission to use the picture with a proper credit line and possibly website reference, but no mention which pic he's specifically interested in or any other compensation other than that.
Have any of you been approached in this way? Aren't there licensing issues to think of? Do photogs really give away their pics for just a byline in a book? I thought a cover pic demanded some sort of compensation, but what's fair?
I did Google his name, he is indeed a professor at FSU.
Just curious about the group's thoughts on this.
Kevin
OT: GORGE SNOW TONIGHT!!!
Posted by Bryan Swan on November 27, 2007 at 4:36 AM
Keeping in mind textbooks authored by college professors usually fetch a large chunk of change, theres two ways I'd look at this:
1 - Ask for monetary compensation knowing he's gonna make money off his book - if he turns you down, then he'll just have to find another picture.
2 - Be satisfied with the free publicity and let him use the picture.
I can't see a situation like this where I wouldn't ask for compensation, especially when the picture will be used on something tangible that will be sold.
Posted by Mark Hudon on November 27, 2007 at 10:33 AM
I'll ask someone who should know and get back to you.
Posted by Mark Hudon on November 27, 2007 at 12:05 PM
From Michael Gordon
Mark: depends on the number of copies and your friends negotiating skills.
Posted by dan elster on November 27, 2007 at 2:10 PM
Do to recent similar experiences in my life......give nothing away. It's just not right for you or every other photographer trying to make well earned money for their talents.
Posted by Mark Hudon on November 27, 2007 at 2:19 PM
Certainly don't give it away. The "free advertising" of having your name in the book is worth just about as much as the paper it's printed on.
Agreed! Negotiate a fair price based on expected sales of the book. fotoQuote is a great resource for pricing everything from soup to nuts in the photographic world. He keeps it up to date too. E.g., 800 to 1600 dependiing on press run. Good luck.
Posted by Rod Barbee on November 27, 2007 at 6:32 PM
I agree with Mark and Catherine (Mark's comment on free advertising hits the mark). Get Fotoquote, it will pay for itself (and then some) with this sale and it will be an invaluable resource for future sales.
Thanks again, all! I found out its an Oxford Handbook for other academics (1000 copies or so to start), but still the idea is a nice one. We'll see what comes of it...but it's clear that free advertising is just that. I pretty much decided early on that it won't be given out for free.
Kevin
Posted by John Lehmkuhl on November 30, 2007 at 12:16 AM
I wish you luck !! It's not easy to earn money at this profession.... but remain professional and it will happen.
Discussion
9 repliesOut of the blue, I get an email from a professor at FSU wanting to use one of my waterfall pics for a cover pic in his upcoming text book in 2008. This is very new to me, and I've heard others have been approched before for something like this.
Anyways, he is asking permission to use the picture with a proper credit line and possibly website reference, but no mention which pic he's specifically interested in or any other compensation other than that.
Have any of you been approached in this way? Aren't there licensing issues to think of? Do photogs really give away their pics for just a byline in a book? I thought a cover pic demanded some sort of compensation, but what's fair?
I did Google his name, he is indeed a professor at FSU.
Just curious about the group's thoughts on this.
Kevin
OT: GORGE SNOW TONIGHT!!!
1 - Ask for monetary compensation knowing he's gonna make money off his book - if he turns you down, then he'll just have to find another picture.
2 - Be satisfied with the free publicity and let him use the picture.
I can't see a situation like this where I wouldn't ask for compensation, especially when the picture will be used on something tangible that will be sold.
Mark: depends on the number of copies and your friends negotiating skills.
This cover http://tinyurl.com/24pmgx earned me $900 for 9000 copies (U.S. only). Fotoquote http://fotoquote.com/ may be a good investment for your friend.
Mg
Kevin