"Can't believe you copyright a picture of a stupid bird. My daughter wants to know who would be so selfish."
I have never, not once, turned down a photo request from a student wanting a photo for a report, a teacher wanting to use photos, etc. I do have a notice on my pages though that I copyright my photos. So instead of simply asking, this is the e-mail this person chose to send.
Sigh. Just curious...what do you do with free photo requests?
In the above case, I have so many answers that it would be best to simply ignore it as if you never got it! The ignorance is just too great.
Depends on the request. If it is for innocent use, then I go for it. If I can get my name somewhere I have not been and it isn't going to hurt another photographer, I might go for it if given credit for the work and am given a way for folks to contact me. Some, I may ask for additional details about the use. Others, I simply ignore. And if feeling my oats, I might respond that the photos are free, mailing them costs $500!
Troup
Although I've never received anything so blatant, it doesn't surprise me in these times of thinking you're getting everything for free...
Like you said, essentially, if someone asks politely and a kid wants to use a picture for a school project - I don't see a problem in that. An example is that my direct boss told me his daughter was doing a photography project(5th grade?) and she utilized an article I had on my website (rule of thirds.) Subsequently, they wanted to know if I could donate a print to a school auction, which I would have done for free, but he traded services for that... Anyway, I think most of us wouldn't have a problem with helping out local schools, young kids, etc.....
But then you get the jerk.... I got this from another NPN'r... you might reply with this:
Supposedly from Craigslist:
I'm a fabulously wealthy photographer / artist making money hand over fist. Here's what I need:
A mechanic to overhaul my custom '57 Chevy.
A maid to clean my house on a regular basis
A doctor to perform some minor surgery on me.
A band to perform theme music for me where ever I go.
A carpenter and electrician to build an extra wing on my sweet house in East Austin.
A nanny to watch my spoiled kids.
Of course there will be no pay involved. In return for your services you will get FULL CREDIT on my website, AND you can add all of this work to your PORTFOLIO! If you ask me, this is an absolutely awesome deal!
There was a great example right here on NPN about Mastercard and it's website? Sorry I forget the gentleman's name, but the story really hit right on the head. I hope he drops by to mention it again.
Posted by Richard Wong on June 18, 2008 at 2:13 AM
I either price it appropriately and explain my position, or I ignore the request.
That's a new one on me Terry. Small mind and small life is my immediate reaction.
When it's someone I know I offer a trade for like value of their goods and services if they'd rather not pay money. Brick layer, aouto mechanic, cement finisher, whatever. That gets the message across better than trying to explain your pricing, yada-yada-yada. It's amazing how many opt to pay the money instead of trading when you put it in those terms.
Posted by Toni Lankerd on June 18, 2008 at 9:50 AM
Sounds like one to ignore, Terry!
It depends on who asks for the use of an image. I had one request from a person who not only wanted a large image to auction off, but also use the same image on placemats and various other uses at a dinner for a charity. That was going too far, in my book, so I turned them down.
If it's a simple request for a small image for non profit use, I will usually say yes. The last time I did so, I ended up with a cover shot for the first brochure of the Federated Garden Club of Maryland, plus they sent me a token amount.
I also have a notation on my web site that I will allow for free use in certain cases.
Their statement does not imply ignorance; it implies arrogance. And a crass statement deserves a crass reply:
"A stupid bird should be easy enough for your selfish daughter to photograph on her own"
When I was in grade- and middle school, I did MY OWN work and didn't have the internet from which to steal and plagiarize. Man, what is wrong with kids today?
Posted by Richard Wong on June 18, 2008 at 11:41 AM
I'll do arts events and medical charities when I know that they have no budget and or other members of the community are offering their labour for free. However if there is an e-mail the next day asking for the photos straight away they get stricken from the list.
If the request comes from a non-profit I think it over. I don't have much money to donate to charity, but I regularly donate framed, matted and signed fine art prints for local/regional non profits to use as door prizes or auctions. If it's not a group like that, or a student or teacher, I delete the e-mail.
Lon, I like the Craig's List thing. Think I'll hold onto that one.
I learned something the other day from a thread in NPN's Photo marketing forum Here. I learned that responding to requests for free images, or to ignorant statements such as the one Terry received, provides an opportunity to educate.
Politely explain why the image has a copyright, and why photographers need to grant a license for use, even if the use is granted without a fee.attached. Doing so may win you a friend/client and shows your professionalism.
Preston, I've gotten a few similar e-mails and used to respond to them in the way you suggest. I think it's a good way.
But I've gotten some from folks who were just pulling my chain and trying to get into an argument for the sake of arguing. So as an addendum to your fine advice I'd say that if you take the time to educate and you get an argument back in reply, it's probably about to pass into the "waste of your time" realm.
Steve, I agree. If one attempts to educate, and the 'learner' isn't being receptive or retaliates, perhaps it is time to move on and educate those who are willing and ready to learn.
Posted by Richard Ditch on June 18, 2008 at 10:04 PM
What a great email - I don't think anyone could come up with something so revealing in so few words if they were trying to do so. I'd save this message for ever because of the high entertainment value.
I get a lot of requests for free photos from a complete range of people. If it isn't clear in the request who it is and how they want to use the image I ask them in a reply. If its a kid with a school project I grant use. If its a bona-fide not-for-profit I grant use. If its a small scale group pushing a goal I support I grant use.
But if its for any sort of commercial use I tell them I expect commercial level pay and most of them go away. And I've turned away "conservation education" requests when I discover that the group who is asking has a paid staff, professional PR department, and a multimillion dollar budget.
Posted by Kent Staubus on June 19, 2008 at 10:42 AM
I get occasional requests for copies of railroad photos from train crews etc., and I use the opportunity to drop them off a print and get their email. They are then added to my network of info providers. Other than that, I suppose I am fortunate that my photos either aren't good enough or not interesting to rude people on the internet.
Kent in SD
Posted by Ted Griffith on June 25, 2008 at 4:13 PM
"My daughter wants to know who would be so selfish."
It is unlikely that it is the "daughter" that is complaining about selfishness. When I encounter people like this, I usually try to explain that it is the same "selfish" people like doctors- who expect payment for treating sick people, police- that expect to be paid for protecting people, and firefighters- for wanting paid to put out fires. (Of course, I tend to have less patience with the terminally stupid!!)
Free enterprise doesn't mean free. Value given for value recieved-- they must have thought the photograph of value, or they wouldn't be trying to get something for nothing. I have no problem donating a picture, but it is my decision and I do get value in return. It just may not be monetary. Sometimes the feeling I get is worth more than money.
Discussion
20 replies"Can't believe you copyright a picture of a stupid bird. My daughter wants to know who would be so selfish."
I have never, not once, turned down a photo request from a student wanting a photo for a report, a teacher wanting to use photos, etc. I do have a notice on my pages though that I copyright my photos. So instead of simply asking, this is the e-mail this person chose to send.
Sigh. Just curious...what do you do with free photo requests?
Depends on the request. If it is for innocent use, then I go for it. If I can get my name somewhere I have not been and it isn't going to hurt another photographer, I might go for it if given credit for the work and am given a way for folks to contact me. Some, I may ask for additional details about the use. Others, I simply ignore. And if feeling my oats, I might respond that the photos are free, mailing them costs $500!
Troup
Although I've never received anything so blatant, it doesn't surprise me in these times of thinking you're getting everything for free...
Like you said, essentially, if someone asks politely and a kid wants to use a picture for a school project - I don't see a problem in that. An example is that my direct boss told me his daughter was doing a photography project(5th grade?) and she utilized an article I had on my website (rule of thirds.) Subsequently, they wanted to know if I could donate a print to a school auction, which I would have done for free, but he traded services for that... Anyway, I think most of us wouldn't have a problem with helping out local schools, young kids, etc.....
But then you get the jerk.... I got this from another NPN'r... you might reply with this:
Maybe this will work on him...
Lon
When it's someone I know I offer a trade for like value of their goods and services if they'd rather not pay money. Brick layer, aouto mechanic, cement finisher, whatever. That gets the message across better than trying to explain your pricing, yada-yada-yada. It's amazing how many opt to pay the money instead of trading when you put it in those terms.
It depends on who asks for the use of an image. I had one request from a person who not only wanted a large image to auction off, but also use the same image on placemats and various other uses at a dinner for a charity. That was going too far, in my book, so I turned them down.
If it's a simple request for a small image for non profit use, I will usually say yes. The last time I did so, I ended up with a cover shot for the first brochure of the Federated Garden Club of Maryland, plus they sent me a token amount.
I also have a notation on my web site that I will allow for free use in certain cases.
"A stupid bird should be easy enough for your selfish daughter to photograph on her own"
When I was in grade- and middle school, I did MY OWN work and didn't have the internet from which to steal and plagiarize. Man, what is wrong with kids today?
Their parents.
Lon, I like the Craig's List thing. Think I'll hold onto that one.
Politely explain why the image has a copyright, and why photographers need to grant a license for use, even if the use is granted without a fee.attached. Doing so may win you a friend/client and shows your professionalism.
-PB
But I've gotten some from folks who were just pulling my chain and trying to get into an argument for the sake of arguing. So as an addendum to your fine advice I'd say that if you take the time to educate and you get an argument back in reply, it's probably about to pass into the "waste of your time" realm.
-PB
I get a lot of requests for free photos from a complete range of people. If it isn't clear in the request who it is and how they want to use the image I ask them in a reply. If its a kid with a school project I grant use. If its a bona-fide not-for-profit I grant use. If its a small scale group pushing a goal I support I grant use.
But if its for any sort of commercial use I tell them I expect commercial level pay and most of them go away. And I've turned away "conservation education" requests when I discover that the group who is asking has a paid staff, professional PR department, and a multimillion dollar budget.
Kent in SD
It is unlikely that it is the "daughter" that is complaining about selfishness. When I encounter people like this, I usually try to explain that it is the same "selfish" people like doctors- who expect payment for treating sick people, police- that expect to be paid for protecting people, and firefighters- for wanting paid to put out fires. (Of course, I tend to have less patience with the terminally stupid!!)
Free enterprise doesn't mean free. Value given for value recieved-- they must have thought the photograph of value, or they wouldn't be trying to get something for nothing. I have no problem donating a picture, but it is my decision and I do get value in return. It just may not be monetary. Sometimes the feeling I get is worth more than money.