Posted by Monika Wieland on September 28, 2008 at 8:24 PM
I've read through previous posts in this forum about how to price a photo when someone approaches you for using it in a publication. I know many of you recommend FotoBiz and FotoQuote, but I can't justify the expense of purchasing the software right now. I'm a recent college grad who is very new to marketing my photos, and would like some advice on pricing images and coming up with terms of use.
Several of the links in old posts to online price calculators are no longer good. The functional one I found is http://photographersindex.com/stockprice.htm - is this fairly accurate, or is there somewhere else to check?
I'm excited to have a potential sale - I don't want to quote too high or too low, but I don't know where the benchmark is or how to learn what's a reasonable price. I talked to someone who was in the business years ago, but things have probably changed since then.
The person who approached me to buy my photos also requested my terms of use. I just want to sell them the rights to use these images in their one printing - is there anything in particular I should include in my phrasing?
Again, as I pursue my photography career further I'm sure I'll get a better handle on quotes and terms of use, and down the road I will be able to get FotoBiz if that really is the way to go. Right now, this is my first sale of this sort, and I just want to get familiar with the field without having to invest in the FotoBiz software. Any advice or recommendations will be much appreciated.
Posted by Richard Wong on September 29, 2008 at 1:15 PM
In your language you'd probably want to say "license" rights for such and such usage, rather than "sell" your rights because those are two totally different things. Sell implies that they own certain rights. License means using it for the use specified.
Check w/ your current source along with perhaps Getty and Alamy and see what range of prices you find. One thing the calcatulators don't factor in is how unique the image is and how important the image is to the buyer. That is one thing you will have to figure out for yourself.
Posted by Robert Fisher on September 29, 2008 at 4:51 PM
I think we're splitting hairs a bit with terminology. Monika indicated she wanted to sell the rights for a single use. I think she understands that she's not selling her copyright in total, nor is that what she wants to do.
Here are a couple other resources for you, Monika. Larry Berman has a page on his site talking about FotoQuote, including a sample screen shot from a quote for a 1/4 page ad in a national magazine with a print run of under 250k copies. If you plug those same parameters into the photographersindex calculator, the pricing is pretty similar, http://bermangraphics.com/press/stockphotography.htm. Seth Resnick also has some tables on his website dealing with stock pricing, http://www.sethresnick.com/price/price.html. There are some other links at the bottom of Berman's page too.
Some of the things that play into the pricing include the size of the photo (e.g., 1/4 page, 1/2 page, full page), where the photo will be placed (e.g., front cover, back cover, inside front cover, inside), the size of the print run, whether it's a national or regional publication (assuming a similar sized print run, the national publication should pay more), whether it's print only or print+web or web only, whether it's for editorial or advertising (advertising rates are higher), whether there may be reprints of a print publication, etc. Lots of factors to consider and all of these should be spelled out in the contract with the buyer. You want there to be no ambiguities about what they can and can't do with the photo.
I think you need to split hairs when selling photos. There should no confusion on the terms of use. If you use the word sell, that could be interpreted as selling your copyright. I'm new at the business also. I did some research and getting a lawyer who deals with the arts was recommended.
Posted by Rod Barbee on October 13, 2008 at 12:25 PM
I know you said that it's out of your price range right now, but FotoQuote will probably pay for itself with your very first sale. Just something to think about.
I'd also second the recommendation to look at the stock photo sites like Getty and Alamy. Register as a buyer, pick a picture, and go through their licensing procedure, plugging in the numbers you're getting from a potential client. This will give you a very good idea of where to start your pricing.
Good luck!
Posted by John Klotz on October 28, 2008 at 2:27 AM
Hi Monika, I also suggest PhotoQuote. It not only suggests various pricing range stratgies for many different uses but also includes "coaching" for negotiating with buyers and assistance writing your contracts and licenses. There is a lot of good info I never would have considered. I earned back way more than it cost on my first deal. And as Rod suggests visit the various stock agencies he mentions. Don't give your work away it cost you something to create it. Wishing you success!
John
Discussion
5 repliesSeveral of the links in old posts to online price calculators are no longer good. The functional one I found is http://photographersindex.com/stockprice.htm - is this fairly accurate, or is there somewhere else to check?
I'm excited to have a potential sale - I don't want to quote too high or too low, but I don't know where the benchmark is or how to learn what's a reasonable price. I talked to someone who was in the business years ago, but things have probably changed since then.
The person who approached me to buy my photos also requested my terms of use. I just want to sell them the rights to use these images in their one printing - is there anything in particular I should include in my phrasing?
Again, as I pursue my photography career further I'm sure I'll get a better handle on quotes and terms of use, and down the road I will be able to get FotoBiz if that really is the way to go. Right now, this is my first sale of this sort, and I just want to get familiar with the field without having to invest in the FotoBiz software. Any advice or recommendations will be much appreciated.
Check w/ your current source along with perhaps Getty and Alamy and see what range of prices you find. One thing the calcatulators don't factor in is how unique the image is and how important the image is to the buyer. That is one thing you will have to figure out for yourself.
Here are a couple other resources for you, Monika. Larry Berman has a page on his site talking about FotoQuote, including a sample screen shot from a quote for a 1/4 page ad in a national magazine with a print run of under 250k copies. If you plug those same parameters into the photographersindex calculator, the pricing is pretty similar, http://bermangraphics.com/press/stockphotography.htm. Seth Resnick also has some tables on his website dealing with stock pricing, http://www.sethresnick.com/price/price.html. There are some other links at the bottom of Berman's page too.
Some of the things that play into the pricing include the size of the photo (e.g., 1/4 page, 1/2 page, full page), where the photo will be placed (e.g., front cover, back cover, inside front cover, inside), the size of the print run, whether it's a national or regional publication (assuming a similar sized print run, the national publication should pay more), whether it's print only or print+web or web only, whether it's for editorial or advertising (advertising rates are higher), whether there may be reprints of a print publication, etc. Lots of factors to consider and all of these should be spelled out in the contract with the buyer. You want there to be no ambiguities about what they can and can't do with the photo.
I'd also second the recommendation to look at the stock photo sites like Getty and Alamy. Register as a buyer, pick a picture, and go through their licensing procedure, plugging in the numbers you're getting from a potential client. This will give you a very good idea of where to start your pricing.
Good luck!
John