Posted by Nick Leadley on January 2, 2012 at 12:39 PM
I recently received a request from a graphic artist where I live reuesting permission to "use" one of my images for a brochure she had been "hired" to create for two local organizations. The document is intended to be sold as a program for an upcoming event. I was only offered photo credit for the image.
When I responded I told her I was not willing to give the image away, but knowing the limited budget of the two organizations involved I quoted what to my mind was a very reasonable and reduced price for use of the image.
The reply that came back was the organizations she had been hired by were not likely to pay for the use of the image and would look elsewhere. As I make my living as a photographer I decided to establish a firm yet professional stance on requests like this and left the decision on the image on their hands.
I'm certain others have ended up in this situation and was wondering how those that have handled the situation?
Thanks!
Posted by Richard Ditch on January 2, 2012 at 5:45 PM
I have the same policy, and mostly the same experience with many requests. If an organization can afford to pay someone to design a brochure, or sign, or display, then they can also afford to pay for use of quality images.
Right on...same situations regularly...
The problem is often times for a small drop in quality, they can usually find someone to do it for a credit.
Posted by Nick Leadley on January 2, 2012 at 7:37 PM
Thanks for the replies! I suspect that Jim is right, they will find someone else willing to give them an image in return for photo credits. Ah well!
Posted by Max Waugh on January 2, 2012 at 11:40 PM
Nick, your experience is nothing out of the ordinary and I think you handled it the right way. I find that the large majority of the requests I get end up falling through because of "limited" or "zero" budget on the client's part, even though I'm often flexible with rates depending on the client.
Max
Posted by Jim Bullard on January 3, 2012 at 8:05 AM
If the program is going to be sold and they could pay a designer to create it, they should have factored in paying for images IMO.
We sometimes make photo useage donations to orgs that we believe in and support in other ways. But if ANY artist is making money on the projects we want a cut too.
We no longer respond to the paid artists requesting free photos, going instead directly to the officers of the organization to explain our position. They report a rather funny (from our perspective) reaction by the other artists on the projects. Universally those refuse to work for free! Golly gee.......
You did the right thing for you professionally. The brochures were going to be sold to make someone a profit...why should you be cut out? You may have asked the requester if he/she was being paid for what he/she was doing or whether anyone else involved with making the brochure was being paid and whether the publishing company was being paid, etc etc. Then ask why in the world you should not be paid.
Posted by Andy Richards on January 15, 2012 at 9:38 AM
I have had the same experience. For me, it is easy to say no, because I don't make a living at photography, so I don't have a need to sell images. It is a tough thing for those who do. I think it is, in large part, a product of the consumer P&S digital camera phenomena and a widespread "view" by many in the public (and, unfortunately, some other artists) that photography really isn't art. Its just technology and anybody can do it so why should we have to pay for it. Unfortunate, but apparently prevalent. I like Hank's approach and think I will adopt it. Gently explain to the persons who are "buying" the product the facts. I had two sales that way last year. I was approached for a photo credit and responded that they were obviously businesses and understood costs, overhead and profit. They ended up paying. So I think its worth taking the stand and agree that you took the correct approach.
Andy,
I do photography as a fun hobby and have often wondered if, because of the view you mentioned, people will gradually stop paying for professional photography altogether. I figure they will, especially in bad economic times/areas, and because they can make a shot look any way they want more and more easily. Why pay someobody to do something you (think) you can do yourself. It seems like a damned if you do/damned if you don't situation in terms of trying to make a living at this. I don't see how anyone can, myself.
If you don't ask to be paid, you will NEVER be paid.
As for the ease of "doing it yourself," that's a sales pitch from camera, computer and software peddlers, and it worked. They sold a bazillion units in the last decade to folks believing they could do it themselves in lieu of paying for the work, or people certain they could get rich and famous selling photos.
Short term it cut our sales, but long term it has been to our great benefit. Folks that bit on the sales pitch spent their money on all the gear, then learned they couldn't do it themselves without years of training and practice. In our experience, they've become very good clients because now they can appreciate what it takes to turn out a pro image, and they are willing to pay for it.
But ours is a case of selling photos that don't exist- the ones that people can't create on their own, find for free on the web or from photographers giving away work in exchange for "exposure." People PAY us, and they pay well.
Discussion
10 repliesWhen I responded I told her I was not willing to give the image away, but knowing the limited budget of the two organizations involved I quoted what to my mind was a very reasonable and reduced price for use of the image.
The reply that came back was the organizations she had been hired by were not likely to pay for the use of the image and would look elsewhere. As I make my living as a photographer I decided to establish a firm yet professional stance on requests like this and left the decision on the image on their hands.
I'm certain others have ended up in this situation and was wondering how those that have handled the situation?
Thanks!
The problem is often times for a small drop in quality, they can usually find someone to do it for a credit.
Max
We no longer respond to the paid artists requesting free photos, going instead directly to the officers of the organization to explain our position. They report a rather funny (from our perspective) reaction by the other artists on the projects. Universally those refuse to work for free! Golly gee.......
Congrats for sticking to your guns!
Troup Nightingale
Southeastern Photography
http://www.southeasternphotography.com
I do photography as a fun hobby and have often wondered if, because of the view you mentioned, people will gradually stop paying for professional photography altogether. I figure they will, especially in bad economic times/areas, and because they can make a shot look any way they want more and more easily. Why pay someobody to do something you (think) you can do yourself. It seems like a damned if you do/damned if you don't situation in terms of trying to make a living at this. I don't see how anyone can, myself.
If you don't ask to be paid, you will NEVER be paid.
As for the ease of "doing it yourself," that's a sales pitch from camera, computer and software peddlers, and it worked. They sold a bazillion units in the last decade to folks believing they could do it themselves in lieu of paying for the work, or people certain they could get rich and famous selling photos.
Short term it cut our sales, but long term it has been to our great benefit. Folks that bit on the sales pitch spent their money on all the gear, then learned they couldn't do it themselves without years of training and practice. In our experience, they've become very good clients because now they can appreciate what it takes to turn out a pro image, and they are willing to pay for it.
But ours is a case of selling photos that don't exist- the ones that people can't create on their own, find for free on the web or from photographers giving away work in exchange for "exposure." People PAY us, and they pay well.