What should I charge? - DPChallenge Forums

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

04/29/2003 02:37:54 PM · #1

Hi,

I think this subject has been touched on before, but I was wondering what I should charge an organization to use some of my photos on their website. Should I try to retain the copyright and charge a fee for it's use, or should I sell them the rights to the photos? I'd really appreciate any insite anyone might have, as we are beginning negotiations on this and I don't have a clue. Obviously I've never done this before, and DPChallenge is responsible for me having this opportunity as I was shooting the photos for the "Transportation" challenge and the organization loved them!

Thanks in advance!

dacrazyrn

Nikon D300

04/29/2003 03:19:16 PM · #2

Good book that helps with this by Rohn Engh, Sell and Re-sell your photos (have not read) and sellphotos.com (have read-about 200 pages in large text). Goes into alot about this type of thing. almost everything I have read is that you should ALWAYS keep the copyright to your work, and sell them rights to use it. There are many different types of rights also, and restrictions to use. For example if they just wanted it for an ad-that would cost them this much. For an internal brochure, may cost them less, etc. Also there are "Full use" rights, one time rights, or for a certain publication or time. You can put whatever restrictions (or not) on them you want. It comes down to finding out exactly what they want to use it for and setting a price for that specifically. Then if they want to use it again for something different they will need to come to you to "rehash" the deal or pay for more extensive rights or one time rights for a different project. COnfused? Me too!! (C:
Good Luck and Congrats

tracy

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

04/29/2003 05:08:03 PM · #3

Thanks a lot Tracy, I checked out that sellphotos website, and it has a lot of great info. It sounds like decisions like this need to be made on a case-by-case basis, and because this is my first experience with this I'm just excited to have my stuff published at all! I will retain copyright for the photographs, so I can use them in future if I choose to, but since it's a non-profit organization I'm letting them put up my photos for next-to-nothing. I think if it gets a lot of hits it'll be worth it to me in the end since I will have credit information on each photo. I'd love to have you all check it the photos they'll be using, but one of them is my transportation entry. : )

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

04/29/2003 06:26:14 PM · #4

I think it's a fine idea to have a sliding scale rate...especially for community non-profits. As you say, they are usually more than willing to publicize your contribution, which often leads to other, paying opportunities...
I generally have four levels of pricing for all the various stuff I do:
Family
Non-profit Org.
Small Business
Corporate

Increases somewhere between two- and ten-fold per level...if it's an hourly-type thing, I'd ask for 20% of what the top person in the business gets -- you're worth at least that.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

04/29/2003 07:07:05 PM · #5

Paul (and anyone else), would you be willing to give me a range that you ask in each of these areas? I'd be interested to know what people are charging for their services.

paganini

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

04/29/2003 07:19:22 PM · #6

There are different type of rights.

There is "One time rights", where you sell it for one time use only and the contract defines what it means (i.e. one time use on this brochure)

There is "First time rights", where you have NEVER publish it before or disclose to the public (this include DPC, if the photo was display here, you can't claim first time rights), so this will be higher than one time rights. It can be combined with one time rights as well.

There are "exclusive rights" - which means that during XXX period, you can't sell the photo to ANYONE else or publish anywhere. This will cost the most, and can be combined with "first time rights".

Then there is the copyright transfer which should cost the most.

Best deal? Exclusive rights or one time rights. If you think you can sell a lot of them, use one time rights. If not, do exclusive rights.

Hope it helps -- you might want to check out "PHotographer's Market 2003" book...

Originally posted by sagestudio:

Journey

Canon PowerShot G3

04/29/2003 09:49:32 PM · #7

Hey Marianne, i'm happy for you. I guess the recognition is more important than the bucks at this point and since it is a non-profit they probably don't have much money to begin with. So, go for one time rights, charge a nominal amount and get credits and links out of it.

Now, let's bring you down to dpc earth: Just because this company loves your shot and wants to pay you for it, doesn't mean AT ALL that it won't bum out at dpc! But between money and dpc votes, go for the money!

To illustrate this, last year someone posted an anonymous picture and asked us to critique it. Across the board we all gave it 3s and 4s and lengthy harsh critiques, turned out it was taken by one of the 'masters' (Eggleston? Eagleston? forgot his exact name). If it ain't good enough for dpc, it may still be good enough for major museums :)

Message edited by author 2003-04-29 21:53:55.

04/29/2003 10:02:42 PM · #8

Originally posted by Journey:

Now, let's bring you down to dpc earth: Just because this company loves your shot and wants to pay you for it, doesn't mean AT ALL that it won't bum out at dpc! But between money and dpc votes, go for the money!

Yes, Journey, I am well aware of this fact, aren't we all! I'm getting used to having my favorite shots do mediocre here. I tell ya, though when a rep from the company said, "Wow, I've have chills...you are good". It made up for some of the disappointment I've had here. I'm not complaining though, I am very grateful for the feed back and help I've recieved here. I know I've improved, and that's what I want out of my participation in this site. : )

Journey

Canon PowerShot G3

04/29/2003 10:54:41 PM · #9

Btw, my post wasn't meant to be mean or dampen your fun. Just wanted to warn you in case you would be disappointed with the upcoming vote and not let that induce you to give the store away. You'll probably do fine anyway :)