DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register) 
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Tips, Tricks, and Q&A >> unexpected email - what should i do?
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 25 of 30, (reverse)
AuthorThread
 09/14/2011 09:17:43 AM · #1
Unexpected email from the local zoo this morning. Any advice on what I should do? Do you usually charge for such things?
I don't mind giving it away as well just for the huge honor, but if I can get something for this it will not hurt either!

Originally posted by zoo:

Good morning,

I was writing to see if you̢۪d be willing to allow us to use the picture of XXXXXX (Removed for Free Study) in our member magazine (distribution ~10,000). We are still trying to secure a cover shot and your photo is our favorite so far. Please let me know!

Thanks,
Lorrell

Lorrell Walter
Director of Public Relations


I plan to use the photograph for free-study so can't share it here, but will be willing to send a pm to anyone interested in seeing the picture!
 09/14/2011 09:24:59 AM · #2
How about full credits and an annual family pass?

ETA: Actually, was the photograph of one of their animals? That might change the negotiations somewhat.

Message edited by author 2011-09-14 09:26:02.
 09/14/2011 09:28:11 AM · #3
I think requesting credit is a must, and requesting an annual pass is reasonable and rather complementary to them.
 09/14/2011 09:28:54 AM · #4
Thanks John & Cory for the reply, yes it was a zoo animal.

Message edited by author 2011-09-14 09:29:11.
 09/14/2011 09:30:44 AM · #5
Originally posted by vikas:
Thanks John & Cory for the reply, yes it was a zoo animal.

Then be careful how you approach it - If they wanted to get funny, they could start saying they have copyright over images of their animals, as it was shot on their property blah blah...

I'd go with full credits + annual pass, that won't cost them anything.

ETA: Oh, and congrats btw! :)

Message edited by author 2011-09-14 09:31:48.
 09/14/2011 09:34:54 AM · #6
First off congratulation!

I too think it is reasonable to get an annual pass for you and your family with full credit to the photo.

I expect a ribbon from you on your freestudies by the way... ;)
 09/14/2011 09:56:31 AM · #7
That is awesome. I agree with everyone else on full credit and an annual pass. Plus you maintain full rights to the photo. Congratulations. Can't wait to see which one it is.
 09/14/2011 10:01:53 AM · #8
I'd give it away in a heart beat -- but because I admire zoos and the work that they do.

Do you sell your stuff? If so, you can tell them that you normally charge, but because you support their work, you'll make it a donation. Perhaps they can give you a receipt for a donation and you can write it off? (I have no idea whether that works or not)

I'd much rather negotiate the annual pass though and photo credit. I think that's an excellent idea!
 09/14/2011 10:09:37 AM · #9
Thanks Wendy, Becky and Marko!

I will reply and hope to see my first cover, with the photo credit. I will keep in mind to negotiate (if it comes to that) keeping full rights of the photo (thanks for the advice on that).

@Marko - don't know if its ribbon winner, DPC is a tougher crowd compared to Zoo keepers ;)
09/14/2011 10:32:40 AM · #10
seems like a good resumé builder. a pass is reasonable in order to establish future relations, and so on.

if you tell them you want to charge, they may find one they like better...
 09/14/2011 10:33:16 AM · #11
Originally posted by vikas:
Thanks Wendy, Becky and Marko!

I will reply and hope to see my first cover, with the photo credit. I will keep in mind to negotiate (if it comes to that) keeping full rights of the photo (thanks for the advice on that).

@Marko - don't know if its ribbon winner, DPC is a tougher crowd compared to Zoo keepers ;)


How did they see your shot? Did you send them a copy? Did you post it somewhere? I've often wondered whether places would be interested in my photography, but I've never really looked into it.
 09/14/2011 10:34:48 AM · #12
Originally posted by vawendy:
I've often wondered whether places would be interested in my photography, but I've never really looked into it.


I have never sent anything either. Maybe I should pretty soon. Not that I am all that good.. But I have to start somewhere... :)
 09/14/2011 10:38:14 AM · #13
Originally posted by BeckyT:
That is awesome. I agree with everyone else on full credit and an annual pass. Plus you maintain full rights to the photo. Congratulations. Can't wait to see which one it is.


Noooo! Don't stop there when it comes to what they can do at little or no cost to them.

Tell them that you would gladly allow use of your photo for full credit, an annual pass for your family, and behind the scenes access and tour to capture more great shots for them. That's not much out of their pockets.

Geesh! You guys think so small ;)
 09/14/2011 10:40:26 AM · #14
I posted it on my facebook page and shared a link on their (zoo's) page.


Originally posted by vawendy:
Originally posted by vikas:
Thanks Wendy, Becky and Marko!

I will reply and hope to see my first cover, with the photo credit. I will keep in mind to negotiate (if it comes to that) keeping full rights of the photo (thanks for the advice on that).

@Marko - don't know if its ribbon winner, DPC is a tougher crowd compared to Zoo keepers ;)


How did they see your shot? Did you send them a copy? Did you post it somewhere? I've often wondered whether places would be interested in my photography, but I've never really looked into it.
09/14/2011 10:41:14 AM · #15
Originally posted by vikas:
I posted it on my facebook page and shared a link on their (zoo's) page.


Originally posted by vawendy:
Originally posted by vikas:
Thanks Wendy, Becky and Marko!

I will reply and hope to see my first cover, with the photo credit. I will keep in mind to negotiate (if it comes to that) keeping full rights of the photo (thanks for the advice on that).

@Marko - don't know if its ribbon winner, DPC is a tougher crowd compared to Zoo keepers ;)


How did they see your shot? Did you send them a copy? Did you post it somewhere? I've often wondered whether places would be interested in my photography, but I've never really looked into it.


What a great idea!!
 09/14/2011 10:41:25 AM · #16
Originally posted by yakatme:
Originally posted by BeckyT:
That is awesome. I agree with everyone else on full credit and an annual pass. Plus you maintain full rights to the photo. Congratulations. Can't wait to see which one it is.


Noooo! Don't stop there when it comes to what they can do at little or no cost to them.

Tell them that you would gladly allow use of your photo for full credit, an annual pass for your family, and behind the scenes access and tour to capture more great shots for them. That's not much out of their pockets.

Geesh! You guys think so small ;)


oooh!! Now you're thinking!!
 09/14/2011 10:42:11 AM · #17
Originally posted by yakatme:
Originally posted by BeckyT:
That is awesome. I agree with everyone else on full credit and an annual pass. Plus you maintain full rights to the photo. Congratulations. Can't wait to see which one it is.


Noooo! Don't stop there when it comes to what they can do at little or no cost to them.

Tell them that you would gladly allow use of your photo for full credit, an annual pass for your family, and behind the scenes access and tour to capture more great shots for them. That's not much out of their pockets.

Geesh! You guys think so small ;)


I love this advice! Behind the scenes would be amazing - let me use that as a reply! :)
 09/14/2011 10:46:42 AM · #18
Originally posted by vawendy:
Originally posted by yakatme:
Originally posted by BeckyT:
That is awesome. I agree with everyone else on full credit and an annual pass. Plus you maintain full rights to the photo. Congratulations. Can't wait to see which one it is.


Noooo! Don't stop there when it comes to what they can do at little or no cost to them.

Tell them that you would gladly allow use of your photo for full credit, an annual pass for your family, and behind the scenes access and tour to capture more great shots for them. That's not much out of their pockets.

Geesh! You guys think so small ;)


oooh!! Now you're thinking!!


Inspiration from the book that I am currently reading...You Can Negotiate Anything by Herb Cohen.
 09/14/2011 10:53:45 AM · #19
First thing would be to draw up a contract/licensing agreement so that everyone understands what they can and cannot do with the photo. It protects everyone. You don't want to assume that your photo will only be used in this limited run...only to see it on billboards, T-Shirts or in other places later. You may not care too much about the money, but you will feel deceived. For them, they won't feel free to make a bunch of other things outside the scope of the contract and then be left in wonderment at why you're mad. Other uses can be covered under seperate contracts...it's not complicated and makes for a much better working relationship, even if all you ever get paid is annual passes and/or similar perks. I used to shoot the local semi-pro hockey team for a few sets of season tickets. They got images, I got tickets to some of the best seats in the house.

If an annual pass is what you want, the best thing would be to send them an invoice for whatever an annual pass costs and then accept an annual pass as your payment and you send them a receipt as paid in full. Further useage could be paid in a similar manner using day passes which you'd give to your friends/family/clients.
 09/14/2011 11:17:24 AM · #20
Yet another reminder to start thinking like Spork99 (the agreements that he's talking about). That's good advice that I need to start following.
 09/14/2011 01:03:18 PM · #21
Originally posted by vikas:
Behind the scenes would be amazing


Can you say feeding time for the big cats?

Tim
 09/14/2011 03:03:52 PM · #22
Originally posted by vawendy:
Do you sell your stuff? If so, you can tell them that you normally charge, but because you support their work, you'll make it a donation. Perhaps they can give you a receipt for a donation and you can write it off? (I have no idea whether that works or not)


Sadly artists are not allowed to deduct anything more than the material costs they incurred when creating the piece. If someone bought the piece, and donated it, they would be able to write off the price they paid, but until someone buys it an electronic image is worth darn near nothing as far as the IRS is concerned.

I have heard of various schemes where a friend will commission a piece, pay for it, and donate it to a cause. The artist then donates the price of the commission to the same cause. Two deductions, one art work and one chunk of change. I haven't heard if this has been ruled on, but I would bet against it's legality since it is clearly intended to get around the ruling above.
 09/14/2011 03:43:30 PM · #23
Originally posted by BrennanOB:
Originally posted by vawendy:
Do you sell your stuff? If so, you can tell them that you normally charge, but because you support their work, you'll make it a donation. Perhaps they can give you a receipt for a donation and you can write it off? (I have no idea whether that works or not)


Sadly artists are not allowed to deduct anything more than the material costs they incurred when creating the piece. If someone bought the piece, and donated it, they would be able to write off the price they paid, but until someone buys it an electronic image is worth darn near nothing as far as the IRS is concerned.

I have heard of various schemes where a friend will commission a piece, pay for it, and donate it to a cause. The artist then donates the price of the commission to the same cause. Two deductions, one art work and one chunk of change. I haven't heard if this has been ruled on, but I would bet against it's legality since it is clearly intended to get around the ruling above.

This is not a "piece" of art -- it is a license for commercial use ... there are fairly standard rates for such usage. Here is one: Stock Photo Price Calculator (see below)

Usually what I do is generate an invoice for the standard price, and then apply a "non-profit org. discount" to get the final fee to a nominal sum. This will be a more effective strategy if you can actually get some other works licensed as stock images ... perhaps even having a portfolio at one (or more) of the stock agencies could add legitimacy to your position -- consider submitting to some.
============
*Stock Photo pricing for Corporate use.
Type of Use:: Corporate
Specific Use:: Magazine
Press Run:: 10,000 or less
Size:: Cover (Front)
Low Price:: $500.00
Average Price:: $800.00
High Price:: $1,100.00
Survey = 577
09/14/2011 04:08:41 PM · #24
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by BrennanOB:
Originally posted by vawendy:
Do you sell your stuff? If so, you can tell them that you normally charge, but because you support their work, you'll make it a donation. Perhaps they can give you a receipt for a donation and you can write it off? (I have no idea whether that works or not)


Sadly artists are not allowed to deduct anything more than the material costs they incurred when creating the piece. If someone bought the piece, and donated it, they would be able to write off the price they paid, but until someone buys it an electronic image is worth darn near nothing as far as the IRS is concerned.

I have heard of various schemes where a friend will commission a piece, pay for it, and donate it to a cause. The artist then donates the price of the commission to the same cause. Two deductions, one art work and one chunk of change. I haven't heard if this has been ruled on, but I would bet against it's legality since it is clearly intended to get around the ruling above.

This is not a "piece" of art -- it is a license for commercial use ... there are fairly standard rates for such usage. Here is one: Stock Photo Price Calculator (see below)

Usually what I do is generate an invoice for the standard price, and then apply a "non-profit org. discount" to get the final fee to a nominal sum. This will be a more effective strategy if you can actually get some other works licensed as stock images ... perhaps even having a portfolio at one (or more) of the stock agencies could add legitimacy to your position -- consider submitting to some.
============
*Stock Photo pricing for Corporate use.
Type of Use:: Corporate
Specific Use:: Magazine
Press Run:: 10,000 or less
Size:: Cover (Front)
Low Price:: $500.00
Average Price:: $800.00
High Price:: $1,100.00
Survey = 577


I'm not sure the IRS would see it this way.
 09/14/2011 06:11:01 PM · #25
Originally posted by Spork99:
I'm not sure the IRS would see it this way.

I'm not sure either, but I think it's a reasonable approach to inquire about.

Of course, a zoo printing up 10,000 copies of something has a budget; why not simplify things and just ask for a couple of hundred bucks* -- they can probably take it out of petty cash, and (probably) won't even have to file/send you a 1099 ... use it to buy a membership.

*and the "backstage" access, and a property release so you can use the pictures you take.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 08/27/2025 02:12:53 PM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 08/27/2025 02:12:53 PM EDT.