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04/17/2006 04:30:35 PM · #1 |
I took photos of a local band a while back for $20. This was to cover my time and equipment and also to post some web-viewable photos (600 pixels on longest side, medium quality jpg compression, includes logo).
Today, they asked for a full resolution file without logo so they could use it for posters or flyers. I admit, I'm a bit proud of how the photos turned out, and I put a lot of work into them. I'm not just forking over my full-res files, especially without recognition.
Local bands don't usually have much money, so I'm hesitant to charge much for them. They're pretty cooperative, but I'm not sure they understand the value photographers put on their best photos, especially when those photos have the chance to earn other people money.
I'm trying hard to stay professional, but not come off as a self-seeking, cash-craving jerk. My Digital Rebel and I have made several thousand dollars in the past year and a half, but I'm still just a kid.
What do I do?
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Message edited by author 2006-04-17 16:39:39.
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04/17/2006 04:33:52 PM · #2 |
you should be honest with them, and talk about it, maybe you can work something out, make sure they put you in the credits, or thank your's on the back of the cover book, or maybe they could entitle you to 2% of their first 100cds sold, or something, but your riht you shoulndt just hand it over to them.
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04/17/2006 04:34:07 PM · #3 |
you should be honest with them, and talk about it, maybe you can work something out, make sure they put you in the credits, or thank your's on the back of the cover book, or maybe they could entitle you to 2% of their first 100cds sold, or something, but your riht you shoulndt just hand it over to them.
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04/17/2006 04:49:55 PM · #4 |
Listen... I have seen this question many times, and as a pro myself, I have had to ask the same question. I often say that taking the photo is the easiest part, but it's the pricing of the photo that gets a bit tricky. I often find myself undervaluing my photography and services because it doesn't cost that much for me to produce a decent photo. I then realized that it's not the cost of the shoot that values the resulting photography, the value lies in the photos themselves. You have captured a wonderful image of this band, an image that is unique to only you and your camera configuation.
Granted they may not have much money, but they may as well. Let's not focus on their budget, let's put the focus on the photograph that you took for them. Let's see where the photo will be displayed and how many people will see this photo and sell the band on the photo alone. We then begin to realize the impact, the power, that this photo holds, which hopefully makes the photo more valueable to you.
What I am thinking is that you should receive a royalty for every admission into the venue where your photo was used for advertising, and you may want to charge a royalty on every CD that is sold that holds your image. This is fair, and is easy to price then because we are now talking about a percentage rather than a solid value. Furthermore, you have the opportunity to generate more revenue in the future as the band's success grows.
With all of this said, I would overall suggest asking for $200.00 up front and then a 2% royalty on CD sales and venue admission for as long as the band chooses to use your image. This way even if the band stiffs you on the royalties, you will get some kind of money up front.
I hope this helps. |
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04/17/2006 05:28:08 PM · #5 |
a friend of mine has been a working musician for nearly 40 years. he's had day-jobs from time to time, but has primarily supported himself through his music. a band he's in just burned their 4th cd; it cost about $10,000. some things were free. all the musicians who appeared on the album (not just the guys in the band) donated their time just to be a part of the project. the producer charged a flat, discounted fee (as opposed to his normal hourly rate), just to be a part of the project. the recording studio owner charged them only his break-even rate, $30/hr (as opposed to the normal $150). the design guy pulled the whole thing together for a nominal fee, and the photography was done by a friend who wanted to be a part of it. the only thing they had to pay retail for was the actual production: burning and duplicating the cd, having the liner printed, and having the whole package put together and shrink-wrapped.
in addition to playing bars and such, they also play benefits. they played at a fundraiser for a museum, where they were the named attraction on the ticket. for that, they charged their normal full rate. they also played a fundraiser for a non-profit organization that trains challenged people how to work in the food service industry. they did that for free.
what's the point? as an artist, and as a professional, you have to learn how to sniff out the money. sometimes, its pretty cool when artists are helping artists, especially when there's not a lot of money to go around. it's also pretty cool when those that have made money can share it with those that are still working for it.
so, is this situation one where you just have to make sure you get paid in money, or is the credit good enough?
Message edited by author 2006-04-17 17:29:10. |
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