Selling images - advice needed!
Also specify how the images are to be used say in promotional literature or calendars but unless you're getting a cut not sold as "tourist snaps"
I'm no legal expert (especially in your neck of the woods!) but you should really get some form of contract drawn up.
“We must avoid however, snapping away, shooting quickly and without thought, overloading ourselves with unnecessary images that clutter our memory and diminish the clarity of the whole.” - Henri Cartier-Bresson -
I hope to be in a position to sell some images in the near future and so I can sympathise with your predicament.
If I were in your position I would ask myself the following questions:
1. Do I need the money i.e. is this your only income or can you manage without earning anything from the photos.
2. How much would 'exposure' to a specific market of 5000-10 000 potential customers cost you
3. Can I negotiate a 'royalties' fee i.e. give the images for free and get back a percentage of any sales.
4. If I give use of the photos away for free, how else can I 'profit' from being linked with this organisation (discuss this with them e.g. use of their logo, promotion of your name etc.). Remember, payment need not always be in cash terms and no one else needs to know that you didn't get paid for them.
For me, I already have an income, and I could see many ways to use a link with such an organisation to my benefit so I would, probably, let them use the images. However I would 'negotiate' the terms of their use.
Also, the advice given above is sound. You must retain the copyright and you should 'licence' the use of the images. Consider putting some limits on duration of use, how they are used and how your name is linked to them.
That's what I would do anyway
PS. I was in Trondheim in June. You are a lucky man to have such a beautiful region to photograph
CaptureLight Ltd
flickr
"I carry a camera to capture memories and the occasional photograph worthy of sharing"
My experience is that doing things for free just generates more people looking for things for free.
That is a very good point John! I need to give this some serious consideration. Having had many years experience as a professional musician within the music business, I know all too well the attitude amongst many people that music is not something one purchases. They do not think of all the work and dedication that lies behind a music production, and why the artist need to get paid for their work.
Maybe I have found the answer to my query...!
Thank you for your help!
Regards
Bjørn
I enjoy life in Trondheim, I hope you had a good time when you were here!
Regards
Bjørn
PS: The organization I am referring to has about 18.000 members.
Concert photography
Currently on a Pentax hiatus until an FF Pentax is released
My ambition is to find ways to improve as a photographer. I know photographers that have worked with documenting old huts and cabins in the mountains, or small fishing villages that become abandoned. So, some kind of historical documentation project would be very interesting. The organisation I have contacted are involved in things like this, but also other communal and governmental organisations. I need to investigate such possibilities.
Bjørn
It's great that they like (and want to use) your work, not so great that they can't pay for it (if they're publicly funded, I can kind of understand their point of view).
I don't know how the situation is in Norway, but unless you're able to make enough money to make it worthwhile, you may find receiving money isn't worth the extra trouble or expense relating to tax, insurance, accounting etc. that you may need.
It sounds like you'd like to work with some of the projects they're doing, keeping a good relationship with them obviously helps. You could consider licensing them to use a few images on their website (credited of course) in exchange for their co-operation on a project (that you had already researched).
Depending on the amount of work you already have, you could suggest an exhibition of it in one (or several) of their venues (you'd probably have to finance the printing/mounting yourself). I feel this would promote your work, promote their work and may lead to print sales.
These are just a few thoughts.
Your P67 work is stunning.
John.
Lenses: Pentax DA 10-17mm ED(IF) Fish Eye, Pentax DA 14mm f/2.8, Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8, Pentax-A 28mm f/2.8, Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.2, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-FA 50mm f/1.4, Pentax-A 50mm f/1.7, Pentax DA* 50-135mm f/2.8, Sigma 135-400mm APO DG, and more ..
Flash: AF-540FGZ, Vivitar 283
Hi Bjørn,
It's great that they like (and want to use) your work, not so great that they can't pay for it (if they're publicly funded, I can kind of understand their point of view).
I don't know how the situation is in Norway, but unless you're able to make enough money to make it worthwhile, you may find receiving money isn't worth the extra trouble or expense relating to tax, insurance, accounting etc. that you may need.
It sounds like you'd like to work with some of the projects they're doing, keeping a good relationship with them obviously helps. You could consider licensing them to use a few images on their website (credited of course) in exchange for their co-operation on a project (that you had already researched).
Depending on the amount of work you already have, you could suggest an exhibition of it in one (or several) of their venues (you'd probably have to finance the printing/mounting yourself). I feel this would promote your work, promote their work and may lead to print sales.
John.
Thank you for sharing your thoughts John! I obviously need to think more about this and research possibilities.
Best regards
Bjørn
Next time I'm in Tescos I'm going to ask for their food for free on the basis it might lead to other things and other people.
They do offer food for free (and/or reduced price) to stop you going somewhere else and to keep your business.
Other supermarkets with similar deals are available.
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938 posts
14 years
Trondheim,
Norway
The regional branch of this organization, of which I am a member, has maybe 5000-10 000 members. The national organization does important work within many areas, also within environmental politics and nature preservation,
What do you think, is this a good idea? What kind of things do I need to keep in mind if I do give them some images (contracts, copyright, etc.)
I am grateful for any advice on this matter.
Bjørn
PPG
Flickr