Selling images

Hi All,
I'm looking for advice from anyone who has sold any of their images. As a complete novice. I was shocked to recieve an email this morning from a greetings card company to purchase two of my images. They had seen on Flickr. To be honest, they could have had them for free. But as they are offering a renumeration. I thought why not. As this is something I have absolutely no experience of. I was wondering, What, if an pitfalls , I should look out for...

Regards

Stuart....

What a wonderful sense of deja vu!

For the benefit of Pentax Users, why not look at an online picture library such as www.fotolibra.com

Congrats, Stuart!.. As regards "pitfalls", probably the card company want to buy the images from you outright, but if you think there's a chance that this could "snowball", negotiate with them that you are given accreditation for your work by way of a link to a website and/or email address. If you choose the email address route, it's probably best to set up a disposable email address specifically for that purpose, or if you have a specific email address where family/friends/business associates contact you, eg, btinternet.com then set up an account with another site such as hotmail.com which you then use as your "disposable" email address.

Do you generally get photo credits on greeting cards?

Only other photographers look at photo credits, ask what they are offering and then negotiate upwards, if they won't budge then the choice is yours only you can decide if the price is good.

Be aware you are issuing a licence to print for cards, you are not handing over copyright or ownership of the image, if it's a decent company they will know this and explain what they are paying for...

Congrats too...

One thing to consider is that by selling your images (or a licence for them) you are in effect doing it as a 'business'.

So legally you are obliged to report the income on a self-assessment tax return and it could have an effect on your camera insurance.

In real terms it is unlikely that you would get chased by the taxman if it is just a couple of images, but be wary if it becomes a regular thing.

Also read the contract carefully and if necessary have a qualified person review it. There may be terms which allow them to use the images as they see fit and to resell the rights to other companies.

But TBH, none of this matters too much. If it's a couple of photos which you had no intention of selling and it will make you feel good to see them in print then go for it!

Thanks for the heads up guys. Not really any pitfalls then. Yes im looking at this purely as a one off.

So, what pics are we to look out for.?

Maybe remuneration is based on the sales

regards
Bernard

Believe me, I dont class them as great or even good images.. Cant post them, as it looks by the contract they have sent Im no longer allowed to breathe on them...lol Or, maybe I just dont know how too Thats post, not breathe.)
It will be a one off payment, I am happy with the sum as I dont think they are worth anything. which I will certainly declare. As im under the threashold for paying tax..

Well done, always nice to find others appreciate your photos too.

The first advice would be don't give them your photos for nothing, they're a commercial organisation who will be making profit from them so why shouldn't you!!


I currently have 4 photos on greetings cards, the terms differ from company to company, I get paid a % of sales. They sent a detailed contract for me to sign so everything was clear, as I guess it is in your case.

Definitely insist on photo credit, they shouldn't have a problem with this, but you'll probably find the credit will be limited to your name on the back of the card - good enough for me to be honest.

If they are asking for copyright of the images then prices should be higher than just "usage" as they have the option to use it for anything they deem fit. It's usually best to try and retain copyright but it can depened on how unique the images are or personal to you.


Simon

Thanks for the info Simon..Have you ever come across any of the cards, bearing your images. For me its not about money. (I was offered £100 each.) Just a fantastic ego boost..

Apparently they are on sale in James Pringle/Edinburgh Wool shops and some National Trust properties but having not really visited many of these I've never seen them on sale, the card company sent me several of each so I have those tucked away in a drawer.

There's nothing wrong with getting a buzz from selling your photos, I still do, but it doesn't really make sense in giving them away free to commercial organisations who are definitely intending profiting from your efforts, although I have made exceptions for a couple of charities

Simon