Author Topic: What can I charge?  (Read 7599 times)

Tom Gresham

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Re: What can I charge?
« Reply #15 on: January 26, 2016, 21:03:43 »
BW, my father was a full-time magazine writer/photographer for 50+ years.  I started shooting photos for his articles and books when I was 13 (Rolleiflex TLR).  I've spent my life writing and doing photography, writing and illustrating books, and editing a number of magazines.  There's a lot to cover, but maybe a few thoughts.

If the publication reaches out to you, they have established a need or desire.  This means they think there is value in your work.  We creative types tend to 1. Underestimate the value of our work, and 2. be reluctant to negotiate the price upward, fearing a rejection of the deal, thus of our work, and thus of us.  Hey, we're basically insecure.

If the outlet contacts you, there should be no question that you will be paid.  REMEMBER: The first party to name a price loses.  ;)   "What's your usual rate for this?" is a good way for you to start.  Whatever they say (assuming they name a price), you can work from that.  "Oh, I don't think I can go for that price."  And then don't say anything.  Let the other party fill the dead air.  Early on, ask what rights they are asking for.  Get this spelled out clearly.  One-time publication rights, and only online use of the work in the online version of the publication, with no other uses granted.  No compilations, no advertisements, etc.  Each use carries a value, and a price.

I learned this in a surprising way when I was so busy with free-lance work that I named a crazy (high) price when approached by (as it turns out) a camera company for work.  Their response was a quick "When can you have that to us?"  Hmmm . . . I realized that what I thought was an obscenely high price was actually a bargain to them.  I recalibrated my fees and started making a lot more money.

No one volunteers to pay you more than you ask for.

You also need to know the market.  If you are submitting to a publication, you should know in advance how much they pay for various uses.  There are many ways to get this information, including just asking.  Advertising pays much better than editorial, generally speaking.

The main thing, I think, is to call it a business, and not a hobby.  Conduct yourself as a business -- professionally.  Expect good payment for good work, and never take less.  If you want to donate photos to a charity for their use, that's fine.  Send them an invoice for the full amount you would normally charge (thus establishing the VALUE of your work), and then mark the invoice "No Charge" for the charity.

Others here have, I'm sure, more experience with this than I do.  I'm the new kid on the block at NG, and I came here to learn. 

But, I did buy my first Nikon (FTn) in 1971, along with a 24mm, 55 Micro Nikkor, and 135mm f/3.5. That was the kit I took to photojournalism school.

By the way, I recently went through this again with a Washington, DC, newspaper which wanted me to write for it.  We bounced around on price and rights.  We settled for less money than I wanted but also fewer rights than they wanted.  It worked out. ;)
Great photo! You must have a really good camera.

Erik Lund

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Re: What can I charge?
« Reply #16 on: January 26, 2016, 21:46:49 »
All very true IMHO

I'm only a Semi Pro, about 15-20% of my main job portraits events and products for more than 10 years and my own company on the side doing Architecture.

I would say it takes a very clever and bold business man to be a self employed full time photographer.

I do work for free for the Danish boy scouts and a Buddhist organization though, and have done so for many yeas, back in the film days it was mandatory that you got the shot as there was no chance for a retake, but there I started to learn young people how to shoot and have the confidence to do it with a CEO or a Minister, turned out well and over time they got better and better - in some cases a child actually has a huge advantage to nail a great expression, especially other children open up in a whole other way ;) Today at work I also always bring along the Graphical designer as an inspiration and assistance they end up with the files anyway ;)

Sorry for the off topic!
Erik Lund

ColinM

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Re: What can I charge?
« Reply #17 on: January 26, 2016, 23:38:50 »
All good stuff. Any other experiences people wish to share?

Keep them coming.

BW

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Re: What can I charge?
« Reply #18 on: January 28, 2016, 06:08:49 »
Thank you Tom! It seems like one have to bring a different mindset to the negotiating table. The mindset of a professional. This is actually the first time I really understood that. Be a happy amateur when creating, but be a hardboiled business man when selling :) I read you loud and clear! Taking the leap to be a full time pro is really a leap in to an empty void Erik ;)

kellyhh

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Re: What can I charge?
« Reply #19 on: July 27, 2016, 00:56:03 »
...If the publication reaches out to you, they have established a need or desire.  This means they think there is value in your work.  We creative types tend to 1. Underestimate the value of our work, and 2. be reluctant to negotiate the price upward, fearing a rejection of the deal, thus of our work, and thus of us.  Hey, we're basically insecure.

If the outlet contacts you, there should be no question that you will be paid.  REMEMBER: The first party to name a price loses.  ;)   "What's your usual rate for this?" is a good way for you to start.  Whatever they say (assuming they name a price), you can work from that.  "Oh, I don't think I can go for that price."  And then don't say anything.  Let the other party fill the dead air.  Early on, ask what rights they are asking for.  Get this spelled out clearly.  One-time publication rights, and only online use of the work in the online version of the publication, with no other uses granted.  No compilations, no advertisements, etc.  Each use carries a value, and a price.

I learned this in a surprising way when I was so busy with free-lance work that I named a crazy (high) price when approached by (as it turns out) a camera company for work.  Their response was a quick "When can you have that to us?"  Hmmm . . . I realized that what I thought was an obscenely high price was actually a bargain to them.  I recalibrated my fees and started making a lot more money.

No one volunteers to pay you more than you ask for.

You also need to know the market.  If you are submitting to a publication, you should know in advance how much they pay for various uses.  There are many ways to get this information, including just asking.  Advertising pays much better than editorial, generally speaking.

The main thing, I think, is to call it a business, and not a hobby.  Conduct yourself as a business -- professionally.  Expect good payment for good work, and never take less. ...

Man, I wish I could have read this in 2012.  If I had a nickel for every time someone offered to pay me in potential exposure...