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|| SportsShooter.com: Member Message Board
University Photography
Scott Schild, Photographer
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Buffalo | NY | United States | Posted: 11:24 AM on 10.27.09 |
->> I freelance for a few colleges and they always want complete ownership of the images because they want to archive them and have them on hand for whatever they may need them for. I have quoted large buyout figures and they complain they can barley afford my hourly rate in the first place. How do you handle University's that always want all the rights to your images?
I don't want to hurt the industry by bring down the price and giving rights away but I'm running into a wall. My day rate is enough to pay the bills and get by for now. Anyone in the same boat? Find any creative solutions? |
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Dominick Reuter, Photographer, Assistant
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Boston | MA | USA | Posted: 11:56 AM on 10.27.09 |
->> I just started working with a place that didn't have a long track record with photogs, and when the issue of rights came up, I pitched them on the incentive aspect of reserved rights.
Basically, if I'm just making pictures that I can't relicense to them or anyone else, I have less incentive to create the best pictures.
On the other hand, if I know they only have rights to my pictures for two or three years, and I am able to license the work to other editorial outlets, I have a direct incentive to get pictures that will last longer than just the day's story and shoot to my own highest standards to get pictures that will sell over and over.
It might cost them a little more in the future, but its a small price for them to pay to ensure that their institution is presented in the best possible way.
- DR
http://reuterphoto.com |
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Israel Shirk, Photographer, Assistant
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Boise | ID | US | Posted: 12:49 PM on 10.27.09 |
->> Toning down your work ethic only makes you look bad; always shoot to the best of your ability.
What about setting up an archive that they can search and then pick up images as they want to use them? Then just track what they're using and invoice them as necessary. |
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Monty Rand, Photographer
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Bangor | ME | USA | Posted: 1:00 PM on 10.27.09 |
| ->> I agree.....I never tell a client if I get paid more, I'll get better photos. |
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Jeff Stanton, Photographer
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Princeton | IN | USA | Posted: 1:08 PM on 10.27.09 |
| ->> Just because they're complaining about rates doesn't mean they can't afford them. They're trying to save a buck and they really don't care about your bottom line. If you can't negotiate rates for your time, rights, licensing, etc., that is suitable for you that doesn't give away the farm, politely decline and thank them for their consideration — and move on. |
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Richard Denham, Photographer
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Toronto/Buffalo/Niagara | On | Canada | Posted: 1:46 PM on 10.27.09 |
| ->> I shoot right across the border from you for a local university. We share the rights with the understanding that any outside media source is directed to me for sales. This keep them happy, and keeps me striving to do my best to create work others will want to buy. |
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Dominick Reuter, Photographer, Assistant
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Boston | MA | USA | Posted: 3:26 PM on 10.27.09 |
->> I am embarrassed. I did not write that post properly. It's not a question of toning down work ethic... that makes me wish for a edit/delete button.
I always shoot the best I can, but I'm not going to hide the fact that treating pictures like a daily consumable *might* have an adverse effect.
It's not about getting paid more, it's about preserving a longer term relationship than just being a grip-n-grin mill. At the same time, you can't tell me there isn't some kind of financial aspect to the importance you place on making certain pictures. Otherwise, why are your wedding rates are different than your rates for a daily news assignment.
Now that I feel completely like Joe Biden, I'm gonna set this shovel down and get back to work. |
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Philip Johnson, Photographer
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Garland | TX | USA | Posted: 3:45 PM on 10.27.09 |
->> Dominick,
It sounds like you haven't looked at John Harringtons book Best Business Practices for Photographers, Second Edition. I am reading it now. Get your hands on it and it will help answer a lot of your questions. |
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N. Scott Trimble, Photographer
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Lake Oswego | OR | USA | Posted: 1:39 PM on 10.28.09 |
->> I second Phillip, and raise him Blake Discher, a Detroit based photog and ASMP speaker, he has lots of great negotiating advice. I used to throw up the wall against buyout, but now, I have a better command of wordage that helps a lot.
They want access to photos when they want them. So negotiate a deal with them. Let them know you you can do buyout, but it will cost X much.
or
Set up some sort of particular usage deal, with the understanding you can still market the photos as you see fit, and they can use them for certain usages, and forward outside requests to you. That way, they don't have to deal with the headache of handling photos for other's usages, you do, and get paid for it. If the university wants to be the cheap client for you, turn them into your advertising engine for you, charge them a usage that profits you, keeps the door open for them to be a dependable client, and retain the remarketing ability of your work. |
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