How much to charge for a Book Cover Photo
Apr 9, 2014 12:17:41 #
Hello all, I have had an author ask me for one of my photos for their book cover photo.
I have only done the cover photos for a few telephone books, and those were on a barter basis. They gave me free advertising for the use of my photo.
I have no clue what the going rate is for someone wanting to use my photo for their book cover, and was wondering if any of you know what the all around going rate is?
I would still own the photo, they would just be using it.
Thanks so much. :)
I have only done the cover photos for a few telephone books, and those were on a barter basis. They gave me free advertising for the use of my photo.
I have no clue what the going rate is for someone wanting to use my photo for their book cover, and was wondering if any of you know what the all around going rate is?
I would still own the photo, they would just be using it.
Thanks so much. :)
Apr 9, 2014 12:33:17 #
Not to be snippy, but how much should I pay for a camera?
"Their book" leaves a lot to assumption.
"Their book" leaves a lot to assumption.
Apr 9, 2014 12:36:22 #
djw60 wrote:
Hello all, I have had an author ask me for one of ... (show quote)
I believe the charge would be based on the number of printed copies among other factors. You might want to check with Association of Media Photographers ASMP to see if they can help you.
Apr 9, 2014 14:26:57 #
Apr 9, 2014 14:28:04 #
Apr 9, 2014 18:21:55 #
djw60 wrote:
They are writing a novel.
They asked to use one of my photos for the cover.
They asked to use one of my photos for the cover.
They will be printing more than one. You estimate by the number of uses.
Apr 10, 2014 07:33:42 #
I'm a writer and I would expect to pay no more than $200-$300 for an entire cover. So I wouldn't pay more than $50 for a cover photo.
Look at istock photo and fotalia.com, for instance. A cover might use two or three photos, max, and a designer would spend about $60 for the use of three photos--much less for the use of only one.
In no way am I trying to devalue your work--as a photographer myself, I understand all the time and effort that goes into a shot. But value on the free market is another thing, and photos for commercial use are fairly inexpensive.
Look at istock photo and fotalia.com, for instance. A cover might use two or three photos, max, and a designer would spend about $60 for the use of three photos--much less for the use of only one.
In no way am I trying to devalue your work--as a photographer myself, I understand all the time and effort that goes into a shot. But value on the free market is another thing, and photos for commercial use are fairly inexpensive.
Apr 10, 2014 10:54:10 #
[quote=angiehunt]I'm a writer and I would expect to pay no more than $200-$300 for an entire cover. So I wouldn't pay more than $50 for a cover photo.
I Agree with Angie.
Be sure and put in the agreement that you are given credit for the photo with your copyright inside the book.
It might even lead to more offers.
I Agree with Angie.
Be sure and put in the agreement that you are given credit for the photo with your copyright inside the book.
It might even lead to more offers.
Apr 10, 2014 13:00:37 #
angiehunt wrote:
I'm a writer and I would expect to pay no more tha... (show quote)
I beg to disagree. There are stock photo sites secifically for sale of cover photos. Prices vary depending on author, country published and number of copies. A photographer should not undervalue their work.
Apr 10, 2014 14:48:10 #
Apr 10, 2014 16:05:07 #
TheDman
Loc: USA
angiehunt wrote:
I'm a writer and I would expect to pay no more tha... (show quote)
You would have to read those istockphoto license agreements carefully. If your book is expecting a very large print run, you may have to purchase and extended license, which could cost $300 or so depending on the image.
Apr 10, 2014 18:22:40 #
djw60 wrote:
They are writing a novel.
They asked to use one of my photos for the cover.
They asked to use one of my photos for the cover.
A photographer friend of mine does photography for book covers. She will get about $70.00 for a magazine cover photo, to $2000+ for a book cover photo.
Apr 10, 2014 18:29:50 #
I did the cover art for a non-fiction that my brother wrote, and my deal with him was for 2% of gross sales, so it was basically a job "on spec," as they say. Not a huge seller at all, so far it has earned me about $200 - it would not have been an acceptable deal for anybody but the bro...
That was following some investigation into what artists get for book covers "as a rule," enough to satisfy my suspicions that there is no rule. Make the best deal you can! :)
That was following some investigation into what artists get for book covers "as a rule," enough to satisfy my suspicions that there is no rule. Make the best deal you can! :)
Apr 10, 2014 19:16:33 #
djw60 wrote:
Hello all, I have had an author ask me for one of ... (show quote)
One million dollars....
Apr 11, 2014 14:24:49 #
You have to keep in mind that the publishing industry is in the midst of a major upheaval. Many authors--and I'd bet this is the case with the author writing the novel who asked our UHH member for a photo--are self-publishing, and 1) they have NO WAY of knowing how many copies they'll sell and 2) they don't have the budgets of large publishing houses.
In the olden days, you could get major bucks for a cover photo--even more for cover paintings. But these are different days and people are self-publishing in droves, and they will go for the best photo at the best price.
If our UHH member's friend was publishing traditionally with a regular publishing house, they'd handle all the cover stuff and probably wouldn't even ask for his input. But self-publishers are a different story. :-)
The world, it is a-changing. :-)
Angie
www.angelahuntphotography.com
www.angelahuntbooks.com
In the olden days, you could get major bucks for a cover photo--even more for cover paintings. But these are different days and people are self-publishing in droves, and they will go for the best photo at the best price.
If our UHH member's friend was publishing traditionally with a regular publishing house, they'd handle all the cover stuff and probably wouldn't even ask for his input. But self-publishers are a different story. :-)
The world, it is a-changing. :-)
Angie
www.angelahuntphotography.com
www.angelahuntbooks.com
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