Waltm Loc: Fredericksburg, VA

You are correct. This is a capitalist country and profit is needed to stay in the game. Most of us who frequent these pages are receptive of serious questions, be they something new, or something often repeated. Having said that: There have been many useful and positive suggestions in this thread. Ole Sarg's was not one of them. He was blunt to the point of dismissing this questioner, for nothing more than self-esteem. From one ole sarge to another. You are not a big deal, and I still would not buy your products. One essence of capitalism is selling to a willing buyer, and I suspect your sales would be better if your attitude was better. You are not helping yourself or your company.

robsphotography Loc: New Zealand

Thanks very much for your reply, I like your attitude!

I have also donated images to people who just want an image for personal and non-commercial reasons. However, I can fully understand why people who are in the business of earning money from their images will want to negotiate the best possible price for their images.

I can also understand why some book publishers may not need to negotiate prices with photographers, particularly if there are many similar (and acceptable quality) images available.

Because I am at the stage of life where photography is just a hobby and a terrific interest, both artistically and technically, then like yourself, I am not trying to earn a return on all the time and money I have invested in my photography.

Therefore, I see no reason why I should take an aggressive commercial approach to my photography, even when I am unexpectedly offered money for images that I have not advertised for sale.

I have appreciated receiving the views of those who have posted to this thread and I have decided I will not be accepting any money for my image of a Muscovy Duck.

Incidentally, today I had the privilege of photographing in Wellington the very rare and endangered Takahe bird, and just something like this makes my investment in photography (without a commercial return) so worthwhile!

Regards
Rob

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

Thank you very much for your reply, Rob.

Marion

Steven Gotz Loc: San Lorenzo CA

That sounds a lot like me. I give pictures away freely, even to one person who makes greeting cards out of them. I not a Pro and do not rely on photography to pay for my expenses.

On the other hand, if someone offers me money for a photo that I took because I wanted to take it, it seems to me that I should take the money and use it for my own favorite charity.

Having said that, if someone asks me to take a particular photo, that changes the dynamic considerably and unless shooting the photo turned out to be a lot of fun, I am going to expect a larger sum of money because it would then mean that I was "working" and I get paid a lot of money to "work".