Photo sale: Hi Hogs: A large, multi-city crane company wants unlimited use of a photo. They offered a ridiculous two digit compensation with an accompanying "we usually pay..."...

daldds Loc: NYC

Hi Hogs:
A large, multi-city crane company wants unlimited use of a photo. They offered a ridiculous two digit compensation with an accompanying "we usually pay..." statement. Question one: what is a realistic number to request? Question two: since I have sold single photos before, but never exclusive and unlimited rights, how would you word the reply to their initial offer (other than some form of "Are you nuts?).

tshift Loc: Overland Park, KS.

daldds wrote:

Hi Hogs:
A large, multi-city crane company wants unlimited use of a photo. They offered a ridiculous two digit compensation with an accompanying "we usually pay..." statement. Question one: what is a realistic number to request? Question two: since I have sold single photos before, but never exclusive and unlimited rights, how would you word the reply to their initial offer (other than some form of "Are you nuts?).

Not sure but two digit comp and unlimited and exclusive rights, that is not enough. Be firm with your response but nice. Don't under sell yourself. What do they usually pay?

Tom

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

daldds wrote:

Hi Hogs:
A large, multi-city crane company wants unlimited use of a photo. They offered a ridiculous two digit compensation with an accompanying "we usually pay..." statement. Question one: what is a realistic number to request? Question two: since I have sold single photos before, but never exclusive and unlimited rights, how would you word the reply to their initial offer (other than some form of "Are you nuts?).

It was at least nice of them to ask. The trend seems to be to steal the photo and then see if people are willing to sue. That's what Getty did recently.

Two digits is what your neighbor would pay for a picture of his house. I would expect something well up in the three digit range since this is a large company, and they want unlimited rights. Be polite and tell them you are willing to negotiate.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

tshift wrote:

Not sure but two digit comp and unlimited and exclusive rights, that is not enough. Be firm with your response but nice. Don't under sell yourself. What do they usually pay?

Tom

Check out what a similar image with the same license would cost them from a stock photo house. That would be a good place to start negotiations.

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

daldds wrote:

Hi Hogs:
A large, multi-city crane company wants unlimited use of a photo. They offered a ridiculous two digit compensation with an accompanying "we usually pay..." statement. Question one: what is a realistic number to request? Question two: since I have sold single photos before, but never exclusive and unlimited rights, how would you word the reply to their initial offer (other than some form of "Are you nuts?).

somewhere between $500.00 and $1,000.00 for a single image or photograph. depending on format and time.

daldds Loc: NYC

Thanks for the suggestions, all. You've pretty much confirmed my thinking.

Carl D Loc: Albemarle, NC.

I think you guys are way over valuing your work, unless you are world renown photographers. See what they pay and settle for that if you want to take the offer, if not pass. $500-$1000 sounds ridiculous to me for unknown photographers. IMHO.

DavidM Loc: New Orleans, LA

daldds wrote:

Hi Hogs:
A large, multi-city crane company wants unlimited use of a photo. They offered a ridiculous two digit compensation with an accompanying "we usually pay..." statement. Question one: what is a realistic number to request? Question two: since I have sold single photos before, but never exclusive and unlimited rights, how would you word the reply to their initial offer (other than some form of "Are you nuts?).

Simple, be courteous with your response and counter offer with your price and reasoning. Also send them an example of what other companies may have paid for corporate photos. Google for info such as the two links below. Just make sure you explain or show justification for your price such as time taken to get the shoot, cost of equipment and amount of experience (time invested in photography).

http://blogs.scientificamerican.com/compound-eye/this-photo-is-not-free-but-how-much-should-it-cost/

https://fstoppers.com/originals/guide-pricing-commercial-photography-part-4-license-fees-8713

DavidM Loc: New Orleans, LA

DavidM wrote:

Simple, be courteous with your response and counte... (show quote)

here is even better link and I forgot to add to price for post processing time.

http://www.roshsillars.com/2016/02/how-much-should-photographers-charge-in-2016/

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

Carl D wrote:

I think you guys are way over valuing your work, unless you are world renown photographers. See what they pay and settle for that if you want to take the offer, if not pass. $500-$1000 sounds ridiculous to me for unknown photographers. IMHO.

not a chance. this is for unlimited use. let's begin with time $100.00 per hour spent. cost and depreciation of equipment used. time spent in formulating final print, $100.00 per hour. it does not make any difference if you have a "name". this is a professional job, henceforth the image maker is a professional.

OnDSnap Loc: NE New Jersey

daldds wrote:

Hi Hogs:
A large, multi-city crane company wants unlimited use of a photo. They offered a ridiculous two digit compensation with an accompanying "we usually pay..." statement. Question one: what is a realistic number to request? Question two: since I have sold single photos before, but never exclusive and unlimited rights, how would you word the reply to their initial offer (other than some form of "Are you nuts?).

I asked my wife (copyright/rights and permissions attorney) for a major publisher, she said unfortunately with today's unlimited stock photo supply, (pricing aside) either you agree to exclusive and unlimited rights or they simply go somewhere else to find what they need, she said "is it unfair"... absolutely, but that's the way it is. If you want the sale, agree.

Golden Rule Loc: Washington State

I had a major company, Big Heart owned by Smuckers pay $5000 for one photo of mine that won their contest. They have exclusive rights to this photo now but that is great since I bought two Nikon lenses with the money.

wj cody Loc: springfield illinois

Golden Rule wrote:

I had a major company, Big Heart owned by Smuckers pay $5000 for one photo of mine that won their contest. They have exclusive rights to this photo now but that is great since I bought two Nikon lenses with the money.

good going, and congratulations. you priced your image correctly! corporations expect to pay appropriate fees for exclusive rights to photographs and images. it sounds like you knew the market and had no difficulty in obtaining a fair amount.

ronz Loc: Florida

I shoot for several national magazines and for photos run once in their magazines it is usually $75-125 per photo. Cover shots are totally different and usually around$1500 + if that helps you any.

Carl D Loc: Albemarle, NC.

OnDSnap wrote:

I asked my wife (copyright/rights and permissions attorney) for a major publisher, she said unfortunately with today's unlimited stock photo supply, (pricing aside) either you agree to exclusive and unlimited rights or they simply go somewhere else to find what they need, she said "is it unfair"... absolutely, but that's the way it is. If you want the sale, agree.

I agree with your wife. You never know when some with a cell phone takes a more desirable shot and they have very little invested and would glad to take anything for the photo. Oh! and look out for the drone crowd, they'll put your shot at the bottom of the heap as well. I make more with my drone than I do with hand held stills, because i get stills and video from the drone and don't scoff at the photo quality of the new cameras on drones.