JLRPhotography Loc: Wisconsin

So, I was approached (sent an email specifically) from the village clerk in my town who was wondering if I was interested in submitting photos for use on the new village website. Apparently, thy had an IT issue and many photos were lost. In the proposal sent to me, it was clearly outlined as far as a timeline and what photos were needed (within all about two weeks) and that compensation could be requested by me. My only means of income right now is my photography and website business. Four other photographers in the area were asked as well. Would you have required or asked for compensation? Or, would you have willingly given photos that you so painstakingly took to the village for use on their website?

dragonfist Loc: Stafford, N.Y.

Would this same village provide government services without your paying property taxes? Does the village clerk that sent the email work for free? Question answered.

crimesc324 Loc: West Palm Beach, Florida

They said compensation could be requested. To me that means they were willing to pay, ask for what you think they are worth

Pine1 Loc: Midland & Lakeway

If you are inclined to perform pro bono work for your village and providing the time it would require would not hinder your income, you might consider the request. I would also stipulate that your © be shown on all photographs, that special recognition be awarded to you and a value placed on your work for tax purposes. If printed matter is to be produced as a result of your work product you should be compensated.

jlrivera Loc: Round Lake, Illinois

:thumbup: :thumbup:

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

If this is your only means of putting food on the table, then tell them what your rates are. It's up to you if you charge the full amount or discount it somehow to get your images out there publically. Are they planning on crediting you visually somehow on the website?

Rongnongno Loc: FL

This sounds like an open bid as other photographers were contacted. While hoping for free they do not delude themselves to think it will be.

OFF Topic: I strongly suggest that the IT staff be fired.

Billbobboy42 Loc: Center of Delmarva

Did the proposal mention a "contract"? Just how do they propose you request compensation? If this turns out to be a bid and you win, I would make sure you have a signed contact with compensation shown. I'm not familiar with "you can request compensation" terminology. Is that usage common in the world of professional photography? Just asking, since I am not a pro. May you have success in your endeavor.

Pepper Loc: Planet Earth Country USA

If this is how you make a living why would you even consider doing it at no charge? Do you think the exposure from having your photos on the site would warrant a no charge service? Not knowing all the facts I can't offer much advice but I'll say that it's very rare that I give any of my services away.

MDI Mainer

To me, this is a typical business judgement issue.

Assuming that you receive credit for your images on the municipality's web site, which is certainly reasonable, would the additional exposure you obtain be worth what I would expect to be, at best, nominal compensation for their inclusion?

The answer largely depends on a host of facts about the nature and usage of the web site, and any intangible value in the honor of having been asked.

Wall-E Loc: Phoenix, AZ

dragonfist wrote:
Would this same village provide government services without your paying property taxes? Does the village clerk that sent the email work for free? Question answered.



:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Donwitz Loc: Virginia Beach, VA

Yes, your time and artistic ability are very valuable. The recognition and endorsement of the website also has value. What would it cost to design and promote a website to gain publicity for your work? Could any artist buy the endorsement of the village at any price? Only you can decide!

JLRPhotography Loc: Wisconsin

Thank you all for your comments. I concluded what many of you have stated. I felt that although the additional exposure would be nice, photography is a business for me, and I should be compensated. My base rate is extremely reasonable, extremely. I quoted the clerk less than $100 for up to 100 photos. I would be leaving my watermark on all of them. Basically, they emailed me a "Request for Proposal"...in turn, I sent them my proposal. In their RFP, it stated: "Photographer must determine whether or not he/she wishes to be compensated for the Village's use of photos and clearly express any applicable rates in the proposal." So, I believe it was basically a "bid." However, the clerk did mention there may be a need for more photos in the future. So, for one thing, I did not want to set a precedence that I was going to be giving away free photos. This is a VERY small town of about 1100 residents. According to the timeline that the clerk sent me, they were supposed to have contacted me yesterday informing me if they had accepted my proposal. They did not contact me. So then I began wondering if I shouldn't have asked for compensation. Second guessing. But, I think I did the right thing. Thanks everyone :-)

Cdouthitt Loc: Traverse City, MI

I'd follow up with them...

photoninja1 Loc: Tampa Florida

Or you could think of it as free advertising