New territory for me. A local business contacted me about using a single photograph I posted online. (Nice that they are bothering to ask me first.) They would like to obtain a high-res version and a license to use it "on their website."

Any advice on pricing or terms?

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Acer
New territory for me. A local business contacted me about using a single photograph I posted online. (Nice that they are bothering to ask me first.) They would like to obtain a high-res version and a license to use it "on their website."

Any advice on pricing or terms?

I wonder why they need a high res file to use on their website. How much resolution do they need? Just bigger than the version you posted?

For terms, set a time period. This can be unlimited if you want, or, say, 5 years or whatever. Specify how else they may/may not use your photo (e.g., other marketing/advertising use?).

Have they offered you any payment or mentioned that they have a budget for this?

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Main image? Or just on their site? Big company?

Im just gonna say $25.

If you ask more, then I could probably find something close on iStock/etc for $10.

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Edited 999 time(s). Last edit at 12:08PM by jdc.

They have offered to purchase a license, but provided no dollar figures or specific placement. I'm not expecting big bucks. The version I posted was only 680px wide, and jpg compressed, and has a watermark...and that was all on purpose for just such a request. Local landmark that's not widely photographed, so iStock options will be limited.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/03/2013 02:13PM by Acer.

Make sure it's a non-exclusive license, and that appropriate credit and copyright notice accompany the photo where used.

There are probably sample licenses available online.

Price depends on how the photo is going to be used (i.e. how deep the user's pockets are). Big national corporation website, big bucks; small local business, not much. For print publications, circulation matters; for websites, views do.

/Mr Lynn

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This looks like a simple way to do a license. Probably nor air tight but enough to get by.

[www.visualartcopyright.com]

As far as pricing, you should come up with something that you are comfortable with. Any extra money for gear is always nice.

Also make sure the contract does not transfer copyright to the purchaser, just a license to use the image for a specific purpose. Might want to specify if it can be only used on the website or for print materials also.

"Bob.. I've been thinking about your company wanting to use my image... I think that's great! So I started thinking about a price... What I cam up with was that about a million dollars would be about right"

(Bob makes strangling noises and turns white...)

".... but then I thought to myself, that's nuts... that's WAY too much! So I started thinking that 100,000 would be good....."

(Bob's eye twitches, but it doesn't look like a stroke....)

"But then, I was thinking, they could hire a photographer for that... so I started thinking $10,000 was more reasonable...."

(Bob's eye calms down a little... but he's still having trouble forming words)

"Then I figured, what the heck, it's a nice local company, so why not cut them a REAL break.... how does $5000 sound to you?"


(Bob's eye starts getting that look again, he starts forming words... )

"Or... you could make me an offer YOU think is reasonable!".

- Real negotiations start here -

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Paul F.
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A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand. - Lucius Annaeus Seneca c. 5 BC - 65 AD
----
Good is the enemy of Excellent. Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
Persistence is necessary for Excellence. And Persistence is a Decision.
--

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Eureka, CA

Paul, I like the way you think. Evil....

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cbelt3
Paul, I like the way you think. Evil....

And potentially profitable

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Paul F.
-----
A sword never kills anybody; it is a tool in the killer's hand. - Lucius Annaeus Seneca c. 5 BC - 65 AD
----
Good is the enemy of Excellent. Talent is not necessary for Excellence.
Persistence is necessary for Excellence. And Persistence is a Decision.
--

--

--
Eureka, CA

Does it look like the business uses a lot of photography? Are they independently owned, operated...? I'd be halfway tempted to say the first one is on the house, and thanks for following the laws and asking. Ask them to keep you in mind when they need photography in the future.

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Quote
M A V I C
...the first one is on the house, and thanks for following the laws and asking. Ask them to keep you in mind when they need photography in the future.

Since this is a local business, the above sounds about right. Or a token amount like $20 and a handshake.

Start here...

[asmp.org]

Thanks for the input, everyone. I decided to go with the "First one is free" with a single-use, all-rights-remain-mine license, and a link from the website. Hopefully the karma will pay off some day.

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Acer
Thanks for the input, everyone. I decided to go with the "First one is free" with a single-use, all-rights-remain-mine license, and a link from the website. Hopefully the karma will pay off some day.

I later thought about making sure they give you credit, but didn't have time to post. Glad you thought of the link.

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