Some Points To Keep In Mind When Selling Your Images
The easiest images to market are the ones that tell a story or evoke an emotion. You know the old saying "A picture is worth a 1,000 words".
When offering to rent or sell your images, make sure you fully understand what your prospective client intends to do with the images. Never sell exclusive rights or your copyright to the images, unless that is a make or break point to the sale and then make sure you get top dollar for the images. Remember, you no longer have any rights to those images. Many clients believe that paying the photographer for use of the images grants them all rights to the image. It does not, unless you specifically give up those rights. Make sure it is clear, what rights or exclusions are being negotiated. At a minimum, selling your image(s) should be three to four times the price of what you would charge for a "One Time Use" rental. Most magazines do not want to own your images, just rent them for use in one issue of a magazine. An advertiser, however, may want to control future uses of an image so that a part of their ad campaign doesn't end up with a competitor or used at the same time by someone else. Renting an image with a time based exclusion is not uncommon. If the image is for an advertisement, an "Ad Agency" may make the selection, if it is for editorial use, you will normally be working with the Photo or Art Editor. Smaller or local publications may not have a large staff and you may speak with the Editor, Publisher or Owner. Who you are talking to is usually your first indication of the price point for your images. Find out their name, title, and intentions for use as early in the conversation as possible. When the sale is made you will not have to ask how to address the package to them. While this may seem trivial, it's a sign of your professionalism. It will make it seem like you have done this before.
Your original transparency or negative image is irrepalceable. DO NOT send it anywhere if you can help it. Have a high-res drum scan made. Most images used in advertising or periodicals end up being scanned anyway. This is a service you can charge the client for and it protects your original. Many people worry that it leaves an image floating around that they have no control of, true. But if the client is honest, most are, no problems will occur. We have even had clients return the scan to us after they are finished with it. On more than one occasion we have had clients lose or ruin original images. Only send the original if a hi-res scan or duplicate image is not acceptable. Make sure you verify this request by making it in writing and have a signature on an agreement from the client. Make sure that agreement has a healthy penalty if the image(s) is lost or damaged.
While we are on the subject make sure that all agreements and invoices clearly state that no use or transfere of rights occurs until after the invoice is paid. That makes the use of an unpaid for rental or sale a violation of Federal Copyright Law.
Make sure you keep track of where your images are used. Magazine issue dates, ad copies and any address on the internet where your images are used will help when making submissions to publishers or potential buyers. People like to work with winners, the more popular you are the more popular you become. The more times the potential buyers see your craft, the better exposure you receive, the more chances you have of selling or renting your images.
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Tips & Tricks "Selling" last updated: 05/31/98 rl
Copyright 1998 Ray Litman And Karl Berger All rights reserved.
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RAY LITMAN PHOTO-GRAPHICS, our only limitation is what can't be imagined! RAY LITMAN PHOTO-GRAPHICS, our only limitation is what can't be imagined! RAY LITMAN PHOTO-GRAPHICS, our only limitation is what can't be imagined!
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RAY LITMAN PHOTO-GRAPHICS, our only limitation is what can't be imagined! RAY LITMAN PHOTO-GRAPHICS, our only limitation is what can't be imagined! RAY LITMAN PHOTO-GRAPHICS, our only limitation is what can't be imagined!
web design services home pages graphics Internic registration promotion photography graphics IBM PC MAC pc web services prodution models talent restorations images pictures medical legal forensic slide presentations negtives film camera Nikon Pentax Ricoh telephoto shoots flash Canon art studio location sets imagination retouching darkroom developing processing photo design illusion lessons workshops
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