Somebody wants to use my photos, what do I do?

“Hobbit, Pennsy, others, aren't some of you professional photographers?

I got an email from a Czech publishing house:

We like your photographs very much. It would be pleasure for us to have some of them in our textbooks. If it is OK with You, please, state your conditions.

The only photos they could have seen are from my webshots albums. Any suggestions on how I should handle this? Maybe it's Violin playing a joke, but the email address and street address look authentic.

Thanks!”

“Really cool, Pathman! If you were someone else, I might think that a TT'er was playing a joke on you, but maybe it is an authentic publishing interest.”

“As long as they aren't (won't be) asking you for money, look into it! The minute they ask you for one penny, cut off all contact. Not sure how much money YOU should ask for though.”

“The publishing company is for real

Fraus Publishing House”

“the email is from the person listed as the graphics editor on their webpage, the addresses in the email and on the webpage are the same. Must be Violin.”

“I stalled by asking for more information.”

“Make sure you insist that no photo's are posted without your credit. In 20 years you will be a Czech backpacking god.”

“Cesta , člen určitý kmotr of backpacking do Czechoslovakia!”

“That is extraordinary Pathman. How exciting for you! I agree with bacpac. When I go there (actually Lithuania) I'll look for it. ;-)”

“I often dream of having my work published. There are numerous websites that sell photos. You could do a search there to get a feel of what your work would sell for.
Ask to see their contract (English version) and by ALL means, make it conditional as to a "ONE TIME ONLY" useage. Other than that, revel in the glow that they even asked you ! I know I would.
Regards,
TJ - -> Have camera - Will travel”

“Hmmmmm, some swinging Czechs, no?”

“Pathman, do a search for Stock Photography or Stock Images and check out the terms of use for the images they carry. Basicly you will be selling a license to use your images. This is a very big business.

DON'T EVER SELL YOUR IMAGES STRAIGHT OUT!!!!! Just license them and retain the rights to your images. A straight sell makes them no longer yours and you can be sued for using your own images on, oh say, a personal webshots page. I've seen it happen.

There are two major catagories, royalty free and royatly. It is as it sounds. With royalty images you bill them for each use case or possibly the amount of distribution and many photographers have a cease and desist clause if they don't like how the end user plans to use the image.

Royalty free is pretty much a one time unlimited use license.

These guys being in publishing they will want the highest resolution images you can give them. NEVER send anyone anything other than a low-res until you get paid. Also look into watermarking your images with photoshop so you can track them. Now that you know for a fact that there is commercial interest in your images you need to slap copyright symbols on them too. Protect yourself.

A few places to look would be
super stock
Corbis
photodisc
Just to name a few.

Congratulations. It's nice to know people appreciate your work and even better if they are willing to pay for it.”

“make them pay$$$”

“Check out corbis. I think their license is much more understandable.”

“I have the photographer's guide to markets from 2002.

You need to know stuff like how many people do they anticipate the photos will go to. Magazines vary widely. Since this is a textbook, apparently, it will be different.

I'll try to look at that.

I haven't check humanpackmule's stuff, but I do recall there should be some websites that give an idea.

Here's a place to check:
Photo News

The following site might be especially helpful, as it is specifically aimed at independent photographers trying to sell their wares up against the "pro" stock agencies:

Photosource International

Most of these places will want top quality slides. Although they may be able to work with photos.

Too cool Pathman! I know when I'm on a trip, I shoot slides and while shooting for myself, do shoot with an eye down the road toward selling stuff eventually. Have sold some locally. I'll have that camera along when I invade your territory in Oct. LOL! ;-)”

“Thanks! I knew I'd get some help here. I won't get home till late tonight and I'll look at the links and resources.”

“Cool! At least they asked. I found one of my pictures posted on another website without my permission. He even kept the photo's name the same. The real kicker was his disclaimer about using photos from his site without permision.

Oh well.”

“wow, that Rocks! you're almost famous! we can say we knew you when...
:-)”

“Path, before you line your retirement nest with these golden eggs, look at what this guy is doing with his photos.....
>http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2055479196<”

“Charge them, like, &200,000 Czech Coogerandos.


That comes to about $32.75.”

“the czech is in the mail!”

“COOL DEAL Pathman! I can't add to what HPM and Liz said. Solid advice.

I got paid for my photos only once. Last summer, Kittatinny Canoes in Pa paid me to float down the Delaware River in a raft shooting other rafters and canoes. They even supplied the film. I got paid for having fun and also got several of my photos in this year's brochure. Tough day! :o)

Hikin Mike - that's the ultimate compliment, having someone rip you off. At least they didn't steal your bandwidth, or did they?”

“That's great, Pathman! Very cool!”

“We'll see. My wife and I think he may be interested in some photos I scanned and put in an album that aren't mine but taken by friends when my son spent 6 weeks with them in the Alaska bush.”

“It is my photo they what to use, one I took of the Matterhorn. :D”

“Cool, Pennsy, I have those Kittatinny brochures for my scout troop!

Great news, Pathman. This thread was interesting, I didn't know that so many people were selling photos.”

“odd, they want to use it in a textbook about Germany. ?!”

“Wow, that`s great!”

“exellent resources, especially Photosource International and Corbis. I have an outline of an agreement, what specs are involved in arriving at a price etc.


Wanna help me price it?

Here is one estimate I got on Photosource international

Stock Photo pricing for Editorial use.
Type of Use:: Editorial
Specific Use:: Books - Textbooks
Press Run:: 10,000 to 50,000
Size:: 1/4 Page or Spot use
Low Price:: $175.00
Average Price:: $265.50
High Price:: $350.00
Survey ::826

These prices are presented as a guide for negotiation. All prices assume one time non exclusive reproduction rights. Copyright should NEVER be sold. There is NEVER a legitimate reason to transfer Copyright except to deny the creator of the image. All licensing is dependent upon payment of the licensing fee. Use is not licensed until payment is received. Higher or lower prices will apply depending on use, uniqueness of the image, suitability, prestige of the photographer, credit lines, and other factors that should be negotiated. Disclaimer: If this pricing program causes you distress, financial loss, or marital discord, we take no responsibility - If it increases your income, business success, or educational standing, you are not obligated to pay for its use. Errors and omissions: The program is new and may require some corrections. Please report any bugs to the webmaster. Direct your questions and comments to


Here is the image

hike down from Sunnegga, Matterhorn View”

“found another useful page doing some research.

editorialphoto.com”