Publisher's Licensing Payments

[Cynical]

I was recently offered $1500 from a major publishing company to use one of my photos on the cover of one of their books. The intitial printing run will be 25,000 copies. Is $1500 a lo-ball offer by them? Should I counter-offer at the risk of having them withdraw it? Should I just accept what they are intially offering?

[davearnoldphoto]

I would say that it is totally up to you. Assuming you don't sell stock photos for a living based on your lack of pricing knowledge, then it comes down to asking yourself if you could use the $1500 or let the photo sit and make no money whatsoever. Me, I'd take the money and run. Just make sure you don't make the mistake of giving them full rights to the photo, i.e. that buying the usage, they don't demand that you can never use the photo again. Never give up your rights to your own photo.

Selling prints is something that requires a lot of research and is, to say the least, confusing. The above advice is based on what little research and reading I've done to date. I have sold photos for publication before and one big lesson I learned is to require payment up front. Maxim Magazine still owes me hundreds for shots of mine they used 5 years ago. I won't hold my breath.

[Cynical]

Thanks. I am not a professional and I don't make a living doing this. Based on what you and a pro friend told me, I think I will take their offer and require that my permission is needed with payment if they go to a second printing beyond the intitial 25k copies.

NEVER give up the copyright!

[gldiana]

I go with Dave, take the money and run
Unless you are an accomplished photographer and don't need it, you're not only getting money but also credit. Make sure they have a credit line with your name.

[Cynical]

The check arrived today and they accepted my terms...non-exclusive, re-up the license for every printing, credit line with website address on jacket. Harper Collins, for being a big company, seems to be very efficient. My contact was very friendly and helpful.

[gldiana]

Congratulations! What are you buying me?

[Cynical]

What part of Wyoming do you reside in? I hope to be in Pinedale on my way into the Winds in September...I'll buy you dinner.

Actually, the money is going towards keeping my house from falling down. Haven't had much extra money these days for upkeep.

How can I upload a PDF? Is there a way to convert a pdf to jpeg so I can post the cover here?

[gldiana]

Hi,
I think keeping the house from falling down is a good way to use that money. I'm glad that for once the money went to someone who needs it.
I live in Jackson, Pinedale is 77 miles southeast. The Wind River Range is gorgeous, I love going there for camping. If you decide to come up and photograph the Tetons let me know and I'll show you some special places.
Thanks for dinner, btw

[Cynical]

I have spent some time in the Tetons. Been there three times as an adult. Back in the 50's my dad was the climbing ranger at the Jenny Lake ranger station. Here are some photos he took while working there. http://www.sierramountainphotography.com/id12.html Most of these were taken on Kodachrome 10! I scanned them recently on a Konica Minolta Scan Dual IV.

[gldiana]

Beautiful images!

Not sure why the link is displayed as HTML, the syntax seems to be right. Maybe your HTML is set to off.