.jpg)
I have an interesting situation and I wonder if anyone can advise me. A reporter from People Magazine decided to write a story on something relating to an activity our family has done. She solicited us. We are ordinary people, not "stars". The reporter spent quite a few hours interviewing members of the family and friends as well. The reporter then asked if we have any photos to illustrate her story. I am a professional photographer. I took photographs to illustrate the story, and plan to send her very low resolution digital images to review. Very high resolution versions of the digital images would be made available should they be interested. Then, upon mentioning payment, this reporter expressed great surprise and said that since this is "our" story, People would not pay for images - that it's a conflict of interest. I pointed out that it is her story. (Earlier, she said that if they want images, they will send out a photographer. I thought I would present some images, thus providing that service at great cost savings to them, anticipating as well some cost benefit to me, though not expecting big bucks.)
I expect to be hearing from their photo editor tomorrow; I told her that it would be best for me to discuss it directly with the photo editor so she wouldn't be caught in the middle.
Has anyone ever heard of a policy like this? I find it utterly weird. Who is "off base" here?
Thanks!
ABScott
Forums
I sell photos to magazines for editorial use all the time. Each time the images are specifically requested from one of my web sites and I know in advance how much I will be paid.
As a professional photographer you can make the best of the sutuation by trading usage for a credit and using the article as a PR piece for your portfolio. If handled correctly, no one will ever know that you weren't on assignment for the magazine.
I should have also mentioned that if you intend to follow my advice, put all the high resolution images up on a server in a zip file and e-mail them a link to download. Make it as easy as possible for them to get and use the images if you want to follow through.
Thanks for your advice, Larry. It seems to me that, should their alternative be to hire a photographer to get the photos, would it not be in their best interest to pay for the photos I could provide them, should they be suitable to them? Do you in fact consider it appropriate and normal procedure for them not to pay in this situation?
If you were in the same situation, then, you would consider it advantageous to you to trade credit for images, even though you make your living by selling your services as a photographer? I see this as akin to providing stock photography. What say you?
Bottom line is that they'd rather use their own photographer every time. And they have an enormous photo budget.
Just recently I started doing scanning for the Pittsburgh TravelHost Magazine. I'm letting them use some of my Pittsburgh photographs in exchange for credit and the opportunity to sell prints from the exposure it'll bring me.
I think that the best you can do in your situation is to bend over backwards to get them to use your images in exchange for credit. If the images are really good, there may be a chance to get an assignment from them in the future.
>>Then, upon mentioning payment, this reporter expressed great surprise and said that since this is "our" story, People would not pay for images - that it's a conflict of interest. I pointed out that it is her story.<<
That kind of policy is consistent with the editorial policy of every 'legitimate' publication I have been acquainted with in over 50 years in the business both as a submitting photographer, a staff 'writer' and as as a magazine editor myself.
Site Map / Direct Links| Cameras Other | |
Techniques Site Features | |
Blogs Archived Blogs Refreshers | |
More Articles | |
Columns eCommerce | |
News Resources |
