Posted by Thomas Biggs on June 16, 2011 at 9:30 PM
I was approached this evening about the possibility of using one of my images for the cover of a catalog. I don't have any idea where to begin figuring a price. It would be a one time use cover with a print range around 100k.
Thought I would ask the knowledgeable members here at NPN for some input :)
Catalog covers are a form of advertising.....catalogs sell products....therefore, cover catalogs are "worth" more, at least they used to be in the good old days. My last cover catalog sale was a RM sale for $1500 but that was a few years ago.....you could always ask what they have budgeted for the use of your image....they may come in higher than you were thinking of asking.
Depending on the products in the catalog, compensation can go beyond buxx too. One company that frequently uses my work doesn't happen to pay as much as I think they should. But their product line is useful to me, and they give me very generous (as in free) terms when I ask for stuff. And we're both very happy with the arrangement. Something to consider even if you feel the payment is fine, but especially if it's not.
And don't forget to see if they will give you full page ads in the magazine for free! Certainly, they MUST give you credit for the cover photo in their 1st or 2nd page that lists the editors, etc. Then, as long as you are asking for things, ask whether they would like you to shoot other items in the magazine...whatever that is.
Posted by Thomas Biggs on June 25, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Thanks guys! Very helpful information. Mark, I did ask what the budget was for the cover and they where in the ballpark of your figure, not as high but close.
Another question as this is my first go round with anything like this. I have provided some very small low resolution (100k or smaller) images for a mock up of the cover, is that a normal procedure?
Another question as this is my first go round with anything like this. I have provided some very small low resolution (100k or smaller) images for a mock up of the cover, is that a normal procedure?
Absolutely in our experience, whether a photographer realizes it or not, and depending on where photo submissions fall in the production schedule and deadlines. One company we deal with wants all submissions to be full-rez files, and others want only thumbnails of a specified dimension.
The company we're most familiar with has a mockup or overlay of the cover graphic, and they drop that over all the photos they review for covers. Picture half a dozen folks sitting around watching an onscreen slide show, all with the overlay in place. By some internal process they decide which they want, and the word will go out to the photographer.
Posted by Thomas Biggs on June 26, 2011 at 6:08 AM
Discussion
6 repliesThought I would ask the knowledgeable members here at NPN for some input :)
Another question as this is my first go round with anything like this. I have provided some very small low resolution (100k or smaller) images for a mock up of the cover, is that a normal procedure?
Thanks again!
Absolutely in our experience, whether a photographer realizes it or not, and depending on where photo submissions fall in the production schedule and deadlines. One company we deal with wants all submissions to be full-rez files, and others want only thumbnails of a specified dimension.
The company we're most familiar with has a mockup or overlay of the cover graphic, and they drop that over all the photos they review for covers. Picture half a dozen folks sitting around watching an onscreen slide show, all with the overlay in place. By some internal process they decide which they want, and the word will go out to the photographer.