Hi all. I was recently contacted through NPN by a musician who wants to use a couple of my images that he saw here on NPN. I am struggling to even figure out exactly what he is going to do with them. Here is how he describes the use: "To elaborate I am only looking to use it digitally (no physical copies) and there’s a chance I may edit it slightly though I do love it bare.
I also am thinking some of your other images including but not limited to, (HERE HE LISTED SEVERAL IMAGES) would be good candidates for 2 or 3 Single covers that would promote the album prior to its release. Perhaps other images not hosted on NPN could be viable too."
Can anyone help me with exactly how he is planning to use the image. He says no physical copies. Does that mean he does NOT need a high resolution image?
What other questions can I ask to try to figure out how extensively he is intending to use the image, and what kind of things can I write into a license agreement.
I know that musicians are generally not rolling in cash, and at least, I guess, he is asking rather than just taking them. I do not intend to give these away, as I think that is a horrible precedent to set. I have been published enough times; I am not worried about that.
This is just not something I have done. My photography sales are generally prints or framed prints, and I do my own printing. This is WAAAAY outside what I normally do. I have sold some digital images, but it has been to magazines or tourist or conservation publications,
I am looking at a site that has license/contract samples now.
Thanks for any and all help!!
Posted by Jim Erhardt on January 17, 2017 at 3:04 PM
Genny, very cool to hear of this opportunity! I can offer no useful advice myself but hopefully a few members will chime in with their advice and experience.
Posted by Jim Gavin on January 18, 2017 at 12:03 AM
While I have no expertise in this area, common sense dictates that you do not give anything away (your are an artist, too, and your "product" is valuable) and whatever you do get in writing. Contact him (by phone if necessary) and ask lots of questions until you are satisfied that you have received satisfactory answers to all your questions.
Is this fellow a local, or well-known? makes a big difference.
Does he have a website you can check to see what images are there ?
Sounds like he wants to buy the rights to use a digital image. Doesn't matter if he wants a "physical copy" or not - he wants to use your work. You should NOT just give it to him. Using any work will require a high-resolution image. And then once he has it, he can use it forever, and in any way he wishes. THAT has to all be spelled out and clear. One time use? Use forever? (if not, how will you know he is not giving it or selling it to someone unscrupulous?)
Are you comfortable with him possibly altering your image? I am not sure * I * would be.
What "credit" will he give you? I personally would insist on a byline somewhere on the album.
Definitely call and talk to him to get a feel for him and ask every question you can think of. . Get a web address - hardly anyone in business does NOT have a site these days. That will tell you a lot.
Thanks for the ideas, Sandy.
He is not a local; I am in Alaska and he is in Texas. I am still trying to find out more about him, and not heard back from him on the last email I sent him. He says he is just a beginning musician. I do fully intend to have a licensing contract, although I am not sure how I would check up on what he is doing with the image in the future.
I will not let anyone else edit my images, and I would limit the file size depending on use. Digital use only would be a much smaller file.
After doing some checking on the web, there is certainly a wide range of license wording out there, and a wide range of pricing.
Posted by Vance Gese on January 18, 2017 at 3:28 PM
Genny,
Perhaps you could give Jeff Schulz (www.shulzphotography.com) a call and get his perspective. He started AlaskaStock, which was very successful as you probably know (although he sold it to DesignPics a few years ago) and certainly would have some ideas.
Another possible resource would be Alissa Crandall (www.alaskacalenders.com).
Don't know if you have met either of these folks but both were always helpful to me when I lived in Alaska.
Discussion
6 replies"To elaborate I am only looking to use it digitally (no physical copies) and there’s a chance I may edit it slightly though I do love it bare.
I also am thinking some of your other images including but not limited to, (HERE HE LISTED SEVERAL IMAGES) would be good candidates for 2 or 3 Single covers that would promote the album prior to its release. Perhaps other images not hosted on NPN could be viable too."
Can anyone help me with exactly how he is planning to use the image. He says no physical copies. Does that mean he does NOT need a high resolution image?What other questions can I ask to try to figure out how extensively he is intending to use the image, and what kind of things can I write into a license agreement.
I know that musicians are generally not rolling in cash, and at least, I guess, he is asking rather than just taking them. I do not intend to give these away, as I think that is a horrible precedent to set. I have been published enough times; I am not worried about that.
This is just not something I have done. My photography sales are generally prints or framed prints, and I do my own printing. This is WAAAAY outside what I normally do. I have sold some digital images, but it has been to magazines or tourist or conservation publications,
I am looking at a site that has license/contract samples now.
Thanks for any and all help!!
SOME musicians do make a lot of $$!
Is this fellow a local, or well-known? makes a big difference.
Does he have a website you can check to see what images are there ?
Sounds like he wants to buy the rights to use a digital image. Doesn't matter if he wants a "physical copy" or not - he wants to use your work. You should NOT just give it to him. Using any work will require a high-resolution image. And then once he has it, he can use it forever, and in any way he wishes. THAT has to all be spelled out and clear. One time use? Use forever? (if not, how will you know he is not giving it or selling it to someone unscrupulous?)
Are you comfortable with him possibly altering your image? I am not sure * I * would be.
What "credit" will he give you? I personally would insist on a byline somewhere on the album.
Definitely call and talk to him to get a feel for him and ask every question you can think of. . Get a web address - hardly anyone in business does NOT have a site these days. That will tell you a lot.
More after you reply. Lots to think about..
in the meantime, some good ideas here (some responses are a little old) : http://sproutingphotographer.com/photographer-digital-files
Sandy
He is not a local; I am in Alaska and he is in Texas. I am still trying to find out more about him, and not heard back from him on the last email I sent him. He says he is just a beginning musician. I do fully intend to have a licensing contract, although I am not sure how I would check up on what he is doing with the image in the future.
I will not let anyone else edit my images, and I would limit the file size depending on use. Digital use only would be a much smaller file.
After doing some checking on the web, there is certainly a wide range of license wording out there, and a wide range of pricing.
Perhaps you could give Jeff Schulz (www.shulzphotography.com) a call and get his perspective. He started AlaskaStock, which was very successful as you probably know (although he sold it to DesignPics a few years ago) and certainly would have some ideas.
Another possible resource would be Alissa Crandall (www.alaskacalenders.com).
Don't know if you have met either of these folks but both were always helpful to me when I lived in Alaska.