Now and then I get questions from budding photographers: This company/organization/publication/website wants to use my images for free. Should I say yes or no?
Usually I caution others to give away images for free. When we give away our images for free, we are diminishing our value as artists. As photographers, we have worked countless hours perfecting our skill and invested countless dollars into our equipment, our travel, and our learning. Even if one is just starting out, the hard work and skill involved is significant, and it’s important to be fairly compensated.
If someone is inquiring about an image of yours out of the blue, something about that image caught their eye. It stuck out from the crowd, jumped out at them. To me, this means the image is pretty good. And, most likely worth something. If it is a non-profit organization I’ll often give a pretty low-ball price. If it is corporate or editorial, then the image will be helping the company make a profit and payment to you as a photographer should be included in the budget. First thing I will do is ask some specific questions, such as size, use, print run, exclusive/non-exclusive use, term, etc. I’ll often check here: http://photographersindex.com/stockprice.htm and I’ll check with Getty or any of the other main, non-micro stock companies for pricing for similar use. Once I have done my research, I’ll get back to the company with an offer. If it is for use on a blog or something similar, I usually say yes as long as I am appropriately credited.
Not only is it important to you, the individual, to be compensated fairly, but it’s important to all photographers. If we make a habit of giving away our work for less than it’s worth, it will, in effect, contribute to driving prices down and to all photographers being valued less. It’s important to realize that this doesn’t make you greedy. I do my art because I love it, but I also need to make a living. Getting paid for our art doesn’t make us any less of a pure artist. I don’t feel like I’m being greedy when I sit down to play a symphony concert, just because I’m getting paid for it. If I wasn’t getting compensated for my art, I wouldn’t be able to do it to the extent that I do. By compensating me fairly, my clients are allowing me to continue to grow and improve as an artist. Here’s another blog that explores this subject further: http://photoprofessionals.wordpress.com/
Here’s a picture of me in a waterfall:
Location: Spokane, Washington
Website: www.chipphillipsphotography.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/chipphillipsphoto
Facebook: www.facebook.com/chipphillipsphoto
Chip Phillips began his relationship with photography in 2006 when his father gave him his old Pentax Spotmatic film SLR camera. Chip was immediately hooked and soon made the transition to digital. Given his lifelong love of the outdoors, he naturally made the progression to focusing on landscape photography. A professionally trained classical musician, Chip also performs as Principal Clarinet with the Spokane Symphony Orchestra, and is Adjunct Professor of Clarinet at Gonzaga University. Chip resides in Spokane Washington with his wife and son.
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