Magazine Article Photo?

ChrisJ

I've read other topics on this issue, but I'm still not sure how to respond...

I got a request to use one of my pictures of my car in a magazine. It would be used in an article about some of the rarest Miatas.

The author of the article was upfront with the usual "I (we) cannot pay you" notice. But he mentions some possible benefits such as that the article could increase the value of my car, and having my exact car displayed in the magazine could help with a sale (sadly, I have been trying to sell it).

It's a fairly new magazine, and I have no idea what the circulation is. It is printed as well as on-line.

So I'm unsure as to whether to ask for monetary compensation, or something like a gift subscription to the magazine, or what? Any advice?

Here's the image I think he wants to use, not one of my best IMHO, but it's ok.

Sparky

I'm sure some pro photogs will respond, but here's my 2 cents since you asked.

Don't give away your photos! A quick look at the magazines website show they are seeking advertisers, do you think they give that space away for free?

Only you can decide what you think is a fair price for your work. I would suggest getting cash instead of a subscription, what if they go belly up in a few months?

Welcome to the flip side of having fun taking pictures!:D

Wish I had some more wisdom to impart, but I'm new to these things, too.

ChrisJ

Thanks for the input, Sparky.

I think I'm tending to turn him down unless he'll offer me $100 or so. I think my car will have sold before the article comes out, so it won't really benefit me monetarily in that respect. It's only the "coolness" of having my car in a magazine.

mercphoto

ChrisJ wrote:

The author of the article was upfront with the usual "I (we) cannot pay you" notice.

Complete nonsense. Its not that they cannot pay you, its that they prefer not to pay you. They can pay their editors, their staff, their rent and utilities. No reason they cannot pay you as well. You are offering them content that helps them sell magazines which brings money into their pockets, no reason you should not get a share of that.

But he mentions some possible benefits such as that the article could increase the value of my car, and having my exact car displayed in the magazine could help with a sale (sadly, I have been trying to sell it).

He actually said that to you? Ask yourself something serious: if you were in the market for a particular car, would you pay more for a specific car just because it had been in a magazine? I know I wouldn't.

KMCC

Simply ask them if they print all of the advertisements in their magazine for free.

When they respond, "Of course not."

Then ask them why you should provide them with the photographs for free.

Howard Barlow

I question the integrity of a 'for profit' operation asking for free 'work of others' to enhance the merchantability of their own product.

ChrisJ

I told him No, unless he paid me... I said the average price for a single image in that case is about $200. And to let me know if he wanted to discuss details.

I looked it up on the stock photo price calculator website.... and used Editorial and the lowest settings (which is probably accurate).

Thanks for the input! I think I did the right thing...