Selling books

cdonovan

I've been approached to sell a coffee table book....I did a blurb book up for a portfolio which has made it's round with friends and family and further. Someone emailed me today wanting to buy a copy, and suggested that I sell them with different themes. I just wondered where to start for getting releases.

It would be mainly photos of horses that I have shot during different farm calls, and horse shows. Do I require a waiver from the individuals to use the photos in a book that I plan to publish and sell. I think I already know that answer...but are there any instances where I should be particularly careful. Another biggie, is this something that the photographer generally pays for, or should I just send a waiver and request that they sign and send it back!?:scratch

Anyone with some suggestions for me!?

jcdill

cdonovan wrote:

It would be mainly photos of horses that I have shot during different farm calls, and horse shows. Do I require a waiver from the individuals to use the photos in a book that I plan to publish and sell. I think I already know that answer...but are there any instances where I should be particularly careful. Another biggie, is this something that the photographer generally pays for, or should I just send a waiver and request that they sign and send it back?

Yes, you need a release from any individual that is recognizable. This is a commercial use - you can't use their image without their permission. (There are exceptions - you can use an image without their permission if the book or event was "news" and so the use is editorial use rather than commercial use. But usually a coffee table book would not fall into this category.) If any of the horses or properties are famous (recognizable), you should get a property release from the horse/property owner too.

A release is only legally valid when it is given in exchange for "valuable consideration". The most common types of valuable consideration in this circumstance are:

1) Money. It can be as little as $1 but if you say on the relase you are paying for the release, state and pay the value.
2) Free prints. When I want a release after-the-fact I usually offer a free 8x10 or 8x12 in exchange for the release - I ask them to sign and mail the release to me and I mail a print back.
3) Free book or other product often works well when you are using the photo in/on a product.
4) Discount rate from of a package of services - e.g. you charge one rate for shooting photos where they sign a release, and another rate if they don't sign a release.