License/Charge or Give Away?

LeftHand · January 24, 2010

Hi,
I'd like to get your opinion/thoughts on this.

A few months ago I shot this circus act in the City - I wasn't yet interested in going all out in my photography so I sent them a link and told them they can download the images for free and I can give them full rez photos if they needed it. Anyway, seems they didn't download any of photos I had uploaded to my site back then. I have since taken their gallery off my website now. I recently received an email from the co-founder of this circus act and he's taking me up on my offer and asking if I can give him full resolution copies of all the photos I took. They're no Cirque du Soliel and they're not as well funded - they rely heavily on contributions and sponsors.

So, things have changed and I've pursued my photography business more seriously. In my industry we call this FOC (free of charge), being a product manager, when the Sales guys come to me to ask for FOC work for customers, my response is we don't subsidize other people's business. But every now and then we do this to improve business relationships. I'm just applying this to my situation now. But also keeping in mind that this Circus act may not even have a budget for photography related items.

The co-founder plans to use the images for promotions and getting more gigs overseas.

So, what would you do in my situation. I'm looking at 2 things now :

1. Give the photos for free in hopes of getting my name circulated?
2. License the images at some cost? I've been looking at online pricing tools for stock photos.

Any other options? Since I'm also just beginning in my photog business, I'm looking for more clients but also don't want to set any precedent that my images are "free".

Thanks in advance.

lightyear · January 24, 2010

free photos/
[quote=
.[/quote]
The likilhood of your getting photocredit each time one of your images is used is unlikely. You gave them a chance to get them free before. I would charge them something now, and consider yourself lucky if you get anything. you can also reauire them to use your name each time a photo is used, but how could you enforce it?
Stan

LeftHand · January 25, 2010

lightyear wrote:

The likilhood of your getting photocredit each time one of your images is used is unlikely. You gave them a chance to get them free before. I would charge them something now, and consider yourself lucky if you get anything. you can also reauire them to use your name each time a photo is used, but how could you enforce it?
Stan

Thanks Lightyear. I just went ahead and gave them the images as I had originally promised. We learn each time.

Sam · January 25, 2010

You did the right thing. You kept your word.

Sam

angevin1 · January 30, 2010

Sam wrote:

You did the right thing. You kept your word.

Sam

W O R D ~

dogwood · February 2, 2010

LeftHand wrote:

... so I sent them a link and told them they can download the images for free and I can give them full rez photos if they needed it...

... I'm looking for more clients but also don't want to set any precedent that my images are "free".

These two quotes from your post are at odds with each other. If you don't want to give the impression your images are "free", probably you shouldn't offer them up for free, right?

LeftHand · February 6, 2010

dogwood wrote:

These two quotes from your post are at odds with each other. If you don't want to give the impression your images are "free", probably you shouldn't offer them up for free, right?

Hi, long story, but I had offered it for free before I even started my business. Just kept my word. I did learn my lesson...

zoomer · February 10, 2010

Good choice, always do what you say you will do.

License/Charge or Give Away?

Comments