What to charge for images to be used by TLC in a TV game show.

[robklurfield]

Shane, thanks. And, so true what your friend says.

I have to shake my amateur's mentality.

 

[Morry Katz]

Hookders' rule applies: Never give it away.

Morry Katz - Lethbridge, Canada

 

[robklurfield]

I'm hoping I didn't scare this gal away with the mention of money. The easy of them finding people who will give it away is clearly screwing things up for us. Morry, I hope we don't all have to become hookers.

 

[Mephiloco]

You should get paid and screen credit. Too bad it's for TV, as TV shows of this sort are very rarely union shows, had it been union you could've used this as an opportunity to join the camera guild as a still photographer if that were something you were interested in

 

[robklurfield]

Here's a correspondence from this morning. Let's see what happens.

Christy,

Can you give me photo credit and a DVD copy of show? If so, you've got my permission.

I hope you won't mind me being candid, but I have to say that I'm surprised that you have no budget here. I presume, since this is not public TV, that High Noon and, certainly, TLC have money to spend. I don't expect that your camera operators, gaffers, etc. work for free. I would hope that you'll take second look at the budget and see if you can squeeze a few bucks out of this. Why not see what you can do?

The going rate from some of the more well-respected stock photo agencies as from $477 to $700 for a single use distribution domestically. I would be very pleased to give a significant discount to you. So, please see if another look at the budget might shake loose a few shekels for a starving artist.

I know that part of your role as a producer is to maximize what you can get while minimizing what you spend, so I can't blame you with proliferation of images on the internet in places like flickr for trying to see if you can get something for nothing. But, as some who earns her living (I hope you do, anyway) in the "arts," would you work for free?

Anyway, take another look at that budget and see if you can locate something, as I would very much like to grant you permission to use what I think are some great images that capture both the Giglio itself and the entire ethos of the festival.

FYI, I know that everyone on earth with a computer and a point & shoot digital camera thinks they're a photographer. You know from searching for these images that most of the images out there are ripe garbage. Not only do I take what I do seriously, I also use fine and, unfortunately, costly equipment (the images you selected were made with about $6,000 of Leica gear) that is reflected in the quality and resolution of the images.

Feel free to call me if you like. I hope I have stimulated enough guilt in you (you seem like nice person judging from your own flickr page) that you'll see your way to finding some money in that budget (buy a few less pounds of floor and confectioners sugar perhaps). Even if it's a mere token, you'd be doing a good turn by all of the professional and semi-professional photographers among us who are diligent, hard-working and who produce high quality imagery. Put yourself in our position. I'm sure this won't break the bank. And, it will make you feel better, too.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Best,
Rob Klurfield
877....

Hi Rob,

Thanks for the message! Unfortunately, we don't have a budget for graphics/photos for this show. So we couldn't pay you to show your photograph in the episode.

I will most likely end up getting photos from the Italian Cultural Center or maybe our Our Lady of Mount Carmel. They are interested in promoting the festival, and have a good deal of photos we could use. (Even though I like your photos best!)

Let me know if you are still interested in letting us use one of your photos. If not, no worries and thank for your time!

Best,
C ...

 

[robklurfield]

that's appealing. I think this is probably shot in Denver and I therefore doubt that it's a union shop.

You should get paid and screen credit. Too bad it's for TV, as TV shows of this sort are very rarely union shows, had it been union you could've used this as an opportunity to join the camera guild as a still photographer if that were something you were interested in

 

[JayGannon]

She's lying through her teeth unfortunatly, of course they have a graphics budget, while she might find photos for free designers dont work for free. I'd pass on it unfortunatly. If you want to work for credit its up to you but the only reputation it will garner is one of someone who works for credit unfortunatly.

 

[robklurfield]

Jay, I'm with you on this, especially on the sense that she's lying. They will probably spend hundreds of dollars on baking supplies alone. I am guessing that she will decline.

She's lying through her teeth unfortunatly, of course they have a graphics budget, while she might find photos for free designers dont work for free. I'd pass on it unfortunatly. If you want to work for credit its up to you but the only reputation it will garner is one of someone who works for credit unfortunatly.

 

[emraphoto]

they may have decided they won't put money in a "photograph" budget when nthey all sat down and wrote the budget but that shouldn't be mistaken for not having money.

as Jay has mentioned, you must decide on the course forward and only you know your priorities. sadly though, there is no course forward if no ones is paying.

 

[emraphoto]

might i also add that i am gobsmacked when i see folks who profit from others talent and creativity trying to low ball/rip off the talent in the process.

 

[hipsterdufus]

Wow, what a bunch of BS. I know nothing about professional photography, but this just reeks of the miserly penny-pinching that companies seem to feel is justified in this economy. Disgusting. I'm sure she gets a hefty bonus for getting the show to come in under-budget. My bet is that your compensation was merely a roadblock on the way to her bonus.

 

[robklurfield]

thanks, emraphoto and hipsterdufus.

the funny thing is that I would be delighted for a pittance. since I am not famous and don't earn my living doing this, a $100 to $200 per image would be a windfall. I'm not Ansel Adams and these shots are not Moonrise. I'm sure their coffee and pastry budget in the Green Room at their studio exceeds my "asking" price.

To all who have commented, as someone who hasn't done this before, I really appreciate both the tips and the moral support. So, thanks everyone.

 

[Paul T.]

She's lying through her teeth unfortunatly, of course they have a graphics budget, while she might find photos for free designers dont work for free. I'd pass on it unfortunatly. If you want to work for credit its up to you but the only reputation it will garner is one of someone who works for credit unfortunatly.

100 per cent agree. No pay, no play.

I've done quite a few odd TV bits to do with my work, and after a time it's liberating to hear them go thru the spiel, how much they like you and your work, blah blah softsoap softsoap, as I listeni politely and say thank you - and then ask what the fee is. Once you've been paid for a few you realise how much BS all their earlier talk is - in the end they always pay. If they were plugging a photo book of yours, it would be worth considering, but otherwise you're just giving away your own intellectual property for free.

It's important to note that, if you do give your work away, you won't make them like or respect you more, despite assurances to the contrary!

 

[robklurfield]

Paul, thanks.

You are all stiffening up my spine (in a good way).

 

[Paul T.]

By the way, the shots are good. I'm sorry someone is attempting to demean you - but hey, people will always try it on. Best of luck.

 

[robklurfield]

I don't feel the least bit demeaned. It's just business. She's got a job to do and it's to be a cheapskate. I don't take this stuff personally. Probably, if I weren't a photographer and had her job, I might (I hate to admit) I might do it the same way she does. But, we all know better since we live this.

By the way, the shots are good. I'm sorry someone is attempting to demean you - but hey, people will always try it on. Best of luck.