Publishing rates

[Christian Wright]

Hi folks,

I have been approached by a publisher to quote on supplying a few motorsport images (probably less than ten) for a book which will be printed in the new year. Circulation is around ten-thousand copies for first edition and will be distributed nationally.

I'm new to this partcular field (I have mainly done W&P photography for the last fifteen years) so I was hoping for some advice on what to charge for licensing etc.

[John Thawley]

Hmmm... depends on the book. Is this an Australian publication or American?

If it's Motorsports America, I wouldn't hold your breath. There are issues.

JT

[Todd Corzett]

I'd suggest checking out fotoquote. There are several sections relating to books (encyclopedia, general, hard cover, illustrated guide, paperback, picture book, text book, etc.). Not to mention all of the other information. It paid for itself on it's first sale... well worth it, IMO!

-Todd...

[John Thawley]

I'd suggest checking out fotoquote. There are several sections relating to books (encyclopedia, general, hard cover, illustrated guide, paperback, picture book, text book, etc.). Not to mention all of the other information. It paid for itself on it's first sale... well worth it, IMO!

-Todd...


Ditto on the FotoQuote. WELL WORTH the cost.

In fact, I'd go one further and recommend EVERYONE use this program for the BENEFIT of our industry. It's an excellent tool for knowing and getting the right price for your work.

JT

[Todd Corzett]

In fact, I'd go one further and recommend EVERYONE use this program for the BENEFIT of our industry. It's an excellent tool for knowing and getting the right price for your work.
Perfect example is a project I'm working on right now... I came in "above budget" using the middle numbers from fotoquote, and worked with them to get to the same rate that AP/Getty were asking (argh! :mad: ) - which was on the low side of fotoquote. I was shocked when the editor told me that one of the photographers was asking 1/4 what AP/Getty was (what was nice about this editor is that they were willing to pay what they were worth, and not just go with the low-ball price). My guess is that the other photographer had no clue what the photos were worth.

Many people are thrilled to see their photos being published, which is great for them, but when you tell them the photo was worth 4 times more than they got paid for it... it opens some of their eyes a little (I know, in hindsight, I’ve been disappointed making several hundred bucks, when I know the images were worth several thousand).

I am so often surprised how much of a difference it makes knowing what an image is worth... even if it's just a starting point for negotiations. Like I said before, the first time I used fotoquote it more than paid for itself, just in the difference I would have gotten if I had gone in with my original (uneducated) numbers. Worth every penny!

-Todd...

[Erik Anderson]

A third for Fotoquote as it's invaluable to the photographer! It should probably be purchased before the camera!

[Mike Ditz]

The clients have fotoquote, so should we.

[Bob Chapman]

Another vote for Fotoquote!

Although I've seen good discretion used thus far, I'll also state my concern that we should be very careful about discussing specific $ amounts in this forum. Although we're "small potatoes" in the grand scheme of things, I'd hate for any of our discussions to be used as evidence of price fixing. Perhaps someone better versed than I am will comment on the conditions (if any) under which something like that might occur. ...and the potential ramifications. Thoughts?

[Christian Wright]

Thanks all for the advice. I'll check out Fotoquote for sure.

PS: It's an Aus publication - if that makes a difference.