What Can You Do, We All Get Them, "can I Use Your Image?

I think you did it perfectly - you answered them well - just like it is. Sure they can - all they have to do is pay you.

Congratulations! I think you handled it the way we all should. Well done.

You handled it perfectly.



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~ Bill Swartwout Photography

Unless they out right ask for it for free, I operate under the assumption they want to know a price. Sometimes I never hear from them again, other times we work out a deal.

Either way, congrats!!

Mark
https://www.beautifulworldart.com

Jeff;

You replied just as you should have. and who knows? They may still buy the image. One of my biggest sales came via Flickr when someone asked if they could use a few images. The ones they wanted were on Pixels, so I sent them the links. Since the three or four images they wanted were from the same town and specific area, I sent a few more links as well. They bought seven in all! I was annoyed when I got that e-mail because of all the times folks have wanted my work for free. But I was professional to these folks and it paid off. Hope it does for you in this case and others as well.

exactly the way you did, Jeff. And sometimes, they even go for it, lol!!!

Jeff,
I would have expected nothing less from you....a consummate professional!

Thanks, Marlene, but I have gotten a little snide in the past when a big magazine tells me they don't have a budget to buy my art, I tell them that I'm sorry to hear that, are they going out of business? Not my finest moment but I felt better...

well, duh, sometimes you can't help but respond to a lame remark thatthey hope you are dumb enough to believe!

I'm respectful to everyone even the people who want things for free. They can always buy, but some will try for a better deal and that shouldn't hurt our feelings until they come back and demand that we told them we would do it for free. I've had that happen and I act like I have no clue what they're talking about. I ask to see the contract.

If the image is listed with my exclusive agency, I send the there.

Otherwise I say "sure you can use it, the licensing price is XXX". No need to hand a third party a 30% commission when the customer comes directly to you.

I just tell these 'chancers' that I charge for all usages. I then go on to say 'unfortunately, free usage does not keep a roof over my head or put food on the table'

I have lost count how many times people or companies want free usage. 9 times out of 10, they will then come back to me and ask how much.

I get that questions pretty often.

"can I Use Your Image?"

- Sure you can, here's the link to licensing my work: xxx.

Of course I do it in a more kind and respectful way ;) I have no reason in giving my work for free so why would I assume they want (and get) it for free? ;) For those who make a living with selling photography (or any other artwork) it's obvious that people who want to use it should pay. Just like I don't get food, fuel, energy, house or photoshop for free.

Congrats Jeff, great way to handle such a situation! :-)

I responded to one by giving an ok for my image to be used with attribution on a dance magazine website,, I checked a few months later and the person was selling prints for this and another one I had not given permission on. Now, I would not be so gracious!

I've always allowed legit non-profits free use of my images whether or not I've posted them for sale. I've always allowed representatives of government agencies, working on environmental issues, free use of my images in their reports and brochures because I know them personally and support their agendas. I don't care whether or not I get photo credits but they always ensure that I do. That's nice.Anyone else has to pay.

I admit if I sense a no-win situation, I've procrastinated about responding until I just let the email go without any response.

I recently allowed a local city magazine to use a few of my images with attribution.

I've donated a few prints to charities.

Besides that most of my external work has been with decorators or real estate companies (and most recently, a TV show) that expect to pay for work.

Recently a big company asked for one of my images. They asked if they could get a print.They wanted to "get" a (digital file) so they could send to their own printer. I told them what I usually charge to "get" an image and never heard back! LOL!

No way do I ever give away a digital file!

Jeff, did you get the impression that they wanted to purchase it or get a freebie?

I respond just as you did, Jeff. And if I don't see them buy from Pixels Licensing I get back to them to ask why. If it seems like they want it free, many times I ask them to link the use to the image on my Flickr account, many of those images now get thousands of views. From those views many subscribe to my email list. I know this because I always reply to subscribers I don't know and chat a bit .. to find out they found my image on Flickr and from clicking one of those use links. You don't always have to be paid for use, as long as the use is benefit to you and the user together.

I don't go through Pixels licensing, I write my own contract.

If it's a cause I want to support, then yes, I will let them use an image.

I do however, get a contract and an invoice for tax purposes, as a right off / donation.

-YoPedro
Twitter@YoPedro

I send them a contract with usage terms and a licensing fee. If it's for a recognised charity I'll send them the terms of use but generally let them use it for free.

"So How do you handle these folks when it sounds like they just want a free picture"
Because enough "Photographers" are willing to do just that in exchange for "exposure", they are more then willing to start out under the assumption that you will to. The smart ones will word it just generic enough that it is not plainly implied, so that if you happen to come back with a price, they can choose to continue the conversation.

"I operate under the assumption they want to know a price"
That should be plain in the initial conversation...see above...otherwise, assume they don't

Glad I found and read through all the responses, lots of good perspective for a newbie like me :)

You should have asked what the publication pays for the intended usage. Could be more than you get through pixels.