Digital Downloads

you sell cards here. i would charge quite a bit if it was stock, at least as much as you would get if they bought the card here.

you could offer a custom design ask for the graphic they want and make it. but that is a pain. i don't trust outside companies unless they plan on making thousands of cards. these small companies aren't usually worth it, or they are there to take them.

at the very least you'll need to make a contract stating exactly what they can do with the image, how many they can print etc. and any alterations would be cropping or adding to the image and not modifying the image itself. with a name and site mention on the back.

a getty calculator works pretty well. i think its a bit high, but i don't buy stock. you'll have to know how many they will be printing. you should also ask them their budget, it may be so low that you can just laugh it off.


---Mike Savad
http://www.MikeSavad.com

My guess is these requesters idea of a fair price hovers around zero, while the artist's concept of a fair price is more like $500.

Ask them what they are willing to pay! Then you'll get an idea of expectations.

Hi Debbie

Not on topic, but you mention a certain glass blower's name in some of your Missouri Botanical Garden photos.

He's extremely aggressive about his copyright and you'll eventually be found and the images will be removed.

I suggest removing his name from titles and keywords ASAP.

I will never understand why that man doesn't want free adverising.

Debbie, I would never give an original file to anyone without a mighty hefty price tag attached to the legally binding and very specific contract that would precede that transaction.

___________
Susan Maxwell Schmidt
So-so Group Moderator,
Sometimes Board Moderator and
Artist Extraordinaire

Never give out files unless you are willing to part with it for a hefty price and lose control of that copy.

They most likely found printers who will do it for less and really appear not to care about fair compensation to you and that your time has no part in the equation.

Tell them the price and why it is that way and if they don't like it they can shoot their own with their cell phone this season for next year's card.

Agree with David Smith... we can't post other artists' work, and sell it for profit.

Also, a licensing contract is a legal document. Most people know you cannot go outside the four corners of the contract. If they do, you can sue them.

(Disclaimer: I am not a lawyer)

he's very aggressive despite the fact he had other artists technically make it for him.


---Mike Savad
http://www.MikeSavad.com

I have friends, particularly photographers who are wary of ANY sort of internet digital downloading and refuse to do it.

This includes this site.

I suppose it ends up as a matter of trust

The clock is ticking on Christmas cards though if you were able to make a deal with them. They still need to get their work done to them. If they agree to a price you are comfortable with, just do a license spelling out the agreement.