Photo Contests - Client wants to enter an image...

[mrsrice22]

Hey folks,

Just got an email from a client that is asking permission to enter a photo of her daughter into a contest. I emailed her back and asked her to send me the information to find out what sort of contest it is, I'm sure it's probably Cutest Baby or the likes, but wanted to ask how other's have approached this situation.

Do you allow them to enter and just provide them a watermarked/branded digital, do you have them sign some sort of a contract with you allowing them to enter the photo, do you ask for compensation if it's for a cash prize.

Never been asked before and I'm not sure if they're then signing away copyrights by submitting one of my photos. Or if I allow them to, if I am.

Thanks,
Kristina

[hue-e]

I had someone do this just recently, but they didn't even ask. Turns out they picked my least favorite shot and whoever the judges were didn't know their asses from a good photo laying on the ground... cause the winning photos sucked something horrible.

I was only going to bitch at them if they had won the 10k prize. I would've had them make up the difference on the awesome deal I gave them because they were friends and broke.

[BenE]

Originally Posted by mrsrice22

Hey folks,

Just got an email from a client that is asking permission to enter a photo of her daughter into a contest. I emailed her back and asked her to send me the information to find out what sort of contest it is, I'm sure it's probably Cutest Baby or the likes, but wanted to ask how other's have approached this situation.

Do you allow them to enter and just provide them a watermarked/branded digital, do you have them sign some sort of a contract with you allowing them to enter the photo, do you ask for compensation if it's for a cash prize.

Never been asked before and I'm not sure if they're then signing away copyrights by submitting one of my photos. Or if I allow them to, if I am.

Thanks,
Kristina

They cannot sign away your copyrights, nor do you sign away any copyrights by allowing them to enter a print.

Just put a little logo on it, and wish them well. Or.. be hard nosed and tell them you want a percentage of anything they get. It is up to you and what you feel would be the best for your customer relations.

[mrsrice22]

Thanks for the responses. I gave her a smaller, watermarked images and wished her good luck. I had read the fine print after she sent me the link and the only thing that it said was that they had to have permission if it wasn't their photo and that the 3rd party was aware of the image being used for any/all marketing and showcasing IF they win.

Patrick, I was glad she asked first. After me finding one of my images on a clients FB profile that had been stolen from their proofing gallery it was nice to see that there are still honest people out there, lol.

[Melany]

Is it a PHOTO contest, or a "pretty baby" contest?
Are judges looking at the quality of the photo; or for big blue eyes, dimples, and curls?

[mrsrice22]

Mel, it was a cutest baby contest so big cheeks and dimples. :)