Property Releases

[Wes]

Okay, I've found a few locations that I'd like to shoot where I might potentially offer the images for sale at some point in the future. These are barns, etc. on private property. I've got no problems with asking the owners of the property for permission to shoot, and I know that I'll need a Property Release signed before I sell anything. For those of you who have done this kind of thing in the past, what kind of recompense to you offer the owner of the property for anything that you sell? A percentage? A flat fee?

[srwatters]

I think it's customary to offer them a print of the image suitable for framing. Just remember that your release should specify what compensation they are receiving in exchange for the release. I would also include a place for a witness to sign as well. The witness should be a uninterested party (not receiving compensation). I would avoid any % that ties you to them and requires you to do audits at some frequency (pain in the ...). Either some flat fee or other tangible compensation should suffice. Of course I've only read this and am not a lawyer nor do I play one on TV.

[Dokk]

First off, offer them a really nice matted print. I've found that a lot of people appreciate that. One property owner that I deal with on a regular basis recently asked me if I could shoot some photos of the damage caused by vandals and I was more than happy to accomodate her. I just got another invite to shoot again at her property so I'm going to supply her with a few more prints from what I take out there. In exchange, I basically get free run of the property whenever I want.