Commercial photography contract and usage

[DaShellSellers]

I need a standard commercial photography contract and usage form. I put in a bid several weeks ago and have now been asked to negotiate my terms of usage to include unlimited usage rights. This particular clients does not use stock photography for any of their materials and always have custom images that they do not want used anywhere else by anyone else.

If anyone has a good reference book they can recommend or a website that offers this information I sure would appreciate it. I have been culling through the thread here on contracts and can't seem to find what I am looking for, so if you could point me in the right direction that would be fantastic.

[timbertoes]

Google: Results 1 - 10 of about 954,000 for commercial photography contract

[DaShellSellers]

Thanks, found what I needed.

[AndrewSA]

this book seems to be the one everyone recommends.

http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&...result#PPP1,M1

[Thorpeland]

Originally Posted by timbertoes

Google: Results 1 - 10 of about 954,000 for commercial photography contract

These are the kind of responses I hate. Someone comes to a photography forum to ask a photography question which is business related, knowing many people here are in the business... and they're told to do just do a google search. Anyone could google any question ever asked in this forum before bothering to ask it here. But they post these questions hoping to hear informed answers from people with experience.


At least Andrew was friendly enough to give her a link to something useful.

[timbertoes]

Originally Posted by Thorpeland

These are the kind of responses I hate. Someone comes to a photography forum to ask a photography question which is business related, knowing many people here are in the business... and they're told to do just do a google search. Anyone could google any question ever asked in this forum before bothering to ask it here. But they post these questions hoping to hear informed answers from people with experience.


At least Andrew was friendly enough to give her a link to something useful.

Sure thing. then why dont you spend hours and lawyer fees to build a contract, and then yea, just give it away.
so just google it.

[Thorpeland]

Well all she was looking for was a reference guide or website to get her started. Not for anyone to just give her a contract.

[CaptainTom]

Originally Posted by Thorpeland

These are the kind of responses I hate. Someone comes to a photography forum to ask a photography question which is business related, knowing many people here are in the business... and they're told to do just do a google search. Anyone could google any question ever asked in this forum before bothering to ask it here. But they post these questions hoping to hear informed answers from people with experience.


At least Andrew was friendly enough to give her a link to something useful.

Please do my work for me because I don't want to be bothered looking.
Perhaps you meant that if someone has previously researched a topic and is torn between a couple of different approaches they could ask for advice?

How do I use my camera ?

[Thorpeland]

Looking for advice on a topic such as this and over simplifying it by asking "how do i use my camera" is not even a proper comparison.

Say what you want i still hate the answer "google it" when someone has a question. Call me helpful, but i'll at least point them somewhere in relation to their question. Even if it was "how do i use my camera".

[DaShellSellers]

Thank you Andrew, your recommendation was very helpful, checked it out from my local library and plan to purchase it soon.

It's OK Thorpe, I kind of expect to get some smart a$$ replies when I post, maybe that is why it is a last resort for me . . .

I do appreciate all of your replies, helpful or otherwise.

[timbertoes]

its not smart a$$, it's called do your own research. which so many seem to lack the capability to do. But hey, " A Photography Business is Born"... with or without being prepared.
Though honestly I dont know why anyone could not write the agreement in a half hour's time.
you know what they want, so put it in writing.

[Thorpeland]

Originally Posted by timbertoes

Though honestly I dont know why anyone could not write the agreement in a half hour's time.
you know what they want, so put it in writing.

Probably because if they've never done it before they want to do it right. Which would lead many to post a question in a photography business based forums as to be prepared before they go into business. I guess in the future for every question asking for help i see posted on this site, i'll quickly respond with "just google it".

[DaShellSellers]

FYI I spent about two days researching (library, internet, other forums. . .), but thanks for the suggestion. My point in coming here was to cut through all the hundreds of thousands of pages of information I had already gathered (not to mention asking several pro photogs in person) I just thought someone could recommend something that was concise and would give me a reference point to work with (such as the book that Andrew recommended)

I apologize if I was too vague as to what exactly I was needing, but I don't think that warrants implying that I'm a lazy idiot. I respect everyone's professionalism and the knowledge they are willing to share here on this forum, and I will admit I am new to all of this and it can be overwhelmingly confusing at times.

I still appreciate your comments, it's better than being ignored.

[timbertoes]

Originally Posted by Thorpeland

Probably because if they've never done it before they want to do it right. Which would lead many to post a question in a photography business based forums as to be prepared before they go into business. I guess in the future for every question asking for help i see posted on this site, i'll quickly respond with "just google it".

ok, fine by me. After all, it's not like you actually offered any help in this thread.

OK DaShell, here is the basic research done for you. It is available at your....LOCAL PUBLIC LIBRARY!
Note to others, you can find Photo books there.
[URL="http://innovative.cityofcarrollton.com/search/?searchtype=X&searcharg=photography+contracts&SORT =D"]/URL]

[timbertoes]

Originally Posted by DaShellSellers

FYI I spent about two days researching (library, internet, other forums. . .), but thanks for the suggestion. My point in coming here was to cut through all the hundreds of thousands of pages of information I had already gathered (not to mention asking several pro photogs in person) I just thought someone could recommend something that was concise and would give me a reference point to work with (such as the book that Andrew recommended)

I apologize if I was too vague as to what exactly I was needing, but I don't think that warrants implying that I'm a lazy idiot. I respect everyone's professionalism and the knowledge they are willing to share here on this forum, and I will admit I am new to all of this and it can be overwhelmingly confusing at times.

I still appreciate your comments, it's better than being ignored.

If you cant make a basic contract with all that Information, then you should sign up for some business courses. There is also a course in Photo Business at Collin County. I honestly think you need it.