Photo chosen- is this a good opportunity?

[Noel Hankamer]

I have received an email from World Travel Guides, Articles, and Information | Travel + Leisure, requesting permission to use one of my photos. I know nothing about them, so before I say yes, I'd like to know if they are legitimate.

American Express Publishing is the company name , I guess.

[Tom]

How are they compensating you? If they aren't then they are using you.

[tshea]

If it is AMEX then they have plenty of money to liscence a photo from you. You don't sell a photo for publication you liscence the image. The price depends on what they are going to use the photo for, how big the circulation of the photo and for what time period. Look a fotoqoute fotoQuote, fotoBiz, and the fotoKeyword Harvester to get some prices when you have the information from above. For God sake don't give them the photo. Even if they say they will give you photo credit. PHOTO CREDIT does not pay the bills. You can't pay your car payment with photo credit. Good Luck.

Thomas

[Noel Hankamer]

I figured as much, they only offer attribution, and want to be able to use the photo any way they choose. I am not a pro, but I sell a few. I have given a few to guides, etc. just to get credit, but really am cautious about that now. I could sell more if I put more effort into it, though my skill level won't get me far in the competitive market.

[Tom]

Originally Posted by Noel Hankamer

I figured as much, they only offer attribution, and want to be able to use the photo any way they choose. I am not a pro, but I sell a few. I have given a few to guides, etc. just to get credit, but really am cautious about that now. I could sell more if I put more effort into it, though my skill level won't get me far in the competitive market.

Giving photos for credit ruins the market. If you ask for proper compensation, they may walk, but that credit really doesn't do anything for you.

Thomas Shea and I have both been published multiple times in places like Sports Illustrated with credit (and cash!) and you get exactly NO business for that. It is great to tell your mom, but no one is going to google your name and try to hire you because you were in some magazine. I'd encourage you to get proper payment. Houston Camera Exchange stopped taking attribution sometime before I started taking pictures.

[Noel Hankamer]

Thanks for the responses! I just needed verification of what I think I had already decided in my mind. I'll respond to their request with a proposed price for licensing after I research a bit, and they will either say no, or more likely never respond.

[texkam]

Thomas Shea and I have both been published multiple times in places like Sports Illustrated with credit (and cash!) and you get exactly NO business for that.

I don't know if I entirely agree with that. Showing you're a regular contributor to SI is worth something. It certainly demonstrates that you know what you are doing. I think my sister would argue that shooting the KY Derby and Univ. of Louisville football and basketball regularly for pay and credit has helped her land other gigs.


This travel and leisure outfit seems to be doing some fishing in hopes of landing a few freebies. I agree, you won't hear from them.

[jkderby]

What ever you feel good with, just do it.