Help! Royalties? Copyright? Etc...

[MarcFromTheDark]

Greetings, everyone.

I'm getting to the point where I've been asked to do certain photography and videography for companies out there, as well as celebrities. I need some info....

The question occured to me when I was asked how much I would do a shoot with a local singing artist for thier CD cover and T-Shirts, etc.

Well, I would assume a set price, right? Now.. the question is, what if this person sells all the material and makes BANK off it, and leaves me without a dime?

Can someone please explain in detail how to draw up something about royalties, copyright, etc? If this person uses my work, how can I receive royalties? If I don't sell him the rights? If I do?

What about prices for all this? Any ideas?

Any help would be appreciated!!

[srwatters]

If you are considering something like this you really need advice from an expert. There are many ways to license images to a client. I suggest you consider contacting the PPA or another organization that can offer you experienced advice so you can determine the best way to profit from your work.

[boxofrocks]

What Scott said. Short of that, all of your sales of images should have SOME form of a contract--even if you write it yourself--spelling out in detail what rights they get with the image (reproducion, resale (or no resale), etc., and what they don't get. There's a book called "Business forms for photographers" that has several examples--it even comes with a CD. Search amazon for it.

[dbphotos]

Here is where you can get some solid information: http://www.editorialphoto.com/