My picture made the paper! (and a question)

[dblink]

The trailer house fire from this thread is on the front page of Monday's edition of the Alvin Sun.

I'm pretty excited. It was a "contribution" and not a paid submission. How do I broach the subject of payment next time? I do not intend to give away my work after I have my foot in the door. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Kenneth

[AjP]

Congrats!!! does it feels nice to your your work in paper or magazine??? :)

[dblink]

Thanks, it feels really good. I want my pictures to mean something to people other than my friends and family. This seems like a good start.

Kenneth

[Abel]

very vool Kenneth... i bet you are really excited!! i know i would be!

[snidow]

Congrats!!

[Clint_Smith]

depending on the size of the paper, an editor...in a small paper the main editor is the one to talk to. In bigger papers there can be photo editors and that is the person you need to talk to there.

only thing to do is ASK...all they can say is no.

Unless you absolutely just wanna do paper work, don't go for the hourly rate. Do a per image basis. Now I haven't shot for news in about year now, but when the local does call me it is a per image basis. And they don't get any discounts for extra images. Determine what your time is worth to you and what you have invested in gear then do the backwards math to come up with a price.

congrats on getting published

[Joe_Lorenzini]

Congrats! That's great work.

[dblink]

Thanks again everyone! In the short time that I have been lurking on this board, I've learned many things. It is great to have access to such an active on-line community.

That's good advice Clint. So next time, do I just call and ask if they want to buy my photos of "such and such"? You are right all they can do is say no.

[Clint_Smith]

Originally Posted by dblink

So next time, do I just call and ask if they want to buy my photos of "such and such"? You are right all they can do is say no.

I would call them today. Work out the kinks before you have an image that they might want.

[brad]

What Clint said... I would call them now, after they have used something of yours and before you have something again. I would phrase your question something along the line of "I see you used my photo, thanks! Do you have a standard rate sheet for freelance photographers? I would love to contribute more to your wonderful paper."

In other words, thank them, tell them you know that freelancers usually get paid, and complement them... all at the same time.


Oh! And I forgot:

Congratulations!

[RandySmith]

dblink -

Congratulations. I'm always thrilled to see my photo's published too, albeit a small-town paper, it does feed the ego I suppose. Hope the help you got from the forum continues to be an example of "everybodys" cooperation together.

best of luck.
Randy

[dblink]

The Alvin Sun produces two weekly papers, The Alvin Sun and The Alvin Advertiser. The Advertiser was in the driveway this afternoon. This time my photo was above the fold on the front page IN COLOR.

...so I'm a little geeked by it ...

I will be giving them a call in the morning. Thanks for the tips!

[mramos]

congrats

[suzyjazz]

That's fantastic! Congrats.