Policy When Vendors Asking for Photographs of Reception?

[Gorilla]

Hi There,

I have a growing photography business, and thus far I primarily earn money through event and portrait work. The caterer who designed the desert table at a recent party I covered has contacted me asking for photos of her work and my policy regarding such photos.

In general, am curious if there is a standard policy out there, and regardless, your thoughts on how to respond.
(Regarding this specific situation: The party was relatively fancy, and included about 150 people. This caterer is a friend of my client, and was there as a guest, too. I do not know if she was paid for her work, but as she is a friend, I'm guessing not.)

My thoughts:

Give it Away
The vendor who receives these photos for free will presumably be more likely to recommend me to her clients in the future. Build a network and good things will happen!

At the same time….

Charge for Your Service
The vendor will be using these photos as marketing assets, so that she can generate revenue. I utilized thousands of dollars of equipment and countless hours of study and practice to create the images that will help her to do this. Further, if she had contacted me to create images for her website, brochure, etc., I would have charged for my services.

If your suggestion is to charge, then how much? (If you answer, if you do not mind, please provide your general location so I can make a cost-of-living adjustment when considering your answer.

Many thanks!!!

[Mike Buckley]

The vendor who receives these photos for free will presumably be more likely to recommend me to her clients in the future.

What makes you think that? The reason I ask is that the client who pays you and feels good about what she got in return will not only be much more likely to recommend you but will also recommend you to prospective clients who would understandably expect to have to pay competitive rates for high-quality work.

If it was me, I would try to establish a working relationship with the vendor whereby each of you learns of an upcoming event and passes on the lead to the other one. I would even consider establishing a finder's fee for business that comes to fruition. Imagine the true story that you and your partner vendor could tell, that the two of you work together to produce the best possible images.

[William W]

Your "thoughts" most likely could be a limitation to your business's growth.

You have two thoughts on this matter and by publishing them your brain has already reconciled that you need to 'decide'.

Note the word 'decide' - same etymology as 'homicide', 'suicide' . . . etc. . . 'deciding' is the killing of one or more options.

*

I agree with Mike "I would try to establish a working relationship"

key word 'relationship' - will move forward like minded.
key word 'working' - means ongoing, not just focussing on this one-off hit . . . this one-off hit, be it a 'sale' or a 'gift' should not be your end game.

I'd meet the vendor for a cup of coffee and a chat to explore the options about how you two could work together.

WW

[NorthernFocus]

If the vendor is a friend of your client, why are they asking you about the photos? Why not ask their friend to share photos that the friend presumably paid you to take?

I'm also just beginning to earn money from my work. One lesson I've already learned is not to give anything away for free. What do you think the chances are if you told the caterer that you really enjoyed some of the food and would like some free samples? Barter is one thing but freebies simply devalue your work.

[Ken MT]

What are you worth, this should come into the calculation. If it is free, do you consider that it is your worth?

[HaseebM]

Be strict about your copyright. If she wants to see your pictures, welcome her but explain to her the reasons why you feel these pictures are not meant for sharing. To cite an example, last year my uncle and his son posed for a magazine and though I have the hard file, I have been informed this photo is not to be used even on our OWN WEBSITE.

[Colin Southern]

Give it Away
The vendor who receives these photos for free will presumably be more likely to recommend me to her clients in the future. Build a network and good things will happen!

I think this is an age-old business failure recipe. In reality what happens is (a) you don't get recommended even 5% as much as you'd hoped for, and (b) if you do it for long enough then you will indeed build a network ... unfortunately, it'll be a network of people who expect things for nothing. I had one person who wanted a new dress and if I would pay for it, she was going to model it for me; it begs the question "WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?" - the age-old "free publicity" reason seldom cuts it in today's world (and it doesn't help pay the rent - a wage - insurance - equipment maintenance - vehicle costs - holiday pay - higher education etc).

[Gorilla]

If the vendor is a friend of your client, why are they asking you about the photos? Why not ask their friend to share photos that the friend presumably paid you to take?

I'm also just beginning to earn money from my work. One lesson I've already learned is not to give anything away for free. What do you think the chances are if you told the caterer that you really enjoyed some of the food and would like some free samples? Barter is one thing but freebies simply devalue your work.

My client is unable to use the photos for commercial purposes, or assign such rights. It's in my contract.

[William W]

Originally Posted by Gorilla
Give it Away
The vendor who receives these photos for free will presumably be more likely to recommend me to her clients in the future. Build a network and good things will happen!

Response:

I think this is an age-old business failure recipe. In reality what happens is (a) you don't get recommended even 5% as much as you'd hoped for, and (b) if you do it for long enough then you will indeed build a network ... unfortunately, it'll be a network of people who expect things for nothing. I had one person who wanted a new dress and if I would pay for it, she was going to model it for me; it begs the question "WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?" . . .

I agree.

The point about the suggestion of having the cup of coffee and a chat is to lay down the ground rules for the ongoing relationship: these need not be "rules" as "dictated" by you - In fact I suggest that they are not. And I suggest that you remember that have two ears and one mouth for a reason. I think it should be a conversation exploring what are the possibilities of how you two might continue to work 'quid pro quo'.

Sometimes this type of conversation results in establishing that you two might not be able to work quid pro quo - and that is OK because all that you have initially invested is 30 minutes of your time (probably much less) and the price of a cup of coffee (or two). From that investment you might have learned that you cannot have a contract with this person because they want you to do everything for free.

If you do establish that you cannot develop a contract to wok quid pro quo with the other party; (my opinion) is that you can then propose that if they want to employ your services, you will arrange a SEPARATE shoot for them at your usual commercial rate.

The (expected) response to that will be "but why can't you just use the images that you already have - that would surely be cheaper for me as you don't have to shoot anything new?" and (my) answer to that is something along the lines "but we have just established that you are not open to working in any relationship 'quid pro quo', so why should I default to discounting for you, solely for your benefit, that is just not best business practice."

I have found my response like that usually gets rid of the other party for good. My opinion is that it is worth 15 minutes of my time and $8.00 for two coffees to rid my business of tyre -kickers and PITA's for life. Doing so leaves much MUCH more space and time for me to establish a colligate of like-minded and focussed individuals who will willing GIVE in the knowledge that what they give is noted and appreciated and will be returned to them on the basis of their original word which they spoke and on the subsequent hand-shake contract that they made over a cup of coffee, or sometimes a beer or a scotch.

Though the phrase “WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME?" seems somewhat blunt – I think that it is a really good phrase to repeat in one’s mind when negotiating, especially at the initial conversation with any business prospect and that includes prospective Clients.

***

Also I'd like to add, that "For Free" has an entirely different meaning (and also produces vastly different outcomes) to working "Pro Bono". I often choose to work Pro Bono; I make that choice at the outset and without any influence of request.


WW