Author Topic: Requests to use images for free (Read 15143 times)

Elenathewise · « **on:** May 12, 2014, 11:42 »

I often get emails from people asking if they can use one or few of my images for free on their web sites, blogs, their future company logos, and so on. Usually what's offered in return is "credit" - they promise to put my name next to the photo, or put a link to my website.
It really puzzles me. You can buy a small size image for a price of a coffee these days. No one walks into a coffee shop and asks for a cup of coffee for free and in return just offers to tell their friends that they got a coffee from that shop. It doesn't even occur to people. Why do they think they can use the product of my work for free? I don't understand. I don't care about credit - if I wanted to be famous, I wouldn't be shooting stock, plus I doubt very much that my name on their webpage would make any difference whatsoever. If I was begging on the street, they'd drop a few coins into my cup - but they wouldn't pay the same few coins for the image they like!
How did this attitude even come into existence??

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #1 on:** May 12, 2014, 11:49 »

I don't know where it came from, but I have had a few of these. In one case they clearly knew the image was for sale as they mentioned finding it on one of the stock sites! Perhaps they think it's worth a try in case someone says yes?

In one situation where my images were licensed for use in a home remodeling book, the book was put on hold for a couple of years during the worst of the US economy's recent crash. When the project was resumed, there was a different person in charge and they sent me e-mail asking me for the correct credit line for my images. When I said that I sold my images, not gave them away and that this had been clearly spelled out in earlier discussions, they immediately said OK and talked money. If it had been a homeowner they were dealing with, they wouldn't have paid.

I guess that businesses always look to pay the absolute minimum possible

Shelma1 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 12, 2014, 11:49 »

Artist dies of exposure. Story at 11.

Pixart · « **Reply #3 on:** May 12, 2014, 11:49 »

Makes ya feel like responding - You have an Iphone, why don't you go out and shoot it yourself and see what you get it for free!

Maybe in these days of free music and streaming movies (note I didn't say legal) they feel like they are doing a favour by offering to give credit rather than just right clicking the same image somewhere.

Shelma1 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 12, 2014, 11:52 »

It happens to everyone involved in the arts. This weekend I was at a party hosted by a jazz band that's toured all over the world. They get the same stupid requests..free work in exchange for "exposure."

shotupdave · « **Reply #5 on:** May 12, 2014, 11:53 »

I have been asked that same very question or to actually come out and shoot custom photos for them. When they have a service or retail store i usually reply that would be glad to do it for free. But the next statement is, I need "blank" amount work done at my house, can you come over and do the work for free. They always say no of course saying that they cannot do that since they need to charge to feed their kids, pay the bills etc. I tell them that I am in the same boat as they are this cannot allow my work to be used for free.

ginasanders · « **Reply #6 on:** May 12, 2014, 11:56 »

Quote from: Elenathewise on May 12, 2014, 11:42

I often get emails from people asking if they can use one or few of my images for free on their web sites, blogs, their future company logos, and so on. Usually what's offered in return is "credit" - they promise to put my name next to the photo, or put a link to my website.
It really puzzles me. You can buy a small size image for a price of a coffee these days. No one walks into a coffee shop and asks for a cup of coffee for free and in return just offers to tell their friends that they got a coffee from that shop. It doesn't even occur to people. Why do they think they can use the product of my work for free? I don't understand. I don't care about credit - if I wanted to be famous, I wouldn't be shooting stock, plus I doubt very much that my name on their webpage would make any difference whatsoever. If I was begging on the street, they'd drop a few coins into my cup - but they wouldn't pay the same few coins for the image they like!
How did this attitude even come into existence??

Take a look here: http://photoprofessionals.wordpress.com/

EmberMike · « **Reply #7 on:** May 12, 2014, 12:01 »

Amazingly I've never had a request for a free image. I've had requests for free work, graphic design jobs, etc., but never for a free image to use.

On the scales of douche-baggery I actually rank "Please work for free" people just ahead of the "I'll pay you, but I'm not going to tell you yet that it will be in 6 months" people. Just got finished chasing a client around for work done in November. Cashed the final check last week. And of course it was a rush job back in November, 2-week turnaround.

At least the people asking for free work are upfront about it. Have to give them a couple of points for honesty.

Elenathewise · « **Reply #8 on:** May 12, 2014, 12:04 »

What bothers me is that it even occurs to them to ask. If I get emails about it, it's to the email address listed on my personal business site where my photos are for sale. So they know I sell photos and it's my business, and yet instead of spending a few bucks they'd rather send me lengthy emails. Does anyone ever says "yes" to requests like that?

EmberMike · « **Reply #9 on:** May 12, 2014, 12:10 »

Quote from: Elenathewise on May 12, 2014, 12:04

...Does anyone ever says "yes" to requests like that?

I'm sure some people do. Probably not pros, though. Would love to know how often guys like Sean gets these requests.

I respond to every request, but never with a "yes". I've just sped up the response process by having some pre-written responses ready to go. Copy and paste, just takes a few seconds and I feel like I'm doing a little community service by helping someone understand why it's not cool to ask for free work.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #10 on:** May 12, 2014, 12:25 »

I've gotten a couple, but I normally just point them to where they can license it, end of story.

I did give an image to a sorority one time who was doing a charity Christmas cd and they sent me a copy of the cd.

bunhill · « **Reply #11 on:** May 12, 2014, 12:25 »

Quote from: Elenathewise on May 12, 2014, 11:42

How did this attitude even come into existence??

I don't think I can actually see a lot of difference between getting zero and getting less than $1

Often doing something for free leads to paid work. People working for free is a great no - strings way of finding out that you can work with them. Anyhow people have always done work for free in the world of photography. So it is quite normal for potential customers to, at least, ask. In the late 80s and early 90s, certainly in London, it was normal for magazines not to pay - but you got a credit. You were lucky if you knew someone with a contact on the magazine and they could get you published. And you would do a really good job for them too because you would be wanting the tear-sheets. And if you wanted an internship then that meant working for free - and hoping that you could maybe pick up some assisting on the back of that.

wordplanet · « **Reply #12 on:** May 12, 2014, 12:33 »

Quote from: bunhill on May 12, 2014, 12:25

I don't think I can actually see a lot of difference between getting zero and getting less than $1

99 cents x 1,000 downloads = $990.00
$0 x 1,000 downloads = $0

Now do you see the difference?

bunhill · « **Reply #13 on:** May 12, 2014, 12:40 »

Quote from: wordplanet on May 12, 2014, 12:33

Quote from: bunhill on May 12, 2014, 12:25

I don't think I can actually see a lot of difference between getting zero and getting less than $1

99 cents x 1,000 downloads = $990.00
$0 x 1,000 downloads = $0

Now do you see the difference?

I am not suggesting that you always work for free. I am pointing out that working for free is sometimes worth considering. And you should never be offended if someone asks - because it is a perfectly normal request.

Also - 1000 downloads at less than $1 is more or less working for free. Where as 1000 downloads some of which are for less than $1 but most of which are for very much more is a thing potentially worth bothering with.

Ron · « **Reply #14 on:** May 12, 2014, 12:44 »

Seriously Bunhill... typical.

Ron · « **Reply #15 on:** May 12, 2014, 12:48 »

Quote from: bunhill on May 12, 2014, 12:25

Quote from: Elenathewise on May 12, 2014, 11:42
How did this attitude even come into existence??

I don't think I can actually see a lot of difference between getting zero and getting less than $1

Often doing something for free leads to paid work. People working for free is a great no - strings way of finding out that you can work with them. Anyhow people have always done work for free in the world of photography. So it is quite normal for potential customers to, at least, ask. In the late 80s and early 90s, certainly in London, it was normal for magazines not to pay - but you got a credit. You were lucky if you knew someone with a contact on the magazine and they could get you published. And you would do a really good job for them too because you would be wanting the tear-sheets. And if you wanted an internship then that meant working for free - and hoping that you could maybe pick up some assisting on the back of that.

Here, 1800 946 197 call adobe and ask if you can get a free subscription to the cloud and tell them it might lead to a paid subscription somewhere down the line. Come back and let us know how you get on.

Why do you antagonize your colleagues?

jefftakespics2 · « **Reply #16 on:** May 12, 2014, 12:49 »

I tried this with my bank. I told them if they would let me use their money for free I would tell everyone where I got the money from. Free advertising for them.They called the police.

Shelma1 · « **Reply #17 on:** May 12, 2014, 12:50 »

Quote from: bunhill on May 12, 2014, 12:40

Quote from: wordplanet on May 12, 2014, 12:33
Quote from: bunhill on May 12, 2014, 12:25

I don't think I can actually see a lot of difference between getting zero and getting less than $1

99 cents x 1,000 downloads = $990.00
$0 x 1,000 downloads = $0

Now do you see the difference?

I am not suggesting that you always work for free. I am pointing out that working for free is sometimes worth considering. And you should never be offended if someone asks - because it is a perfectly normal request.

Also - 1000 downloads at less than $1 is more or less working for free. Where as 1000 downloads some of which are for less than $1 but most of which are for very much more is a thing potentially worth bothering with.

If it takes me an hour to draw something and I make $990 from 1,000 dls, I make $990/hour. Which is exactly the same as working for free, yes, I see your point.

bunhill · « **Reply #18 on:** May 12, 2014, 12:54 »

Quote from: Ron on May 12, 2014, 12:44

Seriously Bunhill... typical.

Typical of what ? The most interesting job I ever had, I started out working there for free. All I got was travel expenses. And some of the best paid annual report work I have had in the past few years started out with me doing a favour for a friend of someone else who happened to work at a different company.

Ron · « **Reply #19 on:** May 12, 2014, 12:59 »

Quote from: bunhill on May 12, 2014, 12:54

Quote from: Ron on May 12, 2014, 12:44
Seriously Bunhill... typical.

Typical of what ? The most interesting job I ever had, I started out working there for free. All I got was travel expenses. And some of the best paid annual report work I have had in the past few years started out with me doing a favour for a friend of someone else who happened to work at a different company.

Typical you. Always 180 degrees on what the OP is about. Doesnt matter what the topic is, you are always the opposite.

These are seasoned pros being asked to work for free. Do you work for free now? No. You are comparing apples with oranges.

bunhill · « **Reply #20 on:** May 12, 2014, 13:01 »

Quote from: Ron on May 12, 2014, 12:59

These are seasoned pros being asked to work for free.

Well then they will know that sometimes working for free is normal in the world of photography.

Red Dove · « **Reply #21 on:** May 12, 2014, 13:13 »

Quote from: bunhill on May 12, 2014, 13:01

Quote from: Ron on May 12, 2014, 12:59
These are seasoned pros being asked to work for free.

Well then they will know that sometimes working for free is normal in the world of photography.

Can you let me have your details please? Next time somebody asks me to work for free I can politely decline and point them in your direction.

Difydave · « **Reply #22 on:** May 12, 2014, 13:19 »

Work for free at my business. No I don't think so thanks. It's hard enough to make a living as a one man band without giving away freebies.
"Work for free until you want paying and then we'll find someone else to work for free instead of you"
Internships might be fair enough. As long as you're learning something. Certainly before WWII you often had to pay for an apprenticeship. I believe my my grandfather paid for my mother to be an apprentice hairdresser in the 30s.
As far as the rest is concerned, I wish that self employed people would realise that doing work for free or even too cheaply often damages the the trade or profession they are working in as it makes it more difficult for others to charge realistic prices.
"Start off cheap to get work then put up my prices later" Normally results in someone working cheaply for a couple of years, and then packing it in because there's no money to be made.

bunhill · « **Reply #23 on:** May 12, 2014, 13:36 »

Quote from: Red Dove on May 12, 2014, 13:13

Quote from: bunhill on May 12, 2014, 13:01
Quote from: Ron on May 12, 2014, 12:59
These are seasoned pros being asked to work for free.

Well then they will know that sometimes working for free is normal in the world of photography.

Can you let me have your details please? Next time somebody asks me to work for free I can politely decline and point them in your direction.

Surely you would not rule out ever doing a thing for free ? Suppose you realised that it would be a really good way of getting a foot in the door somewhere you wanted to.

Ron · « **Reply #24 on:** May 12, 2014, 13:39 »

MicrostockGroup Sponsors

Author Topic: Requests to use images for free (Read 15143 times)

Elenathewise

Jo Ann Snover

Shelma1

Pixart

Shelma1

shotupdave

ginasanders

EmberMike

Elenathewise

EmberMike

Sean Locke Photography

bunhill

wordplanet

bunhill

Ron

Ron

jefftakespics2

Shelma1

bunhill

Ron

bunhill

Red Dove

Difydave

bunhill

Ron

Related Topics

Sponsors

Microstock Poll Results

Sponsors