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Do they know you are a professional photographer and sell your photos elsewhere?

I ask because I had a situation where I was contacted about more photos of a remodel I have for sale - it was for a book, not a newspaper. It's a long story and there was a hiatus during the recession when I thought they'd abandoned plans for the book completely. Then with new personnel the book was revived earlier this year. The new person sent me a release to sign where I was just to get credit.

I explained that although we hadn't gotten as far before as signing a contract, I sell my photos and would not allow them to be used for free + a credit. They then said that they did pay professionals although prices had dropped (they couldn't afford as much). I got $85 per photo.

I know it isn't exactly analogous but it's worth a try.

Yes __ selling images to newspapers is like getting blood out of a stone.

A couple of years ago I was first on the scene when a Police van had been set on fire by local youths in the late evening. I got some great images before I was ordered away from the scene by a very stern police woman.

When I phoned the local newspaper the next day they were interested but were unwilling to pay anything as they already been offered lots of images for free from the general public using the camera phones, etc. I had to email them some low-rez examples before negotiations could begin. After I did so they offered me about $70 if they published 2-3 of them. I insisted on $160 for the full set or nothing which eventually they agreed to. The next day I had a half-page spread on the front page and 4 others with the story inside.

If it happened again I probably wouldn't bother. What particularly irritated me about the situation was how much that same newspaper used to charge me to advertise in their rag. A few years previously I'd placed a recruitment ad, about the size of a packet of cigarettes, and they'd charged me about $1900.

Unfortunately newspapers have got used to being offered images and footage for free so it is increasingly difficult to sell photos to them unless they are truly unique and preferably featuring a 'celebrity'.

I got an answer back (I asked what they standard rate was) and they said depending on usage and placement, between $70-$120, which I feel is fair considering the images aren't one of a kind.  They are current and I feel somewhat interesting, but I'm sure they could find similar images elsewhere.

I think you have to read the fine print too: what do you get for syndication/if picked up by another paper etc. Most of the newspapers are pushing "fine art prints" now as well.  Do they automatically get the right to resell, and do you get a cut of that?