Author Topic: Anyone have experience selling photos to a newspaper? (Read 7434 times)

leaf · « **on:** August 25, 2011, 10:33 »

I have a newspaper interested in a few images I brought to their attention. They are wanting to use a couple of them but they didn't mention anything bout price (even though I asked)... I think they are avoiding the issue.

Does anyone have any experience as to what I should expect in regards to payment. I'm guessing they don't pay very much for an editorial use but I am not willing to give it for free either. Having my name the credits isn't enough to pay for my time (or put food on the table). If they say they can't 'afford' to pay for the photos, then I think I bargain and said I can't afford their newspaper and ask for a year subscription or something...

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #1 on:** August 25, 2011, 10:43 »

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.

ShadySue · « **Reply #2 on:** August 25, 2011, 10:57 »

In the UK (OK, in Scotland), there is a flat rate for nationals, and only something with exceptional rarity value and interest will get more. It's much less than the amount most people here would get out of bed for. Local papers don't even reply if you contact them and put 'at your usual rate' in your contact email. Again, presumably, unless something rare happens.

gostwyck · « **Reply #3 on:** August 25, 2011, 11:06 »

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'.

Ed · « **Reply #4 on:** August 25, 2011, 11:32 »

My experience is similar to gostwyck....newspapers don't want to pay a thing because they know they can get a "free" image from someone else.

Stick to your guns on a price and don't be afraid to walk away.

leaf · « **Reply #5 on:** August 25, 2011, 11:44 »

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.

click_click · « **Reply #6 on:** August 25, 2011, 11:47 »

Quote from: leaf on August 25, 2011, 11:44

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.

So? Are you selling?

Pixart · « **Reply #7 on:** August 25, 2011, 15:01 »

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?