Ethical question

[PhotoCarp]

I was shooting a wrestling tournament this weekend and I told one of the coach's that I've known for years that I would give him a discount. He sent me an email and asked me if he "would be able to purchase 4 8 x10's from (a competitor) and then maybe you can enlarge them to a poster size at a good price? Would want 4 or 5 posters." I checked and the other photographer also sells posters on his site. I'm not sure what size he's talking about but over a certain size print I have to charge by the square foot.

Part of me wants to say no because he can buy the posters from him. Also, I wouldn't be to thrilled if someone did that to me but on the other hand I still would have sold some prints. (It did happen to me once.)

Part of me wants to say yes because income is income and I'll still make a profit after his discount. Besides, even after the discount, the coach will still pay me more than he would have paid the other guy. Maybe this is his way of throwing some business my way.

So I'm going to throw this out there. What's the consensus? What would you do?

[zona5101]

from what you describe, this is much more than an ethical question, it is a legal one and would subject you to being sued for copywrite infringment.

[Disfidare]

I'd also vote no, don't do it. I think you'd be open for copyright infringement.

[autofocus]

I have to agree with the two previous posters...just say no thank you. Even if the other photographer doesn't come after you, do you want a reputation of doing things like this?...to me, not worth the few bucks the job would pay.

Vince

[elkidogz]

This is an ethical and legal question. Does the coach have rights to the picture(s) to be reproduced? or was it even that formal? you need to take the high road on this and tell the other guy what's going on...

[GadgetRick]

Also, why is it he won't just go to the other photographer and buy the posters there? Honestly, I wouldn't really want to do business with someone who's just shopping for the cheapest price. You're going to him as a photographer, not a printer. Let him find a printer elsewhere...

[LeeR]

I think you answered your own question when you said, "I wouldn't want someone to do that to me." Plus, in case you missed it; you were just insulted. What the coach is saying in essence is, "I want your discount, but I want his photography." Ouch. Tell him your discount only applies to your images!

[PhotoCarp]

Originally Posted by LeeR

I think you answered your own question when you said, "I wouldn't want someone to do that to me." Plus, in case you missed it; you were just insulted. What the coach is saying in essence is, "I want your discount, but I want his photography." Ouch. Tell him your discount only applies to your images!

Lee,
You pretty much nailed it there. However, I wasn't that insulted because at the time that he emailed me the other guy had posted his pictures but I hadn't. Besides, looking at his you can tell who spends time going through his pictures before posting them and who doesn't.

I'd run away.

I'd be PISSED if someone did that to me.

Not to mention if I sold someone a 8x10 and they show up with a 24x36".... Oh hells no.

~Eric

[Jim Bryant]

Others are right for the reason of ethics and using someone photos, Just say no.