Yet another 'what should I charge' question

[mad editor]

I took photos at a friend's wedding. It was not a paid gig. (She had a really good wedding photographer.) I have some of the shots I took - very lo res - posted online.
Tonight she emailed me - telling me that the cake designer would like to put the shot I took of them cutting the cake on her website.
My friend just asked, "Could you email me a higher res version of that photo? I can't make a good copy from your website!"
Huh????
OK, Courtney probably doesn't understand copyright - maybe.
But that baker cannot have the photo for free.
If you were I, what would you charge for internet usage of that image?
Thanks for your help,
Pat

[Niresangwa]

I had almost the exact same situation happen to me last year. I just asked for the cake company's contact information and told Jenn she had enough to worry about and I would take care of it...

[mad editor]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

I had almost the exact same situation happen to me last year. I just asked for the cake company's contact information and told Jenn she had enough to worry about and I would take care of it...

good way to handle - thanks! However, I still have no idea what to charge for the usage.

[Biomech]

Do you "do" photography? It might be worth letting them have it in exchange for them adding you to a list of recommended photographers. You might even get paid product shots out of it.

Edit: Oh, and you'll want at least 1 free chocolate cake

[Niresangwa]

It was actually a cupcake company. I gave them a low-res image for website use, and leveraged it into paid work. I did get a little cash, but also got a lot of gourmet cupcakes. To be honest, I didn't try and exploit it for cash, it was more of a fun things to do during a slow february, and commercial isn't my bag, so I'm glad I just had fun with it.

[gturner]

seems like a good way to start a relationship rather than end one.
All these puffy chest types who demand payment for everything and everyone need to understand that relationships make the money go round....

[autofocus]

Originally Posted by Niresangwa

I had almost the exact same situation happen to me last year. I just asked for the cake company's contact information and told Jenn she had enough to worry about and I would take care of it...

Fully agree with what Steve is saying here that this should be dealt with direct with the cake folks. I would come up with a nominal fee for the use of your photo, and that you want to be acknowledged on their website as the source of the photo. I don't think you can expect to charge a high price for their use of your image..they'll just say no thanks and walk away. Maybe $35 -$50 bucks along with getting full credit for the image on their site. Not going to be a big money maker, but may quite possibly yield some new future business for you.

[candleman]

Originally Posted by gturner

seems like a good way to start a relationship rather than end one.
All these puffy chest types who demand payment for everything and everyone need to understand that relationships make the money go round....

+1

Vendor networking is gold = referrals

That's only IF you're doing wedding photography.
If you're not wanting to shoot weddings or any other event they supply cakes to, then maybe it's best to ask for some compensation.

[mad editor]

Thanks, all.
I asked my friend to send me the baker's info or to give him mine. So far, I have heard nothing.
I had similar thoughts running around in my head - and you guys confirmed them all for me! I'll let you know what happens.