In Need of a Little Advice

[FastasEF]

I recently had a European rep(distributor) for Tres Noir sunglasses contact me on Flickr about using one of my images for a small add. Here is the product link: Tres Noir Sonnenbrillen l FOR ORIGINALS

He is asking about using one of these photos:
Flickr: Search

in a "small print advertisement for Tres Noir sunglasses. It should be use like a flyer in the size of a post card and in a small edition for Germany. Also I would it a little bit modify." Quoted from his e-mail to me.

My first thought was, why these photos? More of a moral thought because the guy totaled his car and now it would be used for advertisement. I might be the only one thinking this because it's my photo, the people looking at the ad are very much going to think otherwise I would assume.

Anyways, how should I go about handling this? I would very much like for this company to use one of my photos but am at a loss as what to ask for since this is the first time I've ever been contacted in this manner. Other than possible funds, I would like a copy of the ad/flyer.

I guess I should also ask you guys about scams?

Any help would be appreciated!

Thanks,
Josh

[FastasEF]

Anyone? Even just a link to simple guidelines or something...

[Rentham]

I can't help you on whether or not it is a scam, but you can get tons of info and answers to your pricing questions here: Shakodo: A Question and Answer site focused on practical pricing for photography

I got a similar request a couple years ago from BFG Communications. They wanted to buy one of my waterballoon photos for a Camel Cigarette ad (I had no idea why at the time). Originally, they wanted it for a magazine ad. They wanted royalty-free unlimited usage, so I sold it to them for $500.

I had no idea what to charge at that time, and just pulled that number out of my head. After a little research, I found out that was a pretty good price.

Good for the company too. They ended up not doing a magazine ad, but used them at point-of-sale areas where cigarettes are sold. So if you go into a gas station and see a camel cigarette ad with a water spray in it, that's from my photo

[FastasEF]

Thanks for the link Rentham and thank you for telling me your similar situation pbg! These two things should help me out.

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by Photoboothguy

I got a similar request a couple years ago from BFG Communications. They wanted to buy one of my waterballoon photos for a Camel Cigarette ad (I had no idea why at the time). Originally, they wanted it for a magazine ad. They wanted royalty-free unlimited usage, so I sold it to them for $500.

I had no idea what to charge at that time, and just pulled that number out of my head. After a little research, I found out that was a pretty good price.

Good for the company too. They ended up not doing a magazine ad, but used them at point-of-sale areas where cigarettes are sold. So if you go into a gas station and see a camel cigarette ad with a water spray in it, that's from my photo

So, they used the photo for something other than what the license you sold them allows? When are they paying you the difference?

[funcrunch]

Originally Posted by Jim Poor

So, they used the photo for something other than what the license you sold them allows? When are they paying you the difference?

He said he sold the image for "royalty-free unlimited use".

[Jim Poor]

Originally Posted by funcrunch

He said he sold the image for "royalty-free unlimited use".

Ah, so he did.

Let that be a lesson in reading comprehension for me and one in contracting & licensing for the other guy.

[FastasEF]

Have some more info.

It'll be postcard sized, a run of about 2,500 prints in a two month span. Limited use contract. And they'll be wanting to edit the photo.

The calculator is saying $200 low price and $500 high with $350ish being average.

Since never having done this before It's odd asking someone for that much, (as little as it really is), for just use of an image. I suppose that's how it goes in the photography business though.

[OsmosisStudios]

Wanting to to edit would lead me to believe they're looking for cheap (because they could just as easily use a stock image). But in my mind you should charge more for the privilege.