How to price sports photography? HELP!

[pixelens]

I recently started getting into sports photography, a big part of which is turning into MMA (mixed martial arts) shooting. I absolutely love it. My first fight shoot was early September, and so far I've done 3 with 3 more confirmed media passes between now and early December.

First fight I traded a photo session with a fighter and his family for a media pass.
Second fight I traded the photos I took for a media pass with the company that was doing live video feed.
Third fight I traded photos with an MMA news site because they helped me get the pass (and hence two more).

I got an email from the owner of the third fight organization - he said he loves my photos of the fights and is in need of a "main" photographer. A few things:

1. It'd be every MMA event including weigh-in/press conference/fight/after-party (9-10/year)
2. It'd be other events that he sets up or is a part of, charity events, etc.
3. They'd get photos for web, print, promotion
4. I'd be able to use the photos for self-promotion (I'd make sure that I retained ownership as well)
5. I couldn't shoot other MMA events unless organized by him (in his words "I wouldn't want you shooting mickey mouse organizations that aren't going to be around in a year or two)
6. Compensation... up to me.

So a few things. I understand him not wanting me to shoot other MMA organization events, and I do believe they're the most successful ones around town - definitely been the longest with their 23th event coming up here pretty quick with the main organization, they just had their 4th with a (sub?) organization which is new this year. However, that seriously limits what I can shoot - especially if some of these newer organizations don't end up being so "mickey mouse". I'd definitely want to retain ownership while giving them rights to use the images, but how can I factor in additional edits to make a photo more "printable"? For example, this one I HDR'd and added an Urban Acid filter on it and it printed out quite nicely:



I really don't know what to charge. He said he had one of the main UFC photographers doing it (or wanting to do it) but then the UFC said he couldn't (conflict of interest I'm guessing?)... and I can't imagine him being that cheap. They also have a photographer right now, but he mentioned that he's a secondary "cover what's missed" photographer and he needs a good quality main photographer.

Any help out there? Need to respond to him fairly quickly...

Cheers,
Jason

[Jim Poor]

I wouldn't expect to own the © in an arrangement like this.

It sounds more like you would be a staff photographer with a salary. The fact that he said you would ". . .be able to use the photos for self-promotion" reinforces that notion.

I suppose it never hurts to ask for a different arrangement, but I wouldn't count on it.

Just make sure that the salary is enough to make up for not being able to shoot other MMA events or sell the photos yourself.

[nokiN]

Jim is refering to a "Work-For-Hire" arrangement wherein the people paying you own the copyrights. (Visit U.S. Copyright Office for more info on Work-For-Hire.) Work for hire only exists if contracted as such, as I understand it.

I agree that in that light the salary would have to be substantial, and at a minimum it would have to include them covering expenses like travel, lodging, meals, personal medical insurance, photography equipment insurance, wear and tear on my photographic gear, etc.

[JameyPrice]

Yeah. Just dont undercompensate yourself. I dont know if you do this for a living or not but price your photos like you pay the car, house and food with money you earn from your photos.

That is a SWEET photo though. You may have a really good gig going. Find your niche (which you have done) and run with it.

If you are not being compensated enough, consider giving them usage rights, you retain copyright and can sell to fighters and their families. If I was that guy, Id want one of those in my house. And right there, thats more money for you.