[Rick-]

Hi,

Yesterday I was sent an email by a large corporation that would like to use one of my images for an online banner creative that will be used only on Australian websites. The image will be used for one year.

She said their budget was AUS$150.00

Being my first sale ever, I was excited and didn't even know the going rates so I said 'yes'.

The transaction hasn't gone through yet (we are still talking about a tax declaration form), and today I did some research on the usual rates. Sounds like a very low budget for a very large corporation.

Anyone have any advice? Does this transaction sound fare? Or may I be accepting too low a rate?

Or maybe I should just shut-up and be happy that I made my first sale??

Thanks,

Rick

[Dave]

Although UK rates, this might help :- Freelance Photography Fees - Full list of rates

[Larne]

Just because they are a large corporation does not necessarily mean that the department who are setting up the website have been given a large budget. It is probably one of many websites and they will have to get many images to fully populate it.

I guess in the end it comes down to whether or not you feel that is enough for the image. And unfortunately having said 'yes' if you now try to go back and re-negotiate you are likely to lose the deal entirely.

[Rick-]

Thanks for your responses.

I heard back from the buyer and it turns out that since I don't live in Australia, I can't fill out a tax declaration form, so they asked if they could use the image free of charge. They would credit the photo with my name and copyright, and provide me with the final creative output to see how the image will be used.

I'm considering doing this, just because I'm happy enough that someone wants to use an image of mine, and it sounds like an interesting project.

Funny how it turned out, they made an offer and are now renegotiating. Anyone have experience or insight into this?

Thanks,

Rick

[Larne]

Personally I would say no to free use. I can't for a moment believe that a large company can't find some way to pay you without causing them problems - sounds a bit to me like they are yanking your chain.

The other issue for me is that it is reinforcing a type of behaviour that is becoming increasingly prevalent. Many newspapers no longer pay for pictures, they use 'readers pics' instead. Image libraries are setup that sell photos for ludicrious prices like a dollar each. The whole concept of photography as a professional business where you have to pay for the product is being undermined by people who are only interested in getting their images into 'print' and who don't care that they are ruining the business for people who need to make a living from it.

This isn't a pop at you Rick- just a topic I feel increasingly strongly about.

Fair Trade for photographers!

[Rick-]

Thank you Larne for your input... I will certainly give this some thought, but my gut is telling me that I agree with what you are saying. I am in the process of setting up a business, and I wouldn't be fair to myself if I were to do this, especially in a situation that evolved like this.