I am not and have never been a professional photographer. Every once in a while I am asked by nonprofit organizations to allow them to include one of my photos in a publication or project. A few small government agencies have also asked. I have allowed these organizations the use of my photos (with a photo credit, fwiw). \
I was just asked via email by a photo editor at DK publications (a division of Penguin Books) to allow the use of a bird photo in an upcoming children's book.
My own ethic is not to allow the use of my photos for free by for-profit companies. It's not that I am trying to build up a professional brand (that ship sailed long ago), but it's out of respect for actual professional photographers. If all of us allowed free use of our photos in all situations professional photographers would pretty much be out of business. I know different people have different ethical guidelines here; my point is not to begin any arguments.
I have decided that I will grant this permission only for a fee that is at least in the ballpark of what a professional photographer would expect. How much would it be reasonable to ask for?
I suspect that once I ask for a licensing fee I won't hear back, but that's ok. Like I said, I don't need or crave the "fame" that comes with having my name in tiny print in some publication somewhere.
Doug Greenberg
I was just asked via email by a photo editor at DK publications (a division of Penguin Books) to allow the use of a bird photo in an upcoming children's book.
My own ethic is not to allow the use of my photos for free by for-profit companies. It's not that I am trying to build up a professional brand (that ship sailed long ago), but it's out of respect for actual professional photographers. If all of us allowed free use of our photos in all situations professional photographers would pretty much be out of business. I know different people have different ethical guidelines here; my point is not to begin any arguments.
I have decided that I will grant this permission only for a fee that is at least in the ballpark of what a professional photographer would expect. How much would it be reasonable to ask for?
I suspect that once I ask for a licensing fee I won't hear back, but that's ok. Like I said, I don't need or crave the "fame" that comes with having my name in tiny print in some publication somewhere.
Doug Greenberg