Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic

blur · Joined: 28 Mar 2005 Posts: 31

What would you do if you're in this situation :

You photographed someone, either you know or don't know. You politely ask for permission to sell the picture, then ask him/her to sign the model release. He/she then asks you: "So .. what do i earn/get from you selling my picture?".

How would you answer to such question so that you can convince him/her to sign the model release?

MHD · Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 11:09 pm

would depend on the picture...

Best thing to offer them IMHO is the picture itself!

fncdigital · Posted: Mon Mar 28, 2005 11:36 pm

all of that should be discussed prior to the shot, if not, and you think its worth it, offer them an amount there, make sure your release stats that they have received comphensation for the image and will persue no other from you, sign it and be gone, if its not worth it, tell them nothing and you will not use the image.

JTeffects · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 294

I offer them copies of the pics.

But I always ask before I shoot.

TFCD=Time For Compact Disk

StuartE · Posted: Tue Mar 29, 2005 12:11 am

I was at a TFP shoot with the camera club, and one of the models wanted 'a cut' of the sales if any were sold, and wouldn't sign a release - so I didn't shoot anything of him - the other models were happy to sign releases, and if I end up getting requests for images of them (which has happened before) I'll cut them in on it - if that happens, they win, he loses... (the fact that the club itself isn't getting releases at the moment is a worry, but beside the point for my purposes - if the model doesn't want to sign my release, plenty of others do...)

So, you could 'offer' him the same - if he proves to be a very popular 'model', do a shoot with him, pay him for it and get your moneys worth... otherwise, be honest with them, tell them how much you get per image, and that the shot may or may not sell... you'll shout them a beer if it sells well... lol

Cheers,
Stuart

JTeffects · Joined: 02 Dec 2004 Posts: 294

Models who demand things like that seldem make it very far.

There was a similar thread to that on MC, about models with long lists of "terms" in thier profiles and such. Basicly it boiled down to they will probably get no work, and will eventually disappear. If it is nude, or something like that, I can understand the model wanting compensation. But for anything else they should remember how much it would cost them to call up a photog in the yellow pages for some photos, or if they are married how much did the wedding photog cost?

Just today I had a 'model' ask me to sign a contract stateing exactly where/how the images would be used. I told her my special TFCD release lets her print the images (which a lot of old school TFP film photogs dont allow), and even permission to sell on a limited use basis (ex: sell 8X10's to thier fans), etc etc. But since I sell stock I really do not know where/how the images will end up. She hasnt writen me back, but I know she got my note because she changed her profile according to a suggestion I had. I doubt I will hear from her, and I doubt she will ever get any work. Oh well.