You did the right thing, it's very true that if you don't value your work, no one will. It's also been my experience that "getting my name out there" doesn't really do too much. Turns out when people see a photo, they don't kill themselves trying to find out who shot it and how they can get a copy for their wall. Go figure huh?
Also, people value your photo as much as you do. It's funny, a couple years ago I gave a 24x36 photo to a friend. I was at their house the other day - it was pinned to a bedroom wall with thumbtacks! I couldn't help but think if they would have paid $200 or $300 for it, it would be hanging above their couch in a beautiful frame.
Steve Perry wrote:
You did the right thing, it's very true that if you don't value your work, no one will. It's also been my experience that "getting my name out there" doesn't really do too much. Turns out when people see a photo, they don't kill themselves trying to find out who shot it and how they can get a copy for their wall. Go figure huh?
Also, people value your photo as much as you do. It's funny, a couple years ago I gave a 24x36 photo to a friend. I was at their house the other day - it was pinned to a bedroom wall with thumbtacks! I couldn't help but think if they would have paid $200 or $300 for it, it would be hanging above their couch in a beautiful frame.
Steve Perry wrote:
Also, people value your photo as much as you do. It's funny, a couple years ago I gave a 24x36 photo to a friend. I was at their house the other day - it was pinned to a bedroom wall with thumbtacks! I couldn't help but think if they would have paid $200 or $300 for it, it would be hanging above their couch in a beautiful frame.
Ralph -- You did the right thing. Don't let people take advantage of you or your work.
cineski -- I know what you mean, but I have to disagree. I've had my name listed in a number of classy advertizing pieces and publications and was paid very well for the assignments. A credit, byline, or contributing talent listing doesn't necessarily mean "FREE". I've gotten a few good assignments off such associations, not a lot, but the publicity helped and the new clients knew they would have to pay decently. So, not a bad deal. The rule of thumb is: Get paid, and the publicity is secondary.
Gunzorro wrote:
Ralph -- You did the right thing. Don't let people take advantage of you or your work.
cineski -- I know what you mean, but I have to disagree. I've had my name listed in a number of classy advertizing pieces and publications and was paid very well for the assignments. A credit, byline, or contributing talent listing doesn't necessarily mean "FREE". I've gotten a few good assignments off such associations, not a lot, but the publicity helped and the new clients knew they would have to pay decently. So, not a bad deal. The rule of thumb is: Get paid, and the publicity is secondary. ...Show more →
I have to say you are correct in that name recognition is important, but money pays the bills.. We have recently been ask to put some of our images on display at our bank.. There we will be doing it for recognition.. Also, a local organization ask us to photograph an event they are putting on.. They noted upfront that they expected to pay.. Maybe I can make enough for a 135L..
oldrattler> But, I was shocked that people would ask to use your images and offer nothing in return..
Unfortunately it is pretty common in the photography world now. With so many hobbyists offering their images for free, images aren't valued nearly as much as they used to be. You learned a valuable lesson at the cost of a little bit of your time so it gives you experience for the future.
Best,
Andy
AndyKellett wrote:
oldrattler> But, I was shocked that people would ask to use your images and offer nothing in return..
Unfortunately it is pretty common in the photography world now. With so many hobbyists offering their images for free, images aren't valued nearly as much as they used to be. You learned a valuable lesson at the cost of a little bit of your time so it gives you experience for the future.
Best,
Andy
Steve Perry wrote:
Also, people value your photo as much as you do. It's funny, a couple years ago I gave a 24x36 photo to a friend. I was at their house the other day - it was pinned to a bedroom wall with thumbtacks! I couldn't help but think if they would have paid $200 or $300 for it, it would be hanging above their couch in a beautiful frame.
Not to drag this thread OT but I had a similar thing.
A friend of mine loved a b&w landscape I'd shot so knowing she was decorating her house, at Christmas I gave her a 12x16" print hand printed on fibre paper by a top printer in London. Two years later she said it had fallen of the wall during the night and her bf had slept on it and it had got creased and generally mucked up, she loved the picture and asked how much it would be to get another printed - her bf was paying. I was confused how a framed print falling off the wall would not have woken somebody up and it turns out it was stuck on with bluetac like a poster! A print like that sold would be easily £250-300.
I would have asked for the bass at cost, not a 10% discount. It would cost them nothing and if they were happy with the image, they must have recognized it had benefit for them. A bass at cost would have been a win-win.
dmacmillan wrote:
I would have asked for the bass at cost, not a 10% discount. It would cost them nothing and if they were happy with the image, they must have recognized it had benefit for them. A bass at cost would have been a win-win.
Mark_L wrote:
Not to drag this thread OT but I had a similar thing.
A friend of mine loved a b&w landscape I'd shot so knowing she was decorating her house, at Christmas I gave her a 12x16" print hand printed on fibre paper by a top printer in London. Two years later she said it had fallen of the wall during the night and her bf had slept on it and it had got creased and generally mucked up, she loved the picture and asked how much it would be to get another printed - her bf was paying. I was confused how a framed print falling off the wall would not have woken somebody up and it turns out it was stuck on with bluetac like a poster! A print like that sold would be easily £250-300. ...Show more →
Wisdom is frequently an after-thought.. We learn or we perish... Life is a cruel teacher.. These things I have been told and know to be true.. Thanks..
