A while ago I saw this video of Harlan Ellison on the You Call This Photography blog. Although it speaks about writers in particular, I believe it applies to photographers and other creative professionals alike.
I kept it knowing that I would use it sooner than later on my blog. The reason I post it here now is as follows.
A couple of days ago I got another email from someone regarding the use of one of my photos. As you would expect, I was happy about it. I then wrote back asking who they were and what the usage was going to be so I could work out a price for them. They replied that they were a "non-profit" organization, they were revamping their Web site and that's were the photo was going to go. However, since they were a non-profit organization they were unable to pay for the photo. So I wrote back the following response: (continued after the jump) Dear (-----),
As much as I would like to help your organization help (-----), I am going to have to decline permission to use the photo.
Please understand that I am all for helping people and do what I can in my own community. However, although you say you are "unable" to pay for using my photo, I believe it's more a case of unwilling to pay, and that, in my opinion, is not right.
I have invested much time and money in my equipment and my photography. Since I am actually trying to make a living from photography, I don't understand why I have to give my work away for free when I'm sure you pay others for their services or products, and at least you get paid for your services to the organization. Let's not forget that "non-profit" is only a term used for taxation purposes.
Normally, such an image for use on your site (1/8 of page on the home page) would cost you approximately $300 for a one year use license. I would have been willing to give you the image for half of that for perpetual use on your site if you had been willing to actually pay something for it and not assumed free usage straight off the bat.
I hope you understand my position and reasons for declining permission for usage, and I hope there are no ill feelings.
If you would like to reconsider your position I would be happy to hear from you.
Sincerely,
Kourosh Azar
If you can't see the video in your RSS feed, just use this link.
Amen man! Freakin' moochers all over the place! I think the assholes weren't event worth the time it took compose that message.
ReplyDeleteThis guy was actually apologetic about it after I sent that message. However, there are much worse ones, believe you me.
ReplyDelete