How should I price and credit my photos when designing a custom business calendar?
Asked 10/30/2014
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2 answers
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A business has asked me to design a calendar using my own photos plus their business information. I already have a portfolio of suitable images, and I estimate the photo selection, processing, and layout work will take about 5 hours.
I’m unsure how to structure the quote. Besides charging for the design/time involved, should I also charge a separate fee for licensing the 12 photos used in the calendar? Some of the images required significant planning, travel, and post-processing.
The client also hinted that they want the photos used without visible watermarks or credits. In a situation like this, is it customary to include a discreet photographer credit somewhere on the calendar, or can that be negotiated as part of the licensing terms?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
11y ago
2 Answers
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As a photographer, it's generally expected that the use of your photos will represent some sort of credit back to you. However, rights to a photo or set of photos can be sold or licensed.
For their calendar, it sounds like they don't want the PHOTOS themselves containing the watermarks or credits. Verify with the customer, but it is typically acceptable to small print either under the photo with credits, or at least a sentence on the back giving credit. Of course, if they truly don't want any of that on the entire calendar, that would typically be offset by a small price increase (possibly in the 20% of final cost ball park).
As far as what to charge, that varies from person to person and shot to shot. If the shot is extremely unique, you could possibly offer it as a premium since they wouldn't be able to get it anywhere else. I think the bigger picture (no pun intended) here is if you add too much of a markup, they may not come back next year for another calendar. It would be a better business practice to offer the calendar at a slightly reduced final cost, in the hopes of more volume and future orders.
Originally by user33987. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user33987
11y ago
0
Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.
Yes—treat this as two parts: your design/labor time and the license to use your photos. The labor can be quoted from your estimated hours. The photo portion is not just “free” because you already made the images; you can charge separately for the right to reproduce them in the calendar.
Credit is negotiable. It’s normal that they don’t want visible watermarks on the photos themselves. A discreet credit line under images or elsewhere on the calendar is commonly acceptable, but if they want no credit anywhere, that can be reflected in a higher fee.
The exact amount varies by image and usage. More unique or hard-won photos can justify a premium. The key is to define clearly whether you are licensing limited use for this calendar or selling broader rights. In most cases, license the images for this specific project rather than giving up full ownership.
Make sure the agreement states usage, whether credit is included, and what rights the client is receiving.
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