How should I price and license high-resolution digital files after delivering web-only images?
Asked 5/13/2014
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2 answers
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I photographed a client under a contract that included only web-ready digital files (max 1024px) plus the option to order prints. After seeing the results, the client asked to buy some high-resolution, unwatermarked versions and is willing to pay extra. The original agreement did not transfer ownership of the images.
What is the best way to handle this? Should I simply charge a per-image fee, or should I treat it as a separate license? How should intended usage affect pricing and what rights should be spelled out?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
12y ago
2 Answers
4
Since it appears the original work was not contracted with the intent that they would own the images (which would have required a much higher up front fee regardless of the end product), it sounds like a licensing deal is probably the best way to go.
A license allows you to provide the high quality finished product, but with restrictions on what it can be used for based on what they have paid. This allows the business to do what they need to do with the photos but also allows you to protect your brand and reputation and get value from their use of your photo.
Ideally, you should find out what their intended uses are and outline what is allowed for the image in a license agreement, including limits on the size of the audience. For limited marketing purposes like you described for a small martial arts school, probably $30 to $60 is good if you are doing this part time. Full time, I could see it being more like $50 to $100. (Note these estimates are only for the image licensing and not for generation and also are based around the idea of licensing multiple images.) If they agree to meet your quality standards for printing the image and give you photo credit, then I could see going much cheaper. Say, something around $15 an image for part time, but I'd make sure that you keep quality control over the printing if your name is going to be associated with it to ensure your brand is protected.
Originally by user11392. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user11392
12y ago
0
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Treat this as a licensing question, not just a file-delivery fee. Since the original agreement was for web-ready images and print ordering—not transfer of ownership—the client is asking for additional usage rights.
A good next step is to ask how they plan to use the high-resolution files. Pricing should depend on the scope of use: personal use, limited marketing, broad commercial use, exclusivity, audience size, and duration all affect value. The more rights you grant, the more you should charge.
Provide the files with a written license that clearly states what is allowed, for example:
- permitted uses
- whether commercial use is allowed
- duration of use
- exclusivity or non-exclusivity
- whether editing/redistribution is allowed
- whether copyright remains with you
If their needs are limited, offer a limited license at a lower price. If they want broad rights or something close to ownership, that should cost substantially more than a simple print or small digital file.
In short: don’t think only in terms of pixel size; charge for usage rights, and put those rights in writing.
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