Wanting something for nothing

In the last month, I have had over 40 people/ groups contact me asking for one or several of my images. Once I have e-mailed them back, thanking them for making contact and telling them that they will have to pay for them, I either never hear from them again, or get an e-mail back saying that they won't pay and want it for free. I am getting a bit fed up of it now. Is anyone else finding that they are getting more requests than before from people wanting free images? Is that what people expect in this digital age? As the Waddington airshow at the weekend, I had £14000 of kit with me - it's got to be paid for out of more than the goodnesss of my heart!

I could not agree more with you, sunshine band.

I have been getting some requests for screen saver, desktop background, personal use and things of the sort and everyone wants for free. And we are never sure if this is really for personal use. To make my photos I have spent about 25000 USD just on equipment alone, not considering travel expenses, equipment insurance, the time to edit and capture the photos and all... I answer with the link with the suggested prices. http://www.airplane-pictures.net/licensing-guide.php

For now, I don't charge for a photo of mine to be used on a magazine (only happened twice so far) because I consider it as portfolio. However, I do require a printed copy of the magazine to be mailed to me.

Also sometimes I receive comments to my photos in form of request. There should be a warning saying that button is for requesting the use of a photo and my ultimate suggestion is that the rules and price list be stated in the contact form itself. This way it will be all cleared before an image is requested.

One last thing: Great Photographs should cost above the suggested price and that should be said also.

This post has been edited by Renato Serra Fonseca on 2nd July 2012 - 19:47

That is true. I couldn't agree with you more. I have gotten several emails from persons and from the moment you say pay, they back away.

I think some people assume that photography, in this case, is just you pick up yourself, go to the airport, take a bunch of pictures and give them away. A lot of people do not realize it's a lot more than that. It takes a lot to get out the house and stand in the hot sun, freezing cold or rain to take some shots and then turn around and give them out for free.

But good to know I'm not the only one!!

If they won't pay then forget them. If they want it for a screensaver then they can right click and copy from the website image for that. If they say they want a larger version 3-5 mb or more for a screensaver then they are lying through their teeth frankly ! There's only one way an image that size is going to be used and that's for profit somehow.

Most magazines will quote a price that they are prepared to pay and will automatically include a copy as well. Airliners World, Pilot and Flyer have all done that with me. £25 should be the absolute minimum. That's what Airliners World paid for a 1" half column wide image of mine.