Pricing photos for textbook

I apologize in advance if this question has been asked - I could not

find it by searching and am somewhat new to this site.

 

I am an amateur photographer and have done very limited selling and

publishing of my work. Most of the photos I have published have been

in a Harvard academic magazine that I provide photos to for free

because I have sort of a bartering thing going on with the editor -

she has provided me with connections to sell my articles (my primary

work).

 

To get to the point, recently a designer for an educational book

series asked her for my contact information because they are

interested in using them in the series (about Latino immigrants in

the U.S.). The designer contacted me and asked if she could pay me

for use of my photos in bulk and how much I would charge per photo to

do so.

 

How much is standard to charge per photo for shots used in academic

textbooks? I talked to one person who told me $50-100 for a cover

photo, but I have gotten little advice beyond that. I have only sold

individual fine art photos and don't know much about this sort of

thing. I apologize in advance for my lack of knowledege, and deeply

appreciate any advice - Thank you.

If I were you I would go to Photosource International and post that question on the Kracker Barrel a Q & A part of there website. This is right up there alley. I'm sure they could give you some very good advice.

Usage rates depend on how large the photos will run (1/4 page or smaller, 1/2 page,

full page, spread, section divider or cover. Plus additional usage such as limited use

CD or possibly class room poster. Another factor is the size of the initial print run. A

third factor is uniqueness of image. $50-$100 for a cover iamge is stupidly low. An

honest photo

researcher will tell you that.

 

You should get a copy of Fotoquote software.

If you don't want to buy software, you can open an account with getty images or alamy and see their quotes. The page below has a couple links

to other tables, in particular Stock Connection has a detailed table

for textbooks.

<a href = "http://www.terragalleria.com/stock-photography.html">

Terra Galleria Stock Photography</a>.

Carin-- I'm not exactly sure what you mean by "in bulk."

 

For textbook use, print run of 10,000 copies to 20,000 copies, english North American distribution, I'll generally get $100-$200 for a 1/4 page or 1/2 page shot, $150-$250 for a full page, $200-$300 for a "chapter opener,", and about $450 at least for a cover, if it is the only shot used on the cover (considerably less if it is part of a montage).

 

These rates are what the textbook publishers pretty much dictate to their contributors. You can submit an invoice for a larger amount, but don't expect to get repeat busniess from that company.

 

Also pick up a book called "Pricing Photography." Ask the designer questions about the distribution area, print run, and reprints. Find out EXACTLY what rights they want. I recommend you sell only one-time North American rights, and get the proposed print run in writing from the publisher.

 

Just as a rough calculation, for the smallest-size image used (generally 1/4 page), prices should start at between one and two cents per printed copy, and go up at least 50% for full page and 100% for chapter opener and 400% for cover.

 

No matter what the print run, I never bother with people who want to buy images for less than $100 (and I'm about to up that because of inflation). Selling pictures for less than $100 each is useless unless they are buying them by the dozen and the uses are tightly restricted.

 

I would be suspicious that they want to archive your images and use them like stock. You might find your pictures used in dozens of textbooks for no extra pay. That might be fine with you if you sold them 100 images for $7500, but you have to ask, how much are they making off the pictures, especially if they sell them as stock to other publishers.

-Bill C.