How much $$ to Charge for Ad Work?

hey y'all...

i recently received the following email, and have no idea what the

going rate is, as i've never done any ad work... some inputs as how

much to charge would be extremely helpful.

the enquiry i received read as follows:

I came across your work at www.srosenberg.com. Very nice. We might

have an advertiser who could use one of your photos in an ad. What

would you charge for this type of permission? We're a small weekly

with 40,000 copies going out to the metro Pittsburgh area.

is there anything else i need to know?

what about copyrights and use permissions?

what sort of agreements should i get from these guys about using my

images?

thanks!

scott

You need to know the size of the ad and the size the photo will run: 1/4 page, 1/2 page,

full page or two page spread. You also need to ask how many times the ad will be run,

ifthey need exclusivity for the period the ad is running and if that is total exclusivity or

just a regional or even industry exclusivity. All of these things need to spelled out in your

deliveery memo and imvoice. You should register the copyright of the image before you

release it to them, it is very simple to do.

Usually you should have a day rate that you charge your clients. On top of that you charge

for the usage of the image - for example: one year for a 1/2 page, color ad in Pittsburgh.

On top of that, you charge for preparation work (casting, location), film material, studio,

assistants, lab work, scanning, etc. These are all costs that the client should pay for, not

you. <p>

I don't know about copyright laws in the U.S., in Germany you don't have to file for

copyright, you automatically have one as the professional creator of an Image. Ask Ellis or

someone else to explain it to you, it's a very important thing that you should clear up and

know

You must form a contract, stating EXACTLY what the client wants and also all information

pertaining to usage, description of the image or images, and all costs that are included.

Also, all the legal stuff that has to be in a contract to protect yourself and your rights (find

a contract lawyer).

<p>

If the job is to do a new image (not an image you've already created), you should do a cost

calculation before the job, with an exact description of the job to be done. Also, if the

client agrees, get it in writing. You should also get a written statement that the client has

received the image when you turn it over to him. If you're giving him negs., the client is

responsible for there safety and return after he's finished with them. <p>

Good luck.

For a price guide, go to a picture library (e.g. www.gettyimages.com), register, choose

an image, and enter your client's usage requirements.

http://www.fotoquote.com/ they can give you a fairly idea of what to charge they

tend to go to the high side a reality but I figure start there you can always go down.