Magazine Print

Hi,

<br>

Today, I got a request from a San Francisco based magazine. They

wanted to used one of my images for a full page print on the inside

of their magazine. It is a regional magazine - San Francisco only -

and their circulation is about 130,000. This is for one-time non-

exclusive rights. What would be a fair price to charge?

<br>

I looked up Seth Resnick's website at

http://www.sethresnick.com/photographersonly/magazinereprints.html

and that number is at around $5000. I guess Seth Resnick can command

that much but what would a relative unknown be likely to get? The

magazine indicated that their 'guidelines' are in the $200-$400

range.

<br>

That's quite a gap between the two. What's fair and reasonable?

<br>Thanks,

<br>

Raghu Srinivasan

<br><a

href="http://www.indospectrum.com">http://www.indospectrum.com</a>

Most magazines these days have their own contributor page rates, that they've set.

Regional publications are generally not big pay days, but they can be good exposure,

especially if that region is where you work out of. National magazines that want

specific photographers for specific assignments will often work with photographers

on dayrates, etc. For the most part if it's a photo you've got in your library, and they

want to use it you're going to get what their page rate is. Usually they're well aware

that it's a one time usage type deal, but maybe confirm it with them. I know National

magazines distributed on newstands that pay the rate you described, so it's not so far

out. This is assuming you're talking about editorial usage, and not for use in an ad for

one of their advertisers. Regional magazines often create advertisements for local

clients in house, so just double check. If it's editorial, you're probably going to get

their page rate. If you go at them asking for $5000 they aren't going to use the

photo, I can guarantee you that. There are of course a few publications out there that

pay well, but regional magazines generally are budget tight, and I'm sure you can

understand that.

That's Seth Resnick's rate for a reprint run of 130,000 copies, not for the original one-time editorial usage. As you'll read just above the table on that page, these rates are considerably higher than the normal editorial rate. This is because reprint use is essentially commercial.

 

Try elsewhere on Seth's site, or try the EP calculator at www.editorialphoto.com. For a full page at 130,000 $200-400 is low but I take it this is their bracket for all inside uses? For a full page you should get the top end of their scale but be aware they may pay more depending on the value of the photo to them.

that is also an advertising based rate ((companies use reprints are a form of

advertising & promotion ) . You should ask what their going rate is. I suspect it will be

in the $300-$450 range -- butthat will depend on how exclusive and unique the

particular image. Very unique and very excluysive the usage could be much higher.

Thanks to all for the responses. I did re-check Resnick's site and saw that the 'Editorial' rate is more in the $500 range.

<br>

The $5000 is for re-print - what exactly is that? And why is that treated the same as advertising? I am not really familiar with these terms so I'd really appreciate some clarification. I should also probably put that in the Agreement that they cannot use it for re-prints.

<br>

Thanks,

<br>

Raghu

re-prints are generally speaking, special short runs of a story that profiles a

company or an individual. The company or individual orders the reprints to use in a

press kit as a type of advertising.

What happens with reprints is that some company featured in the magazine requests thousands of reprints and then they use them for promotional purposes -- they stick them up on the wall, send them out to clients/customers, etc. Unlike the normal magazine revenue stream, the bill gets paid by the company buying the reprints and there are no distribution costs, etc., so it is very lucrative for the magazine. The advertising is valuable to the company, and the reprint sale is very valuable to the magazine. Consequently, photographers can demand higher fees for this use.

Raghu, take their $400 for one-time, non-exclusive editorial use. Say thanks, and let them know you're happy to work with them.

 

Have fun,

My experience has been that in most cases, the client will pay a

price lower than what is in the pricing tables. Most magazines

won't deviate much from their own rates. My advice: accept their

$400, especially since you don't appear to have been published a lot

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

Terra Galleria stock photography</a>.

Even by Seth Resnick's standards, what the magazine is offering is reasonable.

If you go to another part of his website, he has his editorial rates posted

and you can see that the rates range from $235 (1/4 pg.) to $525 (full pg.)

for an inside placement in a magazine with a circulation 100,000 to 500,000.<br>

<br>

<a href="http://www.d-65.com/photographersonly/consumerpricing.html">http://www.d-65.com/photographersonly/consumerpricing.html</a><br>

<br>

Congratulations!<br>

<br>

<p>The others are probably right, that's a good price. Plus the exposure in

the San Francisco area would be great. A lot of design, web, art companies

are out of the bay. Good luck.<br>

<br>

 

Adam<br>

<a href="http://www.paradigmprint.com/corporate-marketing-planning/

portfolio/commercial-photography/index.html">Paradigm Digital

Photography</a><br>

<a href="http://www.paradigmprint.com/corporate-marketing-planning/

portfolio/web-site-consulting/index.html">Paradigm Web Site Design</a><br>

<a href="http://www.paradigmhost.com/">Paradigm Hosting</a></p>