danlegere Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 <p>Hi, I was contacted by a museum who wants to display my photos. Here's a excerpt:</p> <blockquote> <p><em>I work for the ________, a museum devoted to ________ and with over 100.000 visitors a year.</em><br /><br /><em>We were hoping that you would permit us to show some of your photos, of course with mention of the maker. If so, do you maybe have high res images that you could send us, and that we can use for making reproductions? Also, what name should be used for the credit to the photographer?</em></p> </blockquote> <p>What all should I know for museums using my photos, and is there anything I should ask them? It seems simple for what they're asking. I'd be sending them high res digital copies and they would do the prints for display. I know to do a contract, and then if they're selling them in any way then I charge somehow but what if it's only for display purposes?<em> </em>They do charge admission fees to visitors.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles_Webster Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 <p>Does the museum have any credentials? I wouldn't be sending any high resolution files to someone I don't know just on the basis of an email.</p> <p><Chas></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gulfbeach47 Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 <p><strong><em>''high res images that you could send us, and that we can use for making reproductions''</em></strong><br> <br /><em>Why would they want to do that? Red Flag! Red Flag!</em><br> <em>As Charles mentioned, I hope you thoroughly check them out. Credentials, past shows, references etc...</em><br> <em>How did they get your name? Did you contact them or did they explain where they saw your work?</em><br> <em>If you got an email out of the blue then I would not dare send them anything. </em><br> <em><br /></em><br> <em>I'm just the suspicious type since I found 3 local websites that are using my photos without my permission. Not sure what steps I am going to take yet because I am not sure how they got them. I think it was from a web designer that I sent them to for a magazine, but have not contacted any of them yet. <br /></em><br> <em><br /></em></p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jerry_ Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 <p>Museum visitors leave money with the museum. There is nothing wrong with the photographer asking for a little amount of that money...</p> <p>Making reproductions sounds like someone will be making greeting cards, posters (perhaps,) and prints to hang on walls other than inside the museum.</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zane1664879013 Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 <p>Total scam, ignore it.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spearhead Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 <p>Zane is right. This is a scam. Delete the email and move on.</p> Music and Portraits Blog: Life in Portugal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dhbebb Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 <p>If it's a publicly-owned not-for-profit museum, and particularly one that you've heard of, there would be no harm in pursuing it further. If it's a private commercial venture, generating a profit, you should share in that (unless of course you feel that the publicity for your work is enough reward in itself).</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mariosforsos Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 <p>Check them out. They should have, assuming they exist, a website. Then, if they're local, take a stroll down there and have a look see. THEN, draft an e-mail regarding what you would expect from that agreement. If they agree, THEN you can think about sending them digital files...</p> <p>Initially, it sounds like a scam to me - museums (and I've worked with some) tend to contact you personally by phone the first time, rather than an e-mail such as this...but then again, you never know...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danlegere Posted September 29, 2011 Author Share Posted September 29, 2011 <p>I definitely wouldn't just send them anything at this point. They saw my photos and contacted me through a forum and they are in another country. I know the museum is real and has a website, I'll get more info on them and replied asking them for their credentials and references. I do know the museum they are claiming to be, and can contact it directly for verification.</p> <p>I'm just wondering what to do if they are legitimate. If it's ok to send high res after that, for them to print themselves. Obviously with a contract or something.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve m smith Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 <blockquote> <p>Museum visitors leave money with the museum.</p> </blockquote> <p>Not all museums charge admission. Many in England and most in London do not.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zensphoto Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 <p>I get emails about sending my work to such and such at least once a week. I answer everyone of the emails with. Sure send me a contract, I would like a percentage of the proceeds, I would like to be invited to your museum so I can personally bring my work to you and help your museum director arrange my work there. You'll be required to pay for my travel and expenses while I am visiting.</p> <p>Not, one ever gets back to me. Hmmmmmm, I wonder why? Most of them I can't find anything on them, nor can I find a physical address for them let a lone a phone number to contact someone. </p> <p>You can do what you like, but if it isn't the NYC Museum contacting you with credentials I would be very careful.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perry_lee Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 <p>The fact that the museum does exist does not mean the email came from them. Someone could be spoofing the address. Write back to the same person at a different address, or to an address you get from the website. Verify that the person who wrote to you actually works there, and they did in fact email you.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_macpherson Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 <p>Given the global spread of Pnet patrons one of us is bound to be in a city/town near where your 'museum' is located so could perhaps pop in on your behalf and check if it actually exists?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craig_shearman1 Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 <p>Most museums I've ever been in show art (including photos) from well-known, well-established artists and get their artwork either through carefully cultivated personal/professional relationships in the art world, or at least by reaching out to the agents representing those who are established enough that the museum would want their work. (The wife of a friend is a former assitant curator at the Smithsonian here in Washington, so I get to hear a little bit about how museums work from time to time.) Have you had your work on display in galleries, winning serious juried competitions, or otherwise put into a position to come to the attention of a museum? The odds that any legitimate museum would be emailing an unknown photographer (no offense) asking for photos certainly sounds fishy at best.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spearhead Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 <blockquote> <p> I'll get more info on them and replied asking them for their credentials and references.</p> </blockquote> <p><br />What you need to do is forward the email to a contact address from the museum's site. As someone else points out, the address could be spoofed and you might not notice that.</p> Music and Portraits Blog: Life in Portugal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDMvW Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 <blockquote> <p><em>We were hoping that you would permit us to show some of your photos, of course with mention of the maker.</em></p> </blockquote> <p>Mention of the maker? Awkward phrasing suggests a non-native speaker. That does not automatically translate into 'scam' but it may be one of those little warning signs. Asking for hi-res right off sounds suspicious too.</p> <p>In the absence of more information and some documentation of the authenticity of the request, my preliminary verdict? SCAM</p> <p>BTW, it's not unheard of for someone to assume an identity that is not theirs. Check that the email and the website are actually at the same "place."</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danny_wong2 Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 <p>It is the Nigerian Museum of Photographic knock-offs and rip-offs. ;)</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zack_zoll Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 <p>I've been earnestly solicited by galleries before, but never by museums. So understand that I'm only <em>sort of</em> in the know here.</p> <p>That said, I've never heard of a museum (or gallery) that would ever request anything other than the finished, printed product. Artists usually see every aspect of the artwork as an important part of the whole, and how you choose to print and/or present your images is something that you, the "maker" are supposed to figure out. They want to arrange and curate it themselves mind you, but they don't want to jerk around with picking out papers and selecting print sizes and such. - especially because it could lead to a confrontation if you disagree with their selections.</p> <p>In the future, I would ignore ANY request for high-res digital files unless it is from someone already representing you, or it is part of an application.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richardsperry Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 <p>Scam</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
allenahale Posted September 30, 2011 Share Posted September 30, 2011 <p>The old adage about not believing everything that you read is even more applicable in the age of emails. I once received an email from the US Ambassador to Nigeria offering, for a small fee, to bring my millions of dollars out of the country in a diplomatic pouch. Sounded great until I remembered I don't have any money in Nigeria! Even though the "Ambassador" included his official biography, even on my worst of days doubt that such an offer would be made by a US Government Official in an ordinary email ;-)</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark_davidson1 Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 <p>Scammity scam scam scam.<br> OK, a "museum" is trolling the internet for photographs to reproduce with credit for the "maker"?</p> <p>Do not let your eyes glaze over with the idea that this is how careers are launched. This is pure deceit coming to your mailbox. <br> Even in the enormously unlikely event that this is an honest request, why on earth would you send files to a stranger so they can make prints to sell?</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gulfbeach47 Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 <p>Dan, Here is a fun idea. Send the museum some high-res totally out of focus underexposed images just to see what kind of feedback you get:)<br> I'm thinking they may say..... we love the images: Now please send us X amount of dollars for set up cost & blah blah blah....</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danmarchant Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 <p>Yep scam.<br> 1. An overseas museum or gallery will feature artists that its patrons are likely to have heard of or who the museum thinks is a hot up and coming artist - the latter will almost certainly be based on a recommendation from some industry contacts. They won't go searching the internet for nice photos.<br> 2. As Zack said, artists care about the quality of their work at every level and will ship finished/framed prints, never digital files. Legit Museums know this and would never even ask. </p> <p>They are either trying to get hold of high res images to use/sell or else this is a lead up to an advance fee scam.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
perry_lee Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 <p>I hadn't though of that Dan, but you're probably right; it's an email "Vanity Gallery." <br> First they get your images and charge you a processing fee, then a fee to convert them to the "museum database," then a fee to put them online...</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
danlegere Posted October 4, 2011 Author Share Posted October 4, 2011 <p>Well I did a lot of digging and they are indeed legit. Confirmed though 2 people, phone, emailed the websites contact email, facebook, adress, website, etc.</p> <p>They only want to use the images in the gallery either as print or slideshows (not yet decided). Then possible merchandise in the future, obviously with payment and a new contract. So I don't know what to do, but they aren't a scam.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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