UK Syndication: Opportunity or scam?

[cjboffoli]

<p>I was contacted today by an image syndication company in the UK that has expressed interest in selling some of my images on my behalf. Apparently the way they work is that (with info I provide) they write up a short bit of text to use as a caption and then they sell the story and image(s) to British and other European newspapers and publications. It is basically filler stuff which seems fairly common in UK newspapers. Of course I retain copyright and get a photo credit. They get 50% of whatever fee they collect from the publication.</p>

<p>I can't say I'm really all that familiar with this segment of the market, beyond a bit of research I've done this morning. Has anyone else here sold any of their images this way? It seems similar to stock sales in some ways in that they're taking a big cut of the money and I don't have pre-approval over how or where the image is used. Obviously, the distance also makes enforcement difficult if they turn around and start selling my images elsewhere without my knowledge.</p>

<p>On one hand, it is a potential source of revenue for images already shot. On the other, I don't know these people and once the images are out of my control they can really do whatever they like with them. I also wonder if it would be reasonably easy for me to pitch the publications directly somehow and not give up half of the potential earnings. I have no idea what the syndication fees might be. But potentially hundreds of Pounds.</p>

<p>Just wanted to check in here to see if anyone had any insight, and/or could suggest questions to ask or other pitfalls to look out for. Thank you in advance.</p>

 

[michaelging]

<p>I work with several photo agencies in the UK, and found them to be very good at marketing your photos , if the photos you send them are marketable. I get checks several times a year, along with where my photos were sold. </p>

[cjboffoli]

<p>Michael: Thanks so much for your advice. I'm really glad I got over worrying that the whole thing was a scam. The images syndicated in the UK last week and have gone viral:<br>

<a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/8523674/Disparity-by-Christopher-Boffoli-everyday-scenes-created-using-food-and-toy-figures.html" target="_blank">http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturepicturegalleries/8523674/Disparity-by-Christopher-Boffoli-everyday-scenes-created-using-food-and-toy-figures.html</a><br>

<a href="http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/gallery/gallery-e6frewxi-1226060120095?page=2" target="_blank">http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/gallery/gallery-e6frewxi-1226060120095?page=2</a><br>

<a href="http://www.tyden.cz/rubriky/relax/zabava/skolnik-na-parku-v-rohliku-lavicka-v-celerovem-parku_202540.html" target="_blank">http://www.tyden.cz/rubriky/relax/zabava/skolnik-na-parku-v-rohliku-lavicka-v-celerovem-parku_202540.html</a><br>

<a href="http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/tiny-peoples-wonderful-world" target="_blank">http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/tiny-peoples-wonderful-world</a><br>

<a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/burnred/food-artist-who-captures-the-daily-grind-in-miniat-281t" target="_blank">http://www.buzzfeed.com/burnred/food-artist-who-captures-the-daily-grind-in-miniat-281t</a><br>

<a href="http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/news-disparity-christopher-boffolis-amazing-food-art" target="_blank">http://www.environmentalgraffiti.com/news-disparity-christopher-boffolis-amazing-food-art</a></p>

<p> </p>

[cjboffoli]

<p> </p>

[cjboffoli]

<p> </p>