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Steven Rowley

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Posts posted by Steven Rowley

    Insurance and Legal Photography

    in Business of Photography

    Posted

    <p>I have contacted attorneys and insurance agents in my area (half dozen of each) and found that they would like to be freed up by having someone they can contact to do photography for legal cases, and general photography of homes, vehicles, fire damaged, personal injuries, locations of criminal acts and accidents, etc. The ones I talked to currently do it all themselves and sounded like it is such an inconvenience for them.</p>

    <p>Does anyone have any experience and suggestions as what is a good price to charge for this service? Attorneys clearly would have it as billable time towards their clients, so what they spend they'll get back as part of the clients fee. Similar to when I worked in the Architectural/Engineering field. If we needed to inspect a collapsing mall roof and the lift we had to use was $200 or $1000 a day. No big deal, it was billed as part of the overall project. Would the same apply for the insurance agent I wonder? </p>

    <p>Thanks for your help guys and gals!</p>

    <p> </p>

    Another Walmart Incident

    in Casual Photo Conversations

    Posted

    I have used the local Walmart in my area to get quick, preliminary copies of

    digital photos I shoot. Then after viewing, editing, etc, I order finished

    photos from other companies.

     

    Today at Walmart I went to pick up photos I had submitted online. When the

    photo dept person came with the photos, they had seven separated from the

    others. These were the ones I have serious use for, and the other twenty four

    were just shot for fun, photos of family and our dogs. On the envelope I could

    see COPYRIGHT in big letters with a question mark. The clerk took them out of

    the envelope and asked me if these were copyrighted. I said yes, by me, I took

    them. She them asked if I was a professional. I said I'm working on it. She

    then proceeded to tell me that next time I would have to sign a waiver. I

    should have told her that every photo they process is copyrighted by the person

    who took it.

     

    Has anyone else had this experience. I understand their intent, but the

    personel don't seem too well trained and informed about copyright issues.

     

    I suppose I could downgrade the quality of photos I use Walmart for. I could

    only give them poorly exposed and composed images and ask them if that's all

    they are willing to process. I'm contacting Walmart too to see what their

    response is to questioning better than average photos coming thru their stores.

    Just curious to hear their reply.

    Beginner Questions

    in Portraits & Fashion

    Posted

    When I first started being serious about my photography about 10 years ago, I was so concerned about having the best equipment I could get, that the enjoyment of photography took a backseat. Then about 3 years ago I was browsing the net and looking at websites of well-known photographers. I decided to contact a couple of them to see if they could give me advice. Both of the photographers are mentioned readily on this site, but do not belong. They both told me not to fall into the trap of feeling I have to compete with everyone when deciding which equipment to buy. I was told to get a camera I am happy with, watch the technique, and the results would come. This was very true. Get a camera for the purpose and size of photos you intend to shoot.

     

    I have my ?good? 10mp dslr, a 4mp, and my first digital camera, a 2mp. The 2mp and 4mp are my ?everyday? snapshot cameras. Some of my best and most commented on photos were taken with my 2mp. While 8x10 is about a big as I can go with prints, working on technique first, has made my shots with my 10mp camera even better. While it would be nice to run out and buy the latest and greatest every week, choosing a camera and staying with it and learning all of the characteristics of that particular camera will also expand it?s abilities.

    Employees in company photos covered by release signed by company?

    in Business of Photography

    Posted

    Does anyone have any experience with employees being in company photos?

    Situation: A company hires a photographer to photograph a company during work

    hours. Employees will be candidly photographed doing their jobs. Assuming the

    company has signed a release, is it your experience that the employees also

    need to sign a release, or did the company release cover the employees since

    they are technically company property while at work.

    Using a Quantaray MS-1

    in Lighting Equipment

    Posted

    I would like to hear from anyone who has used a Quantaray MS-1. What

    situations you use it in, what settings do you use on your camera,

    distances for various applications, and so on. Any information you

    can give me will be greatly appreciated.

    Photography Business Licensing Requirements in Your State

    in Business of Photography

    Posted

    I'm curious as to how business licensing requirements vary from state

    to state for photography. In my city and state, there is no license

    or permit required for a photography business. City and state

    government offices have told me that "photography" is not a regulated

    profession. The state does require that you register the name of the

    busniess. I'm checked with the state, city, and small business

    developement association, which most cities have. What about your

    state or city?

    Statues & Artwork in Public Parks

    in Business of Photography

    Posted

    Here is a bit of a twist on the artwork. What about grafitti? There have been lawsuits that have been won by grafitti artist. One just lately was a guy who sued a business and won a few hundred thousand dollars because the business cleaned his grafitti artwork off of their alley wall. They own the building but a judge ruled that they destroyed his work of art. How's that for "fair".

    To ask or not to ask.

    in Portraits & Fashion

    Posted

    Also, if you do say something to the person, offer to send them a copy of the photo(s) of them. Give them your name, don't ask them for their personal info. Tell them to get ahold of you in x number of days and you can send it. Let it be clearly known who you are and why you took their pic. Make sure to follow through and send the photo you promise. Some people will forget to get in touch with you.

    To ask or not to ask.

    in Portraits & Fashion

    Posted

    Nathan, There are many posts on this subject, and it seems that the most common opinion is "not to ask" since it can ruin a photo if the person is aware they are being photographed. They'll do some small thing that doesn't look quite natural once they know you're shooting them. Like a lot of people, at first you feel like some sort of peeping Tom if you just shot people from a distance. That's how I felt at first, and I still get a hint of that feeling every so often. Dont' ask, I'd say. Just my opinion.

    Shooting Modeling Portfolios

    in Business of Photography

    Posted

    Jessica,

    I read a post on this site that suggested writing a release without using confusing legal jargon. I re-worded my release and used plain english. We all feel intimidated by therefore's, herein's, and wherefore's. It seems that people are leery to sign something they can't understand as soon as they read it. Just make each sentence give a percise purpose. My release it set up to use for adults or minors. The client is the minor, and under the signature line I have the words (consenting parent/guardian signature if client is a minor). My release also states that the client may use the photos for their own purposes, but they must have my permission if they are going to publish or sell the photos.

    Paragraph Stating Artistic & Technical Waiver

    in Business of Photography

    Posted

    I just ran across something on another website that I've seen many

    times, but I'm curious as to how many of you actually incorporate it

    into your contracts. I tend to see in mainly on wedding photography

    sites. It's a paragraph about "photography being both an art and a

    science". It's basically a "creativity" clause so that the customer

    understands about the photographer's personal artistic input into the

    photographs, so that they understand that the photos may not be

    exactly what they envisioned. Do many of you use anything like this

    in your non-wedding shoots.

    Selling Your Copyright

    in Business of Photography

    Posted

    There was a post today about some lawyers that wanted to buy the

    photographer's copyrights to the pics that were taken for them. I'm

    curious as to what the markup would be to transfer the copyright. Is

    there a good all around number to use. For example, and easy

    figuring; if you made $500 for the job, how much more would you

    charge to allow the customer to own the copyright. Double, triple,

    etc. Just curious after seeing that post.

    Minor With His/Her Car

    in Business of Photography

    Posted

    Has anyone had any experience with this? This is assuming the

    situation requires a release. A minor(16-17yrs old) with a driver's

    license and he owns his own car. Does the release situation change

    at all since that person is legally responsible for the car and his

    actions while driving. Would the parents still have to sign a

    release.

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