Commercial use of image.

[Chicken Chaser]

A local B&B has asked to use one of my photos for their website. It was found on my Flickr account and the website admin contacted me to see if I would be willing to let them use it. What are peoples thoughts on providing businesses photographs free of charge?

[XG332]

I would let them as I dont try and sell mine.

[crmcatee]

If you booked one of their rooms - would you get it for free ?

No - they run it like a business. They'll probably go along the lines of 'we'll credit you on the website'. Next you'll know they'll be using it on brochures etc.

If you're unhappy to discuss money - talk to them about what they can do in return for you - e.g. do you have any visitors coming to stay/passing through - get the B&B to put them up for the night.

If you do go down the line of letting them use it - make it clear to them on the agreement of use e.g. website only.


As you can see - I'm not in the camp of giving them something for free. (With a couple of exceptions)

[Chicken Chaser]

I don't claim to be professional, and the photo itself isn't particularly great. It does however promote their proximity to a local race circuit and shows it in action. I'm sure if I say I want payment then they'll go to the next lowest bidder who is happy just to get the credit. It's not really about getting any cash for it, but about protecting it for those who make money through their work.

[crmcatee]

Even though you say the photograph isn't great - Remember the photograph is ideal for their use so it must be good enough and therefore has a value.

[Simpo Two]

Chicken Chaser said:

I'm sure if I say I want payment then they'll go to the next lowest bidder who is happy just to get the credit

Or nip out with a camera and take the same shot.

A credit on their website will achieve nothing for you, so you may as well have a go. Start at £50 and see what happens. If the most they will pay is £25 then at least you've made £25.

[tog]

crmcatee said:

Remember the photograph is ideal for their use so it must be good enough and therefore has a value.

This. What that value is you can negotiate between you.

[Otispunkmeyer]

crmcatee said:

If you booked one of their rooms - would you get it for free ?

No - they run it like a business. They'll probably go along the lines of 'we'll credit you on the website'. Next you'll know they'll be using it on brochures etc.

If you're unhappy to discuss money - talk to them about what they can do in return for you - e.g. do you have any visitors coming to stay/passing through - get the B&B to put them up for the night.

If you do go down the line of letting them use it - make it clear to them on the agreement of use e.g. website only.


As you can see - I'm not in the camp of giving them something for free. (With a couple of exceptions)

Im still on the fence with things like this. On rare occasions some of my photos are deemed worthy of using for something. Once the students union at my uni decided to do a cover and full center spread about the sport I take part in and asked the club for photos. I gave them mine with explicit instructions to credit me and that would be all. Oh the credited the photos alright, with someone else's name (the girl who wrote the text). `They did this a few times IIRC and so I just stopped giving them pictures

Then a couple of years later at the freshers bazaar, they see my club is using my photos for a display and they're all like "we love the photos, they are soo good, wheres the guy gone who takes them?"

Couldnt make it up.

[Chicken Chaser]

Its a motorsport shot so not just a case of going out and getting the photo. They would need to be there in a few months time (I think they are promoting that they are near to Olivers Mount in Scarborough to attract trade)

[markmullen]

Olivers Mount?
I didn't know you were local, I'm at South Cliff and East Ayton. There is a talk photography sunrise meet at Flamborough this Saturday if you fancy?

[Chicken Chaser]

Mark, thanks for the offer but I'm not actually that local! When I meant local, I meant Middlesbrough local!!

[Malx]

If it were me, I'd chance my arm and ask for a free night B&B or a discount if it suited my needs. If not I'd be happy with the credit depending on the size of the business.

[jcosh]

Do not give an image to anybody that wants it for commercial gain for free. Doesn't matter if you are a pro or an amerture all you are doing is de valuing photography. Your shot is worth £50 for web use. If they don't want to pay then don't let them have it. A credit is worth nothing.

[Ed_P]

Just to add another variable to the equation; most motosport venues allow photography but not for commercial gain (unless you have accreditation/press pass for the site of course). This might be an additional factor to consider ...

[Chicken Chaser]

Ed good point there, but I'm sure that rule carries little weight with a lot of people who will still sell their shots. My photos were on Flickr for people to enjoy without watermarks but maybe they require a greater resolution.

The web designer said that stock shots usually cost him around £20 but the owners are happy to offer a nights stay at the hotel. Not being on the doorstep of Scarborough I might take them up on it. Whether I can wangle a room for 2, b&b remains to be seen...