Publishing Photos: Compensation or Exposure?

Posted on 05. May, 2006 by Brandon in Photography, Rantings and Ramblings

The following message fell into my lap this morning. My first impulse is to go ahead and submit my work without any concern for compensation.

Why? Here are my thoughts:

In many ways, I’m definitely just starting out in photography and any exposure I can get I should accept – especially when it reaches the entire German population.
It’s only one photo.
It’s not like I’d be getting published in Germany otherwise anytime soon.
I believe that constantly expecting compensation for photography is a very limiting factor for those who are still amateurs – take what you can get – otherwise known as “paying your dues”.
I have many other potentially lucrative plans in the works regarding my photography. (more on that later )
It’s in German, man!

What are your thoughts? Am I being foolish ‘giving’ my work away or are you in agreement?

Dear Javajive,

Max Magazine, the leading monthly photo and lifestyle magazine in Germany, has been publishing a Flickr-portfolio with the best photos from Flickr since 3 issues.

The reception has been great; therefore we want to continue this project in our future issues.

While searching the Flickr site we found one of your images that we would like to print. The picture “Nocturnal Emission” would fit perfectly in one of our next portfolios.

If you are interested to participate in our next MAX issue, we would appreciate, if you could send us a high resolution (300 dpi) image via email to: (address withheld)

Could you write a small description or background about the image (when was it taken, where, under which circumstances?) and add a portrait image (300 dpi) of yourself as well. We would issue your image together with your portrait shot.

Certainly, you will receive from us the acknowledgment and consent that your image will only be used for and in connection with the Flickr portfolio.

It would be wonderful if you could give us your feedback on this as soon as possible!

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to either call or email us at any time.

Thank you very much and best regards from Hamburg.

Tags: Photography, Rantings and Ramblings

View Comments

Tauquil

06. May, 2006

I say go for it. I understand that you’re worried about “cheapening” your worth/brand but as long as you don’t make a habit out of it, I don’t see why it would. It’s a good opportunity to widen your audience, to get published and you can even use it as a platform to advertise this blog. Winner all round I say.

And looking forward to hearing about those future opportunities

Rory

08. May, 2006

I think the exposure is worth it.

Shouldn’t we all be paying royalties to mother nature anyway?

Brandon

08. May, 2006

Thanks guys, I have indeed decided to allow them to use my photo. I feel that I have enough other projects that do provide compensation.

Tauquil

09. May, 2006

Just wanted to add that it’s a great photo. Absolutely stunning.

Irene

09. May, 2006

As what others have said before.. GO FOR IT, b.

treespotter

09. May, 2006

okay, a bit late, but if you ask me, just go ahead and let them use it.. it’s cool.

Brandon

09. May, 2006

Ok, so the general opinion is I should have submitted my work, which I did. As I said, it was only one photo – the “nocturnal emission” image. Thanks for backing me up guys – I’ll let you know when it’s published.

Another notch on the bedpost.