A Word on Copyright and Files on Disc

This post is for both the aspiring professional and the consumer, since I get the question occasionally from both.

Clients sometimes inquire whether they get a copy of their print-ready photographs on CD. I'm not sure when this became expected or customary. It truly baffles me. Some photographers give them away at no charge (they probably have no overhead and don't *need* to make money to feed their kids; they may be more of an amateur or hobbyist). Others allow you to purchase a CD of your photos after you have made a print order of a particular amount, say $500. Others still will absolutely not sell their digital files at all. You would certainly not expect a disc of your digital files if you went to Wal-Mart or Sears or Olan Mills or any other studio, right?

Understand that when a consumer pays a sitting fee of $100, $150, $250, $500 or whatever the case may be, that pays for: the photographer's hourly pay; a fraction of the cost of the equipment used to capture, edit and store the images (camera, lenses, lights, reflectors, computer, hard drives, software programs, association and license fees) and whatever additional expenses the photographer may have to keep their business running (and there are many such expenses). You normally wouldn't pay a sitting fee (or would pay a smaller one) at chain store studios; their stores can absorb the cost of equipment and running the studio.

If a photographer charged $150 for a sitting fee, spent an hour of his/her time taking the photographs and several more hours carefully editing them, only to give the files away for free so the client can go print off as many as he/she wants, leaving the photographer with no further profit from print orders, you would find a photographer who is quickly out of business. Or, one who doesn't *have* to work or have kids to feed, or uses only non-professional equipment. You get what you pay for, right?

Consumers, remember: You will enjoy your portraits for the rest of your life, while the photographer typically only earns money from it just once.

Aspiring photographers, remember: that camera (and other equipment) won't last forever; you WILL be replacing them at some point. Put some money in the bank for that day!

So, if you're in the market for photography, decide what you want. If you don't want or need high-quality custom work that will last a lifetime, then you might be happy with a standard photo from a department store studio. If you want something that's high-quality, custom, and unique, then you may be more happy investing in an independent photographer.

For those of you starting or interested in starting a business: Your time and work are valuable! Outside of charity work, don't give it away! If you do, you will surely go under before you have a chance to get started. Everyone wants something for free, and you will be tempted to give it, but that could well be the death of your business. If you have invested thousands of dollars in professional-grade equipment and provide high-quality work, don't be afraid to make enough money to survive and grow on!

As a member of several professional photograhers' organizations, I read articles and discussions continually about how "shoot and burn" "photographers" are damaging the photography industry. And of course, I see it all around me. It is heartbreaking. The industry may have to make some changes to compensate for such practices; I can't begin to guess where that will go.

Tip: The industry standard (from the Professional Photographers of America) recommends an average of $150 for a sitting fee with one 8x10.

For more tips on starting a photography business, click here.

So, that said, where do I stand on the issue of copyright and selling digital files? I do sell them, after the sitting fee, for the following amounts:

one image: $350
2-5: $500
6-10: $750
10-20: $1,000
over 20: $1,500

Once you purchase your files, you own the copyright which means you can print as many as you want at whatever size you want. Once you purchase them, I MAY NO LONGER STORE THEM ON MY HARDDRIVE so be sure to protect them and back them up! The only right I keep after you purchase them is the right of photo credit. For example, if you entered one of the photos in a contest and it won, it should say, "photo by sandi miller."
Do I turn in people who unlawfully duplicate my photographs? Yes, I do. Please don't duplicate copyrighted photographs (and ALL photographs are automatically copyrighted; it does not have to state that), either mine or any other photographer's! It causes more damage than you think. Thanks!

http://mypicturesofyou.com/