And those situations where I do consider print and image requests.
- Beware, this is a wordy post with a specific audience in mind so many readers may have little interest in it. But it had to be done.
Since I get many image requests I’ve decided it’s past time to be more transparent and forthcoming about my policy regarding image and print sales. Regular readers know I’m often (though not always) reluctant to sell prints to clients and my response to requests for other types of uses (as references for paintings, sculptures and tattoos and for use with software, websites, rubber stamps and a host of other applications) might often seem inconsistent . A “misunderstanding” involving a recent image transaction has prompted me to finally lay it all on the line publicly – something I probably should have done long ago.
The overriding reason I photograph birds and other critters is because I enjoy it. A lot. All of it, including but not limited to being in nature and doing something difficult like bird photography as well as I can and feeling the deep personal satisfaction of occasional success. And for me a big part of my photography is blogging about it. When I started my blog I was doubtful I’d keep it up for long but I quickly learned that I enjoy all the writing and image processing blogging involves and interacting with my readers. And it seldom feels like work. I worked for 33 years in a profession I loved but when I retired I washed my hands of work in the traditional sense.
But photography as a business is old-fashioned work! It involves extensive record keeping, filling out endless forms like W9’s and other red tape, many trips to the printer, misunderstandings with clients – the list is endless. And dealing with those things takes time, time I’d much rather spend with birds or other photographic activities that I enjoy. Yes, it’s nice to make a little cash on the side to at least help with some of my equipment and gas costs but with print sales at least I’ve found that the time involved often isn’t worth the financial return.
Here’s just a few of the many frustrations I’ve experienced in the past with image requests of various kinds.
- My very first print sale years ago was to another bird photographer in Washington state. I was sooo excited – someone actually liked an image of mine enough to pay for it! But that print was damaged in shipping so I felt compelled to replace it at my expense (including more shipping costs). That experience began to sour me on print sales right from the get-go.
- Shipping prints out of country can be a nightmare in red tape and currency exchange. I still have a stash of New Zealand dollars I was sent by a client several years ago that is just too much trouble to exchange around here. Why she sent me cash in the mail (from NZ of all places) I’ll never know.
- Even when I donate images to educational, conservation or military organizations sometimes they don’t fulfill their end of the bargain. When I donated some of my images to the Harrier (jump-jet) pilot training program at Naval Air Weapons Station, China Lake, CA they promised to send me some samples of the completed software with my images in them. They have never sent me those samples, even after repeated requests for them to do so over several years and eventually they just ignored my emails. They never did live up to their end of the bargain.
- The last example I’ll include here (and the one that finally inspired this post) began several weeks ago when I received a request from a representative of a Florida university foundation asking to use these two Burrowing Owl images in a special card of thanks to be sent to their donors. To begin with they would print 500 copies of the card and I agreed to allow use of my images when we settled on what we both thought was a fair price and I was assured that all I needed to do to receive payment was send them an invoice. I sent her the images and the invoice and then awaited payment. But then last week I was sent two more complicated forms (more red tape) that I had to fill out before eventually being paid. I wrote back and told them to hell with it – that I wouldn’t fill out the forms and I’d just take the loss. At this point in my life I really despise menial work, especially when it wasn’t part of the original agreement. I know, that was cutting off my nose to spite my face but that’s just the way it is…
So, if by chance you’re ever interested in requesting a print or any other use of my images here’s what my reaction would likely be in a variety of scenarios:
- Print requests from known blog followers who live in country would always be considered and likely honored. I do appreciate their loyalty and besides I “know” most of them.
- Print requests from others in country will be considered on a case by case basis (depending on the image and its quality, the size requested and other variables)
- Print requests from locals would likely be honored. Locals can pick up their own prints and no shipping is necessary.
- Requests for image donation for nonprofit educational or conservation purposes would likely be honored if high-resolution images weren’t required and everyone else involved in the project but the photographer wasn’t being paid.
- Image requests from reputable publishers will be considered and are always appreciated. I enjoy selling to publishers, both in country and overseas, because those kinds of transactions are generally without headaches.
- I never honor requests for highest resolution digital copies of my images except in the case of reputable publishers where the details of the transaction are covered by a contract. That’s the easiest way to lose control of my own images I know of.
- Requests for image use for any commercial or personal purpose where all I’m offered in exchange is image credit and “exposure” will be denied in a hummingbird’s heartbeat. Or more likely ignored. If I wanted exposure I’d join a nudist colony.
Perhaps my responses to various types of image requests may seem capricious and even petulant to some but in a nod to that old scalawag Frank Sinatra, at this point in my life I’ve decided to do it “My Way”.
Ron
Some pertinent notes:
- Those wishing to contact me regarding image requests can use the “Contact Me” button at the top of my blog
- I realize that there are more efficient ways to manage print sales specifically than the way I do it. Maybe I’ll use one of them sometime in the future but at this point print sales haven’t been enough of a priority to set it up
- Please understand, I’m always honored and appreciative when anyone likes my images enough to request their use for various purposes. But if honoring those requests is more work than it’s worth to me I will often turn them down.
I’ve been reading your posts for a long time now it seems.
I’ve learned two things visiting here. Read the blog, and read the comments section.
You are as skillful a writer as you are a respondent.
Not to mention the insight of the work it takes to build this blog the way you have.
It’s by far the longest I have followed a blogger, and I imagine its gonna be an even longer time before you’re finished.
Thank you for the images you’ve shared sir….I enjoy them all.
Thank you for sharing your insight and experiences about blogging…I have learned to respect the process a bit more.
Happy “hunting” with your lens, we all benefit from it.
Very informative post! I learned a lot from it as I would like to sell my prints. I have some on Fine Art America but they haven’t sold, yet? Absolutely love burrowing owls and that photo. Thanks!
Dear Ron,
Your photos, your blog, your personal integrity – and your many loyal followers! – are the best of what the internet has to offer, to celebrate! 🙂
Cheers!
Great blog, and definitely a position I can relate to. I had a lot of the same problems when I used to do freelance graphic design… I was just fine doing the work, but all the business-y stuff behind it was like my kryptonite. It NEVER ended up being worth it. All of the problems you mentioned would have been more or less “fixed” with a contract (or in the case of the damaged print, postal insurance), but those measures aren’t magic either; to enforce a contract with somebody who isn’t honoring it you need a lawyer, to redeem insurance you have to do paperwork… sometimes it just plain isn’t worth it.
I agree with another commenter that services like Zenfolio make the process of selling images MUCH easier, but still not entirely without their own foibles to learn. You still have to figure out how it works and how you want to use it. I think you’d possibly enjoy selling prints someplace like that, though, if you’re enjoying the blog you might really like having a Zenfolio site or something like it to tinker with, too. I really liked it and found it pretty simple I tried it out, but my photography just wasn’t that amazing to be honest, so paying the fees to keep it up wasn’t worth it. Your stuff I’m sure would sell like gangbusters, especially since you already have a devoted following here who want to buy. And the best part is that all the printing, shipping, online shopping cart, payments, etc, are handled for you. The real trouble I had when I was on a “professional” site like that was trying to figure out how to deal with those occasional requests for licensing and things like that. It’s contracts again and I caaaaan’t. 😀
I understand your viewpoint. Thanks for clarifying for all of us. And thanks for a possible locals exception. I have only 60-80 I am interested in! But seriously if I decide to request a couple for my house and RV wall I will contact you through the contact form. Thanks for all you do and for our community.
I agree 100% with Suzanne McDougal!!! (I taught writing, too)
Of course you don’t want or need another job. When all is said and done you haven’t given away your first one. Teaching might be voluntary now, rather than paid, but you are still doing it. I KNOW I am not alone in learning from you. Every day. And am very grateful.
“Of course you don’t want or need another job. When all is said and done you haven’t given away your first one”
No one cuts to the chase like you do, EC. Excellent point.
She sure does…and brevity is always honored!!
A very lucid and admirable explanation of your sales policy/philosophy, but I’m so glad you posted those enchanting images of the Burrowing Owls (if only to explain the unconsciounable hassle relating to them).
I’M glad you like those photos, Lyle. They’re two of my favorites, of any species.
I find Zenfoilo to be pretty painless after the setup. Upload only images you want to sell, set a price list and get your quarterly checks. Really minimal fuss.
But I take your points.
Thanks for the tip, WC.
You are hereby licensed by
The Universal Board of Sage, Irrascible Elders
to nurture, ecercise, express, promote, defend
CAPRICIOUSNESS and PETULANCE
at will and indefinitely.
Signed this day of April 3, 2018
Chairman, Kevin Hadduck
I’ll be sure to renew that license annually, Kevin. I’m definitely going to need it!
Ron, I discovered your photos and blog about a year ago…possibly through BIRDING CALIFORNIA…not sure. What an absolute GIFT you give sharing your passion with others❣️
I’ve learned so much thru your writings, Ron. Many, Many thanks to you 💕. A note:
I love to study and sketch a variety of subjects, especially birds. And sometimes practice with ink painting ( Sumi-E) the essence, devoid of details.
Last week, after taking my Grandaughters ( age 10 & 13 ) out to lunch, I saw a dead sparrow on the sidewalk, under a store window. I carefully / respectfully put it into a plastic bag to bring home …to study and sketch.
My Grandaughters screamed “ Eeeww…grandma! How could you!” Well, at home, after seeing me sketch the little bird’s claw feet, they soon joined in…afterward we gave the little sparrow a proper burial in my redwood
forest garden..beautiful lesson in reverence.
I love the respect you showed for that sparrow, Carolyn – especially in front of your granddaughters. Lessons like that often leave a lifelong impression and help to mold attitudes for the future. Excellent!
Yet more reasons to admire you, Ron! You are already so incredibly generous with your blog. It actually brings up a little “mama bear” in me whenever I learn that someone’s taken undue advantage. Grrrr!
Always happy to have another mama bear in my corner, Marty – especially when it’s you… 🙂
Hi Ron, Thanks for that dose of capitalist incringement [!] and time theft issues brought to light! Glad to see your readers are reinforcing you to zealously have your time a top priority.Thank you for your blog!
Time theft and image theft (in a way they’re one and the same) issues are things I carefully guard against, at least as far as is practical, Diane. Thanks.
Great post as yoooosh! And I love those Owls.
Thank you, Joanne.
I lug a camera around the natural world for the same reason you do. I enjoy it.
Your greatest service to me is instruction on how to get better at photography, and for that, you do not charge. I also find your curmudgeonly edge most entertaining! Possible because I have always been and always will be a bit of a grouch.
You might be interested to know that yours is the only “Blog” I have ever had the patience to follow. Thanks for all.
A “curmudgeonly edge” fits my style perfectly, Porcupine. Folks can just see enough of it on the surface to know that it’s there in case I need to bring it out in full force. I think I developed that style in the classroom where it served me well when needed and it never was a real hindrance in having excellent relationships with my students. Most of my kids seemed to get a kick out if it when I used it on the occasional thoughtless student who stepped over the line (I mostly had advanced classes and good kids).
Good on ya’ Ron!! You have put your time in a profession and your retirement passion shouldn’t become work for you. Great explanation and do what makes you happy. You never got into bird photography or your blog to make oodles of cash – but rather to explore yourself, your capabilities, enjoy being with nature and to give back what you can to those who care to pay attention. I commend you on pushing back and being true to yourself. Bravo!!
“I commend you on pushing back and being true to yourself”
Thanks, Zaph. I try not to push back too hard but in the end “being true to myself” always seems to come out on top, even though I may ruffle a few feathers in the process.
Anyone who has ever tried turning a retirement pastime into a small business to “make a little extra income” can relate. A paid job is always a paid job. There’s always annoying baggage. I got a good laugh to start the day out of your last scenario…the one where the pay-off is “exposure”. My musical trio has been asked to play someone’s party for free far more times than we’ve been offered payment. The justification–in every case–has always been: “There will be lots of people there. You’ll get lots of exposure.” To which I always reply: “If we wanted exposure we’d play naked.”
I’ve wondered since I discovered your blog if you weren’t, in fact, making a killing selling images. They are of such consistently superior quality that seemed likely. It’s refreshing, in this insanely capitalist world, that you’re not being distracted from your “mission” of making the best possible images, putting them together with accurate reporting and making them available to an interested audience. Thanks!
““If we wanted exposure we’d play naked.””
James, I loved that line so much I read it aloud to Mia this morning while we were out shooting. I may have to steal it and modify it slightly for my own uses.
Yes, folks don’t realize how insulting it can be when they request free use of the products of your hard work and offer only image credit (which should be a given) and “exposure”. Requests like that actually make me angry.
Thank you for posting this. It’s good to be mature, experienced and authentic (and retired). You’re at that point in your life where your time and energy is precious and you’re protecting it vigorously and that’s good, too! Overall, you just ROCK!
And I agree with Suzanne McDougal 100%. Your blog is a significant joy every morning. I look forward to opening it every day!
“It’s good to be mature, experienced and authentic (and retired)”
Laura, Of those four descriptors I’m probably weakest on the first one! 🙂 Thank you.
YOU ARE AN INSPIRATION!!!
P.S. (I like your photography–birds included and info-laden comments,too!
The best thing about your postings is YOU…your photogrsphy is nice, too….
I appreciate your very kind words, Patty. Thank you.
You remain an inspiration to me. Authenticity is a word that is often kicked around. You, professor, are. And I’m appalled that university rep didn’t respond with “we will get you paid.” That would have been the correct response.
Arwen, when I sent that “I won’t fill out the forms and I’ll just take the loss” email I sent it to both the representative of the foundation that requested the images and to the Coordinator of Donor Relations who sent me the additional two forms. Never heard back from either of them, so far at least. Surprise, surprise…
Good Morning Ron. Good for you. I also enjoy bird photography. It isn’t work it is my hobby. I love to send photos to friends as a greeting. At this point in my life I don’t need a job and that is what selling images is.
We have similar philosophies, Len.
Thanks for this post, Ron. My friends often tell me I should be selling my images, but, like you, I’ve decided that it is too much like “work”. I love your very well organized answer that summarizes the downside.
And I agree with Suzanne that it is your writing as much as your images that keeps me coming back to your blog.
Justine, If I still wanted to “work” I’d have stayed in the classroom! Thank you.
Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me! Must be your creed too.
I agree with Suzanne about your blog. Keep at it my friend, you have a vast loyal following!
Yup, that creed works for me, Dick. And I even TRY to avoid being fooled the first time. Sometimes I succeed but other times I don’t.
Thanks for the useful information here Ron. I can relate to most of the frustrations you have experienced. Your strategy seems smart. For the me the biggest headache, cost, and risk is shipping of prints. Glad you enjoy photographing and blogging over everything else. It shows! Your blog is the highlight of my day. Thank you!
I agree, shipping is one of the biggest hassles of print sales. Thank you, Ed.
Well said, Ron – you couldn’t be more clear and sharing your experiences, tho not necessary, so make the point well. Your commentary accompanying your photos REALLY makes the blog for me. “My Way” is a wonderful point in life to be at! 🙂
Thank you, Judy. I have very little in common with Sinatra but “My Way” is an exception… 🙂
Wonderful blog this morning!
I would not know where to begin if someone requested a print of one of my images. But I did have someone request to use a digital of a bird eating berries as an example of types of native plants that birds will feed. It was a nonprofit organization “that promotes the stewardship and conservation of Georgia’s native plants and their habitats through education…..” And they did send me a link to their post, which I very much appreciated. But for an organization such as the Naval Air Weapons Station to do that to anyone is outrageous in my mind. I love how you have outlined your responses for image requests. No one is knocking down doors to get to my images, but your blog is very enlightening. Honestly, the second paragraph of your blog, with the exception of blogging, describes exactly my feelings for why I love photography, Ron!!! I love, love, love to get out in nature and photograph! I saw my first American Bittern yesterday in a marsh, and even though I did not get a nice clean shot of the bird, I did get some decent shots considering all the grass obstructions. It was a challenge I enjoyed and I’m hoping I can get back out there for another opportunity of photographing before it decides to move onward. I hope to get a few posted this morning. Have a great day and I hope you are feeling much better these days with regards to your recent bout with that dreaded Shingles.
Getting a “nice clean shot” of a bittern is a very tall order, Becky. They’re among the most elusive birds in the marsh.
And yes, thankfully I have very few leftover symptoms from my bout with shingles. What a nasty, nasty thing shingles is to endure!
Ron, I’m glad you wrote today’s blog!! You always are straight forward with your posts which is what so many of us love about your blog. I found the whole blog very interesting because I had ABSOLUTELY no idea what you go thru when you get requests. I loved the part of your blog where you tell us why you do what you do with regard to your photography & Bbog. And now I will share my ignorant assumption – I thought selling your photos as listed above was how you supported yourself – boy was I wrong!! It also makes me love what you do even more – the love of nature and your photography for itself & your gift of your results to willing share with us, your followers. For me it makes your blog even more special!!
“I had ABSOLUTELY no idea what you go thru when you get requests”
What I’ve listed is really only the tip of the iceberg, Jo Ann. When you deal with the general public… well, you can probably guess.
I think you have written a very clear position statement. I am too new to bird photography to have had anyone want to buy my photos yet, altho I do enjoy sharing photos with the Klamath Basin Refugees webmaster. Plus there are bird photographers, such as yourself, that have been at it for years who have amassed large numbers of spectacular shots that a photo buyer would approach first before me.That all said, along with my new interest in birding, I have been documenting those that keep the old buckaroo traditions for years. I use SmugMug to put photos where people can buy photos and I love how easy it is to use. Plus it protects all my best photos in case my house burns down. SmugMug is also my primary showcase when introducing my work to someone unfamiliar with my photos because they have wonderful, classy looking presentation options. Have you ever considered an option like SmugMug?
I look forward to reading your blog everyday.
Yes, I have considered SmugMug and other similar options in the past, Mary. But I have my blog to showcase my images and selling prints just isn’t that important to me.
Ron,
Your description of your “print policy” is well-reasoned, thoughtful, and idiosyncratic, just like your blog postings! Your blog is obviously a labor of of love which, to your credit, you’ve made no attempt to “monetize.” I look forward to your post every day and appreciate all your efforts to promote bird photography. Thanks again.
Tom
“well-reasoned, thoughtful, and idiosyncratic”
I like that combination, Thomas. I hope it fits me, I know the last word does… Thank you.
You’re welcome.
I just “after edited” my comments in my head. It is, indeed, an occupational obsession. I don’t ever feel obligated to ” after edit” yours.
🙂
Hello Ron. Just a suggestion from our “MOM & POP PRODUCTS CO”. Always demand payment in full BEFORE with (bank wire transfer if foreign or PAY PAL paid invoice cleared both with transaction fees included and stated) if an unknown or distant recipient of your hard work. You do have a business with your blog as you’ve stated you have made sales, and you should profit by it as others will. Don
Unless it’s a reputable publisher that’s what I always do, Donald. Sometimes I do it even then.
Amen. Your photography is always stunning, amazing, thought provoking; your writing is sharp, smart, and carefully crafted. I would love to someday hear how you came to be such a prolific writer (since I teach writing and non fiction is important to me). Thank you. suzannemcdougal
I can’t even begin to express how much your comment about my writing means to me, Suzanne.
My writing “style” (for lack of a better descriptor) has mostly been a work in progress only since I’ve been blogging. When I go back and look at some of my early posts I often literally cringe, to the point that I sometimes edit them years after I published them.
And truth be told a couple of friends sometimes point out typos and other errors soon after I publish a post so I have time to correct them before most readers see them (Thank you Muffy and Sue!)