With the increasing prevalence of shoot and burn and, probably, never see you again shooters, I’ve been seeing this question more and more. It raises two super fun questions. What are the legal requirements on the release and how much do we charge?
Finao stock image
Legal Issues
Legally, what release do we need in order to design an album for a client with another photographer’s images? Obviously, if the photographer gives up copyright, then we are good to go, but the chances of this happening are very slim. If we have a standard personal release from the photographer to the client, do we have the right to charge for a design and album print? Is it any different from the client designing a book in iPhoto and ordering it from Apple? Honestly, I’m not sure. As a precaution, I recommend getting the client to have the photographer sign off on it. If they can’t be found or contacted, that is another story.
Finao stock image
Pricing Issues
Two days ago I did a small consultation on pricing with one of my Fundy SOS clients. They were in this same situation. The client shot some portraits and did a portrait album for this client. After seeing the photographer’s beautiful work along with the album, this client asked the photographer to design a wedding album for her. The photographer didn’t know how to price it, so she said she would get back to the client. This was definitely the right thing to do. Never just blurt out numbers, just say, “that’s not something we usually do, let me figure out the pricing and get back to you.”
After going through regular album pricing techniques, this photographer asked me, “How much of a discount should I give because these are not my images?”
To this I replied, “Is it any less work for you to design this album?”
Of course the answer is no. Actually it is probably more work, since a photographer wouldn’t know the story as well. When pricing items, photographers really need to consider how much work they put into a product. If it is more work, then photographer needs to charge more for that product.
Conclusion
I hope this helps shed some light on designing albums with someone else’s images. It is a tricky question and there are some pitfalls. If you are ever asked this question, I hope this blog post helps you.
Fundy
Fundy is the creator of the Fundy Album Builder and Fundy Album Proofer (now iPad compatible). Click here for a 14 day free trial. Fundy SOS is currently running a special Fall Sale.
Back Home
3 Comments at "Designing an Album with Another Photographer’s Images?"
I have dealt with this question for years. My hope is that anyone designing an album for another photographer does their part to ensure proper permission is sought and that clients realize the importance and respect the labor involved. I have seen our fees as designers deminish to the point we are being taken advantage of our time. I hope this phenomenon turns itself around.
Nice post. Completely agree that it’s the responsibility of the designing tog to get permissions (via client) before design. I’d want someone to do the same for me. Then again… I don’t allow my images on cd to a client unless an album is purchased.
The second part of this post should be: What to do when the client asks you to include images by someone else in YOUR album design. “Uncle Bob” is a photographer and got some “great shots” the day of the wedding. Now the bride wants to see them in her album along with the pros pics. As the pro, do you allow it? How many is too many, etc. Where does it end?
I personally do not allow it unless, by the grace of God, I’ve missed an important shot (like 1st kiss) and Uncle Bob somehow snapped it. Only then will I allow said moment to be included in the album. AND the client pays for extra retouching/exposure correcting because we all know Uncle Bob’s camera isn’t on the same setting as ours.
Be a nice guy/gal and get permission.
I do these for clients whose weddings we don’t shoot from time to time. The can have a bad experience with the studio they hired and not want to put any further dollars into their hands. If they get the rights to THEIR images they can do with them what they wish. And if that includes paying me a nice chunk to do a superb album for them then I say, bring it on.
I would also add, if there were not so many cheap ‘O “shoot -n- burners” out there doing a horrible job, this probably wouldn’t be an additional income that I rather enjoy. Keep up the average work shoot -n- burners. If you can stay in business that is!
Comment Now!