Using pictures from my site in a book

How much should I ask

[adb64]

Hi all,

I maintain a hobby site which is mainly about travelling. I just received an email from someone who wants to use some pictures from my site to publish them in a book.
He wants to pay for them as he doesn't want to list the photographer in his book.
But I have no idea what amount I should ask per photo. The book is to published in the Netherlands.
Are there members on this forum with experience on this matter?

Thanks,
Arjan

[vincevincevince]

Have a look at the rates charged by the large stock agencies (e.g. corbis), and then compare the quality of those photos to yours.

[Syzygy]

Checking and comparing with photo libraries is a good idea. However, it's probable that stock libraries may be offering what are known as "editorial rates" to book publishers, ie, a lower rate than the one you see online.

These lower rates are available when an image is being used, not for commercial purposes, ie, in an advertisement, but when they are placed in and around editorial content. This applies to both royalty free and rights managed stock.

Also be aware that size does matter: the greater the size an image is used, the greater the cost. A full page image will cost more than a half page one. Do they intend to use one or any of your images as cover art? If so, the rates for these images should be at a premium.

Additional factors to consider are:

* Rights. What rights to your images does the publisher want? If the book is reprinted, will you get paid again, and if so, what will the repeat fees be? Alternatively, will they look to pay a one-off fee whereby your images can be used in the publication in perpetuity?

The former is better than the latter and repeat fees are usually a percentage of the original fee.

* Territories. Whilst the book is being published in the Netherlands, in which countries will it be sold? The greater the territories, the greater the fees.

* Print run. How many copies will be printed (forget any spurious sales projections, rates should reflect numbers printed, not how many might be sold)? Rates should go higher as print runs increase.

Once you have a better idea as to the scale of the project, and the expectations the publisher has of your images, you can negotiate accordingly. Oh, one thing you shouldn't negotiate on is the right to receive due credit within the book.

Syzygy (who has just recently moved to the Netherlands from London)

[adb64]

Thank you for your input. I will check some of those stock agencies.

Syzygy, welcome to the Netherlands!

[ZydoSEO]

Have you considered trying to convince them to give you credit for the photos and even include a link to your site in the foreword/introduction section of the book? This might be worth giving them a deal on the pics...