You Should Be Charging for Usage Rights

As photographers and content creators, it's essential to recognize the value of our work beyond the initial shoot. It's important to understand this one thing: ***You are not an hourly employee.***

You might charge hourly (time should at least be part of your pricing structure), but that's not all the client should be paying for.

You are creating digital assets that have value in and of themselves, and will continue to generate revenue for your clients for months (even years) to come after the shoot.

If you want to be in this business for the long-run, YOU HAVE TO charge for usage rights.

What Are Usage Rights?

Usage rights refer to the permissions granted to a client regarding how, where, and for how long they can use your content (whether that be photo or video). As the creator, you retain ownership of your images by default, but you can license specific rights to clients for their use. This licensing can be tailored to fit various needs, such as:

• Type of Use: Commercial (e.g., advertising, marketing) or Editorial (e.g., magazines, blogs).
• Duration: The length of time the image can be used.
• Geographical Area: Local, national, or international usage.
• Exclusivity: Exclusive rights (only the client can use the image) or non-exclusive rights (you can license the image to multiple clients).
  
  

Why Charge for Usage Rights?

Charging for usage rights allows you to:

• Increase Revenue: Beyond the initial production fees (i.e. your time, equipment, travel, props, etc.), licensing your images for specific uses can provide a substantial income stream.
• Control Image Use: Specify how and where your images are displayed, maintaining the integrity of your work.
• Ensure Fair Compensation: Clients using your images for extensive marketing campaigns gain significant value, and your pricing should reflect that benefit.

Practical Steps to Implement Usage Fees

1. Educate Your Clients: Clearly explain what usage rights are and why they are separate from the photography service fee.
2. Include Usage Terms in Contracts: Detail the agreed-upon usage rights in your contracts to avoid misunderstandings.
3. Use Licensing Agreements: Draft agreements that specify the scope of usage, ensuring both parties have a clear understanding.
4. Be Prepared to Negotiate: Clients may have budget constraints; be open to discussing terms that work for both parties while valuing your work appropriately.

Understanding and charging for usage rights not only enhances your income but also reinforces the professional value of your creative work. By implementing these practices, you ensure fair compensation and maintain control over how your images are utilized.

Do you currently charge for different usage rights for your work?

How confident (or not confident) do you feel in your understanding of this topic?

Feel free to email me at [email protected] – I would love to hear your thoughts!