Trust
the Photographer - Photobuyer
Relationship
By: Rohn Engh
This article will give you
some insight into the relationships between
editorial stock photographers and photobuyers.
If you are a publisher or photo buyer I hope
this report will enlighten you.
In these times of rapidly
advancing technology, it's more important than
ever to communicate with the photobuyers you
have worked with over the years.
You may be able to help
guide them on some sticky Internet or search
engine questions, like how to choose keywords
for a search in Google. Be prepared to advise,
but not to lecture, and your assistance will
eventually be rewarded.
Know the special interest
areas of your photobuyers. Do your homework to
pinpoint what content they need and see what
their website and print publications look like.
Use a major search engine to research the
publishing house(s), magazines, and special
interest(s) they represent. Here are nine
suggestions on how to build a good relationship
with your photobuyer contacts.
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1.
Present a “give” list.
Don’t be a “gimmie."
Don't contact photobuyers to ask
questions to help yourself -- help
them.
Let them know
you can provide them with photos in
such and such areas (the areas
you've found out are the focus of
that particular buyer) and that you
are in a position to be a regular
supplier of such photos.
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In the course of your
conversations, you draw out what specific
current needs the particular buyer has, all the
while emphasizing what experience or
qualifications put you in a position to be an
important resource for the photobuyer and
his/her publication(s).
2. Introduce yourself
cheerfully. The way you open the
conversation will set the tone for the entire
exchange and impression.
3. Be open. Be
candid. Evasiveness or ambiguity won’t
work. Beforehand, clarify to yourself your
purpose for the call, the points you want to
provide to the photobuyer, and then
straightforwardly go for it. For example,
don’t use the excuse, “I am updating
my database.”
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Stock Photos
by Bob Pardue
- Caption:
Stock photo of volleyball net and
beach at Key West Florida
USA
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- Keywords:
volleyball net beach sand
ocean sea water seashore Key West
Florida FL USA travel tourism
sightseeing holiday vacation
Florida Keys Southern Florida USA
South destination visit family
fun vacation getaway get away
away from it all summer
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More
Key West Stock Photos
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4. Be
enthusiastic. Exude a sense of confidence. A
positive attitude will encourage your buyers to
want to see various ways they can use your
services. Yet don’t be overbearing or
confident to the point of arrogance.
5. Be complimentary.
A well-paced, well-meaning compliment about
the photobuyer’s publication, a recent
layout, insightful coverage, etc., will serve
you well.
6. Interest.
Briefly bring up one or two current topics
related to the photobuyer’s area of
concern. The more social you are, the more
likely you'll elicit a favorable response. Of
course, don’t overdo it! The photobuyer
will appreciate your awareness that he/she is
busy and has deadlines.
7. You might share
with the photobuyer some bits of information you
have learned from other sources in the field.
However, be certain not to betray anyone’s
trust.
8. Be charitable.
Allow that 75 percent of photobuyers don’t
have time to return phone calls from unknown (to
them) prospects, especially after a deadline has
passed. Solution: It’s nothing personal.
Maintain equanimity and sail on. Persevere with
new submissions for new needs, and you’ll
score at some point.
9. Understand model
releases. Even though model releases are not
required 99 percent of the time for editorial
usage (illustration purposes in books and
magazines), this subject strikes fear in the
heart of many photobuyers. Some seem to think
they need model releases to protect themselves
and their jobs. They’re not fully aware of
their or your first amendment rights.
When photos are used to
inform and educate and entertain, model releases
are not required. If the magazine or book
photobuyer you’re speaking with requires
releases, it’s a signal to you to politely
end the conversation and move on to the many
markets who know their first amendment rights;
that is, who are aware that for 99% of their
needs they don't need model releases.
Rohn Engh is director of
PhotoSource International and publisher of
PhotoStockNotes. Pine Lake Farm, 1910 35th Road,
Osceola, WI 54020 USA. 1 800 624 0266 Fax: 1 715
248 7394. Web site: http://www.photosource.com/products
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*** Stock images listed here are not
included with this article for reprint or
publication and must be licensed for
usage from Bob
Pardue Stock
Photography.
Disclaimer: Although we have made
every effort to provide solid and accurate
female breast cancer information on these
pages, Bob Pardue Stock Photography accepts
no responsibility or does not insure or imply
any degree of reliability of this material or
by reading the health issues listed on this
website. Each persons cancer symtoms vary
greatly and are dependent upon the attitudes,
attributes and ambition of each individual
woman. Please thoroughly check out any
photosource information you find on this site
and always remember to check other sites for
information about female breast cancer. Hope
you found this report beneficial to your
health.
THESE
ARE NOT FREE IMAGES - RELEASE & USAGE
RIGHTS:
All stock images on this
website are copyright Bob Pardue so
email
me about usage.
Unlawful usage of images is violation of
copyright and punished to the full extent of the
law.
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