Well, after a-lot of thought, I am seriously considering removing the Rights-Ready and Royalty-Free options from Morimages.com and Renostock.com. The more I talk to other photographers around the country and the more I soul search, I come up with the same answer.
Rights-Managed is the way to go.
Rights-Managed protects the photographer and the client. It elevates the integrity of our industry. It stops undermining what we have worked so hard to create.
An Art Director by trade, I work with many photographers. They all share the same concern. What happens If I sell a Royalty-Free image and it ends up on the cover of Time magazine?
Who wins then?
I am also wrestling with the National Rights-Managed price calculator that many stock houses use. I think it is unfair to charge someone in Reno the same rate as someone in Chicago. The markets are different, the financial climates differ from region to region and budgets fluctuate with changing trends and sales. So all these need to be taken into consideration when negotiating a price for an image.
It's only fair to offer the client a fair price depending on market conditions and on ones individual photo budget.
Our mission should read: No matter how small or big your budget/company is, we will find the perfect photo at the perfect price for you.
"Rights-Managed, Right-Now, at the Right-Price."
The photographer wins and so does the end user.
I have decided on another matter as well. If you choose to list a Rights-Managed image with Morimages.com or Renostock.com, it must not be registered with any other Royalty-Free stock agency or Micro-Stock agency. No exceptions.
We don't want an image floating around being sold at different rates, and used by companies in similar markets in similar media venues.
Because of the affordable digital camera, everyone thinks they are professional photographers. Unfortunately education and respect for the art don't come in the box.
So these digi-happy people are running around giving their images, ownership and power away, undermining the whole industry. We as a whole need to nicely educate these folks and let them know that they can make a-lot more money if they sell their images as Rights-Managed and stay clear of the Micro-Stock agencies.
So there you have it. So expect some quick and decisive changes to Morimages.com and Renostock.com.
Sincerely
Tom Robinson
Owner: renostock.com/morimages.com
trobinson@renostock.com
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