The Toronto Raptors mascot was born 27 years ago on November 3, 1995. He wears jersey number 95.
Ryan Bonne, the guy inside the costume, got the job with the Raptors just a few months after graduating from university in 1995. You probably won’t be surprised to learn that he majored in theatre with a minor in sports studies.
It’s common for someone featured in an editorial photo to ask for a copy of the published. Usually the person just wants a souvenir photo of themselves.
When I worked at a daily newspaper, I received these requests frequently. Usually people wanted photos that showed them at their best. But a few requests reminded me why photography matters.
Once, a woman asked for a photo of paramedics lifting her mother from a devastating car crash. Her mother, shown wrapped in a blanket, died later that day. The daughter said she wanted the photo because it was the last picture of her mother.
Another family requested a photo of their mother waiting in a hospital bed for a transplant that never came.
In a separate case, the parents of a murdered young girl asked for photos from her public funeral. A year later, during a TV interview, her father held up an album of those images and said they were his family’s final connection to her.
Moments like these reveal the true weight of a photograph.
Below are some common resale scenarios, assuming you own the copyright and the assigning publication has no embargo on the images.
Photo Resale for Personal Use
The subject wants a copy of the picture as a personal souvenir.
You might respond like this:
Yes, I can sell you a copy of the photo published in the November issue of ABCD magazine (page 40). The photo will be about 8″ x 10″ (2400 pixels x 3000 pixels). The price is $XX.00 plus tax for a total of $XX.YY. Payment by Interac e-transfer is required before delivery.
By purchasing this image, you agree to use it for private, personal purposes only, including making prints. You may not give, sell, or license the photo to any third party.
Once I receive payment at abcdef@MyDomain.com, I will email the file to you. Thank you.
Keep in mind:
* Posting on social media is publishing, not private use. Decide whether to allow it and adjust your terms accordingly.
* Consider delivering a smaller file (for example, 1500 × 2100 pixels, suitable for a 5″ × 7″ print).
* If other people appear in the image, state clearly that no model releases exist.
* Complete all relevant IPTC metadata, including a proper copyright notice.
For personal use, you might charge $25–$50, though you may waive the fee depending on the circumstances.
Some people assume you’ll discard all unpublished photos or that the publication paid for everything. They may ask for “all the extra pictures.” Selling unpublished images is your choice (but more on this in a moment). While it can generate income, widespread sharing may reduce the value of future editorial resales.
Photo Resale for Business Use
The subject of the photo or their employer wants a copy of the photo to use on their web site, social media, or in their marketing materials. Here, you’re no longer selling a copy, you’re licensing usage.
Ask how and where the image will appear, for how long, and in what format. Many companies will say they “just want the file on hand” and expect a low fee because you’ve already been paid once. But editorial payment does not cover commercial use.
If the license covers web use only, provide a file sized appropriately, and state that clearly in advance.
You should also:
* Clarify that no model or other releases exist (if applicable).
* State that the image is licensed only to them and may not be transferred to third parties.
* Prohibit advertising or paid placements unless specifically licensed.
* Include an indemnification clause stating you are not liable for claims arising from their use.
* Complete all IPTC metadata.
Business use typically commands hundreds or thousands of dollars, especially if advertising is involved.
When Not To Sell
Be cautious when third parties request images, especially unpublished ones.
Selling to non-editorial buyers may constitute commercial use, which can require model or property releases.
A daily newspaper at which I worked originally sold unpublished photos to anyone who had a credit card. The practice created privacy and copyright issues, and the newspaper’s lawyer shut it down. After that, the paper sold only published images and only to the people pictured.
Page Reprints
Magazine reprints were lucrative for decades, but demand has declined as print publications have shrunk. Reprints exist as printed copies or PDFs.
When a company receives favourable coverage in outlets such as the New York Times, Washington Post, Wall Street Journal, The Globe and Mail, Time, or Maclean’s, that company may want reprints to share with customers and investors.
A reprint functions as a marketing brochure, not editorial content. The original editorial publisher will remove unrelated content and ads, and add its masthead.
If your photo appeared in the original article, the publisher should request a quote to include it in the reprints. Reprint rights are separate from your original assignment fee.
Depending on usage and quantity, reprint fees range from several hundred to several thousand dollars. Reprints are sometimes produced without photos because the customer doesn’t want to pay for them.
The editorial publication is responsible for getting the reprints produced. This might be done in-house or sent to a printer that specializes in reprints. Rest assured that the editorial publication will charge the customer handsomely.
