To inquire about licensing an image for editorial, advertising, or commercial use please answer the 5 questions below to receive a quote. Rough guesses are okay.

To License an Image for Editorial, Advertising, or Commercial Use

Which image(s) do you want to license? Provide a link, file name, or description.
Usage. Where will the image(s) be used?
Any placement in purchased print advertising media? If so – Where? Distribution (global, national, regional, or local audience)? What size in print (billboard, full page, half page etc…)? Circulation rate? How long in duration?
Any placement in purchased digital advertising media? If so – Where? What format? Distribution (global, national, regional, or local audience)? How long in duration?
Send answers to: speak@jaywatson.com or call 415-595-5348

To Get An Estimate For A Photo Shoot

Send an email here for a photo shoot questionnaire. 🙏

FAQ: Licensing, Copyright, Ownership, & Buyouts When Hiring A Photographer

Why Do We Need A License To Use An Image When Hiring A Photographer?

A usage license for photography is a legal agreement that defines where the images will be used. It safeguards both the photographer and the individual seeking the license. The license fee is directly proportional to the intended end usage. For example, the rate for an image in a national billboard campaign is significantly higher than the same image used in a weekly local newspaper. Licensing is common when purchasing music, software, stock photography, and when hiring a photographer.

We Hired A Photographer. Don’t We Own The Images?

By default, copyright ownership stays with the photographer, and the license is specific to the agreed usage terms. Copyright ownership is significantly more expensive than a rights managed license. It grants worldwide unlimited usage in perpetuity for all media, and it transfers ALL rights to the licensee (client) including the ability to relicense (resell) the work for profit.

Can We Get A “Buyout” AKA – Unlimited Perpetual Usage?

A buyout is always available, but what is this and is it necessary? Buyouts are costly because they grant unlimited worldwide placement in any purchased advertising media forever. Is this within your budget?Unless you can afford a massive media buy, a buyout is probably overkill. I’ve worked with large brands like Whole Foods, Porsche, Wendy’s, and Gap. They avoid costly buyouts and only pay for the usage they need.

Why Hire A Photographer When Getty Images Are Cheaper?

Getty Images offers stock photos at lower costs because they’re licensing pre-existing images, not custom content. But you have to compare apples to apples. Their “royalty-free” images start around $150, which are non-exclusive – meaning a competitor can use the same exact images in their campaign. For more control, Getty offers “rights-managed” images with exclusive rights and buyouts that can cost up to $20,000 or more. You can get a better rate by dealing directly with a photographer!

Hiring A Photographer Or Licensing Photography With A Limited Budget

We Have A Limited Budget, But We Still Need A Buyout

What is the real issue? Are you worried the images will be used by another company? An exclusive license for a realistic time period eliminates this conflict and it will save you money. I’ve heard companies say it was too impractical to track down photographers later for additional usage. Yes it’s an extra task, but is it ethical to ask a photographer to give away usage without compensating for it just to avoid a quick follow up email?

We Don’t Want To Pay More Later

It may be challenging to forecast usage needs two years from now, but that is the nature of business. Remember. Usage fees are equivalent to the media placement. If your usage requirements increase in the future, it does not mean the usage fee is more expensive. This signifies your growth. The additional usage in the future will be also be fair and proportional.

Tips To Avoid A Costly Usage Fee When Licensing Photography?

Media. Prioritize for all the most practical placements you need for the images. Example: website, event, editorial PR, social media, social ads, in-store display, etc.. What will cover you now with some wiggle room? Instead of a buyout (unlimited media), can you exclude exorbitant advertising placements that are obviously not needed?
Time. Choose workable options for the duration. Instead of a perpetual license, can you reduce the time frame to 5 years, 3 years, 2 years, or 1 year?
Is exclusivity needed or is non-exclusivity okay? Adding exclusivity with a practical time frame is a good compromise.
Audience. Identify your audience as local, regional, national, or global.
Everything is negotiable. There is always a fair option for both you and the photographer. 🤜🏼 ⚡️ 🤛🏼

So, umm…Do You Offer Buyouts?

Yes, buyouts are becoming more common than ever, and I do offer them when necessary. But it’s a word that makes photographers uneasy. Many clients who request buyouts don’t need it, don’t have the budget, or don’t have plans for large advertising media placements. For these clients, I have a solution that solves their problem 99% of the time!