Got a real nice surprise in the mail. Signed copy of John Lydon‘s – aka Johnny Rotten – biography. With couple of my pics in it.
I shot those images twenty some years ago. Last summer I got a phone call from the publisher in London asking if they could use some shots. They were real professional about it – where, what, how widely they would be used…
It is always such a pleasure to work with true professionals.
Then just last week I was giving a guest lecture in a university. A student asked me: “But is it possible to work without signing away your copyright?”
Yes it is. As a freelancer, that is the only sensible way of doing it.
And it all boils down not so much to money but to respect – or the lack of it.
If you are routinely expected give away all the rights to your own work, it shows total lack of respect to what you do. And I can only speak for myself, but I can’t live with that. Yes, I understand if the price for – whatever – is wrong and has to be negotiated… but that you are bluntly told before you even enter the conversation: btw, you and your work are worth nothing.
So back to the book I got because this is not a rant. This is a thank you note. A BIG thank you.
I did not ask for a signed copy, but they took the trouble of making one and sending it over. That’s showing respect to your work – and really good manners. Made me feel appreciated.
If you are young, aspiring photographer… think twice before you sign those copyright deals .
It’s nice to get mail like this.
And not to have it sent to the corporation whose rip off deal you once signed.