Former Art Buyers and current photography consultants Amanda Sosa Stone and Suzanne Sease have agreed to take anonymous questions from photographers and not only give their expert advice but put it out to a wide range of photographers, reps and art buyers to gather a variety of opinions. The goal with this column is to solicit honest questions and answers through anonymity.

QUESTION:

The past week I did 2 separate estimates for different agencies. In my estimates I broke down the usage for print and web, both agencies came back to me and asked if it covered social media. This is the first time I’ve been asked about social media rights and usage. I talked to an AD friend and he suggested I treat it as broadcast. Should there be an extra charge for social media rights/usage ?

Amanda and Suzanne: This is a NEW usage being requested…and we are SO LUCKY to have APE and our AMAZING resources and friends to ask this HOT TOPIC and be able to share this question quickly to our community.

ANSWERS:

ART PRODUCER #1
I’m considering social media as web use (unless that social media outlet lives someplace other than the internet) and I wouldn’t expect and probably would not pay an additional fee to use content within social media parameters, if I’m buying a general web use. If I’ve got a smaller budget than I may get very specific with the use in order to still use a preferred photographer, while still working within my budget parameters. However, in my head if it’s specified as (general) web use that includes social media use (as long as it lives on the web).

ART PRODUCER #2
I think that charging for Broadcast use is way too high. Social Media is typically encompassed within Internet usage. As always, pricing is determined by exposure, uniqueness and the degree of association with a product. One thing to note about Social Media is that there is usually not a blatant advertising message, so there’s often less of a direct association with product. If separated from Internet, the photographer should gauge the degree of association, the uniqueness of the image, and the degree that the imagery itself is delivering the message.

ART PRODUCER #3
From Wikipedia: “Social media is a term used to describe the type of media that is based on conversation and interaction between people online. Where media means digital words, sounds & pictures which are typically shared via the internet and the value can be cultural, societal or even financial.”
Social Media is web. When I negotiate with an artist, I ask for unlimited web. More people watch TV then scan the social networks so I don’t see this as the same as broadcast.

To Summarize: Social Media should be covered under web usage. You can say Unlimited Web and some might assume that social media will be covered under this. But our advice is to be clear with your wording since this media is a fairly new usage request. Web Usage, including or not including Social Media.

Call To Action: Decide how you feel about the above topic and how you feel comfortable charging for the above. When asked you will be ready to give an appropriate and fair estimate based on your own education from the REAL buyers above.

If you want more insight from Amanda and Suzanne you can contact them directly (here and here) or tune in once a week or so for more of “Ask Anything.”

APE: I thought the last post on treatments (here) was a bit confusing because the the example we gave was actually part of a pre-pro book and not a treatment you might submit with an estimate to land a job. I asked Amanda and Suzanne to try and dig one up for us. As you can imagine these things are hard to come by, because they are very personal, private and I’m told people don’t want to get lambasted by photographers leaving comments on the posts. I’ll ask you to be civil, otherwise we can’t look at any of these hot button topics, because I will not have any real life examples to show and I’m not really into sitting around speculating what people do in a given situation.

Amanda and Suzanne:

First we want to say thank you to The Rhoads and to Double Image studios for being willing to put themselves out there and help others in their community.

CREATIVE TREATMENT: One’s personal approach to showing an idea or production approach with visuals (no boundaries on how)

USES of a TREATMENT for a photographer:
1. To use to show the modeling agency or stylist the look you are going for when casting
2. To use after the job is been awarded – but prior to the pre-pro to make sure all casting and wardrobe is headed in the right direction
3. To use in conjunction with your estimate (we are not recommending that all photographers do this or must) but it has been asked before by creatives or photographers have provided this on their own (just stating the facts)
4. In junction with the final pre-pro book – which is to help guide the crew as to how the FEEL/LOOK of the shoot should go and the end result/vibe

PRE-PRO BOOK: The guide of how the day will go from schedules, call sheets, the approved comp of the shoot, talent castings, wardrobe castings, etc…(this may also include the creative treatment as well)

We are showing 2 different samples below. You can use these visual guides for your own vision and decide how you want to approach either of these subjects.

PLEASE NOTE: There is not ONE way of doing any of these approaches. It should be your goal to find your own vision and find a way to communicate it.

call sheet example: this particularly call sheet was added to their treatment once job was booked (see previous post). Combined this would be considered their personal pre-pro book.

CREATIVE TREATMENT SENT TO CLIENT:
This Creative treatment was delivered after the estimate was submitted.

Treatment –

If you want more insight from Amanda and Suzanne you can contact them directly (here and here) or tune in once a week or so for more of “Ask Anything.”