Photo royalty rate?

April 15, 2005 9:03 AM

What is a fair percentage to charge for royalties for the use of my photographs?

One or more of my photographs is going to be used by a small, new independent business, on t-shirts, tote bags, etc. I've been told that between .5% to 3% is standard, but I have no way of knowing the accuracy of this. It's in North Carolina, if the state matters.

posted by Il Furioso to Work & Money (4 answers total)

I would generally make them pay an upfront fee for rights and then add the 3% royalty. I've never gotten royalties from my photos but, 3% is a pretty standard percentage. Also be sure to iron out the terms in which they will pay you. Yearly, quarterly, monthly, whatever. Be sure to have everything detailed in a contract.
posted by trbrts at 10:10 AM on April 15, 2005

This previous AskMeFi thread might be helpful.
posted by filmgoerjuan at 10:11 AM on April 15, 2005

This previous AskMeFi thread might be helpful as well.
posted by Hankins at 10:57 AM on April 15, 2005

Use FotoQuote. It will help to know what kind of run you'll anticipate (number of products produced). The percentages you give are fairly accurate for someone just starting out; the more famous and big-time you are, the more you can ask for (someone like LaChapelle could probably ask for, and get, 20%).
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 4:20 AM on April 16, 2005