Occasionally, someone gets in touch to ask whether they can reproduce one of my photographs. Most commonly it is to illustrate an article on their website and they want a high definition photo without my ©theanxiousgardener.com watermark. So long as I’m otherwise credited, I’ve always agreed. Free publicity and all that. Asking for a copyright tag is usually the only proviso I insist on and isn’t normally a problem. Except once. The chatty, friendly editor of a dog magazine mysteriously went quiet and disappeared after I’d twice asked him to first confirm that he would print a copyright acknowledgement. Oh well, he didn’t get the photo – the rude oaf. (Two words which must predictably lead to … “Rude Oaf the red-nosed reindeer, had a very shiny nose, and if you ever” … but I digress. Sorry).
I once gave away a photo for the cover of a new book. The image was of a calf standing on a manure pile – no, really – but as I no longer have a copy of the finished result, you’ll have to take my word for it.
Pauperhaugh Bridge
A couple of years ago, a chap wrote asking whether he could have the above picture. His elderly mother knew Pauperhaugh Bridge, Northumberland as a child and he wanted a hi-res copy to print off as her Christmas present. I was only too happy to help (welled up actually) and, though he asked about my prices, I sent him a non-watermarked copy free of charge. Sigh. I’m never going to make any money at this game, am I? I have yet to charge for any of my photographs … a decision I might revisit if Nike or Coca Cola come knocking re a global advertising campaign.
On occasion I’ve found my photos used without consent but if they bear my watermark, I don’t mind. I particularly liked this WEBSITE which uses the above image from my post ‘Poppies on the Downs‘ as an on-line jig-saw. On-line jig-saw? What a curious new world we live in. They didn’t seek prior permission but as there’s a clear link to The Anxious Gardener and the jig-saw is watermarked, that’s fine by me. Incidentally, this same photo has been pinned by several people on Pinterest and, cumulatively, has been re-pinned about 20 000 times; making it unquestionably my most shared image (and guiding a steady stream of visitors to my blog).
A favorite request came from Churches Together in 2014. They were producing a memorial pack for a remembrance service marking the 100th anniversary of the Great War and, having come across the same poppy post, asked whether they too could use one of the images.
Delighted to be asked, I was proud of the result.
And finally, a few months ago, I had an enquiry from branding and graphic design company, Fusional. Commissioned to decorate the outside of a training center in Seaford, they wanted an image from my post, ‘A Walk from Seaford to Berwick Station’. Intrigued, I said yes – again in exchange for a mention – and though the result is a little odd, I rather like it. But then it is my photo. You can decide for yourself and see the finished building HERE.
So, no. I haven’t made much money from my photography. Actually, I haven’t made any money from my photography. If that makes you tearful and, in this season of goodwill and giving, you’d like to hand over bundles of crisp twenty pound notes in exchange for any one of my images, please do get in touch.
oooOOOooo
As this is probably my last post of 2016, I’ll take the opportunity to wish you all a Merry Christmas and a happy, peaceful, conciliatory New Year.
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