No You Cannot Have My Photo for basically Free Either

Today’s edition of NYCHMPFF1 is brought to you by indignant potential clients who want to spend less, much less, and resent being told their offered price is too cheap.

After being told that no, I would not give him my high resolution Photoshop file for him to print at his own printer for less than a cost of print, I received this rather snide email (partially redacted to protect the guilty)

Second, I am not looking to use your work in a mass produced publication. Before I could explain that the piece would be hung in my private residence, printed once by in archival pigment [you] started dropping numbers… I constantly have people complimenting me on the pieces displayed in my Chicago residence, and my girlfriend and mother happen to be interior designers. Best of luck to you in the future.

Taking advantage of Tim Kreider’s phrasing, as mentioned here, I responded, in part:

Sorry for any misunderstanding. I was under the impression you wanted to purchase a print. If you wish to use my digital file and your own print service, I’d have to involve my attorney to ensure my copyright being maintained, and that would make the price triple, at the very least. I’m not comfortable with the liability involved with this. 

Thanks very much for your compliments on my photography. I’m flattered by your invitation to be displayed in your house. But photography is work, it takes time, and in this economy I can’t afford to do it for a couple of nickels in my cup and a pat on my head. I’m sorry to decline, but thanks again, sincerely, for your kind words about my work.

Drink Your Big Champagne and Laugh
Drink Your Big Champagne and Laugh

I could have continued, but didn’t, “Do you get mad at your electric bill and demand to pay one twentieth of the cost of your service because you know some electricians? I am not Filene’s Basement For Photography” 

Footnotes:
  1. No You Cannot Have My Photograph For Free []

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