where there’s smoke there’s forum fire
So Transformers 3 has been shooting here in Chicago since July 4th and I've had a front row seat to some of the action and in fact might be an extra when they start filming in my office building.
I took some shots of celebrities and have some cool video footage does anyone know how I can make money off it?
I don't do photography as my job, it's a hobby but now I am thinking it'd be cool to make some cash. I could buy pretty things.
I'd be careful about selling photos if you are part of the production or involved in some way with the film. Usually you "could" get sued for profiting from the shots you take while "working" on set etc. Read your contract carefully.
Honestly though that movie franchise sucks pretty bad and since they are filming openly on the streets of Chicago video and photos are pretty easy to come by and aren't going to be that valuable to magazines, websites, etc. Just checkout youtube and flickr.
The only exception would be if you got a photo of Optimus-Prime doing crack cocaine with Bubble Bee or something like that.
Well I am not working on the production or anything, so I am good. My mention of possibly being an extra is only because they will be filming in the lobby of my office building and they have told people they might record people leaving the building.
I know there are tons of photo sets on Flickr and Video on YouTube but I think some of my content is unique. They are literally filming in front of my building and when they do any stunts they shut down the bridges and sidewalks so the only way to see it is from inside a building.
I don't know, I just want fancy things!
If you're on public property, they're fair game. If you're standing on a public sidewalk, you are legally allowed to shoot. If you are shooting "news," you also won't need a release to sell the photo (celebrity photos count as news). Sometimes a production will "buy the street" and will be able to prohibit you from standing on the sidewalk they "bought."
I'm not paparazzi, but I'm often around a lot of celebrities in my TV job, and I've talked to a few paparazzi on occasion. I think a "typical" photo of an A-list celebrity would sell for anywhere from $100-$700 per use, depending on the event where taken (i.e., depends on how many other photographers also took the "same" picture), and the type of use (e.g., TV, I think, has to pay more than print).
However, there's really only a handful of "real" A-list celebrities: Britney Spears, Brad and Angelina, etc. Many people who you would think are "super-famous" (and they are), are actually B- and C-listers, and only command $25-$100 at most.
It's unique or unusual photos which get the big money (e.g., the first photos of an A-list celebrity couple's baby). Being first can command a fee up into six-figures. These are rare and extremely difficult to get.
However, should you get a decent photo of an A-lister, you would most likely sell it to an agency. The usual deal is they take 50%. A street candid of an A-lister working on a movie may only be worth $50-$100 at most, I'm just guessing (unless you've captured them doing something really out of the ordinary, and you're the only one that got it). So, if the photo sells for say, $100, you get $50. Where it starts to become worthwhile is if multiple outlets buy the photo rights. If ten outlets buy it, your $50 cut now becomes $500.
One of the agencies is "Splash." I think they're in Santa Monica. You can also sell directly to the tabloids--just buy a copy (or look online) and call the number for the photo desk or whatever. Selling directly just takes more leg work. Good luck!
studio460 said:
If you're on public property, they're fair game. If you're standing on a public sidewalk, you are legally allowed to shoot. If you are shooting "news," you also won't need a release to sell the photo (celebrity photos count as news). Sometimes a production will "buy the street" and will be able to prohibit you from standing on the sidewalk they "bought."I'm not paparazzi, but I'm often around a lot of celebrities in my TV job, and I've talked to a few paparazzi on occasion. I think a "typical" photo of an A-list celebrity would sell for anywhere from $100-$700 per use, depending on the event where taken (i.e., depends on how many other photographers also took the "same" picture), and the type of use (e.g., TV, I think, has to pay more than print).
However, there's really only a handful of "real" A-list celebrities: Britney Spears, Brad and Angelina, etc. Many people who you would think are "super-famous" (and they are), are actually B- and C-listers, and only command $25-$100 at most.
It's unique or unusual photos which get the big money (e.g., the first photos of an A-list celebrity couple's baby). Being first can command a fee up into six-figures. These are rare and extremely difficult to get.
However, should you get a decent photo of an A-lister, you would most likely sell it to an agency. The usual deal is they take 50%. A street candid of an A-lister working on a movie may only be worth $50-$100 at most, I'm just guessing (unless you've captured them doing something really out of the ordinary, and you're the only one that got it). So, if the photo sells for say, $100, you get $50. Where it starts to become worthwhile is if multiple outlets buy the photo rights. If ten outlets buy it, your $50 cut now becomes $500.
One of the agencies is "Splash." I think they're in Santa Monica. You can also sell directly to the tabloids--just buy a copy (or look online) and call the number for the photo desk or whatever. Selling directly just takes more leg work. Good luck!
Most helpful.
And really I wasn't expecting to make a $1000 or anything to let me go out and by a D3S today.
Heck, 50$ sounds good to me.
Any money is good money for this not being my job, but a hobby.
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