Contracts, Negotiations, & Legal

I have been asked by a band that I have been shooting off and on for the past two years to be their official photographer.  Now, I am honored to do this for them.  But I have just been the guy that shoots shots for them that other people don't get, and they use mine (with watermarks and copyright info on them) on their Facebook and Myspace pages.  But now they want me to be with them exclusively.  So the questions are......

i am a professional music photographer and from time to time I shoot sessions for unsigned bands as favors for friends etc and charge them a small fee for production which is 10% of my normal fee. I enjoyed working with unsigned bands and limited my sessions to two per month. Although I sign some serious contracts with record labels I don't ask the unsigned bands to sign a contract

Take a minute to read this review to see this media treatment of the rights-grab contract.  You can always sign the contract, and post the photo that you think best represents the bands image. (ahem)  Don't worry if the photo is inferior.  The band is the one who gets the photo credit, not you.   :  )

http://stlmusicpress.com/news/?p=3278 

I would like to do this project, but I don't know whether it is considered "commercial" or "editorial".

 I'm going to be shooting a recording artist's promo shots and need a contract that gives the artist rights to use the image for promotional use only, but allows me to retain all ownership. Anybody know of a good source?

Gamma

I've been approached (via email) by a person purportedly representing Dakota Pictures (Peter Margolis project) -  who are currently making a documentary on the life of Randy Rhoads (late guitarist for Ozzy Osbourne).  I was wanting to get opinions from any of you on the contract language and whether any of it would/could be of a "rights grabbing" nature.

Below is the release I was sent, after requesting to see the language:

PHOTOGRAPHY/ARTWORK/PROPS/SET DRESSING RELEASE

I am looking for a photographer who has contracted with a jazz, blues or folk festival.  I am curious what kind of shots the festival organizers look for.  I understand that many photographers are paid a very good daily rate, so what is expected of them?  Types of shots, hours, rights etc.?  If a photographer is shooting for the festival venue, is it necessary to contract with each artist as well?

Has anyone covered Coldplay and had to reject them due to their release? Though I don't keep up with this sort of thing, I don't recall hearing Coldplay come up as being another one with a awful form to sign

My agency & I decided not to cover the show next week - it is being handled by Headlong Tours LLP....anyhoo Walter I know you're always keen to see this sort of thing, below is a copy

I need help on a contract , a shoot involving a band , a new band , 10 guys , Hip Hop, they need shots for press kit myspace web etc. .
Has anyone shot a band for a press kit gig , I would like to limit the use of the photos to just web . In the future though I can see problems with the photos getting uncredited down the line ,or even sold to magazines. Examples of the lingo appreciated.

Daniel.

http://www.danielwarrington.com

Anyone already using Photoshelter to try and generate licenses on your music work?

I'm in a situation where I have to move my work and Photoshelter looked good, if they can get me noticed and makes some deals.

So has anyone had any luck with them?

Jamie "Shooter" Taylor
TailWind Imaging
"Away you will go sailin/In a race among the ruins/If you plan to face tomorrow/Do it soon." -- Gordon Lightfoot
http://www.myspace.com/tailwindimaging
[ BROKEN LINK ]

I exchanged a few messages with Norman Wonderly, (

Mods please feel free to move this post if it's not in the right section.

What are the implications of not sticking to the 3 song rule, if instructed by a band? The first 3 songs with little atmosphere when a band is warming up is pretty darn tough to get good or varied results eh!!!

Here's the info:

I currently have a (verbal/trust) arrangement with a venue to shoot some of the visiting acts - recently Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, Iron and Wine, coming up will be Gregory Isaacs, Buena Vista Social Club to give you some context. The venue size is c.1500.

I was just approved to shoot Avril Lavigne at the venue where I am the house photographer. The release/contract was pretty typical (no rights grabbing) but I came across section No. 4 and found the, what seems to be the now common, wanting something for free part. Since I am not with publication, I went ahead and agreed, those of you who are should be weary.

This is directly from the release:

Anybody shot KISS lately? I'm sort of scared of what sort of contract they'll be making me sign (because the band - or at least Simmons - is infamous in disrespecting photographers' work), so if anybody has any knowledge about the subject, I'd be interested. I have a paying customer expecting to get results (of coruse), so it is not simple to walk away.

Thanks.