Supplying Similar Shots

whyulittle

A quick question, probably more for the sports guys.

Is it considered bad form to supply similar looking shots to different papers?

I was shooting a match for a single paper last night, and came back with lots of similar shots from bursts as you normally would. Obviously I can only give one to the paper I was shooting for, so that leaves me with a lot of wasted shots.

So that brings me to my question, is it bad form to offer those shots to other papers? Bearing in mind these would be local rival papers who I'm sure wouldn't want their pics looking the same.

Paulw

Can't say I've been in the position, but, if you're attending an event on assignment, then it would be bad form to also supply to other papers.

However, if you are there on your own just shooting the game, and then offering the images to the papers, I see no reason why you can't offer the same shots to all papers.

Hope that's clear enough. Just my view though.

kensutz

If they're similar but not the same you should be fine. I try to make sure I have at least 4-5 different type shots to submit to the papers.

whyulittle

Well in this particular case, I was going to be at the game anyway, and let the paper know I'd be there if they wanted any shots. For all they knew, I could have made the offer to any number of papers, there was nothing really exclusive about it.

Although having looked over my final selection, I think I have enough variety that it wouldn't really be an issue anyway.

No harm knowing for future reference though.

Cheers.

KJ_2008

whyulittle wrote: »

A quick question, probably more for the sports guys.

Is it considered bad form to supply similar looking shots to different papers?

A freelancer is entitled to supply photos/copy from an event to as many publications as he/she desires, unless one particular publication does an exclusive deal with you (and, needless to say, pays you extra). You certainly wouldn't supply the same photos, but more often than not it's completely unavoidable that they're similar - eg of the winning goal in a game. So shoot away, and supply as many publications as you can muster! That's what freelancing is all about.

whyulittle

Just got a copy of the one paper I supplied these shots to. One shot taking up the full top half of a broadsheet, and another taking up another 1/4 of the page, with my name credited. Class.

smelltheglove

whyulittle wrote: »

Just got a copy of the one paper I supplied these shots to. One shot taking up the full top half of a broadsheet, and another taking up another 1/4 of the page, with my name credited. Class.

Well done, pleased for you;)