 Allen Pearson |
Donation to a Charity I have an opportunity with a large reputable charity to donate a work which could be displayed in their gallery and possibly headquarter offices or sold. I have a "like-family" friend who receives services from this group so it got my attention. However, if I donate a work, they request it never be sold or displayed on my website again. My use would end. Thoughts and Opinions welcome.
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Irene Troy |
Hi Allen – what this charity is requesting is not unusual. They want to either sell or display a piece of art that is original, thus worth more. It is no different than if you were to sell the same image as part of an original or limited edition print. The value of a print is based, at least in some measure, to the number of similar prints sold, the fewer the number of copies, the greater the value. This, of-course, assumes that the print is well done and of a popular or unique subject. I have made a couple of donations of original prints and have agreed not to sell this print again; although, I have also made agreements that permit me to keep the image in my portfolio. As to whether or not this is something that will help or hurt you in your photo business, only you can decide. Do you support the work of this group? Do you believe that they are not just legitimate, but also fairly adapt at fund raising? The fund raising part is really important. If you donate the print you want to know that the value will be appreciated and that the group will make the most of its value. I worked in non-profits for over 25 years and can tell you that even well meaning and legitimate charities can be horrid at fund raising and unable to truly benefit from donations. Check them out and then negotiate an agreement that both of you can live with. Irene
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John Rhodes |
Allen, I, personally, would never agree to this kind of arrangement. Unless you are a very well-known, successful photographer (I am not), your work will not necessarily gain in value as a single edition. It is very common for charities to auction donated artwork as a fund raiser. What the image would make for the charity is likely going to be pretty small compared to your potential loss in the long run. I would consider making a print as a small limited edition and donating 1/25 (for example) to a charity. John
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Allen Pearson |
Thank you for your opinion. I am not a well known successful photographer (yet) :) either and that's is my concern about giving a print away. I may really regret it later. I like the 1/25 idea.
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Allen Pearson |
Hi Irene, Thanks for some good food for thought. At this point in my early career, I am not sure if the donation would help or hurt. I would want to donate a great piece but then those tend to be popular with other people too. Thanks again.
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Irene Troy |
Allen – let me share one additional thought with you: I firmly believe that when we give to a charity that we should do so because we believe in the mission of that charity. Having said this, it would be stupid to ignore how this giving can benefit us, particularly when we are just getting started in a competitive field. On two occasions I have donated work (one image, one writing) to a charity and agreed not to market or show that work elsewhere. The image was auctioned for a great deal more money than I would have hoped to receive in a commercial setting. The purchaser, a well known and well respected supporter of the arts in my area, hung my piece in her home. About six months later I received a call from someone who had seen this piece and wanted to know if I would consider doing some work for her. I have since done work for people who either saw the image at the auction or in the original purchaser’s home. This was an unexpected, but greatly appreciated bonus from making the donation. I appreciated the outcome even more since at the time I was just beginning to consider trying to market my images along with my writing. Since then I have always tried to keep in mind that it is possible to do well by doing good – that is, there can be unexpected bonuses when we do what feels right to us. One final word of caution: if you do choose to make the donation, resist the temptation to donate one of your lesser works. Always remember that regardless of the venue, every time you send your work out into the world you are sending a part of yourself. Even when someone pays very little for your image, they will tell others about the work – both the good and bad. Irene
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Christopher A. Walrath |
Wow, Allen. This would ABSOLUTELY HAVE TO BE for a cause near and dear to my heart like fibromyalgia or autism in order for me to agree to completely relinquish any and all rights to use a piece of myself as I wished. I'm not saying that I wouldn't do, but I, personally would have to think long and hard about it. But I do agree with Irene's final thought. Since it a piece of yourself, if you choose to proceed, do not choose to cheapen your craft by offering a lesser work. It's like Cain and Abel's sacrifices. Abel's, though he was second born, was most appreciated because it was his absolute best and it was from his heart. (Paraphrased gospel according to Flash). Let us know your choice and good luck. Thank you
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Samuel Smith |
hey allen, I have the understanding your an avid church goer,want to help the chronically ill and are a member of several arts organizations? so..one photograph will send you to the poorhouse? if you could capture a photo of someone casting the first stone at this charity and offer that to them? here's a query,are you given guidance to be at a certain point in time to capture gods creation or do you believe it's more of a free will and you hold the rights to your/the/his photo? or..was his intent to allow you to capture and?well..donate? why not with the use of the print they give a link to your gallery to promote your work and possibly increase future sales? ok,now if you shot only one shot of a scene wether it was vertical or horizontal,one,well! that there weren't several amazes me.even a second apart on a good photo opp is different.the light changes,the subject moves.if your camera captures 3 frames per sec..you have 2 other photos very similar.if that one photo is so freak'n amazing you have 2 others to market. your not giving/donating an idea,it's a photo. sam
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