Answering a Reader Question #1,040

Lisa M. Wrote:

What if they don’t offer a buyout rate at all? I’m working for a PR company that’s been hiring my son for the last year. They usually offered $200 because it’s 50 minutes each way. But now want to pay $150 & no buyout. But apparently it’s going to be on packaging, tags & website. We were told only website before, however it never got on there. My son doesn’t do a ton of work but they are 1 of 2 clients that keep booking him.

Hi, Lisa M!

Yikes. That doesn't sound like a good deal. The fact that you're commuting -- we all know how gas prices are looking these days -- and they want to pay $50 less is maddening. 

It sounds like the amount of usage for his image/likeness could be extensive so for them to decrease the pay rate doesn't sound fair at all. 

I don't know that a buyout rate would apply here if the goal is to keep having him come in to shoot. Buyouts are usually applied in situations where the client doesn't plan on using the models again in the future, hence offering a large sum upfront to cover usage for 1 or more years.

I do have additional questions about the gig, however, to get a better understanding of the logistics involved compared to the rate they were and are currently offering:

1) How often does your son go in to work with the client?

2) Is it print only or is there video footage for broadcast as well?

3) How long do the sessions last (1-2 hours or is it a half day/full day type of thing)?

4) Do you have a contract/agreement in place that states the terms of usage or is it a verbal agreement type of situation?

5) Does your son have an agent or is he freelance?

6) What is the nature of the shoot (i.e. is he posing with other models, are they solo portrait images, is he interacting with the company's product/brand/employees)?

Feel free to email me that info directly at: daniadenise@gmail.com and we can discuss further. Having answers to the questions above will help me better gage if the compensation matches the services provided by your son or if there is wiggle room to negotiate an updated agreement or if you need to prepare to walk away from that opportunity and see if they'll reconsider. But as of now, I don't see a buyout being part of the scenario if they plan to continue working with him for the foreseeable future.

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