Requesting a fee for published work

Did you include a disclamer in your email??

you should always state that the contense of your email inc. attatchements remail property of yourself until written consent is given etc.....

Would certainly stay on them and chase it up, threaten with the small courts if you have to.

good luck

Yep I'd agree with Flair that if you're sending an image/pic speculatively that you state the image will remain copyright of yourself and should not be used in any format without prior agreement to re-publish from yourself. Perhaps also send just thumbnail size samples to protect yourself, or write your name over the top of the image as photographers do.

I'd follow up with a recorded delivery letter stating that the picture was sent speculatively (depends how you worded the original email, was that a clear message?), the image remains copyright of yourself, they can't republish again without your prior written permission and here is your invoice for £x for immediate settlement to ensure no further action is taken. It does sound as though the writer is making the most of your inexperience so far, obviously not a good start, but if you handle this swiftly and professionally you might even get more work out of it, if you wanted it.

Thanks for your advice guys. Basically I was asked to take a shot of the band as I have a good relationship with them and they like what I do.

Everything was last minute, I had to shoot them 10pm one night and they needed the image 9am the next morning.

All I did was send a link to the writer of the article but I didn't say any terms etc

He said they couldn't credit me as they only credited staff and everything else was deemed as PR.

I hope this doesn't apply to being payed... :/

Thanks Again
Paul

getting paid/copyright

A few thoughts.
First, the copyright always belongs to the creator unless or until given or sold.The media know that.
Second, you (we) need to agree terms in advance (or at least have a clear, demonstrable 'understanding').
Third, you could get into long, complicated and expensive argument over this if things weren't clear at the outset.
Fourth, perhaps better to lose the battle and win the war. Just take a hit on this one and make arrangements for any future relationship (with this or any other client). If they have used your work once, in the long run you will do better if you don't fall out over one photo.

My thoughts exactly, thank you Mike. I have already written this one off and as I said it was so very last minute that I just sent the pic to ensure it was printed.

Can anybody show me an example of what they usually send along with there pictures. (some kind of invoice?)

Thanks again for all your thoughts
Paul

Selling your work

If you're just sending pics in the hope they might get published, then send low res only with a guide price list (presumably you would set the price based on how big the image would be reproduced and where). Make sure you have an email sig that states that all images sent remain copyright of yourself and may not be republished withour your permission.

If you haven't yet worked out what you should be charging then have a scout around, e.g. Pricing for profit :: Freelance UK

If you are sending a high res image then you'd only do that if you have agreed terms and cost for them to republish in writing. In which case you send the image & invoice Free Freelance Invoice Template :: Freelance UK which also clearly states that the invoice covers agreed one-off use only and copyright remains with you.

That's what I'd do anyway.