Architectural comp - help needed please?

[RalphC]

We are a small business (10 people) working in the real estate finance industry. Over the years we have funded various projects throughout the UK including offices, shopping centres etc. We were thinking of commissioning a specialist photographer to travel around taking artistic black and white photos of properties with which we have been involved for our offices and meeting rooms. That turns out to be quite an expensive project. Instead, I wondered about holding a competition whereby we offer fixed "prizes" for best photos submitted. We would provide a list of addresses and people could choose whether to participate and to what extent they travel or just focus (npi) on local properties.

What do people think of the idea?
Is it ethical?
Presumably we can sign some sort of copyright agreement (limited use etc.)
How much would the prize money be to make it worthwhile?

Thanks in anticipation

Ralph

 

[riddell]

Its a terrible and unethical idea.

You want loads of photographers to travel around for free? Without their basic travel or expenses paid and of course without their time covered, for the potential possibly that you might use the photos and then hence pay or reward the photographer, what would presumably be a small amount, since you've already said you don't have the budget for a professional photographer.

So whereas a professional photographer may decide to take a gamble, because he could possibly earn 3 or 4 times his usual rate, you actually probably want to pay instead a half or third the usual rate?

And realistically any photographer wanting to do this is not going to be at a professional standard, therefore you are just going to end up with poor quality images you can't use for commerical purposes.

 

[RalphC]

I was wondering about that, but is it? No one is forced to submit anything so it's not exactly exploitation. The take-up might be zero. However, if you happen to live in, for example, Reading and regularly walk past one of the subject properties, you might grab the camera and have a go. Nothing ventured etc.?

 

[RobC_was_taken]

I've actually come across this idea a lot - Businesses holding a competition.

I sit on the fence with the idea because I don't find it unethical but I do find it somewhat devious. Then again, business is devious.

Instead of my listing pro's and cons, I offer an alternative idea:

If you can't run to the expense of a professional photographer, why not offer the job to a photography student? You'll find one fairly easily at an art college. But I also add that it's tempting to pay them considerably less because they're not 'professional' however that's not to say their images aren't worth it.

So instead of buying cheap images, why not give your maximum budget to an aspiring professional with some talent behind them and benefit both parties?

You get what you pay for. So giving someone a decent fee will get your by far and away their best work.

 

[RalphC]

Good answer. It's not that we're devious but we're a small business and have not yet broken into profit so spending thousands on a pro seems excessive. I thought there could be a better way, which a student might be. Thanks.