If there was ever a guy who deserved some free publicity, it’s this guy! David H. Wells. Kudos to B&H Photo for bringing him in to speak. After countless seminars, you’d think there wasn’t anything left to learn….. The entire seminar was FILLED with topics that were covered in such completeness that I didn’t want to miss a word of what he was saying.
He started with “If you could corner a photographer in a bar and ask him anything you wanted to ask him, what would it be?” According to David, it should be 1. What was your career path? How did you get where you are now? and 2. What is your workflow?
Of course, we all know “Don’t do anything unless you first have it in writing.” However, David laid it out for us. He told us story after story (Not including the names, of course) of how people/companies tried not to pay him or did something stupid that would have cost him a ton of money had he not taken the time to cover his butt…. and this guy covers his butt.
He spoke about photographers who were advocating not to give publications “All rights” to your photographs and instead advocated for giving 1st time use rights because giving up all of your rights makes the companies want to get all rights all the time from photographers and this will work to kill the industry.
He has done a lot of grant work and has surprisingly received the grant money from nonphotography organizations. He created a niche for himself and then obtained research grants. He is a master of finding ways to get paid for his craft. He made sure to note that getting paid from actual stock houses may take years because of the nature of that business and that he submits 400 to 600 pictures on a regular basis, always keeping an accurate paper trail.
His other advice…. hire an accountant that works with other photographers. And, for $35 per year you can register your photos with the Library of Congress….who knew? Interesting stuff, really and has a lifetime of stories to tell…
Would I recommend him as a speaker? Absolutely YES!!! He goes in the BEST SPEAKERS I’VE EVER HEARD category. Would I pay to take one of his classes…..cheap me????? Yes, even I would shell out the cash for him…. His seminar was two hours of fun, no nonsense, applicable pure value. He was relaxed, funny and very personable.
Topics covered were:
• Estimating assignment and usage fees
• Resources for pricing, negotiating skills, and the various strategies of signed estimates
• Image usage licenses and contracts
• Self-promotion marketing
• Copyright law
• Model or property releases and what kind to use
• Taxes and what you need to know for sound financial practices
• Resources for keeping updated on pricing, evolving business practices, trends,and technology
• The basics of running a stock photography business from finding agencies to license images to licensing images yourself
• Fine art galleries and corporate art dealers who sell photographs as art prints
David’s work can be viewed at www.davidhwells.com. David has launched an educational website for photographers called The Wells Point www.thewellspoint.com . David H. Wells (www.davidhwells.com) is a free-lance documentary photographer affiliated with Aurora Photos (www.auroraphotos.com). He specializes in intercultural communications and the use of light and shadow to enhance visual narratives. Portfolios of his work have appeared in American Photography Four, Camera and Darkroom, Communication Arts Photography Annual, Graphics: The Human Condition, Photo District News, Photo Magazine, Photographers International and Zoom.
