Get the Job Done: I've been Schmap'ed

Ready for a Bouquet, originally uploaded by Sheba Wheeler.

I got an email today confirming that two of my images (one seen above) has been selected for inclusion in the newly released fifth edition of the Schmap Boulder Guide featuring Eldorado Canyon State Park. The second image featuring Denver street festivals can be seen here.


Schmap also created this widgetized version of the guide to include on my blog.

Several of my trusted colleagues say they have not gotten any exposure from having their photos featured in Schmap, while others on the Flickr forum say the inclusion has led more referrals to their account, although no royalties for using the photo. There also seems to be some controversy over whether anyone should allow Schmap to include their photos without payment as seen in these various Flickr discussions. The jury is still out for me, as this is the first image I've had accepted, and as of yet have not had any other inquiries for purchasing this image. It's also one of the images that is available for sale in the Heidi's Deli in downtown Denver.

What do you think? Is this an instance where a photography shouldn't allow usage of a photo unless they are being paid for it, or is the free exposure payment enough?

Breaking News: Flickr Upload Chosen for Possible Inclusion to Schmap Guide

Getting Ready to Walk the Parade Route, originally uploaded by Sheba Wheeler.

I just got an email a few minutes ago from Flickr that one of my uploaded photos has been short-listed for inclusion in the fifth edition of the Schmap Denver Guide to be published late October 2008.

Schmap Guide is an online interactive experience that includes maps and guide content allowing intuitive, real-time access to reviews and photo slideshows for places of interest.






The image above was chosen out of my Flickr uploads to be submitted into the final selection phase for the edition. It is one of the shots I took while covering Bill Coleman's Giant-sized Puppets participating in the Denver St. Patrick's Day Parade earlier this year. The Guide will send a message to my Flickr account when the guide is released, letting me know whether or not my photo has been included.

While the Guide offers no payment for publication, many photographers willingly submit their photos, as Schmap Guides give their work recognition and wide exposure, and are free of charge to readers. Photos are published at a maximum width of 150 pixels, are clearly attributed, and link to high-resolution originals at Flickr.

I emailed the managing editor and let her know I regularly shoot images in Colorado and might have other photos she would like include in her guide. I included a link to my business website and gave her my cell phone number too. Maybe this could lead to other commissions.

This is definitely an example of how advertisers and companies are gaining access to a talented pool of advid pro and semi-pro photographers who regularly upload their images to the online community. It's the second time someone has come across one of my uploaded images and asked to use it. The first time, a nonprofit pregnancy crisis center found one of my Flickr images that they wanted to use for an ad campaign. When I told them how much the image would cost ($150) they said they didn't have enough funds for the image. Even though I blogged about this incident and decried the Freebie Photo Phenomenon, I have often worried if not giving the center the photo for free was a mistake.

In this instance though, I think possibly allowing Schmap to host one of my images for free online might work in my favor because of the worldwide audience and exposure.