The National Post this week pointed out that the cheap stock pictures used by the Department of Canadian Heritage are from a foreign-owned picture agency and were shot by foreign photographers.
Why does this federal agency use foreign photos to promote Canadian culture? It suggested that Canadian photographers are too expensive.
This National Post article is years behind the times. The federal government’s practice of using stock pictures from foreign photographers has been going on for a long time. The Canadian government avoids Canadian photographers and buys cheaper work from abroad.
Federal government agencies that regularly use cheap stock pictures from abroad include: Canada Revenue Agency, Canadian Intellectual Property Office, Competition Bureau, Copyright Board of Canada (one of the stock photos used by the Copyright Board is the same picture used on Iranian and Russian web sites dedicated to stealing music), Canadian Radio and Television Commission (the “Canadian” family on its home page is American), Department of Foreign Affairs, and Health Canada.
It’s also common for some political parties to bypass Canadian photographers and run straight to foreign-owned, cheap stock agencies.
This shows a lack of understanding of photography as a communications tool (cheap stock pictures are a waste of money at any price). It also reveals a disrespect for Canadian photographers. It’s mind-boggling how shortsighted Canadian governments can be when it comes to photography.
Too Expensive or Too Cheap
Are Canadian photographers too expensive or are governments too cheap?
1. A provincial ministry once needed onsite photography with studio-quality lighting for group shots, portraits and a reception. Two days of post-processing were also required. Pictures were to be used on its web site and as media handouts. It also wanted 41-8×10 prints. My quote was about $1,000, not including the prints. The ministry’s budget was $250 including the cost of the prints.
2. A provincial ministry required photography of a reception and awards presentation. They were expecting at least 40 pictures (35 individuals getting awards plus 5 group pictures). My quote was $600. Its budget was “under $200.”
3. A provincial government agency needed five to seven days of photography throughout southern Ontario plus full copyright ownership. Each day was up to 15 hours based upon the extensive shot list and travel involved. My quote was about $1500 per day plus travel expenses (hotels, meals, gas). The budget was $1,000 for the entire project.
4. A federal ministry needed its minister photographed at a Toronto conference. They needed digital files and 8×10 prints of various group shots. My quote was about $650, not including the prints. Their budget was $250 including all expenses.
5. A federal agency needed photo coverage of some day-long public relation tours of various businesses in southern Ontario. The pictures were intended for worldwide distribution. In previous years, it paid $800/day. But since these new tours now required full copyright transfer of the photos, my quote was $1,200/day. It turned out that its budget was “less than half of what you quoted.” They spent more than that on each day’s lunch.
6. A provincial agency used to pay $750/day for editorial photography. Pictures were used on web sites, as media handouts and in government publications. The rate dropped to $450/day the following year and then to $250/day for the exact same work.
Federal and provincial governments have no clue as to what goes into producing photography. Their budgets are stuck in the 1970s.
