The project manager mentioned me “photos will be only for brochures not for greeting cards” as i gave him higher rate for commercial greeting cards.
I asked for clarification today and guy started to tell me about: economic conditions, their cause, rate of other designs. they told me that they will give me business in future and send me “WWF Mug with panda on it” (lol) . And they attributed whole mess created due to communication GAP and error from my end. Though one thing was very clear that images were not for commercial greeting cards. And i even emphasized again and again even invoice that photos should be used only on brochures for limited time period of 3 months.
It seems like deliberate exploitation (they knew i am just a student) ! One thing is for sure they are never out of $ thanks to large amounts of donations. It is quite disturbing to see such an organization working on such lower ethical grounds !
Anyway i will count this event as incident in my Photographic career. I request to viewers don’t order my designs from WWF catalog 2009-2010 because i have not been paid right amount for my ART. Rather all artist should refrain to sale their art for such a cheap rate.
I am thinking to raise my voice infront of international HQ of WWF to monitor WWF Pakistan’s working standards closely. I cannot remain quiet against exploitation. Remaining silent against exploitation has brought my country to dead end.
The even sad news is that catalog is full of blunders !!!! WWF has surly not done job upto the mark.
Could be interesting Case Study on copyrights Laws, and importance of having everything in written even if you are doing business with huge respected organizations around the world. Realities can differ when they come to PAKISTAN !
August 11, 2009 Update: I talked to Manager, WWF Global Photo Network for updates and he told me, even after so many days involved Pakistani guys have not replied to him. And he assured he will escalate the issue and contact their superiors.
August 12. 2009 Updates: Today i received call from Director of Admin and Finance WWF Pakistan. I am glad he is willing to solve the problem and proved to be very positive person.
August 13. 2009 Updates: I am asked to meet Deputy Director of WWF, I think things are going to right direction.
September 4. 2009 Updates: Guys, after receiving a legal action threat against my blog post. (as it is bringing bad name to honorable org aka WWF) And observing highly volatile attitude of officials. I had to settle for PEANUTS. Shame they never agreed to pay me what i quoted though they were wrong and they stole my work.
Shoot for yourself, It is a retard thinking to give your stuff away for peanuts when others are not ethical at all. I hope my blog post will be helpful for many many new photographers and artists trying to sale their work. And of course i have learned a lot things from this bad experience ! I was just too much surprised that “WWF” has done this.
www.awaisyaqub.com
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