flickr rocks

"Erik Maldre, freelance photographer for Lonely Planet Publications"

"Andrea Maldre, freelance photographer for Lonely Planet Publications"
"Erik Maldre, freelance art director for Lonely Planet Publications"

How's that sound for a title? It's a bit of a stretch from reality, but technically it's true. I received an email from the Permissions Coordinator at Lonely Planet Publications asking to potentially use one of my photos from Flickr on their next Caribbean Islands guide (edition 5). They're not sure yet if they're going to use it. If they do, I'll get paid $128 Australian dollars (about $120). They're getting a great deal seeing as most royalty-free stock photos go for about $350. But I'll take the 120 bucks. Heck, I'd let them have the photo for free if it means my photo will go in their book.

I've seen examples where people steal photos from Flickr. It's encouraging for a place to contact me in a professional manner and pay me for one of my photos. So, if you've been a victim of Flickr theft, there's hope.

As a side note, my wife actually took the photo. I'd have to give her half the commission. Though, I did art direct the shot. I developed the photo concept, told her where to stand and how to frame the photo. That's me in the photo. Oh sweet. I just realized that I would be featured in a Lonely Planets book. A-W-E-S-O-M-E

I just adjusted the first line in the blog post.

ha!

Congrats... I look forward to seeing your pic in a Lonely Planets book.

Where was that pic taken though? St. Lucia maybe?

Did you ride the bike down the stairs? That would be cool.

How cool! Congrats!

The photo was taken during our honeymoon at Anse Chastenant resort in St. Lucia. They have a wicked bike trail explaining why I hold a bike in my hands.

I didn't even think of riding down the stairs. It never crossed my mind. That's funny. I'm not a daredevil on bicycles. I almost got run over by a CTA bus the one time I tried jumping a curb in high school. I'm pretty sure that I had a concussion as a result.

And don't forget the time you were riding up a hill and you ran over a squirrel. Specifically, you ran over the squirrel's head.

I would hardly consider myself a daredevil on a bike, but I would have at least thought about trying to ride down the stairs. I'm sure I would have thought better of it eventually considering how narrow the stairs are and the other surroundings.

It sounds like a fun idea though.