After over four years of maintaining this blog with URLs that included first “blogspot” and later “wordpress,” I’ve finally upgraded to my own top-level domain: briansawyer.net.
Everything seems to be redirecting correctly, and I assume my feed will do the same, but if you subscribe, you might want to update to the new feed anyway, just to make sure you never miss a single revelatory word (whenever one might come).
UPDATE: Please see the end of this post for the resolution to this matter, which makes People look a lot better and makes me look a whole lot worse.
Never having bought the magazine, I’ve seen People frequently on newsstands, as well as in its regular appearance in the tell-tale bump category. This week’s cover features Jennifer Love Hewitt’s “unflattering beach photos,” which, until now, I’d simply assumed were taken by some lucky paparazzo and auctioned off for a handsome paycheck. Now, personal experience seems to suggest the photos simply ran without credit or payment of any kind. Now, I know this accusation sounds ludicrous against such a reputable periodical, but before you accuse me of libel, please hear my side of the story.
It all began on October 19, when I was approached by a representative of the Photo Department at People regarding the use of this photo in a “holiday special” issue of the magazine. I was told:
Although I do not have a budget for any sort of payment for usage of images, I would be happy to give a photo credit and send a couple of issues.
That deal sounded pretty fair, considering I’d already assigned a fairly generous Creative Commons license to the image, so I responded with a resounding “Sure!” and considered myself duly flattered.
Since then, I’d kind of forgotten about the whole thing and kind of assumed the picture didn’t actually make it into print (I work in publishing and am savvy enough to know how these things work, so I didn’t get my hopes up), until today, when I received a letter and “tear sheet,” notifying me of my photo’s presence in the recent Holiday issue. Here’s that letter:
Though I wasn’t exactly crushed to be denied my comp copy of a magazine I’ve never actually paid for, it struck me as exceedingly cheap that they couldn’t pony up a single copy for use of a free image in the magazine, especially given that was the deal we agreed upon. Still, that didn’t bother me as much as the other agreed-upon term that People failed to meet. Here’s that “tear sheet” mentioned in the letter:
Notice something missing? I was hoping at the very least that I’d be getting calls from people (who, I have no idea, but I’m sure somebody I know, besides my wife, reads People) who were so very impressed to see my photo in the pages of such an esteemed publication. But now it seems I’m denied even that small amount of fame promised for such a modest snapshot.
So, let this be a lesson to everyone seeking fame in the hallowed pages of People: you likely will not be credited for your work. My sour grapes are as modest as the image used, and I probably wouldn’t have refused permission even if I’d known how the whole thing would turn out (it’s still a pretty good story, I think). But I reserve the right to my justified, if minor, indignation.
UPDATE: I just received a very kind email from my contact in People‘s Photo Department, which I must admit makes me feel embarrassed and guilty for jumping the gun on this one:
As I mentioned, I have been in search myself (as one of the editors of the magazine) for the Holiday issues, here in the office. Apparently, they did not print enough to give to the editors to send out to our participants. I do apologize and will keep searching for a copy of the issue that I can forward to ALL. I’ve even checked in my supermarket to find it sold out. I had every intention of sending you a copy, but was only able to steal one from my editor, in order to make xeroxes. As far as the credit, it is there. I did not check, but perhaps the layout was cut off. I am attaching a pdf file of the layout which shows the full layout with credit. Thank you again for your submission, I think it looks great, and everyone loved the sculptures.
The free copy wasn’t ever as big of an issue for me as the credit, so I’m happy to hear that, though it was cut off in the scan she sent to me in the mail, my name is indeed there in the gutter, as shown here:
I’d like to apologize to People and my contact there. I no longer feel betrayed, and I’m sorry for posting my disappointment without first following up with them about my concerns in the first place, which is how this sort of thing really should be handled.
Congratulations! I can’t believe they promised to give you credit AND magazines, but didn’t do either! I guess its nice you got a tear sheet but jeez, it seems like they are going back on their word. Oh well it’s just an issue of People. But we know it’s your photo so congrats there. That’s cool!
Just a thought…maybe the photo credits are in teeny weeny fine print somewhere else in the magazine? But of course, you can’t check for that since they didn’t send you the whole publication.
But congrats anyway, it is definitely cool!
I’d love to be proven wrong on this one, Nan. But, as you say, at this point I only have what the sent me to go on. I’d assumed they would show me the credit page, if one did exist.
Ugh, I don’t understand why credit wasn’t given. Does ‘Brian Sawyer’ really take all that much ink? You’re right to be upset, even if it’s just a little bit. I guess it could have been worse. They could have just used your image, taken the creative commons license you bestowed on it for face value, and you would never have known…
I want my free magazine.
Well, Nan, you were right. See the egg on my face in the update to my post.
You mean the fish egg on your face, right? 
Congratulations, the photo looks great.
In the fall of 2002, I ran a marathon. It was one of the hardest things I’ve ever done, and the training alone resulted in a pair of knees that would never really work the same. Battered by a rough 30K a few weeks before the big event, my knees hurt every step of the way, and by the last 8 miles or so, it felt like someone was taking a hammer to each kneecap every time my sole hit the pavement. I present exhibit A at right: a photo of my agonizing 5:01 finish.
Since then, I haven’t been much of a runner, first because I was physically incapable and then because life and habit crept in and a touch of laziness conspired to keep me fairly sedentary. Kristina, on the other hand, after a hiatus, took her first marathon (she ran with me, most of the way, before pulling ahead for the last few miles) as a challenge to do more. Her efforts, both raising money for charity and for her own self-discipline and single-minded devotion to accomplishing something important within in her and around her have truly inspired me.
Recently, though, I decided to stop simply being jealous of her drive, fitness, and accomplishments, and allowed her to rope me into being the second half of her marathon relay team in February. I’ve only been running in earnest for a few weeks, and only legitimately “in training” for the last week or so, but already I feel worlds better for being a part of something like this again. Running is something the two of us can share again, even if we rarely get a chance to actually run together, and getting in shape has done a lot for me, both physically and emotionally. Best of all, my knees have actually let me do it. I’m crossing my fingers that they continue to hold out.
Today, I’d planned to run 6 miles, which isn’t too shabby and would tie (I ran it last weekend too) my longest single run since the marathon in 2002. But she once again inspired me to push myself, by bringing to my attention a fellow running blogger’s challenge to run “8 on the 8th.” Today, I did my 8 miles (in 1:06), and it felt great. Here’s hoping everything continues to go smoothly as I step up the mileage leading up to the February race. Who knows? Perhaps these old knees will let me go another 26.2 some day.
Holy crap, if I could run it in 1:06 I would never ever stop again. 
Awesome job. I am so glad you are coming back and that my little brainstorm of a way to keep myself running has done the same for others. And YEAH Kristina for your dedication and for getting him back out there!
Thanks for joining us! Look for results late Sunday or early Monday — I want everyone to have a chance to post.
Happy 8 mile marker!!
I second Nancy’s comments; incredible finish for just deciding to lace up and give it a try. I’ve had to bust my hump for over a year to get where I am. Congratulations!
By the way, I think this is the most unique male runner’s blog around! Very cool that you can knit. I can tie my shoes all by myself, but that’s about all. I look forward to reading more.
Way to go! Definitely an impressive finish.
Tiffany 2, and 
Lakshmi, 
Tiffany 8:07 pm on December 22, 2007 Permalink |
Welcome to your new home! =)
Tiffany 2 7:16 pm on January 6, 2008 Permalink |
“Master of Your Domain” is about as appropriate as you can get..if you know what I mean
Brian Sawyer 7:30 pm on January 6, 2008 Permalink |
I think I know what you mean, and I agree. The same could be said for this whole blog, though, so I think everything fits.