Producing a low budget (<$15k) historical documentary on the ski mountaineering history of the Tetons. Most of the photos that we are obtaining are from non-pro photogs who took photos during their ski descents.

My question is this: Most are giving the rights for photo usage free of charge. Some are starving mountain guides and would like modest compensation. What is a reasonable rate?

Same question reguarding the limited video footage that exists of these ski descents. Most shot on single chip DV cam. Granted, the footage is unique, as it is from very difficult, highly skilled ski mountaineers. Not something you can go out and reproduce easily, without perfect weather, conditions, etc.

Price per minute of non-pro miniDV footage?

I have modest funding/sponsorship for this project, and I would like to compensate those who ask, as I am their peer and respect the work they have brought down from the mountains.

Thanks in advance.

Without knowing a good answer to the question myself, here's what I would try to do:

If this were my project I would attempt to estimate how many pictures and how much footage I was going to need to "purchase". I would then figure out how much of my production budget I was willing to allocate toward that. Then I could start figuring out what I "could" pay for pictures and video.

At that point, it would be up to those with the content to decide if it was worth it to them or not. Bottom line for most of them is that they shot the content with no intention of making money, and the results were probably not very professional, and they'll likely not have any opportunities in the future to make money from the content. Granted the pictures and video may be one-of-a-kind, but it's only worth what you can pay and they will accept.

Hope that helps.