[robski]

Lee

I have no idea of what a local newspaper would pay for images but I suspect next to nothing.

In my last job for many years I supplied systems to regional and national newspapers so I have a reasonable idea on what makes a regional newspaper tick.

You have to remember that regional newspapers were hit hard by the Recession last year and dramatically cut back staffing levels (40 to 60%). I was a victim of the knock on effect.

If your local paper laid off all their photography staff then you may stand a better chance in selling images to them. I have known cases where it was down to the journalist to take photos and journalist were the first to be culled in the many rounds of redundancies that took place last year.

Discounting the above you have to consider How News Worthy your images are ! An editor is only going to fork out hard cash if he feels the image will increase sales and circulation. Think about why photos of Princess Di ( or some other celeb) was on the front cover of national papers when there was no front page news. Prime reason why local papers do a tour of schools to get class shots and do baby competitions because they know parents will buy copies of the paper to see their little darling in print. If the image is of high news value the quality is not of great importance. I've seen very poor camera phone shots on the front page.

With regard to the glossy life style magazine I suspect they have very little to do with the product ( third party and agency) other than book the adverts. Remember a newspaper is not about news it is an advertising machine because that is where it's revenue comes from.

PS. It maybe be better to work freelance and they send you to a job to take photos for a story.