A major UK picture agency has addressed the issue of late payments for freelances by pledging to pay all its contributors within seven days for first-use exclusive content.
Fame Flynet director Danny Hayward said: "We are the first agency in the world to offer seven-day payment.
"This turn around for fees has been long overdue in an industry where it’s not uncommon to wait for 12 weeks or longer for payment.
"Photographers who use us to sell their images will see money in their account without having to wait for newspapers and websites to pay us.
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"Our belief is photographers are the most valuable asset to a picture agency and should be rewarded faster for their efforts.
"Until now, photographers have had to wait too long for payment."
Fame Flynet has set up a website www.7DayPayments.com explaining full details of its express payment scheme.
The quick-fee policy comes a month after former Sun picture editor, John Edwards, joined the agency.
He said: "I know how frustrated photographers get waiting for fees to drop into their bank account.
"Payments can be signed off quickly at a picture desk but then take several weeks to work through approvals by managing editors and accounts departments.
"Photographers have previously had to sit and wait through that process which can drag on for months.
"For those providing us with exclusive content, that is now a thing of the past."
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