IMAGEBRIEF FAQs for PHOTOGRAPHERS as at 19 April 2013
Here are some of our most frequently asked questions by photographers:
Top 5
Who are the ImageBrief photographers?
We’re a curated platform servicing industry-professional photographers who offer Rights-Managed images to professional buyers. Every photographer’s portfolio is reviewed before being able to contribute to briefs.
Image quality is expected to be of advertising or editorial standard with high-quality production and post-production values.
The photographers contributing to ImageBrief are high-calibre industry professionals who value their work and having the decision of how it is used.
What happens to my images after I upload them to the site?
We store them safely on our world-class secure server on AmazonS3. They are resized for optimal presentation on the site and the hi-res is only ever released to buyers if and when you have agreed to the terms, usage and amount via a license agreement. We share, uncover and show off great images as often and wherever we can, always respecting your copyright.
All images uploaded to our site are stored safely and securely. Small thumbnails can be shared, comp images may be granted to would-be buyers and hi-res are delivered to buyers when a license agreement is in place. The images stay on our system for as long as you do.
What’s the deal?
You keep up to 70% of the final, agreed license amount. Yes, really.
What is a comp license and who can get them?
Our clients want to see how your image works with their idea. We offer a medium-res image to our verified clients only, and only after they agree to the 30-day ‘comp’ image license agreement. The comp image is watermarked with an expiry date.
How does the pricing and client budgets work?
We work directly with Creatives in the largest global advertising agencies who are sometimes removed from exact details of budgets and usage.
To allow the creative team to source content even before they have all the details we have asked that they provide us with a budget guideline. Our Account Managers work one-on-one via phone and email to guide buyers through their briefs, identifying their needs and presenting them with your shots.
When they find an image they love, the Account Managers confirm their budget, based on usages and then negotiate a price that you are happy with.
Other Frequently asked questions:
Registration & Notifications
I haven’t been accepted. Why not?
We are a curated platform, meaning we don’t approve all applications to be a contributor. We receive applications from all over the world everyday and we (a real person) review every single one. We visit the link you provide to see if your work is a good fit for our clients. It may take up to 72 hours for your registration to be processed.
How will you communicate with me?
When registering with us, you’ll be asked to select the categories that best suit your work. These are the briefs that we will email you about. You can choose to receive emails about these as they happen (instantly) or daily. In addition, you can login to the site at any time to view and participate in live briefs.
Participating in Briefs
What’s the deal with copyright?
Well, it’s essential that you have it. You need to have complete legal rights to upload any image to our site. If you’re not sure, check before you upload.
Do I need a property or model release?
Yep, you need to know the legal requirements of the shots that you submit. You will be asked to confirm this during the uploading process.
When uploading you can select from ‘Fully Released’, ‘Release on Request’ or ‘No Release’.
· Fully Released means you have a formal release from all identifiable subjects or properties within an image allowing you to license it for all purposes.
· Release on Request means you can obtain a formal release from all identifiable subjects or properties within an image allowing you to license it for the purpose of this brief.
· No Release means you do not have any form of a release to allow you to license this image.
· No Release Required means there is nothing within the images that requires a release.
From time to time you may be asked to produce copies or originals of the releases so make sure you have them on file.
How many images can I submit to each brief?
10. We may change this from time to time, but generally it’s 10 great shots per brief.
Are my images curated?
Yes. Our Editors view all images coming into ImageBrief. When we spot a great image that is high-quality, on-brief and in the style requested by the buyer, we ‘recommend’ it. All other images are viewable to the buyer. Ocassionally, an image is withheld due to being poor quality or irrelevant to the brief.
What file size and type should I submit (specs)?
It’s not compulsory to upload hi-res files however some clients will want fast delivery and may only consider hi-res entries. Files must be JPEG (RGB) format only and a minimum of 250kb. Please consider the buyer’s final size requirements when uploading. It may be for a billboard.
Do I have to upload my shots every time?
All images you have submitted will stay in your account. You can resubmit these images to any brief by choosing ‘images from previous submissions’.
Can I submit images that are available on another site?
That depends! Our clients expect unique, quality images, and pay for the added benefits that come from rights-managed images. ImageBrief only accepts rights-managed images. It is not ok to submit images that are available elsewhere as royalty-free.
How do I remove an image I uploaded?
Made a mistake? To remove an image, go to the brief where the image has been submitted, view ‘Submitted Images’ then scroll down to ‘My Entries’. Hover on the image to view the ‘Withdraw Entry’ icon.
I can’t see all the other entries.
When you go into a brief, you can view your entries, any entries that have been ‘shortlisted’ by the buyer, and a sample of other entries, but not all of them.
Why are all the amounts in $US?
USD is the most commonly used currency for international businesses. We represent photographers in 107 countries and we had to pick one!
What does it mean if my image has been ‘Recommended’?
That’s great news. It means that the Curators at ImageBrief think your image is a good fit for the brief and we really want to make sure the client sees it.
What does it mean if my image has been ‘Shortlisted’?
That’s even better news. It means the client likes your image and has marked it for consideration. If you haven’t already submitted the hi-res, get it handy, make sure it meets the specs required by the client and it’s ready for delivery.
Can you use my images?
Yes, but only for good. Part of the terms of use of our website include that we may, from time to time, use any image that has been uploaded to our site for the use of directly marketing ImageBrief. This is good marketing for you too. Where possible, we’ll credit the image with your full name, your username or a link to your ImageBrief portfolio.
After the Brief
Will my images be seen again?
Any images submitted to the briefs remain in the briefs. When we see a brief that we think your image would be perfect for, we’ll add it in for the client to view. We know it may not be available for that usage or you just might not want to license it for that brief.
As always, no license can go ahead without your consent and negotiation. If you don’t want to license the image you just say ‘no thanks’ and that’s the end of the story.
How do I get my images into the collections?
At the moment, our curators select great images from the briefs to add to the collections. We are working on new functionality that will allow photographers to submit images to be included in those collections. Stay tuned.
Payments
How much will I be paid?
You will be paid up to 70% of the award amount.
Pardon? Can you repeat that?
You will be paid up to 70% of the award amount. We’re blowing the industry standard out of the water.
How will I be paid?
Via Paypal. ImageBrief has contributing photographers from 107 countries so we needed the most universal system we could find. You can set up an account with just an email address. Visit Paypal.com.
When will I be paid?
Payments are made to you within 60 days of the sale date. There are a few minor rare exceptions to this rule but within 60 days is the standard.