What is Stock photography?
Stock photos are everywhere, you just don’t realize it. The possible uses for the images and the need for them are almost endless. Pick up any school book, magazine, brochure, sales catalog, or click on almost any web page and you will find examples of stock photography. Stock photography is a collection of images created without a specific purpose in mind but rather a concept they could represent and catalogued for review and purchase by someone needing illustrations for ads, books, articles, and other uses. For example if a college student is doing a study on the annual migration of Canadian geese, it would be nice to have a nice photo of a Canadian goose for the report. If a company is running an ad campaign on a new toothpaste they would probably need a photo of a pretty smile with white teeth. It’s endless……..
What does this photo say to you?
Or this one?
Every time a company wants so sell a product or a person wants to do an article about something…..they need a photo to convey their message.
That’s what we do; we provide the pictures to tell their story.
***A good stock photo will say something when you look at it.***
Do I need to be a professional or have experience to do a photo session?
Interested?
No, Previous modeling experience helps but it is not required. Anybody can be a model for stock photography. There are demands for photos from every age, race and gender. You don’t have to be a cover girl to be a model; many, many companies just want normal everyday people doing normal things.
What do I get for a TFP photo shoot?
The Model:
You will receive a 1 to 2 hour photo session and in a professional studio with top end equipment and cameras. You will recieve (in about a week) 10 (5x7) prints of some of the choice photos from the photo session. You will also recieve a CD with containing all the best photos. By having the electronic copies of those files you will be able to print larger or more copies at a later date. I also offer a family portrait sitting since many times there may only be one or two people in the family that would like to model….some of us are too shy to have our photos on magazinesJ. So, for every model I also include the opportunity for a free family portrait shot of everybody in the family. (This photo will not be posted for sale unless you so desire.)
The typical cost for a 2+ hour photo session with can range from $400 to over $1000 depending on the photographer and the number of persons involved in the session. I will typically take over 300 photos during the session with multiple poses and different clothing and themes. A typical photography studio will only give you the prints specified in the package you purchased. If you desire more or different sizes at a later date, you will have to pay additional and you will NEVER get the electronic copies.
The Photographer:
I will receive a signed Model Release from you (prior to the shoot) that allows me to post the images on stock photography sites to sell and distribute the photos to prospective buyers. This arrangement is know as TFP (Time for Photos), and is the most common arrangement used for amateur, non professional and even semi professional models in Stock photography. Depending on the quality of the photos taken in the session it could take anywhere from a few months to a few years for the photographer to recover the costs associated with a TFP session vs. a paid Session.….you never know.
What sort of photos will be taken during the Photo Session?
Generally I shoot educational concepts, fashion, business and lifestyle. If you have a specific need or desire for a particular type of photo, I am willing to try to meet your needs as well as mine. What is very important for me is that you walk out of my studio happy and with the photos that improve your portfolio.
Where will my images be used?
Most photos will be sold under a Royalty free license and will be used in digital and print media including; magazines, newspapers, leaflets, brochures, catalogs, websites and books. Photos can also be used on television or featured on products or packaging. See the picture of the flower on your tissue box….stock photo.
The sites I use to market the photos have strict terms and conditions for buyers in their TOS. Here is an important extract from one of the agencies terms of service.
" You may NOT use an Image in a way that places any person in the photo in a bad light or depicts them in a way that they may find offensive - this includes, but is not limited to: a) the use of Images in pornography; b) tobacco ads; c) ads for adult entertainment clubs or similar venues, or for escort, dating or similar services; d) political endorsements; e) advertisements for pharmaceutical products, including, but not limited to personal hygiene or birth control products; and f) uses that are defamatory, or contain otherwise unlawful, offensive or immoral content."
Who owns the rights to photos?
Most people don’t realize that anytime you have a professional photographer take your picture, the rights to the photos taken belong solely to the photographer who took them. (Even if you paid to have the photos taken) However, having the rights to a photo does allow the photographer to sell and distribute the photo to however he would like…He can only use the photo for personal advertising and selling the photo to the client who commissioned the work……….unless the person signs a model release. By signing a model release you allow the photographer to sell and distribute your photo, which is how they make the money to pay for the TFP photo sessions. This is why typical Portrait photographers will not give you the electronic files of the photos; they want you to buy the prints from them. Don’t get me wrong….there is nothing wrong with this. The cost of studio equipment, cameras, lens and lights can run into the 10’s of thousands of dollars. Just one of my telephoto lenses for my camera costs almost $6,000.00.
Win Win Situation
It is a win win situation for both the model and the photographer to do a photo session on a TFP basis. The model will get lots of professional photos for their portfolio and the possibility of exposure in major publications. If somebody sees the perfect person (you) and thinks that you are perfect for an ad campaign, they will normally contact the photographer directly to see if it is possible to do ad specific photos…..at that point the model and the photographer would negotiate a price with the agency to produce the photos.
Where do you take the photos at?
Most photo sessions will take place in my studio which is located in my house which is located very close to Vicenza, Italy.
It is preferred that all female models be accompanied by a friend to any photo shoot.
** All Minors are required be accompanied by a parent or guardian.**
Outdoor shoots are possible and depending on the type of photo, there are several locations nearby that work well. Be advised that outdoor shoots are very weather dependent and results can vary due to this fact. They also take much more time and cost more.
“In the world of photography and modeling, EXPOSURE is everything.”
If nobody ever sees you or your work……….you’ll never be discovered!!!
Then read on……………
FAQ's
