Guidelines for Contributing Photographers

A contributing photographer module has been added to the web site. It allows you to register as a contributor and then upload images for sale and earn on each sale of each of your images.

The following are the initial rule set (which may be subject to minor changes as I roll this out):

• All contributed images must be of suitable professional quality. In rare instances some proof of professional status may be requested.
• Images must be on topic – i.e. must have some recognizable Jewish content or context. I am particularly interested in more religious themes or photos depicting observant Jewish practices, objects, etc. because there is a great shortage of such images. You may email a brief proposal if you wish to pre-approve a concept. Theme suggestions and actual shot request lists will be made available periodically to all participating photographers.
• It is preferable if images have embedded IPTC data. This allows you to embed a title, keywords, and your copyright notice to the image. [You can add this information using Photoshop, under File/File information]
• Images must be a minimum of 1500x1500 pixels, in JPEG format only, and should not exceed about 5-7 MB in JPG file size. All JPEG files should be created/saved at the highest quality setting.
• All submitted images are subject to my approval before they will appear online.
• If there is any recognizable person or property in an image then a properly-executed model/property release must be obtained and faxed or emailed to me before that image is put online. (I can provide a simple release form text)
• Each image may optionally be uploaded in two different sizes/resolutions. (My suggestion: simply resample your large image at 72 dpi to reduce its size. This will become your “web” quality version.)
• With few exceptions, image prices will be set at $35.00 for print quality and $15 for web quality. Normally a web quality image will only be accepted if a print quality version of the same image is also provided. My intent in setting rather low prices is to encourage graphic designers to obtain legal copies rather than sharing them – and to encourage frum organizations to buy. If you would like to post images at a higher price, please discuss that with me before uploading your images. No print-quality images will be sold for less than $35.
• Images will be placed in up to two pre-set categories. In addition, each image may include a set of appropriate keywords and a caption.
• You retain full rights to contributed images, and may market them elsewhere as you see fit. Images that have been previously sold may also be submitted as long they were not sold with exclusive rights.
• You will have the ability to remove any of your images from the site at any time.
• Small thumbnail images are created automatically and are displayed without any watermark. When a customer clicks to see a larger image, a prominent watermark is automatically superimposed (see the site for examples.)
• Contributing photographers will earn 70% of every sale of their images. You will have an account that you can use to log in and view your sales and commission history. Payouts will be monthly (when amount owing is $20 or more), and will normally be delivered via PayPal.
• Each of your images will identify you as the photographer.
• The web site will provide a brief bio of you (that you supply), which can contain a link to your web site. [This will not be available right away]
• JewishStockPhotos.com handles all customer purchases. You do not need to be involved at all, yet you can log in to view sales data. We also handle maintenance and modifications to the web site, and marketing. Buyers are sent a download link after they have paid for an image – they can then download the image immediately. International buyers are also supported, so sales can come from anywhere that PayPal accepts as clients.
• The site will be actively marketed to a list of known Jewish graphic designer firms and individuals. It will also be promoted in the search engines under the phrase “Jewish stock photos” and others. [Using my SEO skills to ensure a strong search engine positioning for the site – take a look: we’re already #1 on Yahoo and Altavista, and climbing on Google!!]
• The web site is designed to protect your images. However, there is no such thing as perfect internet security. I will make every effort to protect the integrity of the site and the images, but cannot guarantee this. [My own images will be on the site as well.] By participating you agree to accept this risk.
• I will be developing lists of Jewish theme image suggestions, and sending them to all registered photographers periodically.