Stockmodels.com is in development and looking for possible partners, advisors and funding.

Soon! Model Released Stock Imagery and Stock Video Footage for sale.

Stockmodels.com is currently doing 2 things on 2 linked websites. 


1)  http://www.stockmodels.ning.com - We are hosting a Ning online networking community for Stock Photogarphers and for models, talent and real people who may sign a full release for stock photography projects. Need a model for stock? Looking for working stock phototographers to hire you? This is the place to hook up, network and talk about your experiences in shooting or modeling for stock photos - Click to join the Stockmodels.com Community

2) http://www.stockmodels.com - This is where you are now.  We will be making model released stock imagery and video motion available for sale.

* Membership to both sites is free. The community site will eventually have a paid level of membership with features beyond the "basic" free membership, but a basic free membership where you can communicate with both models and photographers and post a small number of portfolio photo samples will always be free.

* How do you take advantage of these two sites?  Join the community site, meet models, photographers, stylists and crew. Discuss shoot ideas, techniques, styles and locations. Shoot some model released stock! Upload the resulting images for sale on Stockmodels.com.  We will be accepting model released photo submissions on a non-exclusive basis soon.  The collection of images will be edited.  More on that later.

****

* For "stockmodels.com, (here, where you are now) where imagery is made available for sale, we will be accepting 3 membership types. 1) Buyer  2) Photographer/Contributor and 3) Model Members.

To sign up, follow the correct link to your membership type:
Buyer Sign-up Link
Photographer Sign-up Link
Model Sign-up Link

* What is a Buyer? - A Buyer is a Stockmodels.com customer.  Anyone who wishes to license and image or video, or purchase a Print.

* What is a Photographer/Contributor? - A Photographer/Contributor submits model released imagery.

* What is a Model member? - More info about this when we are ready to announce.

* What is Stock Photography?

Stock photography can be defined as "Images made on speculation to be licensed later". In making stock photos the photographer is his or her own client and the images made are marketed & licensed to image buyers directly, or submitted to and represented by a stock photo agency or portal in hopes of future sales. The photographer generally incurs all costs to produce these stock images and there is no guarantee any image will sell.

Stock photography is a "self-assignment" where the photographer concieves, coordinates and funds a shoot which may include using models, styling, hair & make-up as well as special equipment & locations. The photographer takes the risk of time and expence in advance of any sale. If recognizable people appear in the photos, the photographer will need a full release from each person if the images are to be made available for use in advertising.  A release is not always necessaary for editorial use but for now, Stockmodels.com is only accepting model released imagery for representation.

* Models! We need you! Or - What is a full release and why is it important?

Stock images should not be licensed for commercial advertising use without this signed document. Editorial sales of stock images generally do not require a release but a release is always best to have. 

Simply - A signed full model release is a document that is signed by the model giving the photographer permission to license the resulting images without any further compensation to the model.

If any recognizable people appear in a stock photo it can't be licensed for advertising purposes unless the photographer has permission from those people. This permission is granted in the form of a signed full model release.

Models - Your time and talent has value and your signed release has a value to the photographer who, in most all cases, becomes the copyright owner of the images made. Negotiate some value ($, Prints, CD, etc.) for your time in exchange for signing any release.

Click for a sample Model Release from Getty Images
More sample model releases:
Adult Release
Child or Minor Model Release

* What is a "Stock Model"? Can I be a stock model? - You don't have to be a *model* !

Photographers shooting model released stock imagery are looking for all kinds of people including grandparents, families, character faces, dancers, comedians, clowns, doctors, bus drivers, and all kinds of sizes, colors and styles in between. Models & actors too! But regular people who will sign a release and can make themselves reliably available for photo shoots are needed too. That's you!

More FAQ's Coming Soon.

Discliamer: These words are our own and our opinion. They reflect what we feel is correct based on our experience in the business of creating and selling stock photos. © Chuck Goodenough