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What is Stock Photography?
Stock photography can be defined as "Images
made on speculation to be sold later". In making stock images
the photographer is his or her own client and the images made
are marketed & licensed to image buyers directly, or submitted
to a stock photo agent or library (such as Photoshelter, Getty,
Corbis, Jupiter Images or Alamy) in hopes of future sales. The
photographer 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 or may not 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
people are depicted in the photos, the photographer will need
a full release from each one.
Samples of real stock photos for sale
What is a full release and why is it important?
The purpose of a signed full model release
is for the model to agree they have been duly compensated and
that they understand and allow the photographer to make the images
available for sale without any further compensation to them.
The model is essentially relinquishing any rights to the images
made of them and giving the photographer permission to sell their
likeness. Stock images should not be sold 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.
If any recognizable people appear in a stock
photo it can't be licensed or sold 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 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 for your time in exchange for signing any release. Make
sure you get a copy of the release you sign.
Sample Model Release from Getty Images
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The Stock Models Community
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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
and especially stock photos of models and real people. ©
Chuck Goodenough
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