The Good Stuff
Advance Notes: Some of what follows may be "old hat" to veteran stock photographers. Some of it might be new. Most importantly, some of it might be "forgotten" - gems, that we once knew and applied, but somehow allowed
Q. Copyright: Do I have to register my photo with the Library of Congress before I place a copyright symbol on my picture?
A. No. Place the Copyright symbol and your name on any digital image, print, or slide that you've taken. It costs you nothing. If you wish to "register" your picture with the Copyright Office, there is a registration fee. (Currently $45.)
Q. Is Copyright registration mandatory?
A. No. Registration is helpful primarily in the event of possible infringement: if your photo is registered and someone uses that photo (infringement) without your permission, you have a chance for award of larger damages than if the photo was not registered. (Copyright is yours in any case.) If you remain in the area of deitorial photography, the instance of infringement will be rare. There have been few cases of "theft" in the editorial field. This cannot be said of the other field of stock photography: commercial.
Q. I'd like to send my pictures via the Internet to a photobuyer, but we've all heard those horror stories about photography being stolen. What do I do?
A. Yes, there have been some thievery problems reported. But 99% of the cases have been in the field of commercial stock photography (advertising, corporate endorsements, public relations, etc.). My advice: begin your career in the field of editorial stock photography (books, TV, magazines, newspapers) where your pictures are used to inform and educate the public. It's rare that an editor in one of these fields would "steal" your photo and publish it without paying you. But you must weigh that risk against the alternative: Your pictures remain in your database, aging, and going nowhere but out of date. But take heart, here's good news: the horror stories are mostly blown out of proportion. Our experience of many years shows that instances of "stolen" photos in editorial photography are exceedingly rare.
Q. Are model releases necessary when I take a picture in public?
A. Only if your client intends to use the picture for commercial purposes, such as for advertising, public relations, endorsements, etc. A model release is not required if your picture is used to "inform or educate." Only in rare "sensitive" cases is a model release ever required in the book and magazine industry.
Q. Can I call my part-time photo marketing operation a "business" and thus be eligible for tax deductions?
A. You certainly can. Open a separate checking account for your "business," plus get some invoices and stationery printed. Many tax deductions await you, ranging from write-offs for the cost of your home office, marketletter subscriptions, your travel costs, and your actual camera, software, and equipment costs. Call the IRS toll free number (800 829-1040) and ask for details and pamphlets on operating a home business part-time. Tax laws change from time to time. Check with a tax adviser dealing in "intellectual properties." He or she can save you many dollars.
Q. Is my computer useful in photo marketing?
A. Yes, definitely. If you are not "computer literate," employ a local high-schooler to get you up to speed. When you're ready to "computerize," read available books on the subject at Amazon.com.
Q. Do magazine and book publishers accept digital pictures?
A. Yes. Send a digital (jpeg) sample first. This can be a "Light Box" or individual attachments. Advertising agencies accept quality hi-res images. Photobuyers at book publishers and magazines can also accept your high-resolution images on disk or via email. But for now, they'll first want to see a "jpeg" or "Tiff", and then ask for the original or a CD of the picture.
Q. Can I convert my 35mm color slides to digital?
A. Yes, at least to the point where you can send digital samples such as a "thumbnail" to a photobuyer. If the photobuyer likes your image and you make a sale, the photobuyer may want you to ship the original to them so that they
Q. What camera should I use?
A. For book and magazine production (1/4 or 1/8 of a page) a common digital camera will often work. For larger formats, you'll have to invest in a top-of-the line digital camera. But take heart, software is continually being developed that can enhance even low-res images for print publication purposes.
Q. Should I go with a "gallery?"
A. Traffic is the answer. If you are interested in "selling," go with a portal that has a high traffic rating.
Q. Should I develop a website?
A. Yes, but remember this rule. Photobuyers visit personal, individual websites only when they are looking for highly, specialized photos. If you put up a website of generic photos, you'll get few visitors. And why not? Photobuyers always visit the popular massive sites (Corbis, Jupiter, Getty, etc.) where they know they will have a wide selection.
Rohn Engh, veteran stock photographer and best-selling author of "Sell & ReSell Your Photos" and "sellphotos.com," has helped scores of photographers launch their careers. For access to great information on making money from pictures you like to take and, learn how to sell pictures, and to receive this free report: "8 Steps to Becoming a Published Photographer," visit his website, PhotoSource International or call 800 624-0266.
 Tommy Thompson |
 Kerry Kolb |
 Jon Saban |
 Jake Nelson |