partners

StockPhotoFinder is a business-to-business stock photography and footage search engine that refers buyers to sellers. We install customized versions for major image buyers that enable these advertising agencies, publishers and other media companies to aggregate search of many millions of images which saves time in the research and licensing process. Participation is limited to professionals who are capable of properly servicing the needs of commercial art buyers, editors and researchers. The need of the image buyer to experience ease-of-use and speed in obtaining just the right image is our top priority, enabling us to return substantial value to our image providers for their marketing investment. (That means we pay the highest royalties in the industry, up to 100%). To partner with us and take advantage of this powerful and effective marketing channel, there are three essential requirements:

1. You must maintain an accessible, keyword searchable database
2. Your images and the quality of your keywording must adhere to industry standards
3. You must provide live OR electronic sales and fulfillment support during traditional business hours

Further explanation about these critical requirements and optional solutions to address your needs for web site, keywording and sales support are available follow below. If you are interested and can fulfill these requirements directly or through outsourcing, we invite you to contact us and ask that we send you our Marketing Agreement and Annual Marketing Fee Schedule. Many options exist to meet the core requirements. The following is a step-by-step guide and checklist of what you will need and where to find it if you do not already have it.

Index Of Subjects On This Page

1) General Advice
- quantity x quality = revenue
- let StockPhotoFinder do it for you
2) Database Needed
- an accessible, keyword searchable database
- off-the-shelf software
- ecommerce
3) Quality Approval
- editing
- keywording
4) Fulfillment Requirements
- 9-5 in-house staff
- forwarding to a stock agency or subagent
- forwarding to an assignment rep
- stock reps
- 24/7 ecommerce
- cooperatives
5) How To Contract Services
- contact info
6) FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions -
- how does data export and updating work?
- are there any image size requirements?
- do you sell placement in search results?
- how much does it cost?
7) Qualification Checklist

1) General Advice

Quantity X Quality = Revenue

To a large degree, it is a "numbers game". Because of a growing oversupply of images in the market, quantity often determines revenue. At the same time, quality rises to the top and gets noticed by buyers. To be successful, image suppliers should have large quantities of good quality images in each subject area represented. This means a niche specialist collection in, say, penquins, can have limited success with several hundred penquin images. But, a general collection will need to offer many thousands of top quality images to generate adequate sales.

Let StockPhotoFinder Do It For You

If you are a photographer or traditional agency that is not yet ready to directly handle B2B image licensing and fulfillment, why not hook up with people who are already doing what you need to do? As simple minded as this may sound, why reinvent the wheel? Some possibilities to consider would be stock photo agencies, photographer assignment reps, technology providers, forming a mini-cooperative with shared resources, or outsourcing specific tasks that are missing from your workflow and support. (For photographers, the most hassle-free way to get edited images into a qualified online database is to submit them to a stock photo agency that is already participating in StockPhotoFinde.)

Note also that StockPhotoFinder can provide you with full support for ecommerce, keywording and other necessities that qualify you to participate, either directly or through third party companies. If in doubt, please ask. We have many options from the best providers in the industry to support your needs.

2) Database Needed

An accessible, keyword searchable database - Images must be searchable online by keyword without any barriers (ie, login requirements) to search and display thumbnails or to view preview pages. It is recommended, though not required, to have your full contact information on all preview pages to make it easy for buyers to reach you or your designated sales rep. (StockPhotoFinder also provides a link to your "about us" or "contact" page from an icon beneath each thumbnail image.) Note that search speed, accuracy and continuity are factors in the qualification process.

If you do not already have a database, you can obtain one from these and other sources:

Off-the-shelf Software - If you want control and don't mind being a "techie", buying the software and doing it yourself can be a cheap option. A good range of choices can be found online at ControlledVocabulary.com. Some options include:

ImageControl™ software has been designed to the specifications of StockPhotoFinder. This software provides the most basic essentials for online search and sales contact. It can be hosted at any Internet Service Provider that offers PHP (which most do). And, it gives you total control over the content and upload. ImageControl is probably the cheapest and most user-friendly option for image database software. (est. cost is $199)

Portfolio® from Extensis has developed over many years. It is perhaps the most evolved software for hosting images online, and relatively easy to use. (est. cost is $200)

Cumulus® from Canto is considered highly professional because of its substantial scriptability and advanced search options. (est. cost is $500)

Filemaker Pro® from Filemaker is the most versatile database software available for Mac and PC. You can do practically anything with Filemaker. But, there is a learning curve to overcome. (est. cost is $1,000)

E-Commerce Consider outsourcing to set up your own, branded e-commerce web site. Why not hand someone else the headaches? It's cheaper than you think. Some suggestions:

IPNStock.com - Managed by Photo District News (VNU)

MyLoupe.com - The "My Site" program offers low-cost, branded ecommerce

PhotoShelter.com - An online archival solution for stock photo hosting, licensing and fulfillment

StockMedia.net - Since 2000, the first to offer branded, e-commerce services to photographers and agencies

StockPipeline.com - A turnkey solution for stock photo hosting, licensing and fulfillment

3) Quality Approval

Review and approval of image content, keywording quality and image quality - To meet the high standards of the image buyers who search StockPhotoFinder web sites, your content will be initially and repeatedly checked for image redundancy, quality and content, as well as for the quality of your keywording and captions.

Editing

Unlike the strategies of yesteryear, today's marketplace demands tightly edited, top quality imagery of relevant content. Many collections need editing. Freelance editors can be hired. We can recommend some if you are in need of one.

Keywording

Accurate, controlled keywording is essential for finding images and for narrowing the search to just the right image, especially when researchers are looking through millions of photos. Note that substandard keywording will prevent addition of your images or require deletion of your images from StockPhotoFinder web sites. Some options:

Do it in-house - Keywording is a demanding and challenging task. Too many extraneous keywords can ruin a web site as users will quickly determine that they need to sort their way through too many images that have nothing to do with what they are looking for. Skilled keyworders know how to "milk" an image appropriately to maximize its sales potential.  Sadly, keywording is all too often delegated to the most inexperienced employee because everyone else is 'too busy'. If electing to keyword in-house, keywording tools such as Keyword Compiler™ or A2ZKeywording can help to avoid accidentally diminishing the value of your web site and your images.

Outsource - It is almost always cheaper to outsource keywording than to do it in-house. Prices often range from a low of about $1.50 to $2.00 up to about $3.00 to $4.00, depending on where the staff is located, how much of the process is automated, and how complex or obscure the subject is. For those who want to improve quality and save money by outsourcing, good options exist:

KeywordCompiler.com - Offering services since 2000, a low-cost/high quality provider

Keywording.com - Used by many stock photo agencies

Keywords-To-Go.com - Run by stock industry veteran Paul Henning

OnAsiaDigital.com - Tech savvy and affiliated with various trade associations, offering low-cost keywording keywording

4) Fulfillment Requirements

Sales and fulfillment support - Buyer satisfaction is paramount. To that end, participation contractually requires the capacity to consistently and dependably take orders and satisfy client needs in the time zone of the buyer. Delivering an adequate image to the licensee in a timely manner is essential. Note that multiple, validated client complaints about lack of response or inability to contact your company or your agent will require removal of your images from StockPhotoFinder web sites.

Orders, Client Support & Fulfillment

A portion of the marketplace prefers e-commerce or immediate access to high resolution, digital files for licensing. Fulfillment on demand within two to four hours of the order is still acceptable for some buyers. Today's standard (which keeps increasing in size and quality) is to deliver an 8 bit, 56 MB RGB file (12x18 inches at 300 dpi). Here are some fulfillment options:

StockPhotoFinder - We can provide all required aspects, including image storage, ecommerce, fulfillment, etc. Ask us.

9-5 In-house staff - A normal business operation that answers the phone and instantly responds to the needs of the client. In-house operations have the advantage of total control. (Voice mail and answering machines are simply NOT an acceptable option.)

Forwarding to a stock agency or subagent - Your online database can refer all calls and contact to a stock photo agency that has the images and that is in the country or time zone of the client. (We can offer some guidance to help you set-up your preview page so that as it accessed through StockPhotoFinder web sites, it refers sales to your agent.)

Forwarding to an assignment rep - For participating photographers, some assignment reps are capable and willing to negotiate and fulfill stock sales on your behalf. Ask your rep. (Note that stock agencies, subagents and reps will have to have the hi-res version of all of your images that are available online for search via StockPhotoFinder web sites.)

Stock reps - This fresh business model opens up a new possibility for photographers ... a specialized sales body that only handles your directly referred stock sales. This agent might keep a smaller percentage of the sale than a full service stock agency because they do not have the added overhead of editing, marketing and distribution.

24/7 E-commerce - Depending on the robustness of the licensing engine, e-commerce can circumvent everything but the need for interactive client support. Some options for hosted ecommerce:

IPNStock.com - IPN offers their technology to photographers and photo agencies

StockMedia.net - Since 2000, Stock Media technology enables pricing per use per image per country and per language for global rights control

Cooperatives - An emerging trend is groupings of photographers that act like a cooperative, sharing resources to lower costs and expand skill sets. Some notable coop-like models:

MiamiStockPhotos.com - Florida photographers who banded together and hired a sales person

UnderWaterStockPhotos.com - Underwater shooters, led by veteran Stephen Frinks

5) How To Contract Services

A signed contract and payment of an annual marketing fee - Please email us with your website URL. Upon approval of your keywording, search, images and site functionality, you will need to provide two signed copies of the Marketing Agreement and a check for services. Contact us (at info @ StockPhotoFinder.com or at 212 929-6965), and we will sign and return one copy of the contract to you and get things started. We'll send instructions for you to do an initial, simple data export to "jump start" the search process.

6) FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

How does data export and updating work?

Fast and efficient is the goal. Hundreds of thousands of images are added monthly. We start with a data export, then update with a direct link to your database. Alternatively, you can submit periodic exports. But, a direct link is easy for a programmer to set up and effortless from that point on.

Initial Data Export &endash; The initial export of data should be a tab-delimited file with a field order that is the same as that of the direct link update process.

Direct Link &endash; We recommend a direct URL link for updates on a daily basis. This specification, new as of June 2006, enables the search engine to gather and display all changes that might occur in your data within 24 to 48 hours, and to do so in a fully automated process. Contact us for the exact details to implement direct link updates.

Field Order &endash; An exact field order is required for the text export. If you do not have that field or it is empty, you must still leave a place holder for each field. The field sequence is as follows:

Action - Identify the action to be taken with this record (required value list: "New", "Modify", "Delete").

Image URL - The URL path to the thumbnail image. If the action is "Delete", this Image URL is the only required field.

Preview Page URL - The URL path to the Preview/Detail page. (The page, not the preview image). This is the page that displays when clients click on the thumbnail image.

Image ID - The unique identifier that is assigned to this image.

Date of Event - The date of the event. (Or, if event date is not available, enter the date the image was created or the date the file was created.) Required date format is YYYY-MM-DD (four-digit year &endash; hyphen - two-digit month &endash; hyphen - two-digit day).

Caption - Text description of the image. (The caption field must not contain paragraph returns or tabs.)

Keywords - This text field should contain any parameter that is to be searchable, each separated by a comma. Parameters might include keywords, orientation ("vertical", "horizontal" or "square"), releases ("model-released" or "property-released"), subject categories or groupings or other search parameters. (The Keywords field must not contain paragraph returns or tabs.)

Image Source - Enter the name of the photographer or creator or agency or publication that is the original source of the image.

License Type - In commercial imagery, indicate if the image is rights-managed or royalty-free or subscription. Or, it can be an editorial image. (required value list: "rights-managed", "royalty-free", "subscription", "editorial")

Are there any image size requirements?

It is recommended that thumbnails be limited to 160 pixels on the longest side. Under no circumstances should a thumbnail image that has an aspect ratio of 1:1.5 (35mm) be larger than 200 pixels tall or wide. Some exceptions might be made for horizontal panoramics with aspect ratios of 1:3 or greater. There is no size limit for the preview image because we are displaying your actual preview page, passing the sales lead to you. A maximum of 550 pixels on the longest side for preview images is recommended. Watermarking previews is also recommended. A preview page should display comfortably on an 800x600 pixel monitor, and not be larger than what would display on a 1024x768 pixels monitor. Your deliverables can be any size that satisfies client needs. A 56 MB, 8 bit, RGB file is the industry standard.

Do you sell placement in the search results?

Absolutely not. Depending on the site, search results are either randomized or ordered by an algorithm that factors in many variables, some of which are based on the user habits of those who search the site. For ordered sites, the most relevant images will appear early on the search results page over time. Newly added images are always randomized to ensure a level playing field. No paid placement exists. This is all about providing the image buyer with the most appropriate images in the fastest way possible. In so doing, we hope to ensure their quick return for additional searches to the benefit of everyone.

Banner ads are available at the top of each search results page and in other clearly marked areas (in various sizes and levels of marketing) at this and other affiliated web sites for stock photography and footage. Our advertising engine enables you to track multiple ads that can be subject or date sensitive. To determine what combination of marketing is best for you, please contact us at info @ StockPhotoFinder.com or at (212) 929-6965.

How much does it cost?

Surprisingly little, given the value delivered. The underlying storage fee is based on 1/10th of one cent per image per year per web site. If your images cannot generate one tenth of a cent per year in licensing fees, they are not appropriate for our web sites. These annual fees, based on the quantity of images in your database, prepay one full year of search of your web site. For certain web sites, rights holders may pay a percentage of licensing fees (which is the lowest percentage in the industry). Other than the storage fee or the percentage, there are no other costs. Contact us at info @ StockPhotoFinder.com or at (212) 929-6965 for a Marketing Agreement and Annual Marketing Fee Schedule.

7) Qualification Checklist

Here's a quick checklist of requirements to participate in StockPhotoFinder web sites. Please ask us for help if you don't meet all the requirements.

online, searchable database

___ fast search
___ no partial word search ("wom" must not find "woman", "cat" must not find "cathedral")
___ no login requirements to view thumbnails and preview pages
___ 99% up time

image quality

___ minimal redundancy of images
___ no illegal content (ie, obscene)
___ good image quality in thumbnails, previews and deliverables

keywording quality

___ accurate keywording and/or captions
___ no excessive keywording (dozens rather than hundreds)
___ proper spelling

fulfillment

___ easily accessible hi-res files
___ prompt, daily ability to service call requests and deliver images

 

Thank you for your interest in StockPhotoFinder web sites. We look forward to working with you to grow your direct sales via the most cost effective marketing tool in the stock photography industry.