Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Look to corporate photography agencies

Seek out a corporate photographer agency to help you with your next business project. Corporate photographer agencies can help you with head shots, or can strategize with you on what imagery can help you define your brand image.

I recommend: Take advantage of the corporate photography agency assignment option of Black Star Publishing. Consider the corporate work of Richard Lanenga. Contact Anarchy Images about your next upcoming project. Look at the beautiful corporate work of Mark Tuschman.

Hire a fashion photographer agency for your publication

High end fashion magazines may look to outsource to photo agencies for their photo spread needs. Study the different styles available, and even if you can't afford one photographer, see if the look can be replicated by another artist.

I recommend: Take a look at the fashion photographers from Frank Management. Look at the fashion work of CORVAIL Photography. Check out the fashion work of Jason Christopher. Andres Hernandez specializes in beauty, fashion, editorial, advertising, commercial, catalog, and portrait photography.

Take advantage of stock photography agencies

Look at the vast libraries of stock photography agencies to see if they have the pictures that you need.

I recommend: Check out the royalty free stock collection from Jupiterimages. Buyers can register at The Stock Solution photo agency. Mira is the stock photography agency of the Creative Eye Cooperative. Run a photo search through Picturesque.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  When purchasing from stock photography agencies, determine what the length of the licensing agreement is before agreeing upon the terms of the terms of payment. Some companies offer you lifetime use, while others only offer you limited usage. Also make sure that your stock photo agency outlines the exclusivity of the agreement.

Guide to Photographic Agencies for Freelancers

Use photography agencies, get more exposure for your photos

By Lisa J. Jackson, Writer / Editor

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Start freelancing with online stock photography agencies

Online agencies for photography either want instant access to your portfolio or will require that you fill out questionnaires and direct them to a Web-based portfolio of your work. Know your skillset and confidence level to focus in on the type of picture agency to best fit your needs.

I recommend: Apply to become a contributor with Absolute Stock Photo where they allow the buyers to be the critics. Snapload Village allows you to set your own price once you create your online portfolio.

Start making money right away from subscription-based photo agencies

Get on board with a subscription-based photography agent and allow some flexibility in income potential. These agencies set a commission for each photo sold, as well as income or discounts when you refer buyers or photographers.

I recommend: Shutterstock will pay you based on sales, photographer referrals, and buyer referrals. Use their forum to see which of their programs will work best for you. 123RF offers commissions on sales and discounts for referrals.

Learn from stock photography agencies who specialize in subject matter

You can become a photography agent if you focus on one subject and build a stock of photographs for purchase. If your photographic images are unique, high quality and in demand, specializing can be quite lucrative. Seek out subject matter specialists to find a niche that will work for you.

I recommend: Check 6 focuses on military and aviation photography. Their related Code Red section features firefighting, rescues, emergencies, extreme weather and natural disaster photography. Dan Brown seeks out natural subjects that require extra technical skill to capture with a lens. Photographers.com is a searchable worldwide database that allows inquiries with a variety of criteria.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Land a spot on the roster with a photographer agency with the same amount of effort you would use to land a full-time job. Submit your resume and cover letter, accept an interview where you speak about your experience and show your portfolio, and then see if you beat out your competition. It can definitely be a highly lucrative position if you find the right agency for your skills.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Check out one of the many stock photography agencies

There are a wide variety of stock photography agencies available. Start there before you invest in a specific photoshoot, especially if your need is not necessarily product specific.

I recommend: Check out the amazing work of Magnum Photos. Scan through the library of Marge Casey + Associates. Look at the work of the Redux Pictures artists You can also use Profotos.com to find listings for a wide variety of other stock photography agencies.

Take a look at the photographers represented at various photo agencies

Some agencies consist of one photographer while other photo agencies are made up of many. Whatever the make up, take the time to look at the online portfolio work of the company you are considering before you go in and schedule a meeting.

I recommend: Look at the portfolio work of Brian Garland. Check out the artists represented by M S Logan. Consider the work of VII Photo Agency. Take a look a the corporate work of PF PHOTO AGENCY.

Work with Hollywood photographic agencies

Even those in high end magazines consider the use of Hollywood photographic agencies. Celebrity images sell, and having access to quality pics in turn sells magazines.

I recommend: Find celebrity images at Picture Perfect Photo Agency. Access the All Access Photo Agency Photo Bank Live to see the latest celebrity photos from the last five days. J.M.E. International specializes in "exclusive" and "non-exclusive" celebrity portraits. Cruise by day through the event lists to find out what you are looking for from PR Photos.

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  If you choose to work with a Hollywood photography agency and photographer agents, make sure that they are known for reputable photography practices and not stalkerazzi tactics.
• •  If you are working with a stock photo agency, make sure that the terms of your contract are clear as to the exclusivity and duration of your term are.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Film formats

Modern photographers often start with the latest digital camera, but a study of the art and craft of photography will lead the student to an amazing array of film formats. Large-format cameras take pictures on film that is 4-by-5 inches, while 35mm have been popular because the cameras are easy to carry with you on the road or assignment. Other film formats are available and chosen by photographers for specific purposes.

I recommend: Get more familiar with various film formats and their purposes at Henninger Media Services.

Stock images, stock photos

Stock images grace the pages of the most popular newspapers, school dictionaries and the annual reports of successful businesses. Several agencies maintain a collection of stock images that include camels in the desert and scientists at work doing valuable scientific research. Individuals in charge of diverse publications contact these agencies to obtain stock images to illustrate their publications, websites or advertisements, rather than hiring a photographer for a particular project.

I recommend: Find out more about stock images and photographs at Webopedia and DeviantART websites. Absolute Stock Photo provides information on the type of photos included as stock images and the procedures for using stock images.

Orphan works

Orphan works earn this label because it is difficult to identify the owner of the copyright. Legal experts place some artistic or creative work in this category because official copyright registration is not required for protection under the laws. Copyright laws protect orphan works even though there is no official record of the copyright.

I recommend: American Society of Picture Professionals provides excellent information on orphan works and the measures necessary to track down the owner of the copyright. The United States Copyright Office is the governing authority of orphan works.

Royalty-free stock photography

Royalty-free stock photography is royalty-free but not cost-free. Photographers often allow limited use of a particular photo for a royalty or a payment based on an agreement between the two parties. Stock photography agencies often make other types of agreements wherein the clients pay a set amount for using a bundle of the images in their libraries. In general, the royalty-free agreements allow for use of the photos in many different venues, but not in advertisements for items on sale.

I recommend: SnapVillage has a vast library of stock photos available for purchase under several different plans. Find out more about royalty-free photos at Getty.

Licensing agreement

Millions of photographic images available from stock, but the terms of use for all of these images vary greatly. Famous photographers can charge more for the use of their work while the average photographer receives much less for the use of their work. A licensing agreement provides explicit details for the use of photographic images and buyers should follow the terms carefully to avoid problems after publication.

I recommend: e-Cobo is a stock agency that clearly explains the terms of a typical licensing agreement. About.com has information on photographer licensing agreements.

Rights managed

Publications look better with photographs and other illustrations, but each photographer lets others use his or her work under certain conditions. Individuals may use rights managed licensing for a specific purpose as stated in a contract with the photographer. Users also agree to use a photograph for a limited amount of time under rights managed licensing.

I recommend: Ad Stock Images clearly explains the meaning and use of rights managed licensing.