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School of Stock to Provide the Definitive Guide for Meeting Image Buyers’ Needs
New York, NY, June 16, 2008 – PhotoShelter Inc., the leading online destination where more than 32,000 photographers sell stock photography and access powerful solutions for e-commerce and image storage, today announced two initiatives designed to replenish the global stock photo supply in areas of the greatest buyer demand. Together with sponsors Nikon, Adorama Camera, and Shoot Digital, PhotoShelter kicked off registration for Shoot! The Day (www.shoottheday.com), a first-of-its-kind event taking place on July 20, 2008, that will bring together thousands of photographers across the world to share insights and take pictures in key categories. In addition, PhotoShelter today launched The School of Stock (http://blog.photoshelter.com/school), the definitive new online guide to understanding what stock photo buyers’ want and how they want it – directly from the minds of leading image buyers and successful photographers.
Today’s announcements are a direct response to insights from a recent stock photography industry survey conducted by PhotoShelter that captured the impressions of over 700 photo buyers, editors and art directors. The survey confirmed the stock photo supply is outdated and has run dry in key, often-used areas. With these new initiatives, PhotoShelter is mobilizing the global community of photographers to address buyers’ most critical needs.
“It’s surprising to see such a huge communication gap between two sides of an industry that depend on each other to succeed. Buyers are searching in frustration for fresh images, while thousands of talented photographers worldwide continue to invest time and resources into shooting for stock without any awareness of buyers’ most pressing needs,” said Allen Murabayashi, CEO of PhotoShelter. “Starting today, PhotoShelter is closing the gap. We’re creating an unprecedented dialogue between photographers and image buyers. We’re then empowering photographers with access to new information to create an evolving pipeline of imagery that is precisely attuned to customer demand. And, we’re all going to have some fun together while we do it.”
“This industry has been missing fresh thinking for a long time,” said Doug Schneider, Director of Photography, Benchmark Education Company. “It seems like PhotoShelter has nailed a solution for us. I’m so excited to see how the photographers across the world respond, and of course, how quickly I can access their new images.”
“From professional shooters to casual shutterbugs, this is a great chance for photographers across the world to learn about the important role that quality stock photography plays in everyday life,” said Edward Fasano, general manager for marketing, SLR System Products at Nikon, Inc. “By actively contributing as the exclusive camera manufacturer for Shoot! The Day, our aim is to educate the photographer, and provide them with the equipment and the knowledge that helps to unlock the creative potential that resides in all of us.”
Shoot! The Day: July 20, 2008
On Shoot! The Day, photographers worldwide are invited to help replenish the current supply of stock images in five key categories –active seniors, youth culture, family and kids lifestyle, business settings and still life. All participants will have the opportunity to compete individually and in groups for prizes provided by sponsors, and for recognition and sales. Simultaneously, at Shoot Digital Studios in New York City, hundreds of photographers will gather for a full day of symposiums, and 20 photographers will be chosen to accompany renowned experts for live, on-location photo shoot seminars focused on the same five image categories, with best-in-class gear provided by Nikon.
Beginning today, photographers can register free of charge, at www.shoottheday.com to participate in all Shoot! The Day events including:
• Shoot! Anywhere Online Community, and Remote Groups. Photographers worldwide are encouraged to register for the event and participate remotely either individually or as part of a regional group or association. Participants can create their own local events that include organized shoots in the day’s five main image categories and where appropriate, expert instruction and parties. Several PhotoShelter partners have already started assembling online groups and remote events in key cities worldwide, including the Advertising Photographers of America (http://www.apanational.com), Slideluck Potshow (http://www.slideluckpotshow.com/), and Strobist (http://strobist.blogspot.com/). The Shoot! The Day global community, accessible through www.shoottheday.com, will begin growing online starting today.
• Shoot! On-Location. 20 spots are available, by application only, for PhotoShelter Collection contributing photographers to join recognized experts for live photo shoots based on the day’s five key image categories. Top-of-the-line equipment will be provided by Nikon, and models, stylists, makeup artists and photo assistants will be provided by PhotoShelter. The application deadline is June 25, 2008 and selected photographers will be announced June 30, 2008.
• NYC Live Gathering. 500 spots are available, on a first-come, first-served basis, to register and attend this all-day event at Shoot Digital Studios filled with demonstrations and panel discussions featuring photographer, technical and image buyer experts. Partners Nikon, Adorama Camera and other leading industry brands will be on hand offering hands-on product demos and special discounts. The event will culminate with an evening party and a sampling of the five on-location photo shoots from earlier in the day.
• Competition, Prizes, and Image Sales Opportunity. All photographers who take pictures in the five Shoot! The Day categories are encouraged to submit their work to the PhotoShelter Collection, PhotoShelter’s stock photo marketplace, where images can be licensed as stock photography to top buyers. By submitting images by July 27, 2008, photographers will be eligible for prizes and large scale recognition. Best images from Shoot! The will be selected by a panel of leading image buyers. Winners will be announced September 8, 2008.
Promotional partners for Shoot! The Day include JPG Magazine (Lead Media Sponsor), the Advertising Photographers of America, Slideluck Potshow, Strobist, Blind Spot Magazine, City Magazine, FlakPhoto, Artlog, and Humble Arts Foundation.
Photographers Get Schooled on Stock…by the Customers
The School of Stock is PhotoShelter’s groundbreaking new effort that will provide photographers with clear guidance on how to succeed in the stock photography business.
On an ongoing basis, the School of Stock will provide practical insights culled from interviews with stock photography’s “power users”– art buyers, photo editors and creative professionals at leading magazines, advertising agencies, publishing companies and corporations. Moreover, recognized pro photographers provide production insights on shooting for stock. Participating buyers for the features include professionals from media outlets like McGraw Hill, Discovery Communications, American Express Custom Solutions, MTV and advertising firms like Grey Worldwide and Agency RX. School of Stock content is presented for all experience levels including seasoned photographers looking for new ideas, the art or commission photographer who wants to get into stock for the first time, or the hobbyist who believes their work might have commercial potential.
PhotoShelter Industry Survey: Buyers Are Bored
Through its industry survey, PhotoShelter uncovered stock photo buyer discontent, with nearly 75% of respondents indicating they have seen all the content currently available through major channels. Buyers indicated the worst categories in stock photography, in terms of quality and breadth of available imagery, were healthcare (87.7%), multicultural and diversity lifestyle (86.1%), senior citizens lifestyle (85.6%) and consumer technology and products (84.4%). The full results are available at the School of Stock (www.http://blog.photoshelter.com/school).
About PhotoShelter Inc.
PhotoShelter is an online photo community where 32,000 of the world’s photographers find new opportunities and liberation from the traditional model of selling their work.
The PhotoShelter Collection is a global stock photography marketplace where photographers from 130 different countries contribute over 4,000 new images daily for rights-managed and royalty-free licensing. Through PhotoShelter, photographers keep an unprecedented 70% of every sale, compared to the industry standard of 35%. The Collection provides image buyers with a freshness that results when accomplished pros and undiscovered hobbyists share their distinct perspectives in an edited collection designed to add diversity and authenticity to any project.
PhotoShelter Personal Archive is the leading online solution that enables independent photographers to succeed in selling their images directly to clients. Personal Archive provides state-of-the-art tools for image storage and protection, searchable galleries and slideshows and ecommerce capabilities for easy website integration and instant online sales of prints and licenses. A true solution designed to make the business of photography easier to manage – Personal Archive offers security, global accessibility, and advanced marketing tools so photographers can make their images work harder for them.
To join our community, visit www.photoshelter.com.
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