What we are looking for in a photographer member
We are looking for photographers who have a wide photographic background who can work in diverse environment and for diverse clients. Experience with newspaper, magazine and corporate photography is ideal. A strong understanding of visual communication is a must.
The technical knowledge and access to computer and scanning equipment is required for transmitting pictures to our online service.
Most of all, we are looking for photographers who want to be a part of an agency that is owned and run by follow photographers and participate in the promotion, advancement and success of such an agency.
Membership and Structure
PictureDesk International is an incorporated business owned by its Photographer Members and its Staff Members. All full members invest in Picturedesk a cash value and are equal shareholders in the company with equal voting rights. All photographers with PictureDesk retain the ownership of copyright to their images. Members can market their work independently, but may not work with competing photo agencies.
PictureDesk represents the photographer and works to secure commissioned assignments, market stock photo archives and protect the rights of its member photographers.
We also maintain a news and feature "wire service" which is distributed through the NewsCom network.
PictureDesk International also represents a number of photographers as Associate members. These are photographers represented by PictureDesk but have not made a financial investment in the company.
Associate Membership
PictureDesk International also represents photographers who are not full investment members. These photographers are represented as Associate Members. The Associate Member joins PictureDesk with all the benefits of full membership with the exception of voting rights and profit sharing in the company.
PictureDesk will represent the photographer and market their stock photo archive.
PictureDesk will promote the photographer and work to secure commission assignments whenever possible.
The Associate Member can continue to do assignment work and market their stock images outside of PictureDesk although PictureDesk may ask for exclusive marketing rights on certain pictures or projects.
PictureDesk also provides access to our online wire service to Associate Members.
An Associate Member may opt for full membership at any time.
Full Membership
Full membership in PictureDesk International means being an equal investor and share holder in the company.
The requirements for full membership, in addition to meeting the professional standards, is a financial investment of US$2,500.00. This makes the photographer an owner and equal shareholder in the company. The benefits of full membership are:
- Profit Sharing
- Equal voting rights
- Preference for assignment work.
- Preference for promotional material
- Preference for project co-production
The membership investment can be paid over an agreed period of time and sales (or percentage thereof) may used against the investment requirement.
The Application Process
Final approval of all applications for membership, Full or Associate, rests with the current executive. Individual consideration is given to each application. If you are interested in applying for membership in PictureDesk International, first contact Greg Locke or Greg Mironchuk (numbers and addresses on the Contact page) to discuss and arrange for delivery of your portfolio.
In your portfolio package we would like to see the following:
- Cover Letter
A neatly typed letter telling us about your photographic interests, objectives and why you feel PictureDesk International is the agency to help you follow those interests and achieve your objectives. Also, what you expect from a photographic agency. No more than three pages, please.
- Resume
A resume documenting your academic background, work experience (both photographic and non-photographic related work) and personal / professional references.
- Portfolio
A portfolio containing a well edited and captioned selection of your best images, in print and/or transparency form, along with any support materials.
Our preference is 35mm slides in standard plastic slide sheets. 20 slides to a sheet. There are many reasons for this but first and foremost, it is a way for us to evaluate your work and photographic abilities. Please indicate if they are dupes or copy slide of prints. For ease of shipping and handling, please do not send oversized black mounting boards. For prints, the maximum size is 8X10. Dye-sub or inkjet prints are acceptable but only if they are of the highest quality. Tear sheets are also welcome.
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