As buyer budgetary pressures and competition continue to drive prices downward, production companies and solo practitioners are increasingly looking to maximize their earnings by cutting out the middleman.
New iPhone App ID Release aims to change the way photographers and filmmakers obtain model and property releases. Available through the Apple App Store, the app was designed by photographers Jay Corbett and Hans Neleman, both with substantial experience in stock imagery.
New York-based stock, archival and news footage search engine Footage.net has announced the relaunch of its Web site, complete with a new footage industry directory.
World Portraits, The Netherlands company that emphasizes fair trade, and Dutch photo agency Hollandse Hoogte have announced a competition that will provide the winner with at least 5,000 euro to finance a photography assignment.
The British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies has announced that Google will host a seminar during this year's Picture Buyers' Fair. The two-day event begins May 19, and its organizers have recently revealed major format changes and a new venue.
Founding editor Jim Pickerell has reacquired Selling Stock, which has been owned by Fadner Media Enterprises since late 2006. Selling Stock's daily coverage will remain unchanged, and Pickerell is also launching a companion Web site, PhotoLicensingOptions.com, which will offer paid access to stories on an individual basis.
iStockphoto has launched a user-directed donation program, pledging up to $500,000 in 2010. The phased program will eventually enable iStock clients, contributors and employees to make microdonations to charities of their choice from within istockphoto.com.
As part of its promotional strategy, Getty Images-owned iStockphoto is offering a selection of free images through Google Blogger, a leading blogging platform that boasts millions of bloggers.