Articles by Author

MediaStorm Methodology Workshop Applications Close in 2 Weeks

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 266 Words | Posted 10/12/2010 | Comments

Practically any report having anything to do with multimedia includes a mention of MediaStorm, a company that rightfully describes itself as “widely recognized for quality editorial production and as leaders in multimedia storytelling.” In addition to producing award-winning cinematic narratives and consulting for the world’s largest nonprofits and media companies, the company also has a training offering—and its next Methodology Workshop registration closes at the end of the month.

How Unemployment Hurts The Employed Professional Photographer

By Jim Pickerell | 798 Words | Posted 10/11/2010 | Comments (2)

Unemployment in the United States may be affecting freelance photographers in some not so obvious ways. While many photographers and designers have either lost their jobs or are under employed what we often forget is that those who still have viable businesses may now be competing with the unemployed as they produce new images as a way or earning a little extra cash.

The Not-So-New Buzz of Localization

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 561 Words | Posted 10/8/2010 | Comments (2)

So localization as a marketing concept is not so new. For instance, in the American retail space—think big supermarkets—“buy local” went hyper-popular a couple of years ago, with big brands like Hannaford and ShopRite touting their support for local farms and produce. “Support your local business” has been around for a while as well. Now more than ever, image buyers are seeking images that resonate with particular communities and locations—but what does it really mean to the stock producer?

Is There Any Such as the Newspaper Business Anymore?

By Jim Pickerell | 240 Words | Posted 10/8/2010 | Comments

Dallas Morning News publisher Jim Moroney III recently sent his staff a memo that said: “We’re no longer a newspaper company. We’re a news media company. The newspaper is just one way we package and distribute the content we publish.”

CaptureShot To Launch at ImageExpo

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 48 Words | Posted 10/7/2010 | Comments

Productiontrax.com To Carry Arcurs Stock

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 33 Words | Posted 10/7/2010 | Comments

SuperStock Gives Away Cars, Apple Products

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 107 Words | Posted 10/7/2010 | Comments

Digimarc Announces $36+ Million Deal

By Julia Dudnik Stern | 233 Words | Posted 10/7/2010 | Comments

Under a new agreement, Intellectual Ventures will exclusively sublicense Digimarc technology patents—for a $36 initial license-issue fee and 20% of further profits.

Ethics In The Textbook Publishing Business

By Jim Pickerell | 2108 Words | Posted 10/6/2010 | Comments (4)

Photographers whose business it is to produce stock images that are designed for use in textbooks should IMMEDIATELY look for another line of work. For years the major textbook publisher -- not fly by night organizations -- have been paying fees based on minimal press runs. Then, with no regard whatsoever for the written contracts they executed with the sellers, they have made extensive additional uses of the images without making any attempt to compensate the image creators in any way for the use that exceeded the original license agreement. These additional uses have resulted in millions of dollars of extra revenue for the publishers. Such actions were not occasional oversights, but policy.

How to Become a Pro Photographer: Part 1- Making the Jump

By Daniel H. Bailey | 2190 Words | Posted 10/5/2010 | Comments

This is the first of five articles where Dan Bailey discusses his 15 year odyssey in photography, from being an amateur to making a living taking pictures. He starts out by outlining a number of things you need to consider before deciding to jump from amateur to pro. In future he'll discuss Getting The Gear and Expertise, Marketing and Self Promotion and other aspects of the Business of Photography.

About Michael Masterson

Michael Masterson has a broad range of experience in marketing, business development, strategic planning, contact negotiations and recruiting in the photography, graphic design and publishing industries. In addition to his long experience at the Workbook and Workbookstock, Masterson owned and was creative director of his own graphic design firm for several years.

Masterson has been a speaker or panelist at industry events such as Seybold, PhotoPlus Expo, Visual Connections and the Picture Archive Council of America (PACA) national conference. He is currently the national president of the American Society of Picture Professionals (ASPP). He also serves on the board of the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council in his Los Angeles community. He chaired the marketing committee for the Los Angeles Conservancy, a historic preservation advocacy group, for many years.

He currently heads Masterson Consulting, working on projects ranging from business development for creative companies and sourcing talent for them to promoting and marketing industry events as well as providing resume and professional profile services for job-seekers. He can be reached at zvpunryqznfgrefba@tznvy.pbz.