Flickr has become my alternative to stock photography for three different work projects.
How did I get the one-time usage rights to these photos? I asked the photographers’ permission, described exactly how I would use the photos and I gave them proper credit.
Recently a similar compliment was paid to my rank amateur photo skills by Schmap Dynamic Travel Guides.
This photo of Bloomingdale’s, just off Chicago’s Michigan Avenue, was chosen for inclusion in the fourth edition of the online travel guide.
I was first asked to approve it for consideration and proper credit is given with a link back to my Flickr photo page. Schmap gets a gold star for also offering a widget to promote my inclusion in the guide. Smart.
In this case my photo looks better than the photo on Bloomingdale’s store locater -- albeit I'm a wee bit biased.
Flickr makes it easy to ask for permission. There is no excuse for not taking proper steps as you would when using stock photography.
Perhaps Flickr could make it even easier? Consider a Flickr stock photo service comparable to Corbis or Getty Images. You mark your photos as being eligible when you upload them. If they're used, your Paypal account gets credited accordingly. It would be simple for users and a powerful offering from Flickr.
Temple of Bloomingdale's uploaded by prblog
tags | advertising | marketing | Flickr
Seems we're running parallel tracks:
1. I, too, was chosen for a Schmap.com photo feature. One of my images heads their Chicago Parks District page. Their widget offer is a PR 101 (viral) classic. I don't recall hearing of Schmap before they got me excited about a photo exposure like your cool Bloomingdale's op. Now suddenly, I'm thinking of giving them a widget on my blog? ;-)
2. I just discovered the permissions page on Flickr last night. Decided I'll allow viral use of my photos through this system. And to your Flickr *stock photo* point... From your lips to the Flickr-god's ears, PayPal deposits and all!
Viqi
http://flickr.com/photos/urbanislands
Posted by: Viqi French | 03/01/2008 at 09:27 AM
I agree - Flickr is a great resource; is there anything that's not on there? I've used it to source photos for everything from our company Public Relations website to a Government annual report using a Creative Commons licence.
Posted by: Emma McCleary | 03/03/2008 at 09:06 PM
Viqi - Congratulations on getting selected for the Schmap Guide.
Emma - It can be hit or miss in a lot of ways, but the experential nature of a lot of the shots are what I really enjoy the most....less generic and without that stock photoy feel to them.
Posted by: Kevin Dugan | 03/05/2008 at 01:09 AM
Very interesting
Posted by: Holy | 03/05/2008 at 12:28 PM