What happens after the shoot?

What is your process for getting my images to me?
My process involves several stages.

Firstly I’ll look briefly at all the images from the shoot and delete any that are ‘bad’. Bad means out of focus, blurred, or those with obviously bad facial expressions or poses that are not fixable.

The remaining images will be resized and stamped with “PROOF” text across.   These will be made available via link to an online gallery.  The gallery will stay online until your selection process has been completed.  If you wish to keep the PROOF images then you should download them.

The next part of the process is down to you – you need to choose your favourites. Prior to the shoot we should have agreed on the number of images you can select.  Additional images above this number can be purchased at a reasonable cost.

I need the CR2 number that is embedded on the image.

Normally within a week of getting your final requests you will have your final finished images. I will provide you with a link where you can find the high-resolution images to download. It is very important that you save the images in a secure place.

Why are you giving me images with “PROOF” on them?
The photos you are seeing at this time are not the finished product. Due to the numbers of images taken at most of my shoots it is not possible to process every image to the finished quality before letting you see them. So, you get the proof versions. These are intended for your eyes only, and only for you to pick your favourites. I consider quality control of my work very important and I ask that the unprocessed images are not put into general circulation.

Okay so I’ve got my images – how am I allowed to use them?
Any personal use is okay. This means your printed portfolio, business or comp cards, or your website. It is also okay to use images on additional modelling related websites such as OneModelPlace, ModelMayhem, PaidModels, Net-Model. Social networking websites like Facebook & MySpace are also acceptable.

Okay, so that's where I can use the images, what about where I can't?
Essentially any commercial use of the images is not allowed without additional approval by me. This excludes your own personal businesses, but includes uses such as sponsors advertising, giving images for free to magazines etc.

Can I sell prints?
Yep, you can attempt to sell printed copies (10x8’s etc) of the images from your website to fans.

Can you sell my prints?
Yes, I do at times attempt to sell pictures from shoots. I use the word attempt because generally only very well known  models actually sell, and even then the number of sales is very low.

Can I add my artwork to the images?
Yes, you can add your own artwork to advertise your website and / or business to the images. However artwork (eg company logo etc) advertising any other business / website may not be added without prior agreement from me.

Do I need to give you credit for the images?
I always appreciate any credit / links when my images are used. Although I know this is not always possible.

You’ve given me web-sized versions with your logo on them – why?
These are the images that I prefer get used on the internet. As well as advertising my work and name, it also goes some way to protect both of our rights and hinders anyone from taking the images for other use.

Can’t I just resize the high-resolution versions and use them instead?
Yes, technically you can, although I politely request that you don’t unless you need to incorporate the images into artwork (eg a title page or banner for your website).

I want to submit some of the images to the magazines – can I?
Yes, Please do! I’ve had lots of tearsheets from where the model started the process, so go for it.

I do ask though that I finalise any arrangements directly with the publication. Why? Well, if for example we are lucky enough to have Musclemag / American Curves and another someone else interested… I do not like to release any similar or identical images to other rival publications. Basically I need to be in control of who gets to use the images.

Can I use the images in web-based competitions?
Yes, as long as they give a credit to me and to not add their own artwork to the images then you are perfectly welcome and encouraged to use the images in this way.

Okay, what about magazine based competitions such as Maxim Hotties?
Unfortunately my normal answer for this is no. These kind of magazine competitions normally require the photographer to sign over copyright or permission to the magazine. They seem not to give credit to the photographers. For this reason unless a model wants to purchase copyright from me for the images then my standard answer is no.

Who owns the photos?
I do. Unless we agree on a price and you buy copyright of selected / all images from me, then copyright remains with me.

I’ve just got you some business and they have paid you, do I get anything for my work?
If you do generate me some business then I will pay you 20% of the initial sale by any new clients referred this way.

I just love our images and I want to share them with the world!
:-) Great!!! However if we are submitting to magazines it is often in both of our best interests if we limit use until such time as magazine submissions have been completed.

Will you use any of our images on your website?
I always use at least one photo from each shoot on my website – each model will get a separate page on my site for each shoot we do. It does sometimes take me a little while to get this page online, but it will go up. Only the very best of my images make it to the portfolio section of my website and generally this will only be updated once a year (normally during the winter season).

You’ve asked me for comments on the shoot…
Yes, in your own words, give your comments on the shoot etc… If you want me to link somewhere – to your website / modelling profile – this is where you give me the information.

Can you get me published?
It is always in my interest to attempt to get my models in print. While every effort will be made to publish the images, no guarantee can be made on possible sale or publication.

What else do you do for me?
I will always make reasonable effort to ensure you get a proper name credit where any images are used. I will always keep your details confidential and will not disclose to any third parties or make use of material or information communicated to me in confidence.

If any of our images get picked up for future publication how will I know?
Normally I shout this from the rooftops. I will email you as soon as I find out the news. What I cant offer is to provide you with a copy of the publication – I often struggle to get a copy for myself and as most of my work is currently published in North America.

You’ve not answered my question.
Please contact me via email.  (link will open contact page from my main website www.michaelpalmer.com)