As an Alaska commercial photographer, I am always on the lookout to find unique locations to photograph and I am constantly in need of “real people” who are interested in being models for stock photo shoots. I hope you would be interested in either of these opportunities.
Alaska photo models in Denali National Park
Models
There are no special “modeling” skills needed to be this type of model – just a cheery attitude and a willingness to be flexible and patient. More often than not the photographs are taken with the models doing natural outdoor activities (hiking, fishing, walking, biking, even just standing and looking at a beautiful scene) similar to the photos shown here. I pay a model fee to each model. The fee paid is dependent on the amount of time it takes for the photo shoot and other factors, such as the difficulty of the activity, etc. Of course we give complimentary photo prints and digital images to the models for use in their personal projects and websites.
Model Release – In order to properly license the photos to potential clients, it is necessary to have a signed “Model Release” from the models which allows the images to be sold to the commercial market place as explained below in “About Stock Photography.” I will supply one of these releases for the models (or their parents/guardians, if a minor) to sign.
Alaska models on a stock photography shoot in Anchorage.
Locations & Props (Personal Property)
I am constantly searching for locations (both man made and natural settings) that would add a unique element to a photo. These locations vary widely depending on the type of photo I’m after. The location might be a home or cabin exterior for a Christmas theme OR it may be the juxtaposition of mountains, trees and streams all lining up just right for a fly-fishing photo OR it may be a split-rail fence along a rural road for a photo of a grandfather walking with his young grandson.
Likewise I look for unique props, such as great looking dogs, atypical automobiles, horses, barns, etc.
Palmer farm used on an Alaska stock photo shoot
Location rentals
In exchange for the use of your location (or personal property) and a signed “Location-Property Release” from you, I am happy to pay a “Location-Property Use Fee.” The fees are negotiable and together we can decide what is fair. Of course we give complimentary photo prints and digital images to the location owners for use in their personal projects and websites.
Alaskan model in a winter photo shoot for use as a stock photo.
Property Release
In order to properly license the photos to potential clients, it is necessary to have a signed “Location-Property Release” from the property owner which allows the images to be sold to the commercial marketplace as described below in “About Stock Photography.” I will supply one of these for the property owners to sign.
Please contact me if you are interested.
About Stock Photography
Stock photography is where a photographer takes a photo without being “on assignment” or being paid up-front by a client to take the photo. The photos made from a stock photo shoot are photographs that are then made available for sale to, and use by, unknown companies. Typically these sales are made directly by the photographer or the photographer’s stock picture agency via their website. My main stock picture agency is AlaskaStock.com and others throughout the world.
By making these stock photographs, the photographer is making an up-front investment in his/her time, travel, photo processing and model & location fees in the hope that the photos made will pay above and beyond the initial expenses in order to make a living. In the ideal world, a photographer will have done market research and planned out his/her stock photo shoot so that the photograph made will be so good that it is purchased over and over by many companies over a long period of time.
Though only a small percentage of such stock pictures are actually used, the photographs in which you or your property appear, regardless of their most likely or immediate planned usage, may appear in magazines, books, company brochures, greeting cards, annual reports, websites, advertisements or other commercial uses which is unknown at the time the photo is taken. Or, they may never be used and only sit on the stock agency’s and/or photographer’s website waiting to be sold.
