Before sending any images for review, please read this entire document. Call or email us before sending a submission. Do not send unsolicited material.

The Image Works specializes in editorial imagery both contemporary and historical. A basic requirement is a familiarity, knowledge and appreciation for your subject matter. While we are passionate about great photography, our foundation is as an editorial agency and we rely on photographers who are experts in their field.

Documentary photojournalism:
Our images of real-life situations reflecting the social, economic, political and cultural issues and events of our time are licensed for a wide range of uses including books, magazines, advertising and promotion.

Performing Arts:
Theater, dance, music and film are areas we focus on for our performing arts archive. We are interested in both classical and contemporary.

Natural History, Science & Ecology:
In general we are looking for very information based images that demonstrate animal behavior, scientific principles, geography and ecological issues from a local and global perspective.

Archival & Historical:
Archival and historical are relative terms. Not all old photographs are historically significant. And how long it takes for an image to pass from contemporary to historical varies. Images of computers, for example, may be historically significant in 2-3 years, while images of other subject matter may take decades or more before acquiring historical significance.

Choosing an agency for your work should be done carefully. As a photographer, you should be looking for a creative partnership with an agency that understands your work, has expertise in your subject areas and can capitalize on your talent. Success in stock photography requires an investment in time, creativity and money. For many photographers, it may take a year or more before regular earnings start to come in.

The Image Works is very selective about which photographers it accepts. We examine the work of many photographers each year, yet only take on a handful of new contributors. We want to be sure that we are the right agency for each photographer and that each photographer provides the right content for us.

The images created by our photographers must be marketable to our clients, and each photographer must be committed to a high level of production and creativity. Just as you make an investment in creating your images, we then invest time and resources to work with you by editing and maintaining your files as well as marketing your photographs to a broad base of clients. Ideally we are looking for contributors who are actively engaged with us about their ideas and willing to listen to us about what we need for our clients.

If you are 'signed on,' we would expect a minimum of 500 new images from you each year. You, the photographer, maintain copyright to your images. The photographs we represent are licensed, not royalty-free. Proceeds from sales are split 50/50 and payments are made monthly.

For review, we require a representative selection of roughly 200-300 photographs. All submissions must be in digital format, as we no longer accept transparencies. For review purposes, digital submissions should be a minimum of 800 pixels saved in jpg format. We expect that all images submitted be of reproduction quality: full tonal range, clean spot free, well balanced, Adobe 1998 RGB (we do not accept sRGB). Image should not be sharpened. Ideally not smaller than 18 mb files. Caption (including date photograph was taken) and copyright information must be in the IPTC fields (Photoshop File Info fields). As an editorial agency with fact-based content, captions are essential to us and our clients. We will not consider uncaptioned material.

Include information about yourself describing your work, your experience and photo history and your field of interest or any specialties (example: portraits, lifestyle, reportage, nature, travel, etc). How many marketable 'selects' do you have in your archive? Do you have a web site? Enclose return postage if you want your review CD or DVD returned to you.

We appreciate your interest in The Image Works. Please contact us if you have any questions or need additional information.