Found on Flickr

July 9, 2008 By David Burn Leave a Comment

According to The New York Times, Getty Images will scour Flickr for images it might be able to sell.

Getty editors will comb Flickr in search of interesting images. They will then invite photographers to participate in the program and ensure that their images have the proper releases to be licensed legally. Those who are included in the program will get paid at the same rates that Getty pays photographers who are under contract with the company.
Jonathan Klein, co-founder and chief executive of Getty Images, said, “Because the imagery is not shot for commercial services, there is more authenticity. Advertisers are looking for authenticity.”

[UPDATE] Photo Shelter, a competitor and thorn in Getty Image’s side, is flattered that Getty is validating their approach. “No other competitor in their history has forced Getty to change their model. This is a great sign of encouragement for us.”
For much more on Photo Shelter’s side of the story, see their blog.

Filed Under: Art of Advertising

About David Burn

I wrote my first ad for a local political candidate when I was 17. She went on to win her race, and I felt the power of persuasive copy for the first time. Starting in Portland in 1995, I worked my way across the country as a copywriter and eventually became a content director making media products for big packaged goods brands. I returned to Oregon in 2008, and now I focus on building brands for companies that matter, including this one.