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Why should I bother licensing?
Licensing an image is like renting a movie - you’re paying to borrow it for a certain amount of time. (And unlike your friends’ clothes, you have to give it back.) This thing we have - called the “licensing fee” - is the amount you pay for the image, based upon how the image is used. And since each image/photo is a separate piece of art, it requires a separate licensing fee. BONUS: Queerstock would be happy to help you with special orders, like discounts for multiple uses and exclusive uses for periods of time or specific industries. Don’t be shy - just ask!
I paid for it. Can’t I use it everywhere?
Hello - that would be stealing! Seriously, an image is licensed for a specific number of uses for a certain amount of time. If you need to use your image time and again for infinity, you might want to consider buying a royalty-free image.
What about alterations?
Want to shorten the hem? Go right ahead - the image is yours! Turn it different colors, crop it, make it bigger, whatever! You bought the rights to use it and you can alter it in whatever way you wish. (We’re sure it will be respectable!)
Does the artist want credit?
So sweet of you to ask, but no. Really, it’s not necessary. (Or required!)
Let’s talk money.
Ever bought a stock photo before? Then you’re pretty familiar with our prices. We’re about the same as the other guys! But since price is based on media and usage, there’s no set price for anything. The cost of running it in a newspaper for three months is different from that of putting the image on a poster for six months.
For more information on pricing, call us.
What does royalty-free mean?
Royalty-free images are usually a bargain! Which means they’re much cheaper
than licensed images. You can also use them as many times as you like!
That’s such a bonus. So what’s the down side? Well, you could see your
beloved image many places. Since royalty-free images are cheaper and have
fewer restrictions, they’re usually in wide circulation. So the Royalty-free
photo of that adorable cute guy you’re picking out to use in your shampoo ad
could also be used by a bank (or something even more mundane!) If you’re
trying to do one of those identity/brand things, you may want a guarantee
that your particular photo won’t show up selling used cars or something. So,
take a look at our fabulous rights-protected images or let us help you
create a custom image. For more information on sizes and prices, call us.
Why would I want it?
Why would you want a pony? Or a surprise birthday party thrown by your fave superstars? BECAUSE IT’S COOL! Having something photographed or drawn to your specifications (e.g. the image in your head) is really neat! And can turn a potentially good project into a killer one. If you’ve looked but haven’t found the right image, give us a call. We support perfectionism - and so do all of our talented photographers and illustrators.
Are we talking weeks or months?
Darling, this depends on the project. A quarter-page illustration of a chicken won’t take nearly as much time as a photo shoot involving chickens in sequined outfits. (Common sense, isn’t it?) On average, it takes anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Just let us know your time frame up-front and we’ll accommodate you the best we can.
And then there’s the usage thing.
Sorry, but unlimited usage isn’t automatically included in the deal. Just like a piece of stock, usage price depends on, well, usage! The artist will be able to show the image in their portfolio as a sample of their work, and the image will be available to other stock buyers - unless you license it for exclusive usage. Until you decide to purchase an image, the artist retains all copyrights.
How many dollar signs do I see?
Certainly not as many as the lottery! Or Vegas, for that matter. Price depends on the artist’s and photographer’s style and experience, but most of the time custom work is as reasonably priced as stock usage.
Goodie! How do I order?
Browse through the artists to see what you like, then fill out the custom project request form. We’ll contact you shortly with a quote and some specs. Or you can just pick up the phone and call us. Before you know it, you’ll be connected with just the right artist to communicate your vision. (Doesn’t that sound fancy?)
Keyword antics
Everything, yes everything, is searchable by keywords! Queerstock keywords include fancy, soccer moms, freedom, purple, whimsical and woodcut. (That’s descriptive names, subject matter, concepts, color, style and medium.) List of smarty-pants keywords coming soon!
Quick search tips
Searching is as easy as pie - if you follow these li’l rules:
Put phrases in quotes! Like “beauty and the beast.”
Uppercase and lowercase are liked by all - so use whatever you prefer!
Look for concepts! Searching for stuff like success and joy can bring up tons o’ images.
Searching for more than one image number? Please separate them with commas.
Loosen up. Be natural! And use natural lingo. We didn’t categorize with a grammar teacher - we categorized the way we speak. (Kind of street of us, huh?)
Advanced search tips
You know you’re looking for an “alternative” programmer at his computer. Do you know if you want rights-protected or royalty-free? What about color or black and white? Horizontal or vertical? Okay, it might sound like a lot of questions, but if you know in the beginning, it can really help.
Let’s narrow that search!
We can’t help you narrow your hips, but we can help you narrow that search. Here’s how:
Do something you love to do - window shop! Looking at different artists and getting an idea of style is a great way to help you see what you love - and what you don’t.
Choose your favorite photographers and artists. Starting with them is one of the best ways to find what you want.
Use that dialing finger! And call us. Our Free Research Help is actually legit. We have a team of arty-types who can get in there and help you find what you’re looking for in practically no time at all.
The skinny, the low-down, the facts.
There’s more to this experience than a meaningless search. At least there can be! Queerstock is a family! A group of photographers, artists, designers, and customers dedicated to portraying queers in a positive and professional way. We believe in the future of this endeavor! So when you join us, you not only help pave the way - you also get lots of nifty features on the site, like:
Unwatermarked images for comps and internal presentations
Lightboxes for storing and categorizing your images
Your own personal account for speedy processing
Special gifts, offers, promotions, parties and more!
A warm fuzzy feeling. (Awww...)
Joining is easy. Just click Register, fill out the forms, choose a password and you’re in. How simple is that?
Will you share my info with the world?
Only if you’ll share that yummy truffle you’re nibbling... kidding! Of course not. We only share when it’s appropriate - and it’s never appropriate to give someone’s name and e-mail address to evildoers. (We don’t even keep your credit card information on file. Just your name and e-mail!)
I know I can change my preferences.
Everyone’s entitled to changing their preference - and their mind - and their address - and even their password. Feeling fickle? No problem. Just sign-in in and click on “Manage Your Profile” to make a change. Change is good!
My password has left the building.
We know, we know - your brain is full of so many fabulous facts, it didn’t have room for your password anymore! Just click on Forget Your Password? and enter the pertinent info. You’ll receive a super-secret e-mail with your password in it. (And some exercises for improving your memory. Kidding!)
My memory is shot!
You don’t know your login. Your password. Or why you can’t resist playing pranks all the time. Except for the prank part, we can help! Just create a new account or call our support line. If you create a new account, they can help you cancel the old one.
Already registered, but still seeing watermarked images?
This is happening because your account has not yet been verified.
When you signed up on the website, you should have received an email asking you to verify your account.
This step is in place to help prevent fraudulent account registrations.
We suggest you take a look at your email for the confirmation email we sent you and follow the instructions.
Until your account is verified, you will be unable to see unwatermarked images and will not be able to place orders online.
Call us if you need additional help.
Sounds swanky. What is it?
The Lightbox is the hippest place for your images to hang on the Web. Seriously! Once you find an image you can send it to relax in one of your Lightboxes until you’re ready to look at it again. You can create up to five Lightboxes at a time - and name them all according to category! This makes it easy to revisit all the photos you found of “business stuff” without having to do a lot of bookmarking or categorizing. |
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