G U I D E L I N E S
T O  C O N T R I B U T I N G  P H O T O G R A P H E R S

We welcome new photographers who wish to contribute to our library. Before making a submission, please e-mail or preferably telephone for a chat on +44 (0)20-8795 3581.

If you haven't used a photo library before, you need to know how we operate. We sell reproduction rights of pictures and do not act as agents to promote photographers. Our clients rent pictures to help sell their products and services. And they expect the very best. Therefore, we expect you to produce images that are simply outstanding. When a sale is made, we pay the photographer 50% of the amount received. You can be successful if you follow our guidelines and produce what clients want.

We supply mainly to publishing and advertising markets. What we need from you, is a long term commitment to stock photography, so that we receive regular additional submissions. In order to achieve regular sales, it is important that you build a sizable stock with us within a few years. Photographers who put in an initial submission of a few hundred pictures, then wait for results usually miss out on sales. Our most successful photographers have accumulated over five thousand pictures each.

Shoot specifically with both the leisure and business traveller in mind. Images suitable for advertising bring in the highest sales. A picture may be required by clients for various purposes, so try and shoot as many different views of the same subject. Perhaps a city skyline - at day and at night, or a famous beach - with and without people etc.

SUBJECTS TO PHOTOGRAPH:
You can browse through our site and see the kind of pictures we accept. But here are some general guidelines:

Typical travel brochure views. These can be the most popular images of places that we are used to seeing. However, your creative input is vital in producing something better or different. The picture could also say a little more than just the view of the place. Eg: a shot of the Pyramids at Giza, with camels passing by will sell better, than the pyramids on its own. Or a famous temple with a monk worshipping at it has more potential than the temple on its own.

'Advertising' images, that sell a destination. These are pictures where we expect you to be both art director and photographer, able to compose and set up shots, perhaps using models and props at specific locations.
The photographer should discuss ideas with us first.

Local lifestyle, culture, markets, festivals, historic/archaeological/religious sites, amusing signs. People in national dress, costumes, dancers - full figure shots as well as tightly composed (head to waist). People shots are very much in demand, and the expression on faces or what they are doing is critical and should reflect the feel of the place.

Flora and fauna that's popular or unique to a place. Although close-ups are useful, do also shoot pictures that include some background that identify the location. Eg: a close-up of a lion, with the African background (slightly out of
focus), will sell better than if it looked as if it was photographed at a zoo!

People on holiday: families, couples, sunbathers, weddings, watersports, divers among coral reef fish, winter sports, shopping, cafes/restaurants and nightlife. Interesting or grand hotels, waiters serving food and cocktails, exotic food displays. Cruising, fly/drive, cycling, walking/trekking, and special interest holidays.

Ensure that pictures are well composed, pin sharp and that exposures are perfect. General wide views must have plenty of depth of field. Blue skies are essential (preferably with polariser) on panoramic and beach scenes.
Avoid hard shadows (particularly on people) and direct flash.

FILM & FORMAT: We only take ORIGINAL TRANSPARENCIES. If any of your pictures are valuable to you, we suggest you make duplicates and send us the originals. 35mm is acceptable but 120 format (6x4.5cm to 6x7cm)
is preffered. Slow film is strongly recommended. Transparencies must be in card or plastic mounts.

DIGITAL IMAGES: Initial submissions should be low resolution JPEG (500 pixels longest side, at 72dpi) on CD. Once edited, we require the high resolution files on DVD - RGB, scanned in 48 bit, 300dpi and saved in uncompressed TIFF (or Tiff LZW) format. File size should be a minimum of 40MB (suitable for up to A3 size). Images must be professionally colour corrected and cleaned with no image sharpening. If you want us to professionally scan and prepare your pictures, we charge a nominal fee of £3 per transparency or file. Digital cameras used should be capable of producing the highest quality RAW or TIFF (about 17MB) images, suitable for large size reproduction.

CAPTIONS: A good caption goes a long way towards selling your pictures and should be supplied on disk or on a separate typed sheet. They must be accurate and describe the picture fully, but succinctly. Eg: Thailand. Bangkok. Grand Palace (Wat Phra Kaeo). Figure of a demon guardian. Names of popular or famous streets, shops, buildings, rivers, mountains, etc must be included. With European destinations (like France or Spain), we also need to know the province or region, in addition to the place itself.

MODEL RELEASES: These must be supplied with close-up shots of holidaymakers (mainly UK nationals) and that include professional or amateur models. If not, please state so in writing. Pictures of private houses, interiors, possessions etc also require a release. If you're unsure, contact us before photographing any items.

PICTURE RETURNS: UK contributors please enclose a SAE when sending transparencies. Overseas returns are by normal mail, unless another prepaid postal or courier method is supplied. CDs are usually not returned.

AGREEMENT / TERMS: Detailed below are the terms of Jayawardene Photo Library (hereafter called the Agency), on which it will accept a contributing photographer's work. The Agency reserves the right to amend these terms if necessary.
1. The photographer agrees that all the images submitted to the Agency are the photographer's exclusive work and copyright and that model/property releases (if applicable) are available, unless stated to the contrary.
2. The photographer agrees that the Agency will be his/her agent for the sale of reproduction rights of the pictures supplied to the Agency. It is also agreed that duplicate pictures will not be submitted to any other ‘exclusive’ agency.
3. The photographer agrees to fully indemnify the Agency against any claims that may be made by persons or their property appearing in the photographer's pictures, should such claims arise.
4. The photographer agrees to the Agency taking a sales commission of 50% of all payment received by the Agency from the sale of reproduction of the photographer's pictures. Commission will be paid in UK Sterling cheques or via Paypal account.
5. The photographer agrees that all his/her pictures accepted by the agency will be retained for a minimum period of five years. Thereafter either party may give six months notice of termination. The Agency will return any original transparencies that were submitted (not duplicates, digital images or copies), subject to any existing agreements or negotiation relating to them, between the Agency and its clients. 
6. The Agency may offer reproduction rights worldwide on the photographer's pictures, directly to clients or via a sub agent without any restrictions.
7. The Agency agrees to pay the photographer within one month of receiving payment from the Agency's clients.
8. The photographer agrees that THE AGENCY DOES NOT ACCEPT FINANCIAL OR ANY OTHER LIABILITY WHATSOEVER FOR THE LOSS, THEFT, DAMAGE OR UNAUTHORISED USE OF PICTURES LEFT IN THEIR POSSESSION (OR IN TRANSIT) BY THE PHOTOGRAPHER, OR LEFT OR DELIVERED TO ANY OF THE AGENCY'S CLIENTS. If the Agency receives compensation from its clients for any unauthorised use, then the Agency agrees to pass on to the photographer 50% of the sum received. The photographer agrees that he/she will not make claims or enter into any disputes with the Agency on this matter, or regarding any picture losses/damage, however caused.