How to Sell Media on True Vine Images 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:  SELLERS

How do I sell media on True Vine Images website?

You will need to register as a Photographer/Contributor on our website. Look for the Photographer Log-in/Register link under Advanced Search on the right-hand panel of the Home Page.  There is no cost to register as a Contributor. Once you are registered as a Contributor, you will be able to submit your images for our consideration through the upload process.  Not all images are accepted, so we recommend that you first read through this FAQ for guidance. Following these guidelines will increase the chances of your media being accepted.  Shortly after completion of our review process, your approved media images will display on our website.  You will need to complete your Photographer Profile, create a portfolio of your images (if desired) and you will need to tag your images in our system (i.e. add display name, keywords, orientation, etc. and apply the appropriate categories to your images).  All of this is done through your Photographer Account on our website.

What requirements must be met for my images to be accepted?

In general, you must be 18 years of age, be the author of the image files you upload, and you must have appropriate releases where applicable.  For instance, all images except those approved for Editorial Use require a signed Model Release if they include a recognizable person.  Likewise, images of the interior of private homes and buildings typically require a signed Property  Release, however, you will not need one for public or government buildings.  It is wise to also obtain and provide a Property Release for images including someone’s pet, automobile with visible license plate, collectible or property of any nature that might easily be associated with the individual that owns the property. This also applies to trademarked corporate names and brands (i.e. “iPhone”, “Microsoft”,”NFL”, “Seattle Seahawks”, “Pepsi”, “Shriners,” and their logos, symbols and Insignia).  Note that Property Releases are not typically required for private building exteriors visible from the street where the home or building is not the central focus of the image.  All this aside, your images must meet our editorial criteria (demand for that type of image, appropriateness to our website, properly lit and edited, and of good overall technical quality and must meet the size requirements set forth below.

Do I Give Up My Copyright When I Upload An Image To True Vine Images Website?

You retain your copyright to all images you submit to True Vine Images.  Please refer to our Contributor Agreement and Terms and Conditions for details.  .

How much can I make as a True Vine Images contributor?

Currently, we pay our Contributors a royalty of 40% of the money we earn each time one of his or her images are downloaded under our Standard License.  We do not currently offer Extended Licensing but plan to launch this in the future at which time we will notify you of the royalty payout amount.  Those Contributors who agree to offer media exclusively on True Vine Images will earn an additional 10% (totaling 50%) of what the image sells for (taxes excluded, where applicable).  True Vine Images reserves the right to change any or all royalty rates at any time at its sole discretion.  Contributors will be noticed of any such changes at least 30 calendar days before any such change is instituted.  This assures that Contributors have adequate time to cancel their True Vine Images Contributor account and to remove their images from our website should they no longer wish to participate under the new royalty structure.  Note that all payments are referred to and issued in USD.  In order to remain competitive, True Vine Images reserves the right, at our sole discretion, to lower and match the royalty rate owed to a Contributor if we learn that the Contributor is distributing any of the same images, vectors or videos distributed on our website (even if offered in different sizes, orientations or views) through another stock agency or website where the applied royalty rates and/or pricing are comparatively lower than the rates applied on True Vine Images. 

 How often will I get paid?

We pay our contributors monthly provided their earnings are at least $50 for the period.  Otherwise, we will issue payment to the Contributor the first month that sales for the period, including previous sales that were not previously paid out, total at least $50.

What are your specifications and requirements for image uploads?

The most important of these is that the media you submit must be your own.  If your photos or videos have recognizable people in them, you must provide a Model Release.  If they include any recognizable company logos or brand names, the photo will be rejected unless you submit an appropriate legal release from the brand owner.  If it includes a recognizable home or building, you will need to provide a Property Release.  All photos must be in .jpg format, high resolution and at least 2,500 pixels on the longest side.   The reason for this is that we offer four download sizes:  Small (web) – 500 pix, Medium – 1,500 pix,  Large – 2,500 pix and Original Size (Hi-Res) but must be no higher than 30MB.

How will my files be used?

Under our Standard License, media sold on True Vine Images may be used on a single website domain, on a single print advertisement or publication, on a single package, etc.  Resale is only permitted to a single customer, and only for a derivative or integrated work such as a website design.  The media may never be resold “as is” or included in an image or template archive.  An Extended License is required in order for customers to use images on items for bulk resale, such as on t-shirts, calendars, coffee mugs and other tangible photo products and merchandise.

Do all of my images on True Vine Images need to be “Christian” in nature?

No, although they must be appropriate for a Christian marketplace (no nudity or partial nudity or subject matter that denigrates the Christian faith, etc.).  Because True Vine Images seeks to serve as a complete stock photo resource for Christian publications, websites, graphic designers, advertising agencies, music publishers, conference and concert promoters, churches and ministries, and consumers, our galleries include images that capture different aspects of society and culture including family life, government issues, business and careers and more.  In addition, they include images of physical objects, business abstracts and images that demonstrate concepts and metaphors.  Because Christian organizations and churches often seek out images that deal with sin, living “in the flesh”, etc. to enhance their contrasting message, we will consider images focused on subject matter such as gambling or use of tobacco products, illegal substances or alcohol.  These images must be properly categorized and we reserve the right to reset the categories you select for any such images (as wel as for any image inappropriately categorized).

Do you accept Editorial images?  If so, do require the same releases as images submitted for commercial use or resale and do they have the same restrictions? 

Yes, we do accept Editorial Images intended non-commercial purposes including use in news stories and article, and for editorial purposes such as commentary, criticism and even parody of the person in the photo. These images may not be used for any commercial purpose and must include a detailed description of the image including the people in it, the location, and the date when the photo was taken.
 

 PLEASE CONTACT SUPPORT IF YOU HAVE ANY OTHER QUESTIONS.