Help - FAQS

Launching a brief

How do I register as an image buyer?

You can register (sign up) at any time by selecting the Register link in the top menu. Alternatively you can register when launching your first brief.

How do I launch a brief?

Simply click Launch Your Brief in the top menu bar to launch your brief in 3 easy steps:

The first step asks you to describe what you're looking for, and how and where you intend to use the image. The second step allows you to control who sees your brief and whether an NDA is required before photographers may gain access. The final step displays a summary for your review and allows you to launch the brief.

Your brief is protected by our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee.

What is the 100% Satisfaction Guarantee?

If you don't obtain a suitable image for your brief, we will refund any fee that you may have paid us in relation to your brief, including any listing fee or other fees. This makes ImageBrief truly risk-free to use!

What is the secret to writing a great brief?

Writing a great brief is easy if you keep the following key points in mind:

• Provide plenty of detail - what you're looking for, and what you don't want to see. That helps photographers to keep their responses on-track.
• Try to be flexible in how your brief can be met - the broader the scope, the more likelihood that photographers can respond.
• Allow for creative interpretation - sometimes, a photographer may have just the perfect shot that you didn't know you wanted! By allowing for creative interpretation, you maximise the chance of finding something truly unique.
• Set an appropriate award amount for your image. The more you are prepared to pay for an image, the more high-quality entries you will see! Remember, you don't need to commit to spending the award amount until you see an image that meets your brief. The award amount simply represents the amount you would be prepared to pay (for the right image!)

How do I use references within the brief?

References are a great way to upload additional information about your brief, such as more detailed requirements documents, samples or specifications. You can upload images, but please be sure to only upload images over which you hold the appropriate legal rights.

In particular, please do not upload images taken from other websites where you do not hold appropriate rights to the image.

Running a brief

Who can see my brief?

This depends on the Visibility you selected in step two of the launch process. If you selected Make it Public then your full brief, including comments and entries, will be visible to anyone who attempts to access the brief. Your brief may also appear in search results, e.g. Google.

If you selected Keep it Private then your full brief, including comments and entries, will only be visible to registered photographers. Other users, such as other image buyers or unregistered visitors will not be able to view your brief and it will not appear in search results, e.g. Google.

Please note that your brief title and award amount will always be visible.

Who can respond to my brief?

This depends on the Visibility and Confidentiality settings that you selected in step two of the launch process. If you selected Make it Public then any registered photographer will be able to access and respond to your brief. If you selected Keep it Private and you selected Yes to the Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) then a registered photographer will be able to respond only after accepting the NDA.

Please note that ImageBrief is a community for professional photographers and that only registered photographers will be able to respond to your brief. Importantly, other image buyers or unregistered visitors will not be able to respond to your brief, even if it is visible to them.

How do I review entries on my brief?

When a new entry is submitted on your brief, you will receive an email alert. By clicking on the link in the email (or on the image in the Entries tab in your brief) you will be able to view the entry. You can comment on the image, view image meta-data such as size and resolution, and mark the image as a favorite if you wish.

You are not required to comment on the image, but doing so will assist photographers to understand what you like, and what you don't like, so they can help identify the perfect image for you.

Awarding a brief

How do I award an image?

Once a brief has ended you will be prompted to select images for purchase. This process is known as "awarding" the brief.

You will see an Award Images button and an Awarded tab displayed within your brief. Click on the button to begin the process. You will now see the Entries tab displayed with an additional yellow box at the top of the page. To select an image for award, single-click and drag the image thumbnail into the yellow box. The selected image will be displayed in the yellow box. To remove the image, hover over the image and click the remove link. (To award multiple images, see: Can I award multiple images).

Once you are satisfied with the image you have selected, click the Proceed to Award button. If this is your first award, you may be prompted to enter additional information for use in the licence agreement. Finally, you will be presented with a summary that shows the selected image and your total spend. To make the award, click Award and Pay! button.

At this time, the total payment will be charged (either to your nominated credit card or PayPal account, or invoiced to you "on account" by prior approval) and the licence agreement will be generated.

Your high-resolution image and licence agreement will be available for download from the Awarded tab within the brief.

Can I award multiple images?

Absolutely! You can award as many images as you like. Simply drag the images into the yellow box during the award selection step (see: How do I award an image). You will pay the identical award amount for each image that you award. For example, if the award amount is $500 and you select three images to award, you will pay $1500 in total.

How do I obtain the high-resolution image?

Photographers are required to upload the high-resolution image when submitting their entry. Upon award of the image the high-resolution image will be made available for download from the Awarded tab that will appear in your Brief.

How do I obtain the licence agreement?

Photographers are required to accept the terms of the licence agreement when submitting their entry. Upon award of the image the licence agreement between you and the photographer will be made available for download from the Awarded tab that will appear in your Brief.

How do I pay for images by invoice ("on account")?

ImageBrief offers selected agencies and corporate buyers the option to pay for images "on account" - meaning that we invoice you on delivery for the total amount rather than requiring up-front payment by credit card or PayPal. To request an account with us, please click the Request Account button during the awarding process. Alternatively, if you are registered as an image buyer and logged-in you can request an account at any time by completing and submitting the form on the request account page.