One of the biggest concerns for photographers (especially those who have been in the industry for quite a while) is the risk of photos posted online being stolen for unlicensed uses. In the last year we’ve seen a few software solutions developed that address some of the image tracking issues, but there has been a disconnect between the tracking and a solution for potential photo buyers to license those images.
Starting today, that gap is being bridged by PicScout and PhotoShelter. A new partnership will give individual PhotoShelter photographers access to the PicScout ImageIRC (index, registry, and connection platform) which is used by quite a few image libraries. The integration will allow potential buyers using PicScout’s ImageExchange add-on to click directly to a photographer’s PhotoShelter website which can host the e-commerce transaction. Buyers will be able to see photos, click through to more information, and land directly on the PhotoShelter site for purchase. The streamlining of the image browsing/inquiry/purchase process should allow PhotoShelter photographers to see increased sales while also knowing their images are being tracked by PicScout.
I’m curious to find out more… I haven’t used PhotoShelter or PicScout much although I’ve dabbled a bit with each. There’s a free webinar on Tuesday, February 23rd at 3PM EST… if you’re curious, register to learn more.
Does this sound like a useful service? Would it increase the number of images you attempt to share and sell online?
Photo by Leonski, used under Creative Commons licensing
