Photographer FAQs

1. How do I submit a photo? First, browse the current Requests until you find one which describes a photo which you would like to provide. On each Request you'll notice a blue "Submit Photo" link which will take you through the steps to submit your photo. You must be a member of FocalPop in order to participate, so be sure to sign up first.
2. How do I become a member? Simply click the "Sign Up" link at the top of the page and fill out the form. After you sign up, we'll send you an email with a link for you to click to verify your account.
3. Do I have to be a professional photographer to join FocalPop? No. Any photographer, amateur or professional, can contribute to the FocalPop community.
4. Do I have to pay for a FocalPop membership? No. Membership is free! If your photo is selected, FocalPop keeps a percentage of the Seeker’s payment.
5. If I just want to upload a few of my favorite photos for others to see, where do I go? The intent of this site is for photographers to provide photos that are specific to the current requests of the Photo Seekers. At this time, users should only upload photos that meet the needs described in the current Photo Requests.
6. How do I know when a Photo has been requested? You can check the site to keep an eye on any new Photo Requests, or sign up for New Request Notification emails so that we contact you with each new Request.
7. How much time to I have to provide a photo? This varies with each Request. The Seeker will specify a due date for their Request, which is displayed in the Request details.
8. What if my photo does not show up on the Request after I have submitted it? When you sign up for FocalPop you're sent an email to verify your account. If you submitted a photo immediately after signing up, you may have forgotton to check your email and verify your account. Once you click the link in the account verification email, your photo will appear on the Request page along with the other submissions.
9. When do I learn whether my submission was selected as the winner of a Photo Request? The Seeker is asked to select a winner within seven days of the Request end date. The winner will receive an email from FocalPop letting them know that their photo was selected.
10. How much will I get paid if my photo is selected? This is dependent on two things: the Request amount and your commission rate. The Request amount is set by the Seeker when they create the Request. Your commission rate is 70% when you register, but may increase based on your reputation or through future FocalPop promotions. If the Request amount is $300 and your commission is 70%, you would receive $210 from FocalPop if your photo is selected by the Seeker.
11. How many photos can I submit to one Photo Request? Currently there are no limits on the number of photos a photographer can submit to a single Photo Request.
12. Can I communicate with the Image Seeker? You can comment on an Image Request and post questions for the Seeker there. We cannot guarantee that the Seeker will answer all questions, but if they do, that information will be made available to everyone viewing the Request.
13. How do I get paid? Currently, when your photo is selected, we’ll email you to request your mailing address and send a check in the mail. Other methods for receiving payment are coming soon.
14. What rights do the Seekers get to my photos if mine is selected? This is dependent on the rights specified by the Seeker, which is outlined in the Photo Request details. Rights will vary for each Request and Photographers should be sure that they feel comfortable selling the rights specified for the Request amount, prior to submitting their photos for consideration.
15. How do I know that the Seeker is serious about their Request? We require all Seekers to provide a 25% deposit at the time that they submit their Request to ensure that they are serious about wanting to make the purchase. We take the remainder of the payment at the time that they select a winner, so we can then pay the winning photographer. However, if the Request does not receive at least 15 responses and the Buyer is not happy with their options, they may choose to not select a Winner and FocalPop will refund the 25% deposit.