CONTRIBUTOR FAQ
Where is Tandem Based?
We are technically based in Los Angeles, California, however we are all active photographers and filmmakers so we login and work from wherever we happen to be in the world. Tandem is our alternative to being working stiffs, it’s a place for our images to call home and make us all some buck$.
Who Runs it?
The Tandem Team consists of the two founders, one sales executive, one promotions wizard and one workflow associate.
How can we afford these royalties and could it possibly last?
Tandem is fully funded for two (2) solid years even if we never make a single sale in that entire time. We’ve taken the $$ from our other media successes to create a community of people like ourselves and a company that is the antithesis of big corporate giants. We wanted a voice and a place for all of us to come together and found this to the best investment we could ever make. Using our own cash, we hired a top-tier American web development company based in Los Angeles, California, to build the fastest most sophisticated multi-platform software for photographers and filmmakers. By building software around our ideal business model, we weren’t making other existing software “fit” our needs, instead we created a website custom tailored for them. Our website allows us to streamline our workflow.. We don’t need 80% of the staff that other companies require. This allows us to spend more wisely and frees up more profits for our contributors.
We also believe the future is now. We don’t need a centralized office. Our core team all works from all over the world, cutting overhead, and freeing everyone up to keep generating great images.
All that said, we run a clean business. We don't have company offices, cars, or jets. We even limit our use of paper and other office supplies. All our partners, servers, etc. are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. In the end, that keep our costs down, makes for a better company, and a healthier planet.
Who can contribute?
Anyone. Apply here: apply to become a contributor
Amateurs, professionals, anyone at all (18 and over). We believe a great image can come from anywhere. There is no limit to the number of contributors we’ll take. However, that doesn’t mean we’ll take any image you send us. We only want the best and we believe that everyone on this planet has at least one great image in them. We hope to be the ones to help share it with the world. If you are just starting out, we hope to work with you to build your tearsheets up and get you involved in our community.
Who Edits Submissions?
Editing of the archive is done by the two founders as well as guest editors with real-world experience working as photo editors at advertising agencies, major magazines and other industries that compliment ours. In their free time they jump into the software and see what you are submitting. If they like it, it gets added into the archive immediately. Editing is done daily if not hourly. Pretty cool huh? Imagine when they see your new work coming in – they know right where to go to buy it!
How are my images ranked on the site?
While signed in, registered buyers can flag their favorite images. The more flags you get, the higher your image shows up in the search rankings. While Tandem Staff do weigh some images we deem better potential sellers – we really leave it up to the community to determine what they like.
What is Right’s Specific?
Can I get an actual, paper contract signed and sent to me?
Yes. Contact us. We’ll cut down the appropriate number of trees and get it out within 7-10 business days.
Does Tandem really care?
Yes, definitely. We were first marketing execs at a big company before giving it up to pursue environmental photography and filmmaking. Meeting other like minded folks, we soon discovered there was no community for all of us to share and sell our images, so we decided to create one. Our goal is to make sure all our photographers, filmmakers, and buyers are happy. In addition, we also joined the Picture Archive Council of America to be involved in the business and demand better rates for photos giving a voice to contributors. And of course we believe in giving back to the planet so we’ve joined as a contributor kicking in 1% of our profits every year to “1%” for the Planet.”
Would the ocean be deeper without sponges?
Probably not.