Fotosearch is a provider of royalty free and rights managed stock photography, illustrations, maps, video, and audio. We bring together many different stock agencies to allow you to quickly find and acquire "the World's stock photography at one website."™ The products on Fotosearch can then be licensed and easily downloaded for use in your advertisements, promotional materials, websites, etc. When you purchase a license to use an image, video clip, or audio clip, you do so based on the license agreement of the publisher of that particular content. The license agreement will be presented to you before purchase confirmation.
On the My Account pages you can:
- Review and print invoices from past purchases
- Re-download images from a completed order for images/discs that were purchased within the past 30 days
- Update your account profile
- Log out of your account (so that you may log on as a different user)
You must be registered and logged in to access the My Account page. If you have not yet logged in at the time you click My Account, you will be prompted to do so. After you login, you will arrive at the My Account page. If you haven't set up an account with us, click "create account" from the login screen.
By Clicking "Change Profile" you may:
- Edit your billing and shipping address
- Change your password & email account
- You cannot change your username
After Clicking "Previous Purchases" you may:
- Click on the order number to view a printable invoice
- Click the image name/disc title to re-download images
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What is a lightbox?
A lightbox is an area where you can save images to review or purchase later on. Only registered, logged-in users can use a lightbox. You do not need to use lightboxes to purchase. Lightboxes are great for saving images that you are interested in, and are the best way to have images approved by a client or supervisor before you buy.
Adding images to a lightbox
Click add to lightbox beneath the appropriate image(s) on the Search Results or Image Detail pages. If you haven't already logged in, you will be asked to do so. After logging in and selecting which lightbox to enter the image into, you will be able to view all of the images in that chosen lightbox.
Changing lightboxes
By selecting a lightbox from the pull down menu at the top of the lightbox window you will automatically be shown the images in that lightbox.
From the Lightbox page you can:
- view all images stored in a lightbox
- delete items from a lightbox by clicking "Remove" under the appropriate image(s)
- select a lightbox to make it your current lightbox
- go to Manage Lightboxes page
- adding comments to lightbox images is only available if you click "lightboxes" in the upper naviagation area
You must be registered and logged in to access the lightboxes. If you have not yet logged in at the time you click "Add to lightbox", you will be prompted to do so. After you register, you will arrive at the Lightboxes page. If you haven't set up an account with us, click "create account" from the login screen.
You are not limited to the number of lightboxes that you may create. Each lightbox can store as many images as you would like. Fotosearch does not put a time limit on your lightboxes, and never deletes them.
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You get to this page by clicking manage lightboxes from the lightbox.
From the Manage Lightboxes page you can:
- create a new lightbox
- rename a lightbox
- delete a lightbox
- email a lightbox
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Image specifications vary from vendor to vendor and image to image. For exact image specifications, refer to the image detail page or the CD detail page when purchasing CDs.
Licensing Information for all vendors can be accessed by clicking Licensing in the lower navigation bar.
What are Royalty Free Images?
Royalty-Free images are images that can be used multiple times, for almost any usage (refer to each manufacturer's licensing agreement for exact specifications). Royalty-Free image pricing is based only on size (not usage) and there are never additional fees for using the image. Royalty-Free images can often be purchased with other Royalty-Free images on discs for an added value.
What are Rights-Managed Images?
Rights-Managed images are images that must be licensed for a specific use. The fee for these images is calculated from several factors including size, placement, duration, and geographic location. Rights-managed images are licensed for a specific use and cannot be used for any purpose other than what is specified when licensing the image. If you are looking for a unique image, then look to Rights-Managed images. They will often provide a more distinct image than will royalty-free.
What is a model release?
A model release is a release signed by the person(s) shown in an image. In the release the person depicted in the image gives consent for his or her likeness to be used for commercial purposes - including advertising, publishing, promotion, etc.
What is a property release?
A property release is a release signed by the owner(s) of the property shown in an image. In the release, the owner gives consent for the image depicting his or her property to be used for commercial purposes - including advertising, publishing, promotion, etc.
Why should I buy a model release?
If a model release exists, then it is held at the photo publisher's location. For certain stock photography publishers, an online copy of the model release(s) for an image may be purchased for an additional fee. The reason for purchasing this release is to have evidence, in-writing for your files of a model's permission to use the image (within the guidelines of the publisher's license agreement). There are no special rights or privileges associated with buying a copy of the model release.
Note: The releases available for download are scans of the actual original release signed by the model or the model’s guardian in the case of a minor. To avoid invasion of privacy, personal details have been blacked out from the model releases available for download. The full original release is filed with the photo publisher.
RGB vs. CMYK
RGB stands for Red Green Blue which are the 3 colors used to display images on your computer screen. However, when preparing files for commercial printing ALL images and artwork must be converted to CMYK format (Cyan, Magenta, Yellow, and Black) in order to make color separations and film for 4 color offset printing. You can convert an RGB file to CMYK in Photoshop using the "Mode" menu. However, converting RGB files to CMYK can occassionally alter the color in an undesirable way. Fotosearch.com offers CMYK files for download (when available) to save you time and to assure correct color when printing.
File Compression
When you purchase an image from Fotosearch, that image will be delivered to you in a compressed format. The file size listed for the image may be 10 or 28MB but the file that you download will be approximately 10% of that size. After you save the file in an uncompressed format, it will expand to the listed size.
Most of our vendors offer their images in JPEG format. When using JPEG images no image degradation is noticeable after a single compression/decompression cycle. However, further compression(s) to and from the JPEG format will degrade the image quality to an extent that eventually it will become visible. To retain maximum quality in these images simply avoid re-saving the image in JPEG format and use uncompressed formats such as TIFF or EPS or a loss-less compression format such as TIFF with LZW compression.
What is a "Photo Object"
Photo Objects are images that are made specifically to be used without a background. These images include a clipping path with the image or they are shot on a white background to simplify the process of making a clipping path.
Watermarks
All images displayed on Fotosearch have a watermark imposed on them. This watermark is designed to prevent theft, but the images once purchased will not have our watermark on them.
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Ship and Download
These discs will be shipped to you on CD or DVD. In addition, you can download any/all images from the disc(s) immediately after placing your order.
Download Only
These discs will not be shipped to you. However, you can download any/all images from the disc(s) immediately after placing your order. If downloading the entire disc will be difficult, you can add a "Custom Burned CD" to your order for an additional fee. This custom CD will include all of the images from the disc, in the highest available resolution, and will be shipped to you.
Ship Only (not downloadable)
These discs will be shipped to you on CD or DVD. The images from the disc cannot be downloaded.
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Payment Information
Fotosearch.com accepts all major credit cards including Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and Diner's Club.
C.O.D. only available on phone orders.
Shipping Information
All orders are shipped from Wisconsin.
Sales tax will only be collected on orders shipped to Wisconsin addresses.
All packages are shipped "signature required" and cannot ship to P.O. boxes.
If you will not be available to sign for your package - please make arrangements with the delivery driver.
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Step 1: Cart
You can view your cart by clicking view cart in the upper navigation area.
You can add discs to your cart by clicking add disc to cart next to the disc you wish to purchase. To add a downloadable image to you cart, click add to cart underneath the appropriate resolution.
From the Cart page you can:
- view information on items you've selected for purchase
- delete items from your cart
- change the quantity of an item
To delete an item from your current order, click delete next to the item you wish to remove. At this point, the screen will refresh and the item will disappear from your order.
Once you have reviewed your cart information, complete your order by clicking checkout. If you are already a registered Fotosearch user, please enter your username and password and click login. You will immediately be taken to Step 2. If you have not established an account at Fotosearch, click create account from the login screen. After filling in all of the required fields you will contiunue to step 2.
Step 2: Tax and Shipping Information
On the Tax and Shipping Information page you can:
- edit your address
- select your shipping method
- confirm your billing and shipping addresses
- confirm the items in your cart
Sales tax will only be collected on orders shipped to Wisconsin addresses.
Orders shipping to Alaska, Hawaii and Puerto Rico require an additional $10 charge. This will automatically be figured into the shipping amount.
For international deliveries, shipping costs are estimated, and are usually correct. If the shipping amount listed at the time of order is incorrect we will contact you with shipping costs and a final order verification before the order is sent.
Step 3: License Agreement
You must agree to all of the license agreement(s) for all publishers from which you are purchasing images/discs. A printable version of each license agreement is available by clicking printable version.
Step 4: Billing Information
On the Billing Information page you can:
- edit your address - after you edit your address you will be taken back to step 2
- choose a payment option
- add comments to the order
- confirm your cart contents, billing and shipping information, and payment information
After confiriming your order, press submit order
Step 5: Invoice
The invoice page lists the products purchased, your billing and shipping information, and the total. Any downloadable products will appear at the bottom of the screen. Please follow all on-screen instructions fully to assure an effective download. If you have any problems with your download, please call our sales staff at 800-827-3920.
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eCheck is a type of payment that allows you to pay for an order directly from your bank account. This system allows you to write an electronic check for your purchase.
After you choose eCheck as a payment type during the checkout process:
- You will only be asked for the information located at the bottom of your checks.
- Then you will fax a form with this information to authorize Fotosearch to obtain payment from your account.
- Once we have received your faxed authorization, your order will be processed and you will be notified.
- Only this first order will require an authorization form. All subsequent orders are fast and easy when you choose eCheck as the payment type.
Why Use Your Bank Account?
- Paying from your bank account allows you to avoid credit card finance charges.
- Paying from your bank account allows you to perform a debt-free transaction, unlike credit cards.
- Unlike credit cards, your bank account won't expire.
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Mac Users: Once you download your image file, it is not associated with any application. It will appear as a generic document on your desktop. Open the image file through any application that can recognize the file format you've downloaded (JPEG, TIFF, EPS).
PC Users: Your file will automatically be associated with whatever application you have set up to recognize the file format you've downloaded.
It is very important when downloading images to follow the on screen instructions completely. If you are having problems with your download, try the following:
- Make sure that you are clicking the text that reads: "Mac: Click and Hold..." to download the image.
Clicking on the thumbnail of the image will not download the image
- Make sure that you are following the instructions above the image
- If you can't find the image on your computer after downloading, try the download again, this time selecting your desktop as the destination of the downloaded file
If you are still having problems with your download, please call 800-827-3920.
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If your company is Dun & Bradstreet rated, then you can apply for terms at Fotosearch. Please call our sales staff for details.
If you have been notified that you may purchase with terms:
- Add products you would like to your cart as usual and click checkout
- Login
- Choose your shipping method (if applicable)
- On the confirmation page, under the form of payment category - click the radio button next to the text box labeled PO#, and make sure you put the appropriate PO number in the box.
- Click Submit
- You will be billed for the amount of the purchase as agreed upon in your application for credit.
If you have any problems during this process, please call our sales department at 800-827-3920.
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To search for an image, enter your keywords into the open field, then press Enter or click the Go button. In an image search you can search by image number, keyword, sku, or publisher.
Searching Guidelines
- Searches are not case sensitive
- All searches are "and" searches by default
(example: by searching "happy face" we will only find images that have both "happy" and "face" as keywords.)
- All searches will automatically find forms of your keywords
[Unless you choose "Don't Search Forms of Word(s)" from the advanced search]
(example: "child running" will find both "child" and "running" and "child" and "run" and "children" and "running" and so on.)
- Sometimes it is helpful to use a "not" search to eliminate unwanted images
(example: by searching "tank" you will see many images of tank tops. By searching "tank - top" or "tank not top" as keywords, you can eliminate tank tops so that you are left with just tank images.)
Advanced Searching Options
by clicking "advanced search" you will be presented with many other options to help narrow your search
- Choose any combination of publishers to narrow your search to just the companies you would like
- Choose any combination of image types
- Choose only horizontal or only vertical orientation
- Choose only images that can be purchased and downloaded online
- Choose "Don't Search Forms of Word(s)" to narrow your search results.
(ex. By searching "boxing" you would see images matching box, boxes, boxing, boxer etc. By eliminating forms of words - the search will only include images matching "boxing" as a keyword.)
If you see too many results:
You can refine your search further by selecting an image type from the dropdown menu. Using this method you can limit the results to only photography, illustration, etc. Or try the "advanced search" which allows you many additional options to limit results. Or you can use the "not" keyword (see searching guidlines above).
If you didn't get enough results:
You may have entered too much information. The search will find only those items that match all your specifications and keywords, so the more info you enter, the fewer items you will find.
If you get no results:
It could be that there are no images that match your search specifications, but if you think that there should be some matches to your search request, here are some tips:
- Verify that you're searching for the right type of image by checking the pull-down menu next to the search box.
- Eliminate some of your keywords or select keywords that are more general.
- Verify that you typed all of the keywords correctly.
- Try a related keyword
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PRE-SUBMISSION QUESTIONS
In order to submit your content the images must meet the following criteria:
- you must be the legal owner of the images
- you must have the ability to enter into a binding legal agreement in English
- you must provide a signed model release for all images containing recognizeable faces
- you must provide a signed property release for all images containing privately owned / copyright property
- you must provide keywords in English for all images
- all images meet minimum quality standards: (3.0 Megapixels for images)
- all images are available without restrictions for worldwide sales
If you meet these criteria, please click the link below.
Clicking this link will redirect you to Can Stock Photo
Can Stock Photo will process your images and provide those images to Fotosearch.
Create an account with Can Stock Photo and submit your images
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Toll free 1-800-827-3920
262-717-0740 (English)
Fax 262-717-0745
Address 21155 Watertown Road, Waukesha, WI 53186-1898 USA
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