PantherMedia photocommunity launches its English platform

Since 2004, PantherMedia has successfully operated a free photocommunity in combination with a stock agency in Germany. This web based platform is now open to the international market with PantherMedia’s addition of English on one common and customisable platform. Since launching its platform in 2004 with the combination of a photocommunity and a stock agency, PantherMedia has enjoyed great popularity and success in Germany’s stock photographer market. More than 15,000 ambitious and (semi-) professional photographers are registered. Since the start of January 2008, these photographers have been able to upload, comment and discuss their images with an international audience in English. Previously this was only possible in German. The addition of multiple languages in one common platform is currently unique for this kind of community, since these portals are normally strictly separated by language. At PantherMedia, every photographer can individually decide in what language they want to communicate and show their images. The photocommunity is a perfect network for developing creative potential and sharing knowledge about stock photography. Additionally, there are many community functions like image ratings, photo workshops, user meetings, forum discussions and even regular competitions with great prizes.

Photographers of PantherMedia can upload their images to the royalty free stock agency. Before the images are released in the stock agency, the in-house team of image editors at PantherMedia strictly check the images on legal and quality issues. The focus is on quality rather than on quantity. These images are not only distributed via PantherMedia’s international web platform, but also via their international network of distribution partners. 68 stock agencies are distributing the images in more than 40 countries. One of the striking features of this portal is the opportunity to earn fair licence fees instantly. PantherMedia is not considered a Microstock agency, but has shaped the market for MidStock very successfully since 2004. Licences for images start at 5 Euros up to 80 Euros per image. Extended licences for products for resale are sold for 240 Euros. The photographers receive a share of 50% commission, unless the same image is offered on Microstock portals.

Membership at PantherMedia is completely free of charge to photographers that also wish to make their images available for sale via the PantherMedia stock agency. If photographers prefer to use the photocommunity without selling their images in the stock agency there is an extended premium account which they can sign up to with a small monthly fee.

For further information, please visit PantherMedia at http:www.panthermedia.net.