FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS  

Who are we?

STS is a full-service content creation agency.  We are brought into a variety of projects to create content that closely aligns with your brand’s underlying marketing messaging. Though our work spans across various industries, all of our clientele share the common thread of needing high-quality assets in a quick, discrete and professional manner. Below is a list of services we create content for:

Why hire STS? 

Agency’s Perspective: 

1. End client already has a photographer. Why should we come out of pocket to hire STS? 

1. After all the resources that went into this project, you want to ensure that you have a strong gallery of images for your portfolio, social media and future award submissions. Generally, the client’s photographer is not focusing on these shots and you’ll be left with gaps of coverage.  We focus primarily on your needs in proving the event was successful and craft a gallery to show your build execution was in line with your pitch deck (render to reality shots), that guests enjoyed the event and also engaged with the branded activations, and the client’s budget was well spent. We pay close attention to all the details and know the shots that will help spark engagement. You will also own the rights to use any of the images for self promotion and editorial usage.  

2. We have over 15+ years of industry experience partnering with agencies for content needs.

Content: We are passionate at creating eye-catching content that sparks engagement, and know the shots you need. We are self-starters and can run off intuition for those last minute and fast moving jobs, or use time management skills to get through your  detailed shot list. We excel in environments which are challenging, unpredictable and erratic. We have studied the design deck and are capturing content that greatly supports your initial pitch and showcases your design work. 

Discretion: More importantly than getting the shots, is getting the shots in a calm and professional manner. We can be client facing or completely behind the scenes, and are always very mindful of our presence at a live event. We are accustomed to working in very high-scale, intimate and sensitive job settings. 

Client’s Perspective: 

1. Why should we choose STS over Getty, AP, or BFA (or in addition to)?

 1. Value: We are positioned to come in below the overall cost of the syndicated agencies, but deliver a substantial amount more.  We are including editorial usage rights with our package. Very often we will be hired along with the syndicated agencies for this reason. The client wants their images on the wire, but doesn’t want to deal with usage rights, for social media needs afterward. 

2. Content: Aside from the typical PR needs, you also want to extract marketing and advertising quality shots from the live event, to serve multiple outputs. 

3. Syndication – You have a PR team that can push images to various outlets, and don’t need to pay a premium for having images on the wire.  

4. Usage Rights: We provide a much more generous usage rights package. 

What are your working arrangements and usage rights?

Option #1: Shooting for agency (in-house needs) 

1. Scenario: End client has already secured a photographer (Getty, BFA, AP…etc) and does not think they need additional photography coverage. The creative agency wants to ensure that the details, environmental coverage, and engagement shots will be documented properly for post-event recap and portfolio use, and is not sure they will get access to end client’s images, or whether these shots will be documented properly. 

2. Solution: Agency comes out of pocket to pay for this and STS bills an agency rate, which includes the following usage rights: 

3. Situation: STS captures all of the detail, environmental and engagement shots. The gallery tells a complete story of the event and the agency wants to share or gift this gallery to the end client for numerous reasons. End client loves the images and decides they want to post, or use for commercial usage. STS looses the ability to negotiate for usage rights in this case, and end client ends up with free images. 

4. Proposed Solution:  A conversation happens before the event with the end client. They are notified that an in-house photographer will be present, and the end client will have the option to view the gallery and purchase images if they choose. STS delivers (2) separate galleries. The agency gets their gallery with free downloads, but sends the end client and other vendors a separate gallery, which contains the option to purchase downloads, and covers usage rights. 

 5. Who benefits: Everyone. The agency gets an incredible gallery of decor, environmental and engagement shots with unlimited usage, at a reduced rate. The client only pays for images they want or need. Third party vendors also get access to images to share, post and tag agency in. 

Option #2: Shooting directly for the end client 

1. Scenario: The agency doesn’t want photography coming out of their budget, or have the responsibility of negotiating on behalf of the client, so recommends STS to client. STS works directly with the end client and fulfills all of the content needs,  while the agency gets to use the gallery of images, as part of the agreement. 

*Sometimes, the agency underestimates the photography needs and costs. We can work with the agency in the pitch phase to ensure accurate coverage needs are being met, and accurate numbers are used. 

2. Situation: If clients needs greatly differ from agency desires, then we include another photographer (at agency rate) to make sure all requests are being fulfilled. 

 3. Who benefits: Everyone. STS is getting their full rate, client’s needs are fully met, photography isn’t affecting the agency’s budget. We get a bigger and more diverse gallery of images. 

Option #3: Shooting indirectly for the end client 

1. Scenario: The end client relies on the agency to book photography. 

2. Situation: Very often the end client relies on the agency to book photography and videography services. In this case it’s the agency’s responsibility to understand the client’s content needs, deliverable schedule, and usage needs. These needs often reveal themselves later on in the planning process, which can cause last minute out of scope costs for the agency and last minute changes to STS’s approach. 

3. Proposed Solution:  The agency integrates STS into the initial conversations to help forecast content needs and budget. STS plays a heavier role in pre-production and collaborates with event designers to help produce a space that’s both visually appealing and photo friendly. The agency defines what the included usage is and provides pricing for commercial usage, as an added option.  

Option #4: Shooting for spec  

1. Scenario: The end client has already secured photography services and the agency doesn’t have the budget to come out of pocket for photos, but still wants to know that the event is being documented.  

2. Proposed Solution:  STS shoots for spec and produces a gallery where agency and third parties can purchase images at a later date, if needed. 

Can I retain STS for my multi-city coverage needs? Do you travel internationally?  

STS is based out of New York City, and routinely covers the Miami, Chicago, and Los Angeles markets. We have photographers in New York and Los Angeles, and each cover ancillary domestic and international markets. Deciding to use us for for multi-city and global needs contains several key benefits: 

1. Consistency: Having one partner handle your multi-leg event needs will make things more consistent in content, coverage, deliverables and invoicing. 

2. Time Saver:  Theres no need to source different content vendors for each of your events. One call and you are covered for everything. There will also be a significant amount of administrative time that is saved on both ends (one contract, one invoice, one organized gallery).   

3. Better end product: As the event series progresses, we can fine tune our coverage approach and focus more heavily in the areas we need additional coverage of, as opposed to starting fresh on every event. This produces a stronger end gallery of images and allows us to factor in time for more experimental and creative shots. 

4. Deliverables: We will create one master folder, categorized with all of the individual events. This will streamline the process of pulling images for social, PR and marketing uses throughout the event series. We normally provide the link before the first event, so all team members can easily check for updates at the end of each event. 

What sets us apart from the syndicated agencies? 

Although we can fulfill both needs,  STS is generally brought onto projects to take a more well rounded approach to capturing the complete story of the event, rather than focusing more heavily on the VIPs and other guests. In this role, we’re more interested in capturing the celebs and VIPs,  within the context of the event space, and paying close attention to ambient lighting and branded backgrounds. We’re also allocating more time into the build details, environmental shots, and guest engagement/interaction with any activations and provide numerous angles and options to select from. We’re giving you everything you need for a strong post-event recap. 

We can simultaneously handle the PR requests, but usually integrate a second or third photographer, to focus solely on those shots (step and repeat, arrivals, greenroom…etc). Prior to the event, we study the design deck, read the briefs, and understand the marketing mission of the project. We are capturing content that greatly supports the agency’s vision and pitch, and aligns with the event mission.  The gallery of images we produce provides visually supporting evidence that the event was a success, it was executed as planned, and the investment paid off.  

We don’t leave anything to chance, and ensure that we get the engagement shots we need. We are taking a light-handed approach in crafting moments and self-guiding organic feeling moments. We do this in a very non-invasive way and are always evaluating if our presence is taking away from the overall guest experience. We make a point to blend in. 

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RENAISSANCE HOTEL 

To celebrate the debut of Renaissance New York Midtown Hotel, the brand threw a celebrity-driven, grand unveiling celebration. Models Olivia Palermo and Chanel Iman served as hosts for the event, while Wyclef Jean and New York electronic duo The Knocks, performed to over 1,000 guests on the property’s terrace. STS was contracted from the agency side to serve multiple needs. 

1. Decor / Atmosphere: Prior to the event doors opening, we captured decor details and environmental shots for the agency, brand, and supporting sponsors.

2. PR Requests: We had one photographer dedicated to capturing VIP arrivals on the branded step and repeat.  

3. VIP Portraits: STS was positioned in the Empire Suite, alongside BFA and Getty to capture exclusive images of Wyclef Jean, Olivia Palermo, Chanel Iman, Timo Weiland, and Marriot executives. 

4. Sponsor Activation: STS captured sponsored content, for Perrier, in the Perrier Bubble Lounge. Celebs sipped on speciality cocktails and bubbly water, and STS captured branded content of this. 

5. Event Documentation: STS captured a variety of content from each of the main components of the event. This included a replica design studio from Timo Weiland, a VIP tasting room by Andrew Zimmerman and James Beard, the Perrier Bubble Lounge, and the performance by Wyclef Jean. 

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BRANDWEEK CONFERENCE

Team STS was contracted though the client side to seamlessly provide photography coverage of the intricate conference agenda, while simultanously fulfilling content request for all of the supporting sponsors. Our team of 4 was fulfilling the various needs:

1. Decor/Atmosphere: Throughout the conference, we documented all of the decor details, custom signage, breakout room setups, green-rooms, sponsor lounges, and product placements. We also provided aerial footage of the venue for scenic shots. 

2.Main Stage: We provided seamless multi-angle coverage of the main stage. Utilizing silent shooting cameras allowed us to get a wide variety of shots with no disturbance to guests. These images were immediately sorted, edited and uploaded.    

3 Editorial, Social, and Sponsor Requests: In real-time, we fulfilled image requests for the client’s editorial and social media teams. Our images were accompanying the editor’s and social media manager’s stories, from each panel, so these were extremely time-sensitive deadlines. We also simultaneously fulfilled requests from all the supporting sponsors.

4. Sponsored Content: Aside from documenting the main conference program, we also fulfilled the sponsored components of the event. This included branded activations in the sponsor lounge, breakout sessions, VIP luncheons, after parties, and product placement. 

5. Green Room: We provided green room coverage for the speakers and celebrity guests, which  included step and repeat images, candid coverage, and product placement. Silent shooting cameras were utilized. 

6. Breakout Sessions: We covered concurrent breakout sessions throughout the conference agenda. 

7. After Parties: Each night of the conference concluded with an after party.

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IHG REWARDS CLUB

Team STS was contracted from the creative agency side for this branded pop-up activation, In New York City. We fulfilled the various needs: 

1. Decor/Atmosphere: Prior to the event opening doors, we captured the creative details, the builds, and overall atmosphere shots of the foot print. We also fulfilled client team shots. 

2. Media Preview: Prior to the event going live, select media personal were invited to experience the pop-up activation. We documented this and provided assets to the social media team.   

3. Editorial Styled Shots: Aside from the standard event documention, we created some editorial style shots. Taking a light-handed approach, we found guests who were willing to participate.  

What is copyright and who owns it? 

Copyright is a type of intellectual property that protects original works of authorship as soon as an author fixes the work in a tangible form of expression. The photographer (STS)  automatically owns the copyright as soon as the image is taken. 

Copyright is the right to claim ownership of a particular piece of  intellectual property or digital asset.  It grants protection against a third party from reproducing said work, re-selling it, or distributing it without the owner’s permission. On the flip side, copyright grants the owner exclusive rights. These ownership rights include:

1. The right to reproduce the photograph. 

2. The right to prepare derivative works based upon the photograph. 

3. The right to distribute copies of the photograph to the public by sale, transfer of ownership, rental, lease, or lending. 

4. The right to display the photograph publicly, and for self promotion. 

What if I want to retain the copyright to the images and restrict STS from the above uses? 

If owning the copyright to the images, makes financial sense to you or your company, then we can enter into one of the following agreements; work for hire or transfer of copyright. These agreements are the most costly options for gaining usage rights, but give you complete ownership and control over the assets.  

Works Made for Hire: This agreement’s most basic purpose is to change the default rule of copyright ownership to the person or organization who is paying for the work. Generally, this agreement is for extremely sensitive projects or where the client wants to exploit the work and profit from it indefinitely. This agreement is an exception to the general rule that the person who creates a work is the author of that work and holds all rights to the work product. 

Transfers of Copyright:  Any or all of the rights that make up a copyright can be transferred from one person to another, after the project has been completed.  If we are transferring exclusive rights, this must be done in writing.  Non-exclusive rights can be transferred orally.

Why don’t you include copyright in your base rate? 

For the majority of our projects, copyright ownership is not needed, by the end client. Rather than increase our base rate to include copyright ownership, we leave this as an added option and package basic usage rights into our pricing model instead. 

What are usage rights and why do I need them? 

Since the images are protected by copyright, usage rights are a more econonmical way to attain usage permissions. Usage rights are the rights granted to an individual or organization, by the owner (STS),  to use images for a specific purpose and for a particular period of time. When we issue a usage right agreement,  we are renting our images to clients for their specific needs rather than selling the rights of a photo permanently. You get to use the photo, but with certain usage restrictions. 

What usage rights come with my images? 

Our base rate includes Non-Exclusive Editorial Usage rights, for the majority of our jobs. Here is a breakdown of what this means: 

Non-Exclusive: A non-exclusive license is the right to use an image on a non-exclusive basis. STS, remains the copyright holder and is entitled to grant a license to someone else to use the image. You get to use the image,  but STS can also let someone else use the image too. 

Editorial: The copyrighted work can be used without authorization for purposes of news reporting, and education. Editorial use extends to multiple media outlets, including web, print, and social. The image cannot be used  for commercial advertising purposes; meaning you cannot use the image to sell any product or service.

The license that comes packaged in our base rate allows you (the client) to use images within the scope of the usage photography license agreement only, and does not carry onto third parties. If we are being hired on the agency side, we will grant the same usage rights to your direct end-client. For additional third party vendors, speakers, or supporting sponsors, we will provide an additional gallery where they can access and purchase additional usage rights. 

Can I purchase additional usage rights? 

Through the image licensing agreement, the licensor (STS) can grant the licensee (client)  additional photo usage rights for an image, or group of images, for a  licensing fee.

One of the first things you must decide on when purchasing licensing is the types of usage rights you actually need. 

1. Exclusive: An exclusive license is the right to use an image on an exclusive basis. STS, retains the copyright, but cannot grant a license to another party to use the image. You get to use the image, and STS cannot let someone else use that image. 

2. Complete Buyout : Refers to purchasing the copyrights of the images, and gaining complete usage control.

3. Commercial: A commercial usage license is required for any uses that could result in monetary gain for your brand, including marketing, paid ads, website use, and other promotions.

We want to gift images to third party vendors and sponsors. Which license do we need? 

In some cases, we will grant third-party editorial usage at no additional cost. When we are working through an agency, on behalf of the end-client, we will grant the end-client with editorial usage. For all other third parties, or in situations where we are only working for the agency, a third party gallery will be delivered.  

We also offer a bulk third party editorial usage package. This would apply to any of the vendors who were associated or connected to the event.  

We have a high volume of event needs on an ongoing basis. Do you work on a retainer?  

STS always welcomes ongoing partnerships on a long-term contract. This is generally a mutually benefiting scenario on several fronts. Working together on a longer-term, and consistent basis, allows us to shift from being a day-of contractor, on a project to project basis, to your agency’s strategic content partner. Below is a list of some of the benefits your agency, company or firm will obtain from a long-term retainership:

At the onset of the retainership, we’ll outline the projects and areas you need content support in, and discuss any longer-term agendas within the agency. We’ll  get to integrate within various departments, build trust and relationships throughout, and fulfill longer-term content needs, in a wider array of areas, and ultimately produce much greater value. 

You’ll be working with a content partner, who deeply understands your brand, your clients, your marketing needs, and is able to produce stronger and more targeted content, with greater end uses, than a day-of contractor would be able to.  Aside from supporting your specific event and project content needs, we’ll also be able to contribute material for your overall marketing agendas. 

You’ll have priority access to a content partner you trust, and don’t need to worry about whether they’ve already been booked on another project when you need them. Since we aren’t being brought into projects at the last minute, we’ll be able to provide valuable pre-production insights such as budgeting, content needs,  shot lists, design and lighting advice, and set realistic expectations.  We become part of your team and support in more ways than simply content capture. 

A longer-term relationship supports experimentation and optimization. Since we’ll have a solid grasp of what you need and don’t need from certain projects, we can allot more time into crafting more experimental and creative content. We’ll also be able to store and categorize all of the content, so it’s quickly accessible to the agency and easy to locate, along with managing usage rights for third parties.   

The administrative time will be greatly reduced on both ends (budgets, contracts, invoicing, billing). On an annual basis, this amounts to a significant amount of saved time and costs. 

Is a retainer a right for my agency, company or firm? 

Some retainers can be on a project base, but most cover longer periods of time, typically from six months to a year. Retainers are most benneficial  when you can define a steady and predictable stream of content needs, or also have a defined marketing strategy.  It can be a way for both  of us to do better work and grow our companies together.