InCommon Images Launches for Charity
27 March 2013 at 1:35 pm
A new international stock photography resource, which will see 100 per cent of profits from the sale of images donated to charity, has been launched this week.
InCommon Images, founded by Colorado duo Dr. Richard and Michele Steckel, contains more than 70,000 photos available for download by businesses, Not for Profits and individuals for a fee to be donated to charity.
According to the founders, photo prices are typically less than existing commercial libraries, with InCommon Images taking only a small processing fee.
“From the inspirational to the intimate, InCommon Images offers marketers, business and Not for Profit leaders, and purpose-led communicators a global first: images that motivate individuals and communities to be part of a better future for all,” Dr Richard Steckel said.
The images available feature people of all ages and nations, and nature shots of endangered animals and remarkable landscapes.
InCommon Images is part of a program of the 15-year old Milestones Project, which uses photography to achieve social change.
It says it advances the Milestones Project’s same vision of highlighting through photography the common milestones people have in their lives – wherever they live in the world.
“Every high-resolution photograph in the collection has been donated royalty free by professional and amateur photographers,” Dr Steckel said.
“Contributions come from well-known names like autistic author and academic Dr. Temple Grandin as well as Joel Zwick, the American film director behind Good Will Hunting and My Big Fat Greek Wedding. A four-year-old girl is the youngest photo donor to date.”
London-based chief executive of Corporate Culture John Drummond, who has contributed to the image bank and is a trustee of the Milestones Project, said: “How proceeds are distributed to Not for Profits is negotiable. Individuals and companies using pictures from the InCommon Images collection can nominate their preferred charities.”
Communications professionals across the world are in support of the new resource. Pro Bono Australia founder Karen Mahlab said she was “delighted” her organisation is partnering with InCommon Images.
“Often a single image can convey the heart of an issue which is otherwise hard to fully comprehend by those who haven’t been involved,” Mahlab said.
Chief executive of Canadian agency tyze Vickie Cammack said: “This is such a lovely idea. In a world saturated with ‘staged’ photos, the authenticity of these is a real standout.”
Since founding the Milestones Project in 1998, Dr. Richard and Michele Steckel have captured close to 90,000 images in 33 countries, many of which are available via www.incommonimages.org.
“This is the beginning of a growing resource,” said Dr. Steckel. “We invite individuals, celebrities, charities and businesses to donate photos to the InCommon Images photo bank and to use them on their websites and in publications.”
