1.1 How do you purchase sets from the SuicideGirls?
When a model submits a set to the site she chooses to either submit it to ()member review, ()staff review or ()both.
The set is then verified by our model coordinator to ensure model age has been documented and that it meets our minimum photographic requirements.
It if it is submitted as ()member review it is posted in the member review area and model is given a free "hopeful" account if she is not already a SuicideGirl.
If it is submitted as ()staff review it is reviewed by staff and either accepted into the staff queue or rejected.
If it is submitted as ()both it will first be reviewed by staff and either accepted into the staff queue or passed into the member review area.
Every day we will publish at least two sets combined from staff review and member review to publish on the front page as "Sets of the Day". When a set goes live on the front page, we pay both the model and the photographer.
Every month we will be giving away a variety of prizes worth $1000 to sets that were published either as sets of the day or to the member review area. They will be featured as prize winners on the front page.
A hopeful becomes a SuicideGirl when she wins set of the day or one of the monthly $1000 creative prizes.
2.2 I'm a professional photographer and I want to shoot sets on a regular basis. How do I get started?
First, you should introduce yourself! Once you've checked out the rest of the FAQ, send us a link to your portfolio! You can say hi and direct any other questions or concerns you may have to Rigel at photographycoordinator@suicidegirls.com so that we can track your process and make sure you get the help you need.
We may be able to set you up with some girls in your area depending on your previous work and communication with us. The best way to get us to notice your work though is to shoot a set of a friend, so check out the rest of the FAQ for more information about what sets should be like and how to start shooting for us on a regular basis.
2.3 My friend wants to be an SG and asked me to take pictures for her. Any advice?
Tons! Check out the rest of this FAQ for information from the photographer's standpoint, and then head over to the Girls FAQ where there's lots more information about how to shoot a really great set.
If you don't have a membership yet, you can check out the free tour - there's over 200 pictures that should give you a great idea of what kind of sets we are looking for. If you have any other questions after reading the FAQ, you can email our photography coordinator at photographycoordinator@suicidegirls.com and we can help you out with any questions or concerns you may have about shooting a set for the site.
3.4 What is a photoset?
A photoset is a series of 40-60 pictures of you, starting fully clothed and ending fully nude. A set should be taken in one session with the same outfit, theme and setting.
The set should start out clothed and end up fully nude; the outfit and setting should remain consistent throughout the entire set! Fully exposed breasts and bums are a must (no pasties or electrical tape, panties must come off). Nudity should begin in the first half of the set, which usually starts around photo #10 in a finished set. We prefer the nudity not be explicit or overly pornographic (no holding, touching or spreading), and definitely no penetration is allowed.
A finished set is between 40-60 pictures, but you should take lots of pictures and only send us the best photos. You should take out the pictures that you or the model hate from your sets but send us the ones that you think are pretty good. The set you send us should have about 60 – 75 images, definitely not more than 100 photos. Make sure you have enough variety in the pictures you send us - we don't need 10 pictures in the same pose to choose from. You cannot upload a set if it's under 35 photos.
If you are photoshopping the set, you should follow the guidelines in the Photoshopper FAQ to make sure the files are the proper size and labeled correctly, and you should be sending between 40-60 images (plus the thumbnails, graphics, etc.)
Both you and the model must be 18 years of age or older at the time of the photoshoot. NO EXCEPTIONS, EVER.
3.5 What should the photoset be like?
The set should be fun and creative, and showcase the model's physical beauty as well as her personality. Here are some general guidelines to follow:
*You must shoot with a digital camera. Shoot your photos at the largest quality your camera has available. MAKE SURE THE DATE & TIME STAMP IS TURNED OFF - we will not accept any sets with the date and time on them since we can't photoshop it out.
*You do not need to photoshop your pictures before you send them in, it will not affect whether or not we use your set. If you proficient in photoshop and would like to prep the set, please see our Photoshop FAQ. A good rule to follow is if you do not understand the photoshop FAQ, you probably don't know photoshop well enough so please do not photoshop the set - it is far easier for us to work with original files than files that have been photoshopped poorly, and it will not affect the model's chance if the set is not photoshopped.
If you are submitting your set photoshopped, make sure to save the original files.
Here is what we tell the models in the Girls FAQ:
*Make sure that your make-up and hair are picture perfect. You don't have to cake on the makeup and you don't need to have helmet hair, but a little bit of face powder and mascara plus freshly dyed hair goes a long way.
*Check out Radeo - A.M. to see a good example of minimal yet sexy makeup and hair.
*Lighting really is the most important step in getting good photo quality. Natural light is by far the easiest to work with - a room with a window should provide enough light during the day.
-If you shoot outside, it's best to shoot at sunrise or sunset, or on a cloudy day to eliminate weird shadows.
-If you are shooting indoors and there is not enough natural light, make sure you have multiple lights in your set up. A cheap solution to indoor lighting problems is to buy a few inexpensive shop lights from a hardware store and high watt bulbs.
*Check out Lumi - Eye Dream, Eye Love to see a good example of soft, even, flattering natural light.
*Backgrounds should either add to the set or be plain enough that it's not distracting. Messy bedrooms and bathrooms are not artistic or sexy, so clean up before you shoot. We are no longer accepting sets on solid color photo studio backdrops, so get creative and use another part of the studio instead.
*Check out Sash - Unwind to see a good example of a how to make a simple, clean location incredibly sexy and interesting.
*Include a variety of angles, close-ups, full body shots, and poses. Sets with one camera angle only can seem a bit stiff and distant, make sure to move the camera around! Please do not send us a ton of pictures in the same pose to choose from - move around, experiment with different poses and facial expressions, try to find what is flattering for your body type.
*Check out Evette - Laura Petrie to see a good example of a variety of angles, close ups, poses, etc.
*Get creative with your theme. We have tons of sets of girls on beds, girls on couches, etc, so try something else! Maybe you have a favorite book, video game, movie, comic book that you could base your set on, or maybe you have a friend that works at a bar or has a really cool apartment or house you could shoot in.
*Check out JaneDoe - Go Vegan to see a good example of how she turned one of her interests into a really cute set.
*Practice your poses before you shoot your set! Seriously. Stand in front of a mirror and practice cute, pin up poses that flatter your body. For instance, arch your back as far as you can to lengthen your body instead of hunching over and shortening it. Practice your facial expressions, too - no one wants to see 40 pictures with the same dead eyes in every one, that's kind of creepy actually, so try to vary your expressions.
*Check out Wendy - Show Pony to see a good example of great pin up poses and a variety of facial expressions.
*Use available resources - you don't need to spend a ton of money to shoot a great set. Use what you have available, there is no need to go out and rent a crazy location or hire a makeup artist or hair stylist. If you don't have a location, ask around and see if one of your friends has some place you can shoot. More often than not, you can even shoot in your own house.
*Check out Rigel - Silver Lining to see a good example of using what's available to shoot a creative, interesting set.
*You can shoot your own set, you don't have to work with a professional photographer!! There are several girls on the site who shoot their own sets. You can either use the timer on your camera, or you can pick up a remote for around $10. If you don't have a tripod, you can set your camera on a table or stack of books, etc. If you are a member of the site, you can check out the self portraiture group for tons of great advice about shooting your own set.
*Check out Akemi - Barracuda to see a good example of a great self shot set.
*First sets must be in color, NO BLACK & WHITE SETS WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR FIRST SETS. If black and white is crucial to the set theme, please contact us at photographycoordinator@suicidegirls.com to discuss it.
*Shooting a set should be a fun experience for you whether we accept it or not. Don't stress or rush through the process. Some of the SG's were turned down several times before they had a set accepted. It is the girls that learned from the experience and had fun with it that eventually ended up being accepted.
*Take a look at all the sets in the applicant area to get a good idea of what kinds of things we are looking for in a good photo set.
3.6 What kinds of things should I avoid in the photoset?
THINGS WE HAVE SEEN TOO MUCH OF IN THE PAST:
We see many of the same themes over and over again. It is not anything personal against photographers or girls, we just can't accept sets over and over using the same themes. Of course, if you shoot a super hot amazing set in one of these locations, we will definitely consider it, but we are really trying to maintain the quality and edge of the site, so get creative!!
You can go to the pics page and use the tag search to see what different themes have been done in the past. You do not have to be a member to search the tags, but you do have to be a member to see the photosets.
Here are some common things that we have seen a lot of and we would like to avoid in the future:
beds
kitchens
bathrooms
graffiti walls
forests
THINGS WE WILL NOT ACCEPT:
There are just some things that we are trying to get away from. Again, it is not anything personal against photographers or models, and if you shoot a really super awesome amazing set that features one of these we will definitely consider it - this is more of a list of things to try to avoid
Too much makeup - Caked on foundation and spidery eyelashes are just not sexy - you're beautiful, don't hide behind a mask of makeup!
Seamless/studio backdrops - Sets on studio backdrops can be super boring, try shooting in a real life setting or a different part of the studio.
Wigs - A hot girl in a cheap wig is still a hot girl in a cheap wig, we prefer to see your natural self.
Hats and Sunglasses - They are great accessories and look super hot in a few pictures, but please take them off in at least half the set - we want to see your face! Also, no top hats, ever.
Old timey pin up - SG is modern day pin up, it is not really about old timey sensuality. Your set should be your modern take on how you feel most beautiful, not an ode to ye olde days of yore.
Sets that are too explicit - fully exposed breasts and bums are required, but spread shots are certainly not. Please do not submit overly graphic sets, it should be tasteful, pin up nudity and not explicit.
Stripper shoes - In the same way the site is not about old timey sensuality, stripper shoes do not an SG make. Plus... ouch. Normal heels are just as hot, if not more so.
Childish themes - Sets with stuffed animals, children's toys, school girls, etc are kind of creepy to see on an adult site, and we try to stay away from sets with these kinds of props.
Blood/weapons - There are tons of sets on the site that have done this really well and are incredibly hard to top, so we ask that you stay away from blood (real or fake) or implied murder/suicide. Also, no swords or weapons unless you absolutely 100% know what you are doing with them.
Smearing food/wax - Maybe super hot in real life, but it translates pretty poorly in photos and looks more gross than sexy.
Fairy/Angel/Bat Wings - Please just no. Sets with wings, antennas, halos, etc, just look cheesy.
3.7 Is there any information I can give the model about shooting sets?
Yes indeed! You should have the model check out the Girls FAQ for all the information she will need about modeling for the site.
4.8 Can I photoshop my own sets?
You are welcome to photoshop a set that you shot - take a look at our Photoshopper FAQ to get a good idea of what we are looking for.
If you are working with us to become a staff photographer, it is helpful if you email design@suicidegirls.com with six before and after photos so we can help guide you in the right direction before you send us the finished set.
Please note that we can only pay you for photoshopping the set if the set is accepted and goes up on the front page as the Set of the Day.
If you aren't that familiar with photoshop or would like us to prep the set, you can just upload the set right as it came off the camera and if we like it, we can send it to one of our staff photoshoppers to be prepped.
4.9 Where do I get the files I need to photoshop a set?
4.10 How should the photos be sized and labeled?
All the photoshopping instructions, templates, graphics and fonts can be downloaded in one .zip file by clicking HERE.
01.jpg, 02.jpg, etc - these are the large images in the set, they should be 1200 pixels on the longest side and have the logo and copyright in one of the corners. After you resize the images in photoshop and add the logo, you should save the photos for web, no larger than 150kb. Adjust the quality depending on the picture - make them as high quality as you can while keeping them at or under 150kb.
01t.jpg, 02t.jpg, etc - these are the thumbnails, they should be 55 pixels wide and 75 pixels tall. All thumbnails should be VERTICAL regardless of the framing of the original photo. The easiest way to make thumbnails is to open all the large pictures and crop each one to 55px x 75px and save them in a separate folder named THUMBS.
setpreview_large1.jpg, setpreview_large2.jpg, etc - staff will select one of these to be the preview picture for the set that shows up on the front page. They should be 408 pixels wide by 251 pixels high, and you should send six total large previews. Try to pick the sexiest pictures from the set to use for the different previews. Skin is great, but remember that since these will be on the front page and you can see them without a membership, there should be no nudity in the large previews.
setpreview_medium1.jpg, setpreview_medium2.jpg, etc - these are the scaled down versions of the large previews and are used on the girl's profile page. They should be 169 pixels wide by 104 pixels tall, and you should send six total medium previews - they should also match up with the large previews you send in - for instance, setpreview_large1.jpg should be the same picture as setpreview_medium1.jpg, and so forth. The fonts on the medium preview pics are Downcome size 24 for the girls name and Selfish, all lowercase, size 23 for the set name. You can use any color you want for the girls name, just make sure it is readable! Try to only use black and white for the set name.
setpreview_label.png - this file is used by the flash player on the front page, it displays the girls name and the set name. The fonts are Selfish for the girl's name and Misproject for the set name. THE FONTS MUST BE BLACK FOR THE GIRLS NAME AND PINK FOR THE SET NAME, PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE THESE! If you are using the guide provided in the photoshopper package, all you will need to do is put in the girl's name and set name, choose "save for web" and save it as a .png.
girlprofile1.jpg, girlprofile2.jpg, etc - this is the profile picture that will be used on the girl's page, they should be 235 pixels wide by 175 pixels high and we will only need them for girls who are not already SuicideGirls. You should send in five total profile pictures for new girls. These should be sexy head and shoulders pictures, please no nudity!!
4.11 How should I package the final set to send to you?
Please seperate the images and thumbnails (put the thumbnails in a separate folder labeled "Thumbs" - the larger .jpg files can be loose in the final folder).
They must be named exactly correctly and they all must be there. Any missing will mean disaster and it will be all your fault. You don't want that, do you? Any JPEGS must be saved as non-progressive. If you don't save it non-progressive we won't be able to display it.
You should save everything into a folder and zip it to upload it. It is preferred that you have a folder for the thumbnails and a folder with all the graphics (set previews, girl pics, etc), but as long as all the photos, thumbnails and graphics are all there and named correctly, the file will go through.
Please make sure you are uploading only the images and graphics from the final set and that there is nothing else in the .zip folder - no extra .zip files, no photography release forms, no model ids, no other paperwork! The only thing that should be in the .zip file that you upload should be the images and set graphics exactly like it should appear on the site.
4.12 What kinds of things should I photoshop? How much is too much?
You should talk to the model while you are shooting about what kinds of things she would prefer to be photoshopped out - for instance, some models prefer to have scars or imperfections photoshopped out, while some choose to leave them in the set. Regardless, we want the girls to look real, so try to avoid overly smoothing skin and going over the top with crazy effects. The end result should just be a better looking version of your raw image, not a totally different picture.
The first thing you should do when you open an image you are prepping for the site is go to VIEW > PROOF SETUP > Monitor RGB - this will show you how the picture will look when displayed for web, which is where they will be viewed! If you forget and prep the images and then save for web, the images will end up looking desaturated, so make sure you are viewing them how you will see the finished product! Also make sure you are using adjustment layers, it is much easier to change something that way!
COLOR CORRECTION: Usually you can check the color by looking at the whites of the eyes or teeth to make sure they are free of color - these are supposed to be white, or at least a varying shade of it. Use LEVELS or CURVES to return the picture to a properly lit/colored state. Most photos can use a bit of color correction by using COLOR BALANCE as well, but make sure the model is not ending up with strangely colored shadows across her body!
SKIN: You should be correcting obvious imperfections like eye bags or blemishes on the skin, but try not to go overboard - we like to be able to still see the texture in the skin, otherwise it looks to fake and plasticky. To remove blemishes and imperfections on skin, use the HEAL tool (it looks like a band-aid) instead of the clone tool - this will grab the texture of the skin you want to replace the blemish with so that when you apply it, she'll still have pores. Also be wary of things like eye bags - these are best removed by using the DODGE tool between 3-5% and dodging very lightly under the eyes until it matches the rest of the face, and using the HEAL tool to blend any edges.
FOCUS: Most importantly, the picture needs to be in focus!! The eyes are usually the giveaway if a picture is not in focus. For a full body shot, you can flatten the image and go FILTER > SHARPEN and this will sharpen the entire photo enough for web. For a portrait, you can just sharpen the eyes and it will really make the picture pop - sharpening the whole photo can make the skin on her face look blemished even when it is not. To do this, use the LASSO tool to circle the models eyes, mouth, and any facial piercings. Then go to SELECT > FEATHER > 10px, and then FILTER > SHARPEN. If the picture needs a little more help, you can use the UNSHARP MASK, but again try not to go overboard - if the model doesn't have goose bumps to begin with, it's not going to look natural if you sharpen it so she does! If you have a really busy background (like a textured wall or couch), try using the lasso tool to select just the models body, since that's what the focus of the set should be anyway.
DISTRACTIONS: Check the background for distractions in each picture - things like outlets, cords, or splotchy paint job are easy to remove and can change the composition of the picture from "great" to "Awesome!" If you are removing things like electrical outlets and unwanted cords, a combination of the CLONE and HEAL tool should work well.
WHITE BALANCE: You should always make sure your camera is set to shoot appropriately for the type of light you are using, but let's face it, we all make mistakes. If your pictures come out looking way too blue or way too orangey, they can still be saved! Try going to LAYER > NEW ADJUSTMENT LAYER > PHOTO FILTER... - if the photo is too orange, try adding a cooling filter. If it is too blue, you can try a warming filter. Please note that this won't make your image perfect and you'll still have to use curves, levels and color balance to correct it, but this will give you a better starting point.
If you are a member of the site, I highly suggest you check out the photoshop tutorial in the Photographer Hopefuls group, especially if you don't have a lot of experience with photoshop.
5.13 How do I send you the photos??
You will need to either log in to the model's application page to upload the set, or you can send her the set to upload herself. Either way, you will need to upload the set to her model page, as this is the only way we will be able to review the set. We can no longer accept and upload sets mailed to us on CD or emailed to us. It's up to you to upload your set!
BEFORE YOU BEGIN, MAKE SURE YOU ARE LOGGED OUT OF THE SITE COMPLETELY. If you are logged into your member page and log in to her model area to upload a set, it will link her model account with your member account and her set will post to your page and it will be a disaster. PLEASE double check that you are completely logged out of the site before you log in to her model account.
If you are uploading the set for the model, you'll need the email address she applied with and the password she was sent to log in. You should log in to the model page and click on the "Manage Sets" tab to upload your set.
1. Choose a member name.
If the model already has a membership on the site, please enter her username and password - this will link your member account and model account. If your set is approved for member review, a free year will be added onto her existing account.
If she does not have a membership on the site, you will need to create a username and password.
If you cannot get past the first section, it is very possible that a girl is using the name she wants - you can check if a member or SG is using the name by going here:
http://suicidegirls.com/members/NAME
and replacing "name" with whatever name you are trying to use. If no member or sg is using the name and it still won't let you take it, it's probably bcause a member whose account has expired is using that name. You can also try using a combination of two names, like "SaraJane" or something like that.
Make sure the model knows her username and password - if the set is accepted, this is what you will log in to the main part of the site with!
2. Name your set and write a description.
You should put the name of the set in the Album Title box, and a little note about the set in the Album Description box. You can read more about set intros in Section 12 of the Girls FAQ.
3. Uploading the pictures.
Your photos must be .jpg files (not JPEG, gif, bmp, png, none of that), and the entire set MUST be under 100mb. Your finished set should be between 60-75 photos - please no more than 100 photos per set! Make sure all your photos are rotated correctly. Your set will post to member review exactly like you uploaded it, so please include only the best photos!
There are two ways you can upload your pictures.
Option 1: You can upload the set as a .zip file.
The easiest way to upload the set is to send it as a .zip file. The photo wizard can only accept files up to 100 mb in size. If your .zip file is larger than 100mb, you will need to resize each individual picture to make the .zip file smaller, otherwise the set will not go through no matter how many times you try. Try resizing them so they are 1500-2000 pixels on the longest side. If you submit 60-75 pictures that are around 1mb in size, it should go through no problem. Each picture must be at least 1000 pixels on the longest side - anything smaller than that and it is unlikely we will be able to make a set out of it.
- If you are on a Mac, you can right click (ctrl+click) on the folder and select "Make Archive of [folder name]".
- If you are on a PC, you will need a program like WinZip to create your .zip file. To download applications that allow you to compress your files, please go to http://www.download.com and search for ".zip." Newer versions of Windows allow you to right-click the files/folder and zip everything up just like the Mac instructions. Please do not email for technical help.
-or-
Option 2: You can upload your pictures one at a time
This way is a lot more tedious and there is a greater chance that your browser may freeze and not allow you to continue adding pictures, which means the set did not get submitted all the way and you will need to start over and upload it again. Sounds like a pain in the ass, huh? I always recommend a .zip file, its a lot faster and if your browser quits you can just reload and try again.
*NOTE* The file you are uploading is large and may take a few minutes to process completely before allowing you to move on to the next section. Once the uploader gets to 100% and shows the checkbox, do not stop, close, or refresh the browser at this point! Once the uploader has finished doing its thing, it will allow you to go to the next step, so just hang tight for a few minutes.
4. Choose if you would like to upload this set for ()member review, ()staff review, or ()both, then click "Submit Set!"
After your set has finished uploading, it will say "100%" with a green check mark next to it. Scroll down to the next box and select how you would like your set to be reviewed (staff and member review, staff review only, or member review only) and then click "submit set." After you click submit set, a little box will pop up letting you know we received it and you should hear back soon.
If the little box does NOT pop up and say we received the set, then it did not go through and you should go back to your model page and try again.
Please see Sections 7 and 8 of the Girls FAQ for more info about how the review process works for member review and staff review.
5.14 What happens if the set is submitted for member review?
If a set is submitted for member review, the set will be posted on the site in the hopefuls pics section - if the model is not yet a SuicideGirl, she will be given a one year free Hopeful account.
After the set is submitted for member review, members and SGs will be able to comment on the set and it will be eligible for "set of the day" and our monthly prizes.
Sets are chosen from this section that get really great feedback from SGs, photographers and members.
If the set is picked to go live on the front page, as "set of the day" or a monthly prize winner, the model will become a SuicideGirl and both you and the model will be paid!
5.15 What happens if the set is submitted for staff review? How long does it take to hear back?
When you submit your set for staff review, the images are not accessible to anyone other than staff.
Staff will review the set:
If we are able to use your set on the site, the set will be put in line to go up as the "Set of the Day" and you and the model will both be paid.
If we are not able to use the set, the model will be given the option to post the set on the site for member review in exchange for a one year membership to the site. If the set is posted for member review, it is still eligible to be chosen for set of the day and any of our monthly prizes.
As long as we have both the model's government issued IDs and current model release on file, the average wait is about two to four weeks to hear back about the set, but it can take up to 6-8 weeks to hear back.
You can have the model log in to her model application and it will let you know the status of the set - once it has been reviewed, the model will always get an email letting you know the next steps, so please do not email asking about the status.
5.16 What happens if the set is submitted for both staff and member review?
If the set is submitted for both staff and member review, it will first be reviewed by staff and either accepted into the staff queue or passed onto the member review area.
5.17 What is the hopefuls pics section?
The hopefuls pics section is all the sets that are up for member review.
Sets are chosen from this section to put on the front page as "set of the day" or a monthly prize winner based on the feedback from our members, SuicideGirls and photographers. If a set is chosen from the hopefuls pics section to go live as "set of the day" or a monthly prize winner both the photographer and the model will be paid.
5.18 How long is a set eligible to win set of the day or one of the monthly $1000 prizes?
Each set is eligible to win set of the day or any of the monthly prizes for as long as it is up in the hopefuls pics section. Sometimes we recycle monthly prizes - if a set does not win a particular month prize, it is still eligible to win when that theme comes up again in a few months.
5.19 When do I get paid?
When the set goes up on the front page for Set of the Day you can send an invoice and the hi res and we can pay you. Please see section #6 for more information about invoicing and payment.
5.20 Who owns the photos? Why can you use the photos if I'm not getting paid?
SuicideGirls only owns the photos if you are paid - for instance, if your set wins set of the day you and the model are paid, or if your set wins one of our monthly creative prizes.
However, if your set does not win a prize or get chosen as set of the day, you still own the images and the model can keep the images up on her profile. SG just hosts them under our terms of service for you and we do not make any claims of ownership of these images.
5.21 I'm having problems uploading my set!
I was uploading my set and the uploader quit on me, what do I do??
Just try again, we will remove any sets from the system that did not finish uploading all the way. It's okay if takes you a few times.
I uploaded a set and it showed up on my page as pending, but a few hours later it disappeared!! Where did it go??
Check your email!! Your set probably did not go through all the way - if this is the case, you'll get an email from us letting you know that it did not upload correctly and that we've removed it so you can go in and try again.
I can't rearrange the pictures or change the album cover, halp!!!!!
We have had a few bug reports of this happening, so don't worry, just select the review option you would like and submit the set. Once your set has been reviewed, you can edit the set with no problem, so don't worry, we will never not accept a set because the pictures are out of order or you weren't able to save the album cover.
No matter what I try, my set is not going through!
Here are some things to look for if your set is not going through properly:
-Is my set a .zip file (not a .sit or .rar)?
-Is my set under 100mb?
-Are all of my images .jpgs?
If the answer to any of these is NO, then that would be why your set is not uploading. I cannot stress how important it is that your file is under 100mb, that is the most common problem people are having! If you resize your images to 1500-2000 pixels on the longest side, that should make them small enough to go through. You should not be submitting more than 100 pictures, either - 60-75 photos is more than enough to give us enough to work with if we are going to use the set.
Can I send you my set on CD?
No, unfortunately we cannot upload sets for you so you will need to keep trying to upload the set yourself. As long as you are following the instructions listed here, it should be working!
I uploaded my set for staff and member review. Will you narrow the set down to 40-60 images before it is posted in member review?
No. Sets are posted in member review exactly how they were submitted, so only submit images that you want to be posted. 60-75 pics is what you should aim for, please do not to send more than 100 photos.
If we are going to use a set, we have staff photoshoppers who can touch up the set before we put it on the site. However, if a set is submitted for staff and member review and is not accepted for staff review, it will be posted in member review exactly as you submitted it. You can check out our photoshop faq that has all the specifications and info on photoshopping the sets:
PHOTOSHOP FAQ - CLICK HERE!
The majority of sets that are sent to us are not photoshopped before they are sent, and it certainly does not decrease your chances of having your set accepted.
My set was assigned to a photoshopper, does that mean it was accepted?
If we would like to try to use a set, we will send it to be photoshopped. When your set has been photoshopped and submitted for review again, you will get an e-mail letting you know the status. Photoshopping a set can take anywhere from two days to several weeks, depending on the backlog of the photoshopper.
If your set was sent in with all the graphics and was assigned to Rigel to photoshop, that just means she is checking the graphics and will upload the set so that when it is posted, only the large pictures will show when you view the set.
I uploaded my set like, forever ago and it's still pending. What the hell?
Check your email! You most likely will have an email from us asking you to send us your paperwork. Sometimes files are corrupt, sometimes they are too blurry, or maybe we only have one ID when we need two ... there are a number of reasons why we may need it, so if you get an email asking us for your paperwork, please send it in ASAP so we can review your set!
On the contrary, please don't email asking if we have all of your stuff on file. If we need anything from you, we'll let you know exactly what it is and the best way to get it to us.
I'm trying to delete a couple images from my set, but it's not working!
Your set is posted exactly how you sent it in for review and you will not be able to remove any photos from it until it has been up for 90 days. After 90 days, you can click the big green EDIT button in the corner to remove individual photos or the whole set - for now,you can move them to the end of the set so that when people are clicking through they won't see them til the end and it doesn't look repetitive.
6.22 A set I shot went up as the Set of the Day. How do I get paid?
We can either pay you $100 for the photos and $100 for the photoshopping, OR we can give you a three month subscription to the site depending on which forms you sign, but we cannot do both.
*To receive the 3 month membership, we only need the Intellectual Property Assignment. You can email photographycoordinator@suicidegirls.com with a link to the set you shot after it has gone up as the set of the day and we can email you a gift code.
*To be paid the full amount for the set, you must send us an invoice, the creative services agreement, a w9, and the hi res images from the set. Please follow the instructions in the FAQ for getting these things to us.
6.23 What forms do I need to sign to be paid?
The Photographer Forms Package can be downloaded here. It contains all the forms you will need, in addition to the FAQ.
You will need to fill out the following forms in order to be paid:
Intellectual Property Assignment (before set is accepted)
W9 (before set is paid)
Creative Services Agreement (before set is paid)
Invoice (before set is paid)
Confidentiality Agreement (after invitation to become staff)
6.24 Where do I get the forms?
6.25 How do I get all my paperwork to you?
Please print the required forms out, fill each out by hand, and then scan or photograph it to save it as a digital file. You should save your forms in .pdf or .jpg format, and if a document is multiple pages, put it in a .zip file.
You can submit the Intellectual Property Assignment release form through the model's applicant page when you upload her set. That is the only form we need until the set is accepted as the set of the day.
If the set is accepted as the set of the day (through either staff review or member review), then you should send us your invoice, Creative Services release form and W9. Please send all your paperwork and invoice at once - this is the best way to prevent lost paperwork and get your invoice approved asap!
If you aren’t able to digitize your forms via scanner or camera, there are other ways to submit them.
They can be mailed to:
SuicideGirls
ATTN: Photography Coordinator
5482 Wilshire Blvd. #1925
Los Angeles, CA 90036
or
Faxed to 323.962.6999
If you have any questions or problems during this process, email photographycoordinator@suicidegirls.com.
6.26 Why do you need all these forms?
• To accept your set we must have the Intellectual Property Assignment form on file for you. This gives us legal ownership of your photographs and files for the set you're submitting. You'll sign, print, and date under "photographer" and providing a few details of the set. Having this form completed and the set submitted, you will receive a free membership to the site. You will have to file one of these for every set you submit to us, unless you have the Creative Services Agreement and Confidentiality Agreement submitted to us.
• To pay you for the set, we must have a completed W9 form for our tax purposes, as well as a Creative Services Agreement form. Don’t forget we will need your high res photos in order to pay you. You will need to email these completed, scanned in documents to photographycoordinator@suicidegirls.com.
• The invoice file is available to you as a Word Template and a PDF, both can be typed into or filled out by hand. When a set you shot goes up as the Set of the Day, you're eligible to file an invoice for that month. Create a new invoice and list any sets you're filing for payment that month and put them under the proper section. Your invoice will be payable within 30 days of submission.
• If you wish to become a Staff Photographer eventually, you should also fill out the Confidentiality Agreement. For more on the Staff Photographer process, check the category in this FAQ file.
6.27 When do I send my invoice? Who do I send it to?
You can send us an invoice along with your hi res and your paperwork when your set goes live on the front page and wins Set of the Day or one of the monthly creative prizes.
We pay $100 for the hi res images and $100 for the photoshopping. These rates will go up if you become a staff photographer and work with us on a regular basis.
We need three things before a photographer will paid for a set.
1. the CD of high resolution images.
2. an Invoice.
3. Photo releases/paperwork.
We review invoices on the 25th of each month, so if you have a few sets go up in a month, you can invoice for them all at once on the 25th. Please see section #7 in this FAQ about sending in the hi res photos.
Send your invoice to modelcoordinator@suicidegirls.com by the 25th of the month you're invoicing for and we will let you know if we are missing anything. You can expect payment within about 30 days if we have everything.
6.28 I heard I get a free account, how do I set that up?
We can either pay you $100 for the photos and $100 for the photoshopping, OR we can give you a three month subscription to the site depending on which forms you sign, but we cannot do both.
*To receive the 3 month membership, we only need the Intellectual Property Assignment. You can email photographycoordinator@suicidegirls.com with a link to the set you shot after it has gone up as the set of the day and we can email you a gift code.
*To be paid the full amount for the set, you must send us an invoice, the creative services agreement, a w9, and the hi res images from the set. Please follow the instructions in the FAQ for getting these things to us.
6.29 When do I receive my check?
You can expect to receive your check within 30 days of invoicing as long as we have your invoice, hi res images and all your forms on file. If it has been longer than 30 days since you sent your invoice and we let you know that we have all your paperwork on file, you can email invoices@suicidegirls.com and they can let you know when your check was sent. Please do not email us if it has been less than 30 days!
7.30 Why do you need the hi res photos?
We require our photographers to submit their high resolution photos from the sets so we can use them for things like books, ads, promotional fliers, etc. We only need you to send us the hi res photos if the set has been accepted and gone live on the front page as the Set of the Day.
7.31 How can I send you the hi res photos?
There are a few ways you can get your hi res photos to us:
YOUSENDIT: You can use www.yousendit.com to send us large files. We prefer to get your high res set as one large zip file, and not multiple files. You'll be sending it to zoetica@suicidegirls.com. On the invoice you will put the date you sent the YouSendIt and from which email address.
Please make sure the file you are sending us is named "Model Name - Set Name" so we will be able to process your invoice quicker. If we have to poke around and figure out who the model is or who shot it, the invoicing process could be delayed and that would really suck, so it really helps if you label the folder so we can easily identify it. You are also welcome to include a text file with the hi res with your contact information and/or your paperwork so we know how to get in touch with you if we have any questions.
CD/DVD: You can also mail us a CD or a DVD with all the hi res photos - here is some info about how you can mail us the images:
The CD/DVD:
Create folders for each girl you shoot that month then divide the images into two folders within that folder, Maybe and Raw.
- The Maybe folder should be the images included in the set in their raw or high JPG format (unedited, high resolution)
- The Raw folder should be the res of the pictures that were not used in the set.
You can burn a CD or DVD of your high res photo set. Please include your contact info, and model name and set name. On your invoice you would put the date it was sent and method (USPS, UPS, FedEx, etc.) Your invoice will not be paid until we receive the high res set, so the sooner you send it off the better.
Suicide Girls
ATTN: Photography Coordinator
5482 Wilshire Blvd #1925
Los Angeles, CA 90036
FTP: If you have your own server or FTP that we can download your hi res from, that works too! You should send your invoice and paperwork to
modelcoordinator@suicidegirls.com and in the body of the email include a link to the set or instructions for downloading the set from your FTP.
8.32 Who are the SG Staff Photographers?
A listing of staff photographers can be found on this page: http://suicidegirls.com/about/.
Staff photographers get model referrals, primary consideration during set review and are eligible for some great comment bonuses. They are people we know and trust to consistently send in great sets of girls we want sets of. They are reliable, trustworthy people with different visions and styles that create a constantly changing aesthetic for our site. It's an invite only postion based on our previous experience and communication with you, your work and general aesthetic.
8.33 How can I become a staff photographer?
First, you should introduce yourself! You can say hi and direct any other questions or concerns you may have to Zoe at photographycoordinator@suicidegirls.com so that we can track your process and make sure you get the help you need.
We can only refer girls to photographers we have a working relationship with, so you need to have a few sets that have gone up for Set of the Day and some good feedback from girls you've worked with. After five approved sets, talk to us about a potential staff position.
The best way to get us to notice your work is to shoot a set for us. You may not contact any SGs directly or advertise for any models or we will not use you.
8.34 How can I find models to work with without soliciting?
• Find a female friend who wants to be a SuicideGirl, have her apply, and if we want to see more, shoot her first set. If she's accepted, you can shoot a couple more sets for her in the future and you're on the way to staff-dom.
• Join the SG Photographer Hopefuls group, and check for posts by models asking for a photographer in their area. You may not post in here asking for models, but you may post your portfolio in the introductions thread.
• Never. Never ever ever advertise for models. Please do not put out creepy ads on OMP, MySpace, Craigslist or any typical place you might place an ad. Please do not use the SG name to get work either.
• You may want to create a profile on Model Mayhem so that models can find you.
• You should never ask the models for money – if you do so, we will never use you again.
For all non-staff photographers, I strongly suggest checking out the hopefuls group found here: http://suicidegirls.com/groups/SGPhotographerHopefuls/.
8.35 What do you mean by soliciting for models? Why shouldn't I post that I'm available?
We have always requested that our prospective photographers do not solicit for models. This means please do not post any thread on the boards or in the groups advertising your services, and please do not post on myspace, model mayhem or any other site asking for girls to shoot with you.
We have always put the safety of our current and prospective SGs first. We take the screening process very seriously and ensure that the photographers can be reliably recommended 100% of the time, for both quality of images and professionalism. We hope that you understand that we have not worked with you before and therefore cannot endorse your services. By posting on SG boards it can be confusing to the models as your level of involvement with SG.
If a model posts a thread looking for photographers in your area you are welcome to post that you are available, although you must list that you are not an official photographer.
We hope that you appreciate our position and respect our need to maintain quality. We need to get to know you before we can refer any models to you, so please introduce yourself! Zoe is our photography coordinator for prospective photographers and will be happy to help you out. Even if you have five sets accepted to the site, we will probably not offer you staff photographer status if we have never heard from you before.
If you have any questions please feel free to email photographycoordinator@suicidegirls.com and we will be happy to help.
8.36 How many sets can I send at once?
You are welcome to send in as many sets at a time as you like, but please keep in mind we only accept one set per model at a time for staff review. We try to space out the sets that go up as the Set of the Day between the models, so if you have a set go up of a certain model and submit another one of her the next day, keep in mind it could take some time before it goes up as the Set of the Day again.