Rip:
I've always been curious about how these Photographers work.
Without going into details; do the athletes pay the photographers to photograph them; do the photographers pay the athletes; OR is it more of a "barter" agreement (i.e. you have use and access to all the pics they take in exchange for them being able to use the pics as they wish, usually on their websites).
Gene and James seem like REAL Pros; and really have provided litterally THOUSANDS of pics and videos for the fans to enjoy!
Mufasa
It really depends on the photographer and the website that he/she runs, and how he/she plans on using the photos. If the photographer runs a membership kind of site, then they will usually pay the model for the shoot, and the price is agreed upon beforehand, and a contract is signed at the shoot. The pics are usually property of both the photographer and the model after they are taken and released to the model. Some photographers will pay the model, but will specify up-front whether or not they give the model the pics to do what she pleases with as well. Some photographers are more possessive of their photos because if they give them to the models, they end up getting released on free sites, causing the photographer to lose money or not make as much.
Gene works with James, who runs the memerbship site. Gene does photos, James does mostly video (although he takes great photos too). James pays the models for work for his site. Gene does not pay, but if James comes along for the shoot and does video, then James will pay. Gene is such an amazing photographer that he is one of maybe 2-3 photographers that I will happily work with and not get paid. Gene ALWAYS delivers amazing pictures and sends them to the model in a timely fashion, which is much appreciated. I would shoot with Gene ANY DAY of the week without getting paid. The pics he takes are worth it to me by themselves!!! And there are not many photographers in the business that I would say that about.
