What is PurePhoto?

PurePhoto is a community and commerce site for photographers and photo collectors. Members can connect with each other and engage in discussions, while art collectors in search of high quality artwork can connect with leading and emerging photographers from around the globe and buy their original works of art.

Sign Up

 

Why should I create an account?

•       Because PurePhoto is the fastest growing social network of artists and art collectors on the web. It’s fun, it’s addictive and there is lots of amazing art to see. In addition you need to log in to comment, to sell, and to interact with others. You do not need to login to buy.

 

I see you have a premium account option. Why would I want that?

•       Our premium account comes with unlimited storage. Yes you heard correctly: $29 for the first year and $49 a year after that for unlimited storage! (offer as of 1.10.11) Our premium account also comes with the ability to upload 50mb files instead of the 15mb upload limit offered in the regular account.

 

How do I create an account?

•       It’s simple: use the Join button at the top right of every page and create an account in just a few steps. We only require a few lines of basic information.

 

Why should I use Facebook Connect?

•       Facebook Connect is one easy step to log in. It also posts your PurePhoto activity directly to your Facebook wall so others can see that you love and support the arts. Which makes you look cool, smart and web savvy. In addition when you log into your new favorite social network PurePhoto you only have to press the Facebook button, you don’t need to remember a shred of information.

 

I forgot my password, How do I retrieve it?

•       Simply go to the log in page, put in your user name and press the “forgot my password” button. A new one will be sent to the email assigned to your account.

Completing Your Profile

 

Can I change my title?

•       Yes, just click on the little pencil edit icon and put in what ever you want. Just make sure it’s not dirty or we will hardcode it to the name of a fruit or vegetable and you won’t be able to change it back.

 

How do I change my profile image?

•       Just click on the little pencil edit button and pick a new snazzy picture of you and hit submit.

 

How big can my profile picture be?

•       You can upload any photo that is under 10mb. We will crunch it into a nice 250 wide image so it fits. Max length of 500 px.

 

Why should I choose a profile type? (photographer, collector, etc.)

•       This label helps define you in the network. It helps users understand who is looking at their work, who they are interacting with and will help shape overall analytics of the site. If you do not choose one, you will be labeled a Collector.

 

Can I change About Me to some sort of fancy title?

•       You can call yourself anything you want from Mr. Bigglesworth to Shakka Zulu as long as it makes you happy and you keep it clean. (Also, refrain from taking another artists name and trying to pretend you are them, that’s a big no-no)

 

Is my Bio really necessary?

•       Of course, we want you to interact with the community so you have a meaningful experience here. Writing about yourself helps others know who you are.

 

Why did I start with a few followers?

•       Everyone needs friends but since you are new and don’t have any yet, we are your friends. We completely understand if you don’t want us. Remove us, socialize, make new friends…we’ll be ok…with some therapy, red wine, and a large vat of chocolate.

Creating a Collection

 

What types of images can I upload?

•       For now it’s jpeg only but we will add new types, as we get further along.

 

What is the maximum image size I can upload?

•       15mb for a basic account and 50mb for premium.

 

How much storage space do I get?

•       Unlimited if you are a member…not so much if you have a basic account but enough to get your best work up and start sharing! To be precise it's 1GB. Our premium account comes with unlimited storage. Yes you heard correctly, $29 for the first year and $49 a year after that for unlimited storage! Our premium account also comes with the ability to store files up to 50mb in size as opposed to 15mb in the regular account. So go get one before the price goes up!

 

Can I upload images that aren’t mine?

•       If there is a great artist that you would like to share with the community, you can upload it just like you would on a blog. Please be sure to make sure the artist who shot it is known and if we catch you selling it, just remember we have the same lawyers as Google. It won’t be pretty ;-)

 

Do I need to use tags?

•       Yes, Yes and Yes! It’s good for everyone. Tags help people search for work, Google likes them very much and since every page on Pure Photo is optimized for SEO and crawled your work will be seen everywhere!

 

What are good tags?

•       Tags are used behind the scenes to help label your work for search features. Be descriptive, add as many as you like, the more the better, however, and make sure they are accurate. Names of people, places, items in the image, single words that describe the image are all great. Colors are especially great! Think about search words that people might use to find this type of image and those are your best bet.

 

Why is a cover image required?

•       When you create a collection you are required to add a cover image so that your collection looks pretty to other users! Now if you want to change that image, simply click on a collection and hit the edit collection button at the top. You will be prompted there to change the cover image.

 

Why am I forced to pick a genre and can I pick more than one?

·       You must pick a genre so we know what section to put your lovely art in so the world can discover it. No, you can only put one. The left navigation uses the genre to search, so please think hard and make sure you put it in the right spot. If someone searches for food but finds your war-torn photojournalist image, that’s not a good fit. Be thoughtful.

Viewing images

 

How do I discover new art?

•       Click the Discover button in the top navigation from any screen or use the left navigation bar to search by top picks, color, genre, or price.  We have put some recent images, editors’ picks and other noteworthy images on the home page for you. It’s a great place to start! Here are a few more:

 

-   Click on an images you like and go to that users, then browse their collections

-   Search by Price (fit your budget)

-   Search by color (fit your style, a room or match some paint)

-   By style (stuff you are interested in like landscapes or abstract)

-   Search by top lists: editors pick, highest rated, etc.

 

 

How do I follow or stop following an artist?

•       Just press the green follow button on an artists profile to follow them. Do the same to un-follow. Following them will post their feeds to your activity wall and vice versa

 

What does the activity button do?

•       Pressing your activity button will take you back to your main profile page with your activity feed. On your activity page you can see all the activity from those you follow as wall as any comments on your images and any status updates you give. We will eventually break it out to show just your activity and that of your friends, but for now it is everybody.

 

How do I see a member’s Collections?

•       After you search for an image, or choose one from the home page simply click on it and it will take you to that image. On the left navigation bar just press Collections to see that Member’s Collections. It works for your own images too. ;-)

 

 

How do I ‘Like’ an Image?

•       Below each image in the control bar there is a little heart button. Click it and you will see the heart button under the users image glow green and the number increase by 1. It will then post it to your wall. You cannot like your own image.

 

How do I see a slideshow?

•       Press the slideshow play button at the bottom of an image in the large image view and it will launch a full screen slideshow. Titles are at the top left. The top right has arrows as well as a play button and a close button. It is a great way to pick a collection, sit back and enjoy!

 

How do I comment?

•       Simply enter your cursor into the comment field and start typing. Hit the post button to post it. Be nice or we will find out about it and put you in a box labeled trolls.

 

Why only photography?

•       We love art and are experts in photography. We are all hardcore photographers, collectors, analysts, tech geeks and curators who have a passion for it. We know you do, too, and wanted to share the love.

Buying & Collecting

 

How do I become a collector?

•       Easy: just buy your first piece! Collecting doesn’t have to be something unobtainable. With access to thousands of great pieces of art you can find something you love. That is what art is by definition:

 

art ¹ |ärt|noun

1 the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination,
typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works
to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.

 

Which means you should buy a piece first and foremost because you love it, no matter what anyone says. That is the true joy of collecting. Once you get the collecting bug you will know what we mean. You may even take it a step further, which we fully support, and start collecting for its investment value. Regardless, be passionate about your purchases and you can’t lose.

 

Is the art in the store curated?

•       Our store is curated to ensure that you are buying valuable works of art that should increase in value over time. While there is no guarantee of that, our art is selected by an Art Advisory Board made of leading Industry professionals who help the odds of that happening.

 

Why buy original art?

•       First and foremost, you are supporting artists. We share the profits evenly with the artist so you are giving someone an opportunity to spend their life creating wonderful work to be shared with the world. Original art means you have a unique piece that you won’t find at your neighbor’s house. You have a story about the artist, where it was created, and why it was created. It makes life more interesting. We do not sell reproductions, which are mass-produced. We only sell professionally printed original art C- Prints.

 

How do I know if I am buying a great piece?

•       If you like it, it’s great. You don’t need someone telling you it’s great to love something. If you are buying it as an investment, read the ‘Why do you curate?’ Q&A above. We always recommend first and foremost having a love for what you’re buying. As you start collecting and reading our posts from industry leaders, you will gain a better understanding of what appreciates and why. Regardless, just enjoy it!

 

Should I only buy well-known artists?

•       Absolutely not! Every artist has their humble beginnings and we have created a place for you to explore exciting new works from the next generation of artists. It is true, we have some very well-known artists and you can buy the work but you can also start collecting new things. What makes an artist famous is the acceptance of the art community, the public as well as the meaning, controversy, etc. The more people buy a work and the more they pay for it makes it more valuable, you are taking part in that by purchasing work from emerging artists. You could be buying the next great artist!

 

Why buy online?

•       Buying online gives you access to thousands of great artists from across the globe. It enables you to see work you may never have had exposure to unless you have the time and resources to travel the globe and visit galleries. It is quick and easy and buying from a reputable store like PurePhoto ensures that you will be getting authentic original artwork.

 

How do I know it's authentic?

•       All of our Fine Art and Limited Edition prints come with a numbered certificate of authenticity signed by the artist and on record at PurePhoto.

 

Tell me more about your Limited Editions

•       Limited Editions are exclusive to PurePhoto in a specific size, paper type and numbered quantity. When they are gone, they are gone. We specifically choose the prints because we feel they will increase in value over time and be a unique addition to any collector’s walls.

 

How are your prints made?

•       All prints except for fine art prints are made by one of the top professional labs in the US under strict guidelines. They are c-type on archival papers. Our fine art pieces are almost always printed by the artist themselves on a specific substrate and shipped directly from them signed by the artist. We try to match the colors perfectly but between different monitors, people’s visions, colorcasts from your viewing area there can be subtle differences. Every effort is made to make sure what you see is what you get. We use color-calibrated monitors, as do our artists.

 

What if I encounter a problem with a print?

·       With proper documentation and us seeing the print, we will replace it. If it happens in shipping we will do our best to resolve the issue but it is your responsibility to follow up with the shipper as well. In the event that it is a limited edition print and the run is sold out, there is nothing we can do about it, we will replace with a new print of equal value.  

-   This is due to the nature of Limited Edition Prints being limited. However, all other prints will be replaced as long as they are not part of our Fine Art or Limited Edition sections.

 

Risk Free Art

·       We want you to buy something you love and have it on your walls and in your collections for years to come. So we offer our art with a 100% guarantee. If you don’t like it, we’ll help you find something you do. Just return it in 100% perfect condition – the same as you received it – and we’ll take care of it. Yes there is fine print, so please read on…

-   This doesn’t apply to Fine Art or Limited Edition prints. (These are produced with great care at great expense and often shipped from international locations.)

-   It only applies to the standard sizes of 8x12, 16x24, 20x30, and 24x36.

-   We will only reimburse the price of the print and applicable sales tax, not including shipping.

-   You have 30 days to decide that you love it, are going to keep it, and install a security system in your house because you love it so much you cannot live without it. Even if you don’t love it that much, we hope you’ll keep it. If you have tried, it has been less than 30 days, and you are just not feeling it, send it back. We will cry a little (maybe just on the inside) but it will be okay.

-   If the 30 days are up and you haven’t called us to get a Return Authorization number, it’s yours to keep. If you really don’t like it you can give it to your brother-in-law next Christmas.

Selling

 

What we are looking for in curated work submissions?

·       Please look carefully through the store, the editor’s picks and your specific genre before submitting. People are typically buying art for their home or office, so things like wedding and stylized children’s portraits, for instance, may be good for sharing in a group but not good for selling. All prints will be professionally printed by us via one of the top Pro labs in the U.S. and shipped directly to your customer.

 

How is the work chosen?

·       We have an international art advisory board made of gallery owners, artist reps, art market analysts, curators, editors and some of the top photographers in the world. They base the value of the work on a myriad of different criteria and help choose works that fit in with the collection over all. Remember though, we have art that ranges in price from $20 to $20,000 and beyond so your work might fit in anywhere along the way.

 

Do I need a Premium Account in order to sell?

·       No, anyone can sell on PurePhoto.

 

How and When Do I get paid?

·       You get paid via PayPal within 15 days of the close of each calendar month.

 

 

In the unlikely event that we have not

answered every single question you could possibly think of,

please contact our world-class customer service

at help@purephoto.com.