Welcome

I am a photographer based in North East Victoria, Australia. I shoot stock photography for Getty Images and iStockphoto, two of the worlds leading suppliers of images to the media industry. My images are used in promotional materials, advertising campaigns, print media and the web.

I am currently looking for models from all walks of life and of all shapes and sizes. If you are interested in earning some money, while having fun at the same time as collecting some professional quality images as part of the bargain, click on the Get Paid link for more information.

I am also available on a work-for-hire basis. Click on the Hire Me link to find out more and then Contact me to request a quote.

Otherwise, I hope you enjoy looking at a small selection of my portfolio in the slideshow above. Mouse over the slideshow window for navigation options including full screen. You can increase or decrease the text and slideshow size by pressing ctrl/cmd and +, or ctrl/cmd and forwards or backwards on your mouse wheel.

Get Paid

I'm looking for models. Not supermodels, just real people doing real things that they love. Although, if you happen to be a supermodel, that's fine too.

You don't necessarily need modeling experience, but it would help if you are comfortable in front of the camera. I will provide direction and come up with a shot list on the day, so all you really need to do is relax and do what you would ordinarily be doing any way.

I will pay you an hourly rate of between $10 and $50 AUD, depending on your level of experience and the kind of shoot we have arranged. In addition, you will also receive a CD of professionally edited images for your personal use ( i.e prints for your wall or your modeling portfolio). In return you will be required to sign a model release that permits me to sell the images as stock photography for commercial use via my agencies, iStockphoto and Getty Images. See the FAQ section for more information.

I can and will do straight portraiture, but I am more interested in capturing you doing something. I have portable studio equipment that can be set up in your home or workplace, but outdoor shoots are also desirable. Here are some possible shoot ideas.

People shots of you with your family, friends, organisation, children, elderly relatives.
Sports including tennis, cricket, basketball, football, mountain biking, netball, kayaking, hunting, fishing, skiing, sailing, gliding, hang gliding, para gliding, horse riding, motor bikes, running, track and field, golf, softball, soccer, swimming, martial arts, boxing, circus skills, gymnastics, calisthenics, motor sports, wake boarding, water skiing, skateboarding, archery etc
Hobbies or interests such as gardening, boating, barbecuing, picnics, fixing cars, playing music, swimming, bush walking, flying a kite, cooking/baking/preserving, drinking beer, knitting, sewing, arts and crafts, working out at the gym, yoga, pilates, meditation, thai chi, bonsai, pets, painting, photography, singing, church, playing cards, first aid, handyman.
You working, for example farming, wine making, firefighting, business or office shots, real estate, teaching, priests and clergy, plumbing, carpentry, builders, mechanics, butchers, blacksmiths, massage therapists, physiotherapists, nurses, doctors, landscapers, arborists, bee keepers, pilots, beauty therapists, car wash, childcarers, pet groomers, funeral directors, horse trainers, scientists, pharmacists, computer technicians, tattooist/piercing etc

Bear in mind that this arrangement is for stock photography (see FAQ), so if you require advertising material for your business you will need to contract me on a work for hire basis. You may also need to sign a property release if your workplace features heavily in the shot.

Please make sure you read the FAQ section to find out more about the difference between stock photography and work for hire, as well as many other important things you will need to know before the shoot.

I will travel roughly within a two hour radius of Albury/Wodonga. If you are ready to book a shoot, use the form on the Contact page to send me a message detailing your requirements and any questions you might have.

Hire Me

I am also available for hire if you would like advertising material for your business or organisation, portraiture of yourself or family and friends, modeling portfolios, food shots and most other types of custom photography, including studio work and product photography.

I will retain copyright of the images, but you will be free to use them as you please in all media, including but not limited to printed media, television, the internet, cinema advertising, or in any other way.

Your images will be professionally shot using the latest digital cameras, professional lighting equipment and edited with high end image editing software. See the FAQ section for more information about the equipment I use. The processed and edited images will be delivered to you promptly in electronic format, for example on a DVD or USB thumb drive.

If you are ready to book a shoot, use the form on the Contact page to send me a message detailing your requirements and any questions you might have, and I will contact you for further discussion and to arrange a quote.

FAQ

What is stock photography?

Stock photography is basically the opposite of custom photography (work for hire). Stock photographers supply image libraries with photos which designers then search, browse and purchase to use in their projects. So, for example, lets say an advertising agency wants to produce a website for a climbing company, but doesn't want to send a photographer to Mount Everest because of the cost and logistical complications. They could go to a stock library, enter a search term, and choose an existing image of the subject. Stock libraries supply a diverse range of images which are mainly purchased by advertisers and graphic designers.

Who are iStockphoto and Getty Images?

iStockphoto and Getty Images are two of the worlds leading online stock photography agencies. They represent photographers from around the world, and supply millions of images a year to the media industry for use in many different projects.

What is a model release?

A model release is a legally binding agreement between the model and the photographer which allows the photographer to sell images of the model for commercial gain. You can download and read the iStockphoto model releasehere.

Why and when do I have to sign a model release?

You need to sign a model release if our arrangement is for stock photography. If you are contracting me on a work for hire basis a model release is not necessary as I will not be selling the images of you, rather delivering them to you for your own use as you see fit.
The model release must be signed and witnessed either before or on the day of the shoot.

What is a property release?

A property release is a legally binding document in which a property owner gives consent to the photographer to sell images of the owners property for commercial gain. You can download and read the iStockphoto property release here.

Why and when do I have to sign a property release?

You will need to sign a property release if your private property is identifiable in my images, and if our arrangement is for stock photography. If you are contracting me on a work for hire basis, no property release is required as I will not be selling your images, rather delivering them to you for your own use as you see fit.

How will my (stock) images be used?

Generally, stock photography is used in advertising. This could mean print advertising in a magazine, television commercials, billboards, promotional and corporate materials such as annual reports, and commonly on the web. I do not have final control over how the images are used, but there are restrictions on what the images can be used to advertise (see below).

Can my images be used to advertise sensitive subject matter?

No. The licensing agreement under which my images are sold prevents them from being used to advertise sensitive subjects such as homelessness, drug addiction, sex etc. Apart from that, the subject matter we will be shooting is more of the “shiny, happy” variety, and as such is unlikely to be suitable for these purposes anyway. You can read the iStockphoto content license agreement here (warning, mind numbing legal-speak).

Will you travel?

Yes. I will travel anywhere for custom (work for hire) photography, but the travel and accommodation expenses will be at the clients expense.
For stock photography I will travel within a two hour radius of Albury/Wodonga at my own expense, but may be willing to discuss travelling further, to Melbourne for example, depending on the nature of the work involved.

How much will I get paid?

For stock photography, depending on your experience and the type of shoot, anywhere between $10 and $50 AUD per hour. Plus, you will also receive an edited selection of images professionally processed and delivered to you electronically, either on a physical medium like a DVD or via the internet.

How many images will I get after the shoot?

At least 10. It's difficult to say, because each shoot yields different results, but you can be guaranteed of receiving at least the 10 best shots from the session.

How long will the shoot last?

Generally between one and three hours.

What if I am under 18 years old?

If you are under 18 years old you will need the written consent of one of your parents or guardians. They will need to sign the model release on your behalf as written consent.

Are you on Model Mayhem?

Yes. My Model Mayhem URL is http://www.modelmayhem.com/mattscherf.

Are you available for hire?

Yes I am. Please see the work for hire section for more information, and then contact me with the details of your request. I will then get in touch with you to discuss further and arrange a quote.

What should I wear?

It depends on the nature of the shoot. We will discuss wardrobe, and hair and make up, before the day to ensure everything runs smoothly. I do have one request though, which is that you do not wear any clothing with obvious branding, or trademarked designs. This severely limits the usability of the images. For example, your Nike t-shirt with the big swoosh is off limits.

What equipment do you use?

I use Canon Digital SLR cameras, with the Canon 7D 18MP DSLR as my main camera back. I have a variety of lenses for different situations, and also have professional Bowens strobe lighting, speed lights, reflectors/diffusers, and a portable background system for studio work. I edit my images on a PC with the Adobe Creative Suite of applications.

How do I contact you?

Please initially use the contact form on this website to get in touch. I will then get back to you so that we can exchange telephone details and discuss the shoot further.

I have a question that isn't answered here. What should I do?

Please Contact me if you have any questions at all, I am happy to help if I can.

Matthew Scherf - Photography