INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND
What is SnapVillage?
How does the site work for photographers and artists?
How does the site work for buyers of digital imagery?
What is Snappyness?
How is SnapVillage different from other sites?
ACCOUNT SET UP
Why do I need to set-up an account?
How do I set up an account?
Do I need separate accounts to buy and sell images?
What do I need in order to set up a contributor account?
What do I need in order to set up a buyer account?
What if I forget my password?
UPLOADING IMAGES
What do I need in order to sell images?
Do I need to be approved before I submit my first image?
What kinds of content can I upload?
Do you accept black and white images?
What are the technical requirements?
How do I upload images?
Your current method for uploading images is inadequate. Why can’t I do a bulk upload?
Can I mail a DVD or send pictures via FTP?
Can I create my own titles & keywords?
Do you review titles and keywords?
How do I enter keywords?
What can I do to make sure my images will be accepted?
What are the steps involved in uploading an image?
What are sets?
Is there an image review process?
How long will it take for you to review my images?
Is every picture I upload available for subscription downloads?
Will I know if and why my images were declined?
Will I know if one of my images has been sold?
PRICING AND ROYALTIES
How do I price my images?
Can I change the price of my images?
What are the royalty rates?
Can I choose if I want to allow my image to include with subscription?
How will I be paid?
When will I be paid?
Will you withhold taxes?
LICENSES
What licenses do you offer?
What is the difference between a standard & product license?
How many images can I download with a subscription?
BUYING & DOWNLOADING IMAGES
How do I buy images?
Will I receive a receipt for my purchase?
How can I use an image?
How are your images priced?
Do you charge a different price depending on what file size I download?
Will I know how many images I’ve downloaded each day?
After I purchase an image, how long will I have to download that image?
Can I download an image in multiple sizes?
What is a vector illustration?
I’ve downloaded a vector illustration but I can’t open it – how do I use the file?
MODEL AND PROPERTY RELEASES
What is a model release?
What is a property release?
What are your model and property release requirements?
What is “property”?
When does a picture need to be model and/or property released?
Why is it important for an image to be model and/or property released?
Do you require a model and/or property releases for all of your images?
I found an image on your site with me in it, but I didn’t give permission. Can you remove it from your site?
COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENTS
What is copyright infringement?
Are there images I can’t submit?
I noticed a picture on your site that belongs to me. How can I remove it from the site?
COOL FEATURES
What is snappyness?
What is ‘save as a fave’?
What is ‘Pick Your Own Price’?
How do I add a tag?
Do you have a Blog?
CONTACT INFORMATION
Please contact us! We love hearing people’s feedback and suggestions for the site and we will try to respond to everyone as quick as we can.
INTRODUCTION & BACKGROUND
What is SnapVillage?
SnapVillage is an unique online marketplace for pictures, illustrations, and flash that’s been created with users in mind. SnapVillage lets people buy and sell images at an affordable price without hassle or restrictions.
SnapVillage is a new microstock offering from Corbis, one of the world’s leading image licensing companies. SnapVillage brings a fresh approach to the way digital images are bought and sold by creating an online marketplace where anyone can buy and sell quality royalty-free photography at affordable prices in a simple, intuitive and interactive way.
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How does the site work for photographers and artists?
SnapVillage has an open submission process that invites contributors from all over the world to submit digital photographs, illustrations and flash to the SnapVillage website. Contributors can select the price point at which they want to sell each picture at established price points between $1 and $50, and also decide if they want to include their pictures in the SnapVillage subscription. Contributors can also change the price point of a picture at any time. After the images are reviewed by the SnapVillage editorial team, they are published to the website and made available for download and use. Contributors can check the performance of their portfolio and their royalties on the site at any time.
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How does the site work for buyers of digital imagery?
SnapVillage makes downloading and licensing images simple and easy. Images can be licensed either individually or as part of a subscription. Individually-priced images are available at price points of $1, $5, $10, $25 and $50 (depending upon the price selected by the Contributor) in multiple file sizes. The price of the picture is the same regardless of the file size. The subscription offers a maximum of 750 downloads at $199 for 30 days.
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What is Snappyness?
Every image in the SnapVillage catalog has a living, breathing ‘snappyness’ score based on a sophisticated and proprietary algorithm. ‘Snappyness’ is a dynamic rating that is driven by multiple measures of a picture’s popularity, including the number of times it has been viewed, downloaded, favorited, commented upon, shared and purchased. The Snappyness rating ensures that SnapVillage searches yield the freshest, best images.
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How is SnapVillage different from other sites?
SnapVillage has a simple, intuitive website that is designed to be easy to use for both contributors and buyers. For contributors, SnapVillage has a unique pricing structure that gives them flexibility and control across a broader range of prices than other microstock sites. The submission process is straightforward and easy – there are no applications or wait times. For buyers, SnapVillage offers a straightforward purchase mechanism that does not confuse the buyer with complicated credit packs or pricing based upon the file size.
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ACCOUNT SET UP
Why do I need to set-up an account?
You can explore SnapVillage, search and browse pictures without setting up an account. However, you need an account to buy and sell images As well as this, after you’ve set up an account, you can add tags to images, email images to your friends, save them as favorites, etc.
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How do I set up an account?
On the homepage, click the "sign up" link in the navigation bar on the top. You will need to enter a few basic details about yourself like your name and a valid email address. You will then receive a confirmation email in your email inbox.
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Do I need separate accounts to buy and sell images?
You only need one account for buying and submitting images.
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What do I need in order to set up a contributor account?
First, create your basic user account and log into SnapVillage.
Then, go to the My Account page and scroll down to enter your Royalty Information. If you do not have a PayPal account, please set one up first here. Once this is complete, click on Post Images.
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What do I need in order to set up a buyer account?
You will need to enter a valid credit card, such as Visa, MasterCard or American Express, at the time of purchase.
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What if I forget my password?
On the homepage, click on log-in, then lost your user name and password?. Enter the e-mail address you provided us when you signed up to SnapVillage. We will email you a link to reset your password.
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UPLOADING IMAGES
What do I need in order to sell images?
First, create your basic user account and log into SnapVillage. Then, go to the My Account page and scroll down to enter your Royalty Information. If you do not have a PayPal account, please set one up first here. Once this is complete, click on Post Images.
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Do I need to be approved before I submit my first image?
There is no application process, no online assessment or wait time. Rather than reviewing our contributors before accepting their work, we review each image.
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What kinds of content can I upload?
We currently accept pictures, vector illustrations, and flash files. We accept content in color and black & white.
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Do you accept black and white images?
Yes! Have an archive of black and white images that you'd like to upload? Go ahead - we'd be happy to accept them.
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What are your technical requirements?
Images:
- Images must be in the JPEG format
- Minimum resolution is 1600 x 1200 (about 2 megapixels) – but larger sizes are always preferable
- RGB color profile (sRGB or Adobe RGB)
- Minimum 8-bit color depth
Vector Illustrations:
- Vectors must be in the Illustrator EPS format
- You will also need to submit a JPEG preview image with a resolution between 378 x 504 and 1500 x 2100
Flash:
- Must be in SWF format
- You will also need to submit a JPEG preview image with a resolution between 378 x 504 and 1500 x 2100
- Please pick a frame from your flash file that best shows off your file to upload as a preview image
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How should I upload images?
After you have created an account and set up your account information, click on the ‘Post your images’ page to start uploading your images.
You can upload images up to five at a time right on our site - as sets or as single images. You can also add images to pre-saved sets.
You may add titles, descriptions and keywords, although this is not required
Upload Model & Property releases as required (click here to see when they are required)
Select the price for each picture or set
Check the subscription box if you would like your images to be included as part of the subscription offering
Click ‘upload’ and that’s it! Your pictures are on their way! You can click on the ‘My Portfolio’ page to check the status.
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Your current method for uploading images is inadequate. Why can’t I do a bulk upload?
We know! We want you to be able to get your pictures to us faster too! We are hard at work on bulk upload options. Check our site blog for updates.
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Can I mail a DVD or send pictures via FTP?
Sure!
Please send your images on CD or DVD to:
Team SnapVillage
710 2nd Ave, Suite 200
Seattle, WA 98104
Please include all model and property releases in a folder with each related image.
If you have keywords and title suggestions, please submit those in a text or spreadsheet file on disc. Please note that if you send in a DVD, we will not return the physical media, and are not responsible if the media gets lost or misplaced. You should retain a copy of any submitted images.
We are also working on setting up an FTP for image upload. Please check back soon for updates!
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Can I create my own titles & keywords?
Sure! You’re welcome to upload titles and keywords, but you don’t have to. We know that most of our contributors would rather be out taking pictures than sitting in front of a computer filing out forms – so we are willing to do the work for you.
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Do you review titles, descriptions and keywords?
Yes – we do review titles, descriptions and keywords for accuracy and relevance. We want to provide a good search experience for our community and we think that keeping titles and tags relevant is a good way to start.
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How do I enter keywords?
Please separate each keyword with a comma ( example: businesswoman, cell phone, mobility, teamwork )
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What can I do to make sure my images will be accepted?
We want to accept as many of your images as we can, so please try to follow these basic guidelines:
- Include model or property releases when needed
- Make sure that your images do not contain any trademarks like company logos
- Keep your images free from copyrighted items, i.e. items that belong to someone else should not appear in the picture
- Don’t include artwork such as tattoos in your images unless you have a release from the artist and/or owner
- Make sure that your images don’t contain personally identifying information like license plates, nametags, and IDs or phone numbers
- And finally, please do not submit content to which you do not hold the copyright.
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What are the steps involved in uploading an image?
1. Login to the site
2. Click on “post images” - if you haven’t yet set up your account for payment information you will be redirected to “my page” to enter payment information
3. Select up to five images
4. Decide if they are part of a set – if so add a set title and enter any common titles, keywords, or releases
5. Upload model or property releases (if necessary)
6. Add titles and keywords (optional)
7. Hit “upload” and that’s it! Your images are on their way!
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What are sets?
Sets are a fun way for you to group related images together. Images included in a set will be linked with the set thumbnail browse tool and a quick-link to view the entire set. Sets can also save you time during upload – by including titles and keywords common to all images. Sets can be made up of as many images as you like, but should be strongly related - such as images from the same photo shoot.
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Is there an image review process?
Yes. We aren’t picky, but we do review all submitted images to make sure they meet our basic legal and technical requirements.
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How long will it take for you to review my images?
We work hard to get submitted files up as quickly as we can. To check the status of your submissions anytime, login to the site and go to your portfolio page. Here you can check the status of your images. You can also elect to receive notification emails.
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Is every picture I upload available for subscription downloads?
You can choose whether or not you want to include your image as part of subscription during the upload process or through your portfolio page later.
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Will I know if and why my images were declined?
Yup – you can check on the “declined” tab on your portfolio page. Beneath each declined image is a message from the reviewer stating the reason and if there is anything you can do to fix the problem. If a release is required but wasn’t included – you can easily resubmit by clicking the “add release” button.
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Will I know if one of my images has been sold?
Yes, you can login and check your portfolio page anytime to check number of downloads and number of views. If you have elected to receive notification emails we will send you a note whenever one of your images sell.
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PRICING AND ROYALTIES
How do I price my images?
You can select a price for each image or sets of images during upload or through your 'My Account' page. There are 5 pricing options - $1, $5, $10, $25 or $50.
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Can I change the price of my images?
You can change the price of your image once you’ve logged in. Once you are logged in, click on My Account > My Portfolio > Published.
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What are the royalty rates?
For every image that’s sold on a standard or product license, you will receive a royalty of 30%. If you allow your image to be downloaded on subscription, you will receive 30 cents per download.
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Can I choose if I want to allow my image to include with subscription?
Yes – when you upload your images, you can choose if you want each image to be included in subscription or through your 'My Account' page..
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How will I be paid?
You will be paid directly through your PayPal account.
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When will I be paid?
Once you make $10 in royalties, you will be paid forty five days following the calendar month in which the amount licensed exceeds $10. For example, if your royalty balance is $250 at 06/30/2007, you will receive the full $250 on 08/15/07. If you make royalties in July this will accumulate and go towards your next payment. If your balance never exceeds $10, you will receive your royalties forty five (45) days following the end of the calendar year.
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Will you withhold taxes?
No - please report your earnings yourself.
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LICENSES
What licenses do you offer?
We offer two licenses – the Standard License and the Product license. Images downloaded as part of the Subscription come with the Standard License.
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What is the difference between a standard & product license?
Standard License grants you basic royalty-free usage rights. You can use images with this license for most advertisements, website design, low-run printing, and personal use. However, you can not include these images in products available for resale. For that, you’ll need a Product license.
Product License grants you everything that comes with a Standard license, but lifts many of the restrictions. Print more copies of the image and even use it in a product available for resale, such as a t-shirt or greeting card.
Please read our Customer Agreement carefully or check out the our Licensing Terms page as the terms laid out in that agreement actually govern the use of this image.
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How many images can I download with a subscription?
Up to 25 images a day for 30 days, for a total of 750 images! This equals 750 images!
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BUYING & DOWNLOADING IMAGES
How do I buy images?
You will need to create an account first, and then set up some basic billing information. Then browse the village. Once you find an image you wish to purchase click "add to cart". You can either proceed directly to your cart to finish the sale, or continue browsing for more images. Easy!
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Will I receive a receipt for my purchase?
Receipts are stored on the “my page” page. Click on my page > my account > purchasing history.
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How can I use an image?
Please check out our Licensing Terms page for more information on how you can use the images you download.
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How are your images priced?
We’ve given photographers the option to “Pick Your Own Price” which means the price you see is the price point the photographer has chosen. Images are set at $1, $5, $10, $25 or $50 if you purchase a Standard License. If you purchase a Product License, the price will be $50.
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Do you charge a different price depending on what file size I download?
No way – to save hassle and confusion we charge the same price for every size. Simply choose the image size that best fits your needs.
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Will I know how many images I’ve downloaded each day?
Yes, the total number of images downloaded each day can be viewed in your 'download history', located on your 'my page'
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After I purchase an image, how long will I have to download that image?
You have 30 days after the time of purchase to download any image you purchase.
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Can I download an image in multiple sizes?
Unfortunately, you can only download the size you originally purchased. If you have a subscription and download different sizes of an image, each download will count towards your daily maximum of 25 images a day.
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What is a vector illustration?
Vector illustrations are highly scalable (resizable) graphics that use mathematical formulas to represent images (instead of JPEG images which use a pattern of dots).
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I’ve downloaded a vector illustration but I can’t open it – how do I use the file?
To work with a vector illustration you will need to use an image editing program compatible with vector files – such as Adobe Illustrator or Adobe/Macromedia Freehand. There are also many third party utilities that can convert vectors into other common file types.
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MODEL AND PROPERTY RELEASES
What is a model release?
A model release is a form collected by the photographer and signed by a person depicted in an image. This form gives the photographer and the image buyer permission to use that person’s likeness for commercial purposes such as an advertisement or brochure. Click here to download a model release.
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What is a property release?
A property release is a form signed by the property owner allowing use of the depicted property for commercial purposes. This form gives the photographer and the image buyer permission to use the depicted property for commercial purposes such as an advertisement or brochure. Click here to download a property release.
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What are your model and property release requirements?
While we prefer use of our model and property release forms, other forms may be acceptable provided they contain similar copy and follow the following guidelines:
- Releases must be in English (though dual-language releases are acceptable)
- Releases must be legible
- Each model or property must have its own individual release (multiple releases can be combined into a single PDF file)
Model releases must contain the following:
- Model's printed or typed full name
- Model's signature
- Model's complete contact information
- Model's age or birthdate
- Date
- Photographer's name or studio name
- If the model is a minor (under 18) then we also require:
- Printed or typed parent or guardian name
- Parent or guardian signature
- Name of minor (may be present elsewhere in release)
Optional, but helpful in the event a problem arises:
- Thumbnail image of model attached to release
- Model's sex
- Model's ethnicity
- Description of shoot
- File names covered by release
- Witness name (required in some jurisdictions)
- Witness signature (required in some jurisdictions)
Property releases must contain the following:
- Name or description of property
- Owner or authorized representative's printed or typed full name
- Owner or authorized representative's signature
- Owner or authorized representative's full contact information
- Also include the authorized person's title ("owner", "manager", etc.)
- Date
- Photographer's name or studio name
Optional, but helpful in the event a problem arises:
- Thumbnail image of property attached to release
- Shoot description
- File names covered by release
- Witness name
- Witness signature
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What is “property”?
"Property" can be many things - works of art, some animals, cars, boats, planes, buildings, land, and commercial spaces like a restaurant or store.
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When does a picture need to be model and/or property released?
For images made available through the Site, model releases are required for any image that contains:
- Recognizable people. A person could be recognizable by their face, uniform or nametag, or distinctive tattoos, clothing, and hairstyles.
( One way to check if a model release is needed is to ask yourself: “if I was the person in this image, would I be able to recognize myself?” If “yes” – then you should get a model release. )
Property releases are a bit trickier – you should always try to get a property release for images of:
- Commercial interiors or exteriors: hotels, restaurants, stores, amusement parks.
(If you have to pay admission to enter a property, chances are you will need a property release)
- Interiors and exteriors of private homes, apartments and condos
- Commercial working animals – including racehorses, show animals
- Artworks (including unique tattoos)
- Unique and recognizable cars, boats, and planes
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Why is it important for an image to be model and/or property released?
For use of an image for commercial purposes like an advertisement or brochure, and it’s important to get consent from the model or property owner. Besides simply being the polite thing to do, getting the model or property owner's permission protects all of us against legal claims.
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Do you require a model and/or property releases for all of your images?
Yes, if the image contains recognizable persons or otherwise requires one. During the uploading process the contributor must attach a model and/or property release to the related image(s). Our trained staff checks that submitted releases are valid during the image review process.
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I found an image on your site with me in it, but I didn’t give permission. Can you remove it from your site?
If you find yourself in an image on our site but you didn't give consent. Please contact us.
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COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENTS
What is copyright infringement?
Copyright infringement is the unauthorized use of material that is covered by a copyright law. Copyright law protects many created works such as paintings, sculpture, photographs, music, radio and tv broadcasts, and many industrial designs (most new cars, toys and electronics are protected industrial designs).
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Are there images I can’t submit?
We would like to take all of your images, but unfortunately there are some kinds of images we cannot accept:
- Images, illustrations, or flash that you didn’t take or create yourself
- Images, illustrations, or flash containing objectionable content: graphic sexuality or offensive material
- Images depicting artwork ( without a release signed by the artist and/or owner )
- Images containing personally identifying information (please remove these in an image-editing program before submitting)
- License plates
- Nametags or ID tags
- Names or phone numbers (uniforms, pet tags)
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I noticed a picture on your site that belongs to me. Can you remove it from you site?
Yes, if you see an image that you took or created but you didn’t upload, please contact us immediately at contactus@snapvillage.com.
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COOL FEATURES
What is snappyness?
Snappyness is a unique rating that captures many different aspects of user interaction throughout the village, including number of downloads, number of views, number of comments, and the number of times an image has been added as a favorite.
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What is ‘save as a fave’?
"Save as a fave" is an easy and fun way to save interesting images you come across while browsing our village. When you see an interesting image, click "save as a fave". You can pull-up your favorites at anytime by going to "my page" and then clicking on "favorites".
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What is ‘Pick Your Own Price’?
We believe each photographer should make their own decisions when it comes to selling their images. This is why we’ve given photographers the option to “Pick Your Own Price”. This means the price you see is the price the photographer has chosen. Images are set at $1, $5, $10, $25 or $50.
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How do I add a tag?
See an image that is missing an important tag? Add it! We empower our unique community by giving them the ability to add tags to images. To add a tag, go to the image details page, and click on “add a tag”. Then simply enter the new tag. Only registered members of the village can do this. Not yet a member? You can sign-up by clicking here.
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Do you have a Blog?
Yup! For news and updates please visit our blog by heading to http://blog.snapvillage.com
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