Global $100,000 Program to Inspire and Empower Photojournalists

Perpignan, France (Sept. 2, 2004) - Getty Images, the world's leading imagery company, today announced an annual grant program to support and inspire the best worldwide talent in photojournalism. As part of its commitment to excellence in news photography, Getty Images is offering five grants, totaling $100,000, to fund visionary new work by established and rising photojournalists. This is the largest grant of its kind currently available in the photographic industry.

"The grant program is testament to Getty Images' commitment to making tangible, positive contributions to the photographic industry," said David Laidler, director of photography, editorial, and creator of the Grants program. "Through this program, we are fostering the production of work that is personally important to leading photojournalists. With the aid of the grants, the recipients will be afforded the opportunity to step outside the deadline and news-driven marketplace and introduce a new level of creativity otherwise not possible, while they hone their craft with personally motivated assignments."

The work of the recipients will be marketed through gettyimages.com, providing the photographers with worldwide exposure and financial reward. As part of the grant program, Getty Images will hold a one-year exclusive rights deal with the photographers to market and license the images to its customers, delivering contributor royalty fees to photographers. Additionally, the winning photographers will work alongside Getty Images' team of photo editors for support in the execution of their project. After the one-year period, Getty Images and the photographer will evaluate the relationship. The photographers will always retain copyright.

Getty Images has brought together a world-class judging panel of photojournalists and industry experts comprising Alain Genestar, editor-in-chief, Paris Match; Stephen Mayes, director, Art and Commerce; renowned photojournalist, Reza, from the Webistan agency; Maura Foley, former picture editor of People magazine and freelancer with The New York Times; and Harald Menk, foreign editor, Stern magazine.

To apply for the grants, photographers are asked to submit a written proposal of 500 words or less explaining the scope, significance, and journalistic merit of the project, along with a supporting portfolio of work. The portfolios should consist of a combination of photo essays with 30-60 single images. These must be supplemented by the entry form and the photojournalist's curriculum vitae (CV). All materials are to be submitted digitally on a single, multi-format CD. Entry forms and full criteria are available for download at www.gettyimages.com/contributors.

There are two opportunities for photographers to submit proposals each year. Applications for the first two grants, to be awarded in February 2005, must be postmarked by Dec. 1, 2004. Applications for the three additional grants, to be announced in September 2005, must be postmarked by June 15, 2005.