Visual Connections is all about connecting buyers and suppliers of stock and commissioned photography, footage and illustration.
We run annual expos in New York and other cities in North America, where stock agencies, artist reps, production companies and suppliers of related services can meet face-to-face with art buyers, creative directors, designers, photo editors, TV producers and others involved in sourcing and commissioning visual media. Expos include an educational dimension, with sessions covering legal, practical and creative aspects of licensing and commissioning visual media help. Plus they’re a great networing opportunity.
We also manage an international online directory of suppliers of visual media and related services.
The Team
Visual Connections is owned and run by two leading professionals in the stock image industry:
Deborah Free has over 30 years of experience in developing and marketing stock agencies, as President of Natural Selection until 1998, long-term consultant to StockFood, and organizer of industry events in New York, Chicago and San Francisco since 2003.
Edward Leigh has over 25 years of experience of IT in the stock photo industry, as Research & Development Manager at Getty Images until 1996, and as a technical consultant to many agencies starting up or making the transition to the digital age.
Together with Jerry Tavin and Janou Pakter, they founded the Young Photographers Alliance in 2009 to inspire, nurture and promote the next generation of image makers.
The company
Visual Connections LLC was originally incorporated as Picturehouse Marketing US, LLC after acquiring exclusive rights from Michael Brown of Picturehouse (UK) to hold events in North America using the Picturehouse name. Visual Connections® and Image Sources are trading names of Visual Connections LLC, which is registered in Genesee County, New York, USA.
Partners
Workbook
Workbook, in print and online, is the leading marketing resource for commercial photographers and illustrators. For nearly four decades, Workbook has helped top artists connect with the creatives who hire them while providing expertise to the industry at large.
Agency Access
Agency Access offers a range of marketing and consulting services for photographers, illustrators, reps as well as stock agencies. Services include email marketing, direct mail, design services and direct access to a database of over 90,000 creatives across the globe.
Graphic Design USA
Graphic Design USA is a monthly news and information magazine for graphic designers and other creative professionals.
SHOOT
Covering entertainment & commercial production, SHOOT is edited for execs/artisans at production/post cos, TV/Online networks, movie studios, ad agencies & brands. Connecting buyers & sellers of production & post services since 1960, readers turn to SHOOT Magazine, SHOOTonline.com, The SHOOT>e.dition, The SHOOT Dailies & The SPW to keep abreast of production industry news, work, talent & techniques.
DMLA
Digital Media Licensing Association
DMLA (formerly PACA) is the trade organization in North America that represents the interests of stock archives of every size; its membership includes over 100 companies in North America and over 50 international members.
VRSC/ARAC
Visual Researchers Society of Canada
The Visual Researchers’ Society of Canada exists to promote excellence in the field of visual research. The members of the Society are dedicated professionals whose task is to find images that work for producers and publishers in all media.
ACSIL
Association of Commercial Stock Image Licensors
The Association of Commercial Stock Image Licensors is a trade organization dedicated to promoting and advancing the professional interests of the stock footage industry.
ASPP
American Society of Picture Professionals
The ASPP has members drawn from the whole spectrum of the ever-evolving photography industry and provides an open exchange of information on industry ethics and standards, business practices, and the needs created by new technology and ideas.
BAPLA
British Association of Picture Libraries and Agencies
BAPLA is the trade association for picture libraries in the UK and the largest organization of its kind in the world with over 330 member organisations.
BVPA
Bundesverband der Pressebild-Agenturen und Bildarchive e.V.
BVPA is the trade organization of German picture agencies, founded in 1970 in Berlin. Its 85 members supply imagery of all kinds, press, stock, history and footage. You can find agencies specialized in food, geographic, botanic, etc.
CEPIC
Coordination of European Picture Agencies Press Stock Heritage
CEPIC was established in 1993 as a European Economic Interest Group not for profit. CEPIC represents over 1,000 picture sources in Europe and aims to be a united voice for these organisations in all matters pertaining to the photographic industry.
ASMP
American Society of Media Photographers
ASMP is the leading trade association for photographers who photograph primarily for publication. ASMP promotes photographers’ rights, educates photographers in better business practices, produces business publications for photographers and helps buyers find professional photographers.
PLUS
Picture Licensing Universal System
The PLUS Coalition is an international non-profit initiative on a mission to simplify and facilitate, through a system of standards, the communication and management of image rights in all countries.
Stockphotorights.com
Stockphotorights.com is a helpful resource for information on image licensing. It aims to unravel the complexities, expose the pitfalls and provide image buyers with the knowledge they need to license an image with confidence. The site has been set up by Getty Images for the benefit of the photographic industry and its customers, with the support of PACA and BAPLA.
YPA
Young Photographers Alliance
Founded in 2009 by Deborah Free, Jerry Tavin, Janou Pakter and Edward Leigh, the Young Photographers Alliance is a global community where young photographers connect with the inspiration, resources and contacts they need to build successful and sustainable careers.
picturehouse marketing
Launched jointly in London and New York in 2001, picturehouse has been behind many trade shows in the UK, France, Germany, Australia and, formerly, the US.