About Photoshare

About | Photoshare Staff | Frequently Asked Questions

Photoshare is a service of The INFO Project helping international, non-profit organizations communicate health and development issues through photography. We welcome you to browse the Photoshare collection, request images for non-profit educational use, and learn more about development photography on our website. Most importantly, we invite you to share your own photos. The scope and quality of the Photoshare collection depends entirely on the generosity of those who are willing to freely share their photos as a way to help advance the work of public health professionals and organizations around the world.

The Photoshare Collection

Developed exclusively for educational and non-profit purposes, Photoshare is a one-of-a-kind photo collection covering a broad range of subjects in international development, with a focus on public health. Our on-line image database currently contains more than 15,000 cataloged images related to global health, such as:

Photoshare images, generously shared by individuals and organizations around the world, capture the realities of urban and rural life in developing countries, as well as global efforts to improve health and save lives.

The Photoshare collection falls under the category of editorial photography. Unlike commercial photography, which is usually obtained through contracts with professional photographers/models and licenses with stock agencies, editorial photography employs a journalistic approach to taking and using photos. In other words, Photoshare images are intended for documentary use - objective, accurate representation or illustration of a real situation, subject, or physical location.

Search the Photoshare Database

At any time, you may search the Photoshare database by subject, country, region, photographer, Project, or Image Number.

The Photoshare database includes a "Photo Basket" feature (i.e. shopping cart) that allows users to store and edit Photoshare selections up to 30 days prior to submitting a request. The Basket uses a cookie to store information about Basket contents on the user's computer. After 30 days, or after the user submits a request (whichever occurs first), the basket will automatically be emptied.

Having trouble finding an image? Photoshare staff can help. Contact us at 410-659-6280 or send us an email Monday-Friday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM Eastern Time (USA) if you need assistance.

Request Photoshare Images

Photoshare images are intended for journalistic, documentary use. If your request is for illustrative purposes, you may be asked to provide additional information and/or a draft of your material, substitute original selections with more relevant alternatives, meet other conditions of use, or utilize a more appropriate photo resource such as a commercial stock photo agency (more info).

Please allow 1-3 business days for us to process your request. If you are submitting an urgent request, please indicate your deadline on the request form, and we will do our best to rush your request. In most cases, we are able to process last minute requests the same day they are received. If your request is approved, you will receive an email with instructions to download free copies for one-time use.

Add Your Photos to the Photoshare Collection

Join the photographers - amateurs and professionals alike - who regularly enhance the Photoshare collection. If you travel overseas, you probably have great photos that we would be glad to consider adding to the collection. Most of our images come from:

Peace Corps volunteers, program managers, students, and professors
International organization staff, study tour participants, and leaders
Developing-country photographers (amateur and professional) and travelers

Photoshare images are credited to the photographer and/or agency as requested. We will not ask you to turn over your copyright to us. However, we do ask your permission in writing to include your photos in Photoshare. To download our permission forms, click here: [permission form as Word document]

For more information, see our section on how to share your photos or contact Photoshare staff.

Information and Knowledge Sharing in Development Photography

In addition to providing access to the Photoshare collection, Photoshare offers Web Site features, tools, and services that may be useful for those who plan to take or use photographs in the field:

Photography and Digital Imaging

Visit this section of the Photoshare Web Site for tips on:

Development Photography Ethics

Visit this section of the Photoshare Web Site for tips on Development Photography Ethics, such as:

Laws
Ethics
Editorial Principles
Informed Consent
Protecting Privacy
Policy Development

Photoshare E-List and Monthly Photoshare Newsletter

Subscribe to the Photoshare E-List to receive our monthly Photoshare Newsletter by e-mail. At any time, you can also browse the most recent copy of the newsletter online. Find links to the current Photoshare Newsletter and the Newsletter Archive at the Photoshare homepage.

One-on-One Technical Assistance

Contact Photoshare staff for assistance in:

Searching the Photoshare database
Identifying useful photos for specific materials
Planning for a new digital imaging management project
Developing organizational policies and guidelines for taking and using photographs

Photoshare Topic Pages

Capturing global efforts to improve public health and development
	Photoshare Quick Search
	View Photo Basket / Request Form