Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic

mait1980 · Joined: 06 Dec 2010 Posts: 95

Hello.

I have submitted a few photos in editorial category, like I always have for the past two years.

I've recently just got a status email from Shutterstock team, and it says 'Not Approved' - 'Credentials Needed: Email credentials to review@shutterstock.com and resubmit. Thanks.'

What does that mean? What credentials?

Has anyone ever received the statement before?

Please explain.

warrenprice · Joined: 15 Dec 2009 Posts: 420 Location: Central Texas

There was another post about this not long ago. I've had editorial accepted since then -- motor sports -- but was really confused by the original post -- refusals.

I'll look for and post the original.

ed: Here's the link:
http://submit.shutterstock.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=119653&highlight=editorial+credentials

It does contain an explanation. It seems to me, however, that it is a thinly disguised effort to force more submitters into the "Red Carpet" program.

mait1980 · Joined: 06 Dec 2010 Posts: 95

thanks for your reply.

So what do I have to do to get my photos from previous events get accepted. This is confusing. It was fine two days, now it's not?

I'm a working media, and some of the events I attended didn't need credentials.

warrenprice · Joined: 15 Dec 2009 Posts: 420 Location: Central Texas

mait1980 · Joined: 06 Dec 2010 Posts: 95

How do you submit credentials? Just email the credentials to review@shutterstock.com? Do I have to give them my Shutterstock Submitter No.?

I've written to both submission team and reviewer asking how to submit credentials and asking a few questions, but no one has gotten back to me yet.

myu · Joined: 04 Jan 2011 Posts: 5

Hi mait1980,

I encountered the same problem as you as well.

Last month I submitted photos from PUBLIC events. They were rejected with the same reasons "Not Approved: you must obtain credentials, if obtained, please submit credentials for events".

I find it quite puzzling. Under FAQ, the requirement for Editorial Pictures is "http://submit.shutterstock.com/faq.mhtml#What are the requirements for editorial content?"
There isnt a CLEAR statement that you need credentials. Pictures are only required to be newsworthy. How is it possible that pictures from other photographers are accepted without credentials while some of us are being rejected? Is there some sort of biasedness?

Also, after the rejection of the photos, I emailed to reviewer@shutterstock.com asking what exactly credentials they are looking, I was ignored. TWICE. 24th and 27th April 2012.

Not only that, I applied for credentials through the Red Carpet Program. My credentials was approved. When I submitted the photos, the reviewer rejected my photos, stating that I do not have the credentials.

Are all reviewers trained to give same standard (wihout any biasedness/double-standard)? Why are reviewers not professional enough to reply emails promptly (my emails are ignored for one mth and still counting).

I hope Shutterstock staff can help me with this issue.

Editorial pictures, when not approved on time, will have critical impact on sales as they are time-critical.

It is also very frustrating after editting and tagging more than 100+ photos and your photos are rejected. Due to a mistake on the reviewer's part when you DO have the credentials.

mait1980 · Joined: 06 Dec 2010 Posts: 95

Dear myu,

did you ever try to submit those photos again? a few contributors told me they tried, and got accepted. i'm trying now.

myu · Joined: 04 Jan 2011 Posts: 5

For the public events I did. They were rejected. However, for the event which I had credentials for, not yet.

I intend to wait for reply. Because I clearly had credentials but the pictures were rejected. It is also a waste of time if the reviewer rejects my photos even though I have credentials.

I think I would submit after the matter is clarified.

myu · Joined: 04 Jan 2011 Posts: 5

It could be due to the carelessness on the reviewer's part? They should have known that I DO have the credentials before rejecting and asking me to submit again.