Jetstar Competition Warning

[Brian500au]

Although I dont agree to the terms of the Jetstar competition, I suppose you could leave the best photo you have ever taken as the screen saver on your computer, or alternatively have a chance Jetstar print your photo in a brochure.

Imagine walking into a travel agent and seeing the pic you took on the front cover of their brochure or as a wall hanging. I would be stoked.

This could then be used in your own portfolio (with bragging rights) when advertising for future business.

How many times have we seen on photographers websites the list of where they have been printed - no one ever asks if they were paid for the submission.

You could sit on your principles and refuse to enter the comp - that is your prerogative, but it wont stop the other 20,000 entrants, and someone at the end of the day will have bragging rights the next time they walk into a travel agent and see their pic.

[sunny6teen]

This could then be used in your own portfolio (with bragging rights) when advertising for future business.

...and that's why this kind of marketing works for companies like Jetstar. Of course, if everyone does it - what kind of future business would you be hoping to ascertain as a commercial photographer?

[Brian500au]

...and that's why this kind of marketing works for companies like Jetstar. Of course, if everyone does it - what kind of future business would you be hoping to ascertain as a commercial photographer?

But the thing is not everybody does do it.

I worked for a major travel company - they also did the same thing where they had photo competitions and picked the best for their annual brochure. People loved doing it and the photos were very different to what a commercial tog would have provided. This company still used commercial togs when they felt the need (store openings, large format store hangings etc) but the images travellers sent it were exactly what the company wanted to portray - people on holidays having fun.

This company runs tours in over 150 countries around the world - can you imagine the expense required to have a commercial tog cover 1/10 of what they were able to collect from competitions.

In the end companies like Jetstar need to pass on all operating costs to the paying passenger - it is just another way to stay competitive in a very competitive market.

[sunny6teen]

But the thing is not everybody does do it.

I worked for a major travel company - they also did the same thing where they had photo competitions and picked the best for their annual brochure. People loved doing it and the photos were very different to what a commercial tog would have provided. This company still used commercial togs when they felt the need (store openings, large format store hangings etc) but the images travellers sent it were exactly what the company wanted to portray - people on holidays having fun.

This company runs tours in over 150 countries around the world - can you imagine the expense required to have a commercial tog cover 1/10 of what they were able to collect from competitions.

In the end companies like Jetstar need to pass on all operating costs to the paying passenger - it is just another way to stay competitive in a very competitive market.

where the images come from is of no concern. you just purchase each image. it's the unlimited global usage that's the issue. you can purchase image usage like that from a stock library for about $15k...but you do get to keep your bragging rights.