What's useful
- Product photography, especially consistent catalogue shots across many items.
- Apparel and lookbook imagery, on-model and flat-lay.
- Campaign imagery and outtakes.
- Metadata: product descriptions, attributes and tags linked to each image.
What qualifies
The listing is for consumer brands and photo studios of roughly 10 to 500 employees that own original imagery.
What to check first
- Who owns the copyright. Under UK law, the photographer owns the copyright in commissioned photographs unless it's been assigned in writing. Brands using freelance photographers or agencies should check their contracts. Studios shooting for clients should check what they kept.
- Model releases. Releases often cover specific uses and periods. Licensing images of people for AI training may fall outside them.
- Other brands and artworks. Third-party logos, products and artworks in shot may raise trade mark or copyright issues.
- Retouching and agencies. Agencies and retouchers may also have rights in the final images, depending on their terms.
What it's worth
Mercor lists potential company earnings of $30kâ$800k for consumer brands and photo studios, depending on what's in scope. That is Mercor's own figure, not a promise or guarantee from us.
Are product shots without people useful?
Yes, and they're simpler because there are no model releases to check.
Do raw files matter?
High-resolution originals are usually preferred over web-sized exports. Mention what you hold.