Contributor FAQ

Imagery is the heart of our brand. It is vital in telling both the story of the property, and how the property feels. We look for photographers that are inspired by travel, design, building relationships and that go beyond typical travel imagery. If you are just looking for free accommodation, then this isn’t for you…

A typical collaboration includes:

In return for their stay at the property, the contributor is responsible for:

• photographing the property
• posting 1 photo + multiple IG stories per each night of stay, always crediting @theproperty for @suro_living.

We ask photographers to do a trial property so they can gauge the amount of work involved with the collaboration and for us to see if their style is in alignment with our brand. We will give feedback on the preliminary images which helps streamline the process, minimizing chance of miscommunication about expectations and requirements. Re-shoots of a property are rarely an option, so making sure everyone is on the same page is extremely important.

For the most part, photographers receive 2 nights accommodation at Hotels and Bed and Breakfasts, and 3 nights at larger properties like private vacation rentals/villas/ homes. Breakfast is included only at those properties that normally provide breakfast for their guests. All the collaboration terms (in addition to any included meals) will be summarized in the introduction email to the property.

We love the look and feel of film and tend to prioritize images that help set us apart from other platforms. Our film photographers always shoot a bit of film and digital because re-shoots are not usually possible.

We select our photographers based on their style, attitude, professionalism and experience. We trust them to photograph each property in a way that best highlights the features and tells its story.

Private residences – each room must be photographed, as well as the exterior and surroundings.

Hotels and Bed and Breakfasts – the photographer is responsible for the room they stay in as well as common areas and exterior spaces. *In these smaller properties, we recommend focusing more on design details, vignettes, and lifestyle shots.

More information is available in the Techs and Specs.

Kind of. You may find this checklist handy for your first few collaborations.
– the room you stay in *in the case of a private home, each room will be photographed
– common areas
– detail shots / vignettes
– environmental shots (the property in its surrounds) – lifestyle photos
– with people (ex. laying in a hammock or feet in the pool)
– indicative (ex. towel + sunhat by a pool, a coffee cup + magazine in an unmade
bed)
-neighborhood + regional photos (ex. nearby cafes, beaches, street scenes)

In the situation where additional photos are requested, SURŌ must be notified to create a new agreement so that all parties can agree on the parameters including payment, usage rights, etc.

Image Quantity – 40+ photos
Image Size – high res jpgs (min 3000 px @300dpi)
Orientation – mix of horizontals + verticals
Lenses – we recommend a wide-angle zoom for shooting the main interior and exterior shots, and another lens (ex. 50mm) better suited for vignettes and details.
Light – We trust you to photograph the property in the light that best showcases each space. Photos that accurately depict a space are important, as well as those that share a “feeling”.
Editing – For consistency throughout our platform, please correct for white balance and keep the use of filters to a minimum. Keep the originals (RAW) in the case we need to re-work a file or require a larger version.
Naming – Please include your info in the metadata + image name (ex. JaneDoe_CasaItaly01.jpg)
Ownership & Copyright – You, the photographer, retain ownership and copyright, however we retain usage rights for website, social media, promotion and marketing in perpetuity.
Image transfer – Please send us the photos via gallery software (ex. Pixies or Pictime) or wetransfer.
Timeline – photos must be submitted to us within 3 weeks of stay and social media posts must be done within 2 weeks of stay. Please let us know in the case where an extension is needed.
Although we only require 40 final images from each property, we find that when more images are delivered, not only do we post and feature more via instagram and IG stories (more promo for you), but there is also a higher chance the the property will purchase some.

One thing that sets our imagery apart from other platforms is that it has more of an editorial and lifestyle feel. We encourage photos of spaces that elude to an experience… that could mean having a person/people in it, but they should never be the focus and should never be identifiable.

We do our best to make this as clear as possible to the properties by notifying them in advance and again in the collaboration terms that the photographer is only responsible for shooting the room they stay in + common areas (in the case of a Bed and Breakfast and Hotels). Sometimes there are issues with language barriers and/or multiple managers/owners being involved. In that case, the photographer can clarify this point and communicate the issue to us so we can help if necessary.

No, SURŌ doesn’t pay for any travel expenses. This collaboration is best geared toward photographers that are already traveling in that area, are looking to build their portfolio and gain experience in this industry. The photographers are responsible for all their expenses except for their accommodation (and breakfast where applicable). They are also responsible for any “extra” costs incurred at the property such as mini bar, meals, spa treatments, etc.

Personal website and socials – You own these photos and can use them for all your personal promotion and portfolio. Since they were commissioned via a collaboration, SURŌ (and the property where applicable) must always be credited.

Other Travel Blogs – Photographers are welcome to share with other travel blogs, however SURŌ and the property must always be credited and the photographer cannot share the images until the photos have been first published on suroliving.com.

Booking Platforms – This is a hard no. All content created during these collaborations is exclusive to SURŌ and cannot be shared with other travel/property booking platforms.

The photographer owns the photos, however for this collaboration agreement (as you will also see in the contract), the photographer grants SURŌ usage rights for the photos in perpetuity for (but not limited to) website, promotion, social media, print and online publications.

The property is also granted usage rights of approx 10 photos for social media only (but may purchase additional usage rights from the photographer). The photographer will always be credited.

Yes. All photos taken at the property must credit SURŌ and the property. Please credit @suro_living and @theproperty within the first 5 lines of the caption and clearly visible on all IG stories.

Once we have vetted you as a photographer, you will have access to a property database in your account dashboard. Here you can use the availability calendar to select dates, and will communicate with the property through the internal messaging system.  *due to the strict canceling guidelines, only select the dates once you have a confirmed travel itinerary. Canceling or re-scheduling could result in fines from the property and loss of access to the property database.

Each photographer can book a maximum of 3 properties per month.

No. Once you confirm a collaboration, you are committed to follow through. In the case a photographer abuses the guidelines by falsely canceling their collaboration to stay at another property, the photographer will immediately lose access and be blacklisted.

We get it, life happens. If you have to cancel your trip before 30 days of the collaboration date, there is no penalty. Unfortunately, most of the properties are boutique stays with limited rooms and may not be able to rebook after that point, so if you cancel your trip within 30 days of your stay, then you may be fined a fee by the property.

There may be situations where the property has to cancel due to repairs or last minute renovations on the property. In this case, SURŌ is not liable for costs incurred to the photographer.

First and foremost, photographing the property is the priority, and any additional shoots are discouraged. In the case of exceptions, all shoots for other brands must be pre-approved first by SURŌ then we will approach the property to make sure the brand is aligned. If the shoot is approved, all photos of the brand must always be credited back to the property and SURŌ when posting, which applies to the brand posting as well. If a photographer photographs other brands without permission, all future collaborations will be canceled and SURŌ will close their contributor account.

Yes! The first way our photographers can generate income from the collaboration is when properties purchase additional image usage rights beyond the social media collaboration agreement. For example, some properties ask to purchase usage rights for website use (More incentive for photographers to create extra photos beyond the required 40).

We also plan on creating an image license gallery for photographers to submit images for our contacts in the hospitality and art industries, in addition to a print shop.

Important attributes of Creators that we look for:

• Aesthetic – the overall aesthetic of the creator must align with our brand, that means the overall look and feel of the content they create
• Content – the content the creators share should be relevant to our audience. We tend do work with creators that focus on travel, slow living and wellness instead of those that are more fashion or fitness driven, for example.
• Audience Size – The purpose of working with Creators is to share our Properties and content with their audience, so their audience size has a lot of value. Typically, Properties will only work with Creators that have 100k + Instagram followers.

Properties are paired with photographers in the cases that they are required to have new imagery that is aligned with SURŌ, or they are opting to have new images via a SURŌ approved photographer. Properties are paired with Creators when they opt in for additional promotion.

Once we approve a Creator, they will gain access to a database of properties that have opted in and are interested in hosting a Creator.

The Creator will use the availability calendar to suggest visit dates, at which point the property can agree to host them, or decline, if they feel the Creator isn’t aligned with their promotional goals.

A typical collaboration between a Creator and a Property includes a hosted stay at the Property in return for promotion by the Creator. The number of nights and promotional content is determined largely according to the size of the audience and type of Property.

Examples of promotional content includes photography, Instagram reels/posts/stories, editorials, etc.

All expenses are the responsibility of the Creator, including, but not limited to, travel, food, and extra services.

In some cases, Properties are willing to assist with travel and often offer meals and extra services so that those features can also be included in the promotion.