The chain has begun, jump-started by John and Dalisa on their roadtrip across the states - now it’s time for you to get involved!

There are some rules and limitations to this opportunity. We want you all to be aware of them and agree to them upfront.

Rules for Paying-It-Forward

1. Once you and your family has been photographed, you have 30 days to photograph another photographer’s family. Don’t be that person that holds up the line because you procrastinated!
2. A photographer and their family (defined) can be any family group that consists of a photographer and his/her family. This could be a regular nuclear family, distant cousins, twin siblings, or conjoined twins. Whatever.
3. Be creative. Let loose! Free your mind!

Rules for Submissions

• Nudity or vulgarity will not be acceptable. Keep it family-friendly.
• Images can be no more than 900 pixels wide (including your watermark).
• Yes, you may watermark your image.
• To keep the chain going, you need to link to your own family post here on roadsidefamilies.com. This is called a permalink, and the url is shown on each post. For example, if JMC shot Joe’s Family and Joe shoots Kelly’s family, then when Joe posts Kelly’s photo on RoadsideFamilies.com, he needs to link to the one JMC shot of him.
  Example (at the top of the post):  Photography by Joseph,     Click here for Joseph’s family photograph
• IMPORTANT! Follow the step by step instructions below for submissions.

How to add your image to the Roadside Families blog.

• Contributors Register Here.
• Login Here to the Contributor Admin.
• STEPS FOR POSTING (below)
• 1) Login Here and Click “Write a Post”
• 2) Title your post with the first names of the family. [e.g. Bob, Sarah, Sally & Stevie]
• 3) Next to Add Media: click the Add an Image button.
• 4) This information needs to be in your post:
  - Photo taken by: Your Name (can be linked to your website or blog).
  - Link to Original Post: Link to your own family photo’s original post.
  - Image: 900 pixel wide image. You may use your watermark.
  - Photo of: Subject Names (can be linked to their website or blog).
  - City/Area: Locale where the image was taken.
  - Photo Notes: Any special notes or thoughts.
• Click Send for Review!

All posts will be moderated before being published. The moderator has the final say on what gets posted and what does not get posted. It may take a few days for a post to be moderated and/or published.

FAQ’s

How can I join in?  For now, we ask that you send us a little email through the “Contact” page at the top.  I am sure that we will eventually get a chat board going.  Once we get your email, we will pass it along to photographers in your area who need to Pay It Forward and it will be up to them to get in touch with you.

 

Can I start my own PIF chain in my area?  Absolutely!  We challenge you to be the first to pick up the phone or send over an email to a photographer in your area that you have not met - it’s a great way to introduce yourself and start off a great friendship.  Just shoot me an email when you register to post so that we can make a special mention.

 

Can I photograph the photographer that shot my family?  You can, but that would end the chain - so if you do, still choose another photographer to pay it forward to.

 

Do I have to photograph another photographer?  Yes, so that the chain continues.  If you choose someone who can’t Pay it Forward with professional photography, that will end your chain.

 

What if the photographer I choose to Pay It Forward to has already received a PIF shoot?  That’s OK… our goal is for this to continue to go around and around for years - therefore capturing the growth and change of each family.

 

Does the photographer I shoot have to have kids to be considered a “family”?   NO - a family is a family - no matter who is involved.  It might be a married couple with 18 kids or a single guy with a gold fish.

 

When I have my family shoot, should I direct the entire thing and have my photographer that chose me just “click” the shutter?  I shouldn’t even have to answer this one…   YOU will be the client when being photographed…. of course you can share your thoughts or ideas, but let the photographer do their job and it’s your turn to just relax for once.  You can take charge when you do your shoot.

 

Anything else?  you can always send me a direct email at: dalisa@altf.com