Snapwire

Snapwire operates as a visual production platform and marketplace, connecting photographers and videographers with businesses seeking custom content. Founded in 2012 by Chad Newell, Sky Gilbar, and later joined by Ryan Dewane, the company aimed to provide an alternative to traditional stock photography. Newell, leveraging his experience from Image Bank (later acquired by Getty Images) and as co-founder of stock photo agency Media Bakery, identified a market need for more authentic, on-demand visual content.

The company's platform allows businesses, from small enterprises to large corporations, to issue creative briefs or 'Requests' for specific photo and video needs. A global network of creators then submits their work to fulfill these requests, with winning contributors receiving payment. This model evolved from a stock photo marketplace to a more comprehensive content creation service, focusing on bespoke assignments. Snapwire's business model is based on taking a commission from the payments made to creators for purchased content, initially a 30% cut. For photographers, the platform uses a gamified leveling system, where they can advance from 'Explorer' to higher tiers by participating in challenges and getting their work nominated and purchased, which unlocks access to paid requests and direct commissions.

Snapwire secured initial seed funding of $1.4 million shortly after its public launch in March 2014. The company went on to raise additional funds through various rounds, including equity crowdfunding and a Series A led by Defy Partners in 2019. A notable milestone was a 2014 collaboration with Adobe, integrating features of Photoshop CC and Lightroom into the Snapwire iOS app. After years of operation and building a creator network of over 400,000, Snapwire was acquired by StudioNow in May 2022, a move intended to combine Snapwire's marketplace technology with StudioNow's production services.

Keywords: visual production platform, creator marketplace, on-demand photos, custom video content, creative briefs, photographer network, videographer network, content creation, stock photography alternative, brand photography, user-generated content, visual content marketplace, creative marketplace, photo assignments, video production, digital content, Chad Newell, StudioNow, authentic imagery, content-as-a-service