Little Tikes doesn’t just make toys, we make "play." It’s what we’ve been doing for the past 50 years. We inspire families to take time out of their busy days and play together.

Little Tikes toys is in search of a professional photographer who can take pictures featuring kids and products to match to their current marketing.  Given the logistical challenges in today’s environment, they are open to a "self-contained" approach. For example, if you are a photographer currently sheltering with your kids then this might be the perfect project for you.  

Little Tikes will ship you 2 or 3 products to shoot, and they will expect multiple setups, shots, and angles. They will require full rights and ownership of all photos captured, for use in perpetuity. Although they request that all images should be batch adjusted for color and exposure, no other post production services will be required.

Our priority is to make sure everyone is safe. Along with that, we’re working really hard to keep people working during this strange time. Our advice here is to submit only if you feel you can do something within the anticipated timeline that ensures everyone's safety given today's reality.

DELIVERABLES: 

• One hard drive provided by Little Tikes with all raw images, batch adjusted for color and exposure, ideally in Capture One 11. All images should be batch adjusted for color and exposure.
• $500 additional is available on if you can provide simple motion footage b-roll shots. For an example of what the footage should look like go to this page and scroll down to the text on the right "Watch the Featured Video."

 

TIMELINE: For the full project timeline please see the Assets section.

 

EXPOSURE: Little Tikes' website.

 

TARGET AUDIENCE: Parents of toddlers/kids ages 2-5, but occasionally goes all the way to late teens, boys and girls.

 

EXECUTIONAL MANDATORIES: 

• Photos need to look like these.  The main shot is a composite shot with camera on a tripod to get as many kids to be perfect at once as possible. Please disregard the studio shots on white.
• Photography should include features for each designated product, and talent should be dressed and made to look as good as the situation permits.
• Talent will be required to use modified Tongal talent release, included in the assets.
• The location has to be photographer's private residence or anywhere else that’s allowed under that states’ regulations. Outdoor locations showing foliage ideally looks “anywhere in America” and hard to place geographically. No palm trees, etc.
• Most commonly needed talent is 2-5 y.o, but occasionally goes all the way to late teens, boys and girls. Diversity is welcome but it's also okay if kids all appear to be siblings.
• When working with minors, please observe the local laws and regulations for working and/or filming/photographing minors in your state or country. For example, obtain work permits, set up Coogan accounts, hire studio teachers, and observe proper working hours as applicable based on your location. For more information you can also check out this blog post.

• Have a kick-off call on GoToMeeting where the selected photographer shares creative direction and shot list.
• Decide on wardrobe for talent (this will either be shipped from LA or the photographer can provide their own options.)
• For time of day and lighting, Little Tikes prefers open shade, or a big silk diffuser under sun, if shooting exteriors. If interior, natural light filled with a soft strobe.
• Little Tikes will ship product and make sure the photographer can connect with Product Department team and Art Director prior to the shoot to make sure product (if assembly is needed) is put together correctly.
• On the day of the shoot, Photographer will be required to connect with Little Tikes' Art Director via GoToMeeting and screen shares the tethering of Capture One. You will be required to stay connected all day, to answer photographers questions as they come up, and approve looks of kids, angles, placement etc.
• Little Tikes will provide a shot list that you must adhere to during the shoot.
• On the day after the shoot, you will be required to batch adjust all images for color and exposure in Capture One 11, process as low res jpegs, and share digitally, before sending the complete drive to Little Tikes. Little Tikes will provide the drive.

In order to be considered for this project, you must include the below materials in your pitch submission. For examples of effective pitches, check out this gallery.

 

• TEXT (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less synopsizing how you plan to approach and execute this photo shoot.
  
  
• LINKS (REQUIRED): Share links to your previous photography work.
  
  
• TREATMENT (REQUIRED): A detailed description of how you'll execute the photo shoot. If it's helpful to you, we've provided a treatment template, which you can find here.
  
  
• HEADSHOTS/CASTING BOARDS (REQUIRED):  Photos of the kids and anyone else you plan to photograph.
  
  
• PITCH VIDEO (Optional): This is your opportunity to be face-to-face with the Sponsor and show them what you're capable of. Consider submitting a pitch video in which you tell the Sponsor what they can expect should they choose your pitch.

1. Unless provided otherwise, all work must be your own original creation and free of any copyrighted material. You shall provide detailed information of your work regarding the source, the creator and background information as requested by Tongal.
   
   
2. In the event you utilize any third-party materials, such as music provided by a third-party music provider not provided by Tongal, you must obtain full written license and consent from the owner of such third-party materials and provide such license and consent forms to Tongal.
   
   
3. BY SUBMITTING AN ENTRY, YOUR SUBMISSION IMMEDIATELY BECOMES THE SOLE PROPERTY OF TONGAL OR ITS ASSIGNEES – SEE OFFICIAL RULES FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT OWNERSHIP OF ENTRIES. YOU MAY NOT PUBLICLY SHARE OR PUBLISH YOUR SUBMISSION IN ANY MANNER AND YOU MAY NOT POST OR UPLOAD YOUR SUBMISSION TO ANY WEBSITE OR VIDEO HOSTING SITE (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE OR VIMEO), WITHOUT THE PRIOR EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF TONGAL. FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION OF YOUR ENTRY IN THE PROJECT.
   
   
4. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of Sponsor.
   
   
5. Submissions must not portray Sponsor in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with Sponsor.
    
6. By submitting to this project, you acknowledge that your work may become subject to public voting on the Tongal site. Public voting may be used to help the project sponsor determine the final rank order.
    
7. Limit 1 submission per member, per Phase.
    
8. You must be at least eighteen (18) years or older to enter.
   
   
9. The Sponsor reserves the right to repost the contest.
   
   
10. In addition to the judging criteria stated in the OFFICIAL RULES, Pitches will also be evaluated on that member's ability to execute the photos based on their prior work and experience as a photographer.
    
    
11. In addition to the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment, photographers MUST also provide Talent, Location, Music (or other) Releases for all assets appearing in their photographs, as well as a photograph/headshot OR copy of a photo ID for all On-camera Talent releases.
    
    
12. See OFFICIAL RULES for additional contest information, terms and conditions. If there is any conflict or inconsistency between these requirements and the Official Rules, the terms and conditions of these requirements shall prevail.