Ethics Statement

Scott Bourne’s Photofocus Ethics Statement

This is a statement describing how I go about running this site. It details the policies I use when reviewing or discussing products, outlines my editorial policies and is my attempt at disclosure of anything that my audience might want to know about my business relationships.

I am not a journalist or a reporter. I am a pundit and a subjective opinion columnist, a reviewer of photography products and a commentator on photography-related issues. I try to uphold journalistic standards when I report something on the site as “news” but ultimately, I am a pundit and my bias, opinions, and experience guide what I publish.

When I do present what I consider to be factual information, I do the best I can to make sure the facts I provide are accurate and fairly presented. When I present analyses, I try to represent my best independent judgments rather than my preferences, or those of my sources, advertisers or information providers.

Photofocus sells advertising and I receive compensation for the ads I provide both in the podcast and on the blog. I am sponsored by the Photo Marketing Association, ScanCafe, LED-Z Lights, MAC Group, WHCC Pro, and ExpoImaging. These same companies sponsor my contests and giveaways.

I do not sell editorial space. The advertising on the site is not connected with the editorial content in any way. I do not accept money to run reviews. I do not own stock in any company I cover on Photofocus.

I do sit on several boards of advisors in the technology sector, but I only advise two photo-related companies. One of these happens to be our sponsor, ScanCafe. The other is ImageRights.

I do, from time-to-time run Amazon affiliate links inside the Photofocus website. If you click on those links and order a product, I receive minimal compensation, usually around four and one half (4.5) percent* of your purchase. This compensation in no way impacts the price you pay at Amazon. If you don’t use my link, you will pay the same price you pay using my link. The only difference is that I won’t receive the small commission. I only list Amazon links that I believe lead to fair prices and products.

*The actual amount of compensation changes based on volume.

I am providing this information so that the audience can have all the facts available to them when judging the work I do surrounding Photofocus. I will update this page from time-to-time as changes in my circumstances and policies warrant. Visit it often if these things concern you.