| Author | Thread |
 AmeedEl-Ghoul
Canon EOS-20D |
11/23/2008 06:41:38 PM · #1 |
| Thanks leaf for your feedback and info, much appreciated, and best of luck, |
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 leaf
Canon EOS-5D Mark II |
11/23/2008 05:38:53 PM · #2 |
i try to upload 50/week which is quite doable and many of the full time microstockers do more than that, some much more. On the year average though I haven't been able to keep up the 50/week average but only because I get sidetracked with other projects such as the microstockgroup website I run, and a wedding or two I took in the summer. I have also been doing a few other photography type jobs for lots of the years, and worked at a cafe the first year. I have been involved with microstock for 4.5 years, but only became self employed as a photographer the last 3 years and only the last 12 months considered myself full time microstock photographer... Most people who started in 2004 have quite a few more images than I do.
My experience though, it is far from a get rich quick scheme but it is definitely a viable profession for someone who wants to pursue it as such. There are probably not much more than 100 people making a living from microstock (that is just a wild guess from how much I earn and where i stand in the rankings on the various sites) and people are earning anywhere from $0.00/year to $1,000,000/year. I am guessing most full time microstock photographers are earning anywhere between $20,000-$100,000.... or put another way I would guess there are about 100-200 earning more than $20,000/year with microstock photography... there are several 1000 ppl that are earning under $1000/year .... but it is really up for grabs for anyone who wants to pursue it.
It is getting tougher to get images online and get sales as more people submit but that doesn't mean it is any less profitable for those who work hard and create attractive stock.
Message edited by author 2008-11-23 17:40:17.
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AmeedEl-Ghoul
Canon EOS-20D |
11/23/2008 03:00:53 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by leaf:
wow.. nothing like a blast from the past :) I started this thread 3 years ago. Now I am happy to say I am working full time as a microstock photography and loving it. |
Woww, 3 years now, I just stumbled over this thread which I am thankful to all the wonderful expertise in here sharing their experiences with the rest.
So Leaf, how would you describe your experience with Microstock now after you've been in it for 3 years? Is it enough to make a decent living? How much do you upload weekly? Do you have a link to your uploads on one of the sites to take a look at?
Thanks once again for opening this thread.
All the best, |
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leaf
Canon EOS-5D Mark II |
11/23/2008 06:06:54 AM · #4 |
wow.. nothing like a blast from the past :) I started this thread 3 years ago. Now I am happy to say I am working full time as a microstock photography and loving it.
anyhow, about what jordanfotografie said. Yeah, it would be devastating if your stock site went under and you were exclusive with them. However, it would be like any company going under which you worked for.
One advantage with microstock though, is most people are submitting to at least 6 very productive sites, so if one went under it wouldn't have such a influencing effect on my income. Additionally the customers who bought images at the site that went under would then buy from another company, one which I presumably would be submitting to so in essence my income wouldn't change.
Message edited by author 2008-11-23 17:28:13.
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jordanfotografie |
11/21/2008 05:00:00 PM · #5 |
Some questions:
- what would happen to these people who work with only one, two or three agencies if they (the agencies)brocken? Do you guys have any idea about where they host their portfolios?
- Anyone heard of what is happening with many photographers and companies with the DRR case? This is a disaster!
- What about the hard keywording work? I, personally think that the mathematic of the microstock is much more favorable to the agencies. They should at least do this keyword work. Actually many macro agencies do take care of this thing, just because they do not take the risk to let this job to the photographer. These are two different jobs and should be separated. Bad keyword are bad for the business. For the photographer, for the agencies and for the buyer. And photographer should take photos, not do the agencies duties.
- What you guys hear about the present movement of the big ones like Getty and others , buying smaller companies and dissolving them?
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 jodiecoston
Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi |
11/21/2006 12:20:57 PM · #6 |
I've spent the last several years working in stock exclusively for a living. I started out with micro when I was beginning and learned a lot from it, which encouraged me to try macro. I hit a couple of macro companies at just the right time and was soon selling well over $5000 per month. (Not that it was easy, I worked really hard to get there.) My strategy has been to expand to a couple of new portals every year to maximize my profits.
I've now seen a couple of my main earning agencies change their marketing strategies around and am watching my sales drop, rather than grow. (Grrr...) So this year, my goal is to stay where I am with those macro companies and expand into microstock once again with new, fresh images. I think having a good balance between markets will be key to watching my business continue to expand. It's kind of fun, actually - I've built up a ridiculously huge collection of props over the years and am going back through them and finding fresh ways to photograph them.
Oh, and Melissa (Melking) - you'd kick my butt in the macro world. :) You're a fabulous photographer who knows what is marketable and I can easily see you expanding that way and being very successful.
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ganders
Canon EOS-40D |
11/21/2006 11:07:45 AM · #7 |
I think I've looked at them before.
Personally, I wouldn't touch any agency that charges you "distribution costs" before you even sell anything, with a 10 ft pole.
Message edited by author 2006-11-21 11:07:58. |
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albc28
Canon EOS-50D |
11/21/2006 10:44:42 AM · #8 |
has anyone in here ever used Picture Stock...( www.picturestock.com ) at all? Is it any good or even worth considering?
Message edited by author 2006-11-21 10:45:05. |
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leaf
Canon EOS-5D Mark II |
11/21/2006 08:36:15 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by carodani:
Can anyone please make for all of us who are just entering stock photography a small list of micro stock and macro stock?
That's cause for me it's hard just surfing on the web understand the difference, I'm registered and selling in 5 different stock website but still don't get which could be defined macro or micro.... |
if you check out the website
Microstockgroup you will find lots of discussion and lists of the different companies.
Otherwise a short list
Micro
Shutterstock
Fotolia
Dreamstime
Istock
Macro
alamy
Myloupe
i sudjest if you want more sites, going to that website i sudjested at the top, or going to a site like wikipedia and doing a search there for microstock or stock photography
Message edited by author 2006-11-21 08:36:29.
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leaf
Canon EOS-5D Mark II |
11/21/2006 08:32:58 AM · #10 |
Originally posted by signtist:
I am a professional photographer based in Los Angeles, I had tried selling images on both micro and macro, but I found a great site called INSERTWEBSITEHERE I posted my work up and had some OK results, and unlike the other agancies I got paid quickly, I'd like to get feedback from other pros as to what you think of the site. I know they are new, I spoke to the founder and found him to be very cool, no BS, there was no hard sell, he was pretty honest about the fact that they were new and didnt have enough images on the site yet.
I think a lot of it comes down to what you feel good with, it is almost impossible to get a live person on the phone at any of the other agencies, micro or macro, and yet within minutes of sending in a link to my work I was talking to the founder of the company, that made a difference for me! |
ha ha very funny. can you say S-P-A-M
I am guessing you got him on the phone in seconds becasue the FOUNDER of the company is YOU. A little check with whois.org reveals the following.
lotsofdpi.com is registered to:
signtist
lee@signtist.com
2010 lincoln blvd
venice, CA 90291
US
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carodani
Canon EOS-40D |
11/21/2006 07:53:40 AM · #11 |
Can anyone please make for all of us who are just entering stock photography a small list of micro stock and macro stock?
That's cause for me it's hard just surfing on the web understand the difference, I'm registered and selling in 5 different stock website but still don't get which could be defined macro or micro....
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OLD_HENRY
Nikon D80 |
11/21/2006 04:34:48 AM · #12 |
Welcome. Nice to read your first post. Followed your link but don't seem to see anything for contributors.
Henry |
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 signtist |
11/21/2006 02:23:06 AM · #13 |
I am a professional photographer based in Los Angeles, I had tried selling images on both micro and macro, but I found a great site called http://www.lotsofdpi.com I posted my work up and had some OK results, and unlike the other agancies I got paid quickly, I'd like to get feedback from other pros as to what you think of the site. I know they are new, I spoke to the founder and found him to be very cool, no BS, there was no hard sell, he was pretty honest about the fact that they were new and didnt have enough images on the site yet.
I think a lot of it comes down to what you feel good with, it is almost impossible to get a live person on the phone at any of the other agencies, micro or macro, and yet within minutes of sending in a link to my work I was talking to the founder of the company, that made a difference for me! |
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candicem |
08/07/2006 09:59:44 AM · #14 |
I currently use the Canon Dig Rebel XT 8MP. While the quality is not high-end stock quality (at least from what I have read is expected for high-end stock quality), my skills are still exceptional. I just happen to not have the expenses for purchasing high-end, top-notch equipment right now (i.e. lenses, higher megapixel camera, etc). I hear a lot of good and bad about microstock photography. Personally, I see my skills working into the high-end stock photography path, but I'm not sure who to go with for a photography agent or a photography site in which I can set my own prices for my images and sell them through the web site itself. My concern is with there being such a vast array of web sites and services to choose from these days via Internet that it's frustrating to know who to use and who to stay away from. Any helpful suggestions with sites, agents, and selling phtoos would really be appreciated. Again, I'm looking to use more of a medium to high-end stock quality site. Thanks.
Message edited by author 2006-08-07 10:05:02. |
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leaf
Canon EOS-5D Mark II |
02/07/2006 01:10:34 PM · #15 |
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 Kavey
Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi |
02/07/2006 11:26:13 AM · #16 |
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suemack
Canon EOS-20D |
02/07/2006 05:56:29 AM · #17 |
Awesome!! Congrats Tyler!
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leaf
Canon EOS-5D Mark II |
02/07/2006 05:21:07 AM · #18 |
Originally posted by Kavey:
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by Kavey:
And then sit and wait a few months for a sale, hoping that when it comes it will be worth it!
;o) |
Yes, the constant trickle of downloads from SS provides some ongoing encouragement. |
No sales for me from Alamy yet, but I'm an eternal optimist. We don't have a large number of images at the micro stock sites but the ones we do have there provide a steady trickle too... |
Have had the first few downloads at alamy (3 in the last 8 months or so)... so it is slow, but always nice. Micro stock in the bulk of my income still though..
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ganders
Canon EOS-40D |
10/16/2005 08:00:12 AM · #19 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Yes, they have been the victims of a (very) few non-US submitters who established accounts and were submitting stolen images. |
That's slightly odd; they certainly didn't require any of that stuff from me - I always had the impression it was only something relevant to US submitters... |
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nico_blue
Canon EOS-5D Mark II |
10/16/2005 01:54:54 AM · #20 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by Leok:
I tried to join Shutterstock and was surprised that they asked for a copy of a driver's licence or passport to be sent to them electronically . I always believed that you should not put your ID on the internet as it is poor security. Can't see why they should need it anyway, after all you can join other microstock sites, ebay etc without this requirement. Thoughts anyone? |
Yes, they have been the victims of a (very) few non-US submitters who established accounts and were submitting stolen images. This is a method of verifying that there is an actual photographer out there with a verified address, and not some anonymous person with only an email address.
If you check the forums or FAQs over at Shutterstock, you will find a more complete and official explanation. Baically though, it's to protect the integrity of the site, and thereby the reputations of its submitters.
Normally, if you are going to get paid by someone, you'll have to present them with some positive form of identification to prove you're the person entitled to the payment -- I don't think this is too much different than what you'd need to provide for any other job application.
In my experience they are a legitimate and up-front company, and will not abuse your information. |
I joined SS back in the day, it certainly makes sense for them to institute this policy though...
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Leok
Pentax K10D |
10/16/2005 01:14:39 AM · #21 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
If you check the forums or FAQs over at Shutterstock, you will find a more complete and official explanation. Baically though, it's to protect the integrity of the site, and thereby the reputations of its submitters.
In my experience they are a legitimate and up-front company, and will not abuse your information. |
Thanks for your advice GeneralE, should have though to check their forums myself. Doh! |
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 GeneralE
Canon PowerShot S3 IS |
10/15/2005 12:08:48 AM · #22 |
Originally posted by Leok:
I tried to join Shutterstock and was surprised that they asked for a copy of a driver's licence or passport to be sent to them electronically . I always believed that you should not put your ID on the internet as it is poor security. Can't see why they should need it anyway, after all you can join other microstock sites, ebay etc without this requirement. Thoughts anyone? |
Yes, they have been the victims of a (very) few non-US submitters who established accounts and were submitting stolen images. This is a method of verifying that there is an actual photographer out there with a verified address, and not some anonymous person with only an email address.
If you check the forums or FAQs over at Shutterstock, you will find a more complete and official explanation. Baically though, it's to protect the integrity of the site, and thereby the reputations of its submitters.
Normally, if you are going to get paid by someone, you'll have to present them with some positive form of identification to prove you're the person entitled to the payment -- I don't think this is too much different than what you'd need to provide for any other job application.
In my experience they are a legitimate and up-front company, and will not abuse your information.
Message edited by author 2005-10-15 00:10:10. |
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faidoi
Pentax K10D |
10/14/2005 11:09:18 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by Leok:
I tried to join Shutterstock and was surprised that they asked for a copy of a driver's licence or passport to be sent to them electronically . I always believed that you should not put your ID on the internet as it is poor security. Can't see why they should need it anyway, after all you can join other microstock sites, ebay etc without this requirement. Thoughts anyone? |
Strange.
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Leok
Pentax K10D |
10/14/2005 09:38:49 PM · #24 |
I tried to join Shutterstock and was surprised that they asked for a copy of a driver's licence or passport to be sent to them electronically . I always believed that you should not put your ID on the internet as it is poor security. Can't see why they should need it anyway, after all you can join other microstock sites, ebay etc without this requirement. Thoughts anyone?
Message edited by author 2005-10-14 21:42:18. |
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Kavey
Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi |
10/14/2005 05:42:27 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by Kavey:
And then sit and wait a few months for a sale, hoping that when it comes it will be worth it!
;o) |
Yes, the constant trickle of downloads from SS provides some ongoing encouragement. |
No sales for me from Alamy yet, but I'm an eternal optimist. We don't have a large number of images at the micro stock sites but the ones we do have there provide a steady trickle too...
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