sandhun Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 Hi folks I'm new to stock and was wondering if I could ask for a little bit of advice. I'm considering contributing to Alamy and am also looking at the possibility of becoming a contributor at a micro stock agency (Shutterstock). Am I right in thinking it's not the best idea to submit identical images to both of these libraries? After all, a buyer could simply go to the Micro Agency to purchase the same image at a fraction of the cost. That doesn't help Alamy and it doesn't really help me either. Is it best to just stick with a single agency? Or do you have separate portfolios (i.e. one for a traditional library and one for a micro library)? Bear in mind, my collection is currently quite small. I reckon I have around 50-75 saleable images at this stage. Thanks in advance. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dov makabaw Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 I find it better to submit to one agency. If you have images better suited to micro then send them there. Most contributors have gone through this thought process, have tried several and have chosen the agency (ies) which best suit their style, subjects etc. dov Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 People have different material / expectations. At the end of the day the only way to make an informed choice is to try both and decide based on how you get on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mitchell Posted November 7, 2013 Share Posted November 7, 2013 "Am I right in thinking it's not the best idea to submit identical images to both of these libraries? After all, a buyer could simply go to the Micro Agency to purchase the same image at a fraction of the cost. That doesn't help Alamy and it doesn't really help me either." Definitely. By submitting the same images too both agencies, you would only be undercutting yourself (i.e. competing with yourself) IMO. Also, one of the reasons why traditional stock photo prices are now so low is that people have flooded microstock agencies with images that shouldn't have been placed there in the first place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stokie Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 I'm also with AgeFotostock (not a micro) and it's interesting to see which images they take as it's an edited agency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DavidC Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 I'm also with AgeFotostock (not a micro) and it's interesting to see which images they take as it's an edited agency. It would be interesting to know what you find is your ratio of sales from your two agencies - for similar numbers. I find Alamy is a clear winner for numbers but lower prices - and with a seeming willingness to re-write their sales contracts on the hoof.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mirco Vacca Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 I can add from my experience... I think it depends what you shoot indeed. I was first for many years at microstock and for me somehow my kind of images work far better there. But on the other hand there are many photographers here that makes lots of revenue. When you will start submit to shutterstock you will notice sales on the same day that they are accepted. It will be small revenues like 0,33 cents up to 56 dollars(could be few per month). But this forum is about Alamy. Choice can be also affected by if you shoot editorial. When you shoot editorial and want to have the same images on more agencies then you have to choose OR Microstock OR Alamy. For me it feels that the fight for part of revenue is more easier in microstock. My brother for example started like half year ago and is making allready revenue of 200 dollars per months what i think is very good for somebody that is just half year in stock. Alamy is a harder game, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CM photo Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 As long as you realise that AGE Fotostock images are also placed, by them, on Alamy. So you will be competing with yourself in this instance (so your commission will be split three ways instead of two - and if you are still in the distributor scheme, distributor sales will be split four ways instead of three!). I'm also with AgeFotostock (not a micro) and it's interesting to see which images they take as it's an edited agency. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stokie Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 I'm also with AgeFotostock (not a micro) and it's interesting to see which images they take as it's an edited agency. As long as you realise that AGE Fotostock images are also placed, by them, on Alamy. So you will be competing with yourself in this instance (so your commission will be split three ways instead of two - and if you are still in the distributor scheme, distributor sales will be split three ways instead of four!). Chris As far as I know AGE images aren't placed on Alamy as I only chose to submit to agencies that aren't on Alamy too. John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacecadet Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 As far as I know AGE images aren't placed on Alamy as I only chose to submit to agencies that aren't on Alamy too. John. I don't know if any of yours are there, of course,, but http://www.alamy.com/search/Imageresults.aspx?CreativeOn=1&adv=1&ag=0&all=1&creative=&et=0x000000000000000000000&vp=0&loc=0&qt=&qn=age&lic=6&lic=1&archive=1&dtfr=&dtto=&hc=0x00&selectdate=1&size=0xFF&aqt=&epqt=&oqt=&nqt=>ype=0 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stokie Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 I don't know if any of yours are there, of course,, but As far as I know AGE images aren't placed on Alamy as I only chose to submit to agencies that aren't on Alamy too. John. http://www.alamy.com/search/Imageresults.aspx?CreativeOn=1&adv=1&ag=0&all=1&creative=&et=0x000000000000000000000&vp=0&loc=0&qt=&qn=age&lic=6&lic=1&archive=1&dtfr=&dtto=&hc=0x00&selectdate=1&size=0xFF&aqt=&epqt=&oqt=&nqt=>ype=0 Well I never! I did a search for Age fotostock and it didn't return any images! I also searched for Age fotostock John Keates and no images came up either. I've also never seen any of my images side by side in searches. It was a few years ago when I signed up to AGE and there might have been an opt out option to put images with other agencies but I can't remember!! John. PS looks like the editor is playing up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
woody Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 "Am I right in thinking it's not the best idea to submit identical images to both of these libraries? After all, a buyer could simply go to the Micro Agency to purchase the same image at a fraction of the cost. That doesn't help Alamy and it doesn't really help me either." Definitely. By submitting the same images too both agencies, you would only be undercutting yourself (i.e. competing with yourself) IMO. Also, one of the reasons why traditional stock photo prices are now so low is that people have flooded microstock agencies with images that shouldn't have been placed there in the first place. I’m not so sure. The flood of images overall in the market is really the result of photography being so much more accessible, no expensive film and the need to get it right first time in camera, editing tools, the much easier learning curve needed and the Internet providing a no hassle, available market. The micros are simply an inevitable .com response to a market opportunity (wish I thought of it some years ago). High supply = low prices no matter what your product is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TABan Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 I don't know if any of yours are there, of course,, but As far as I know AGE images aren't placed on Alamy as I only chose to submit to agencies that aren't on Alamy too. John. http://www.alamy.com/search/Imageresults.aspx?CreativeOn=1&adv=1&ag=0&all=1&creative=&et=0x000000000000000000000&vp=0&loc=0&qt=&qn=age&lic=6&lic=1&archive=1&dtfr=&dtto=&hc=0x00&selectdate=1&size=0xFF&aqt=&epqt=&oqt=&nqt=>ype=0 AGE very recently entered into a contract with Alamy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reciprocity Images Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 Calm down, everyone. AgeFotostock only distributes exclusive images through Alamy... If you are a non-exclusive contributor, your Age images should not be distributed through Alamy. -Jason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Robinson Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 I don't know if any of yours are there, of course,, but As far as I know AGE images aren't placed on Alamy as I only chose to submit to agencies that aren't on Alamy too. John. http://www.alamy.com/search/Imageresults.aspx?CreativeOn=1&adv=1&ag=0&all=1&creative=&et=0x000000000000000000000&vp=0&loc=0&qt=&qn=age&lic=6&lic=1&archive=1&dtfr=&dtto=&hc=0x00&selectdate=1&size=0xFF&aqt=&epqt=&oqt=&nqt=>ype=0 Well I never! I did a search for Age fotostock and it didn't return any images! I also searched for Age fotostock John Keates and no images came up either. I've also never seen any of my images side by side in searches. It was a few years ago when I signed up to AGE and there might have been an opt out option to put images with other agencies but I can't remember!! John. PS looks like the editor is playing up. Age have recently announced that they have signed an agreement to put their exclusive images on Alamy (bit of a contradiction?). Some non-exclusive contributors have complained that their images have also found their way here and that is being sorted out, I believe. I may have to reassess my understanding of the word 'exclusive'. (Oops, how did I miss the above post?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pearl Posted November 8, 2013 Share Posted November 8, 2013 I don't want to see my AGE images on here, it's bad enough having some of them on Getty. They are non-exclusive so hopefully I won't. Pearl Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travelshots Posted November 9, 2013 Share Posted November 9, 2013 all of the agencies sending their images thro distribution makes money for the agencies but does not make money for the photographers as two agencies take a slice of commission. I have opted out of distribution on alamy for this reason. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stokie Posted November 11, 2013 Share Posted November 11, 2013 I don't know if any of yours are there, of course,, but As far as I know AGE images aren't placed on Alamy as I only chose to submit to agencies that aren't on Alamy too. John. http://www.alamy.com/search/Imageresults.aspx?CreativeOn=1&adv=1&ag=0&all=1&creative=&et=0x000000000000000000000&vp=0&loc=0&qt=&qn=age&lic=6&lic=1&archive=1&dtfr=&dtto=&hc=0x00&selectdate=1&size=0xFF&aqt=&epqt=&oqt=&nqt=>ype=0 Well I never! I did a search for Age fotostock and it didn't return any images! I also searched for Age fotostock John Keates and no images came up either. I've also never seen any of my images side by side in searches. It was a few years ago when I signed up to AGE and there might have been an opt out option to put images with other agencies but I can't remember!! John. PS looks like the editor is playing up. Age have recently announced that they have signed an agreement to put their exclusive images on Alamy (bit of a contradiction?). Some non-exclusive contributors have complained that their images have also found their way here and that is being sorted out, I believe. I may have to reassess my understanding of the word 'exclusive'. (Oops, how did I miss the above post?) Ah, that explains it, thanks. It does seem a strange definition of exclusive though! John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheila Smart Posted November 12, 2013 Share Posted November 12, 2013 I recently quit AGE because they licensed one of my RM images via Getty US Office for single figure euros. Sheila Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.