Jill Morgan Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 I have a couple of friends, and my son, who want me to list their photos on Alamy as they really don't have the time and don't want to have to do PP and keywording. I was going to do different pseudos but I suppose I should really register as an agency. How does that work? Is it worth my bother? One friend in particular is quite talented as is my son. Jill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Elliott Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 Jill, I'd ask MS for advice on how best to do it. i'm sure that this is easily a question that should be directed to them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Morgan Posted August 11, 2014 Author Share Posted August 11, 2014 Jill, I'd ask MS for advice on how best to do it. i'm sure that this is easily a question that should be directed to them. Thanks Jools. I am going to email MS, but would still like to hear from those that operate as an agency. Contracts, etc. How do you work it all? Jill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Morgan Posted August 11, 2014 Author Share Posted August 11, 2014 Here's my experience as a small agency. Amateur photographers with limited stock will offer you a handful of images (let's say hundred or two hundred pictures) and will be very disappointed when they still have zero sales after a couple of months. Result: you'll receive no more images from them because they don't find it worth investing their time. Especially the young guys have very little patience. You have far better results with pro or semi-pro photographers who have a very large stock (submit 200 - 500 images on a monthly basis) AND who already submit for many years to several other agencies. They understand the market and the often very low prices. Another very important advantage is that they take pictures with a client in mind. Anyway, the good times are over and I certainly would not encourage people - who have to start from scratch - to enter the stock business. How does it work? I didn't contact Alamy. Alamy contacted me. I don't think my contract differs much from yours nor does the workflow. You simply use different pseudos for each photographer so you know who sold what. No big deal, just the bookkeeping will be more complicated Cheers, Philippe Thanks Philippe. I heard back from Alamy and to register as an agency I have to represent at least 5 photographers. That is very unlikely. As to contract, I was thinking more along the lines of the contracts you would have with the photographers you represent. Is their a nice standard form somewhere? I considered separate pseudos under me but is that allowed? As they aren't my photographs. Probably should email MS about that too. Jill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dov makabaw Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 Watch out for tax ramification. Makes sense to use separate pseudos in the name of the people you represent. God luck dov Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacecadet Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 If they haven't the time to do the KW that means you will be doing it. Have you got the time? Of course you'd want a good piece of the commission for that alone. On my RPI I certainly wouldn't take it on unless at Philippe says on a very regular volume basis of sure-fire sellers. I think I'd want an up-front advance per image. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Endicott Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 Jill, first and foremost, I would be sure that you re-read your contract with Alamy. There are a couple of provisions you should pay close attention to prior to making the decision. A couple that pop up.... Be sure your contributors understand Alamy's contract (and your contract with them)..... 1.3 Under this contract (subject to the restrictions stated in the contract) you have the right to: 1.3.1 Control country, usage, media type and industry in which Images are available for use by Customers for Rights Managed Images but not for Royalty Free images or Novel Use Licences, for all Images except video clips. 1.3.2 Control whether each Image you submit is displayed as Rights Managed or Royalty Free, and in either case whether your Images are available for Novel Use Licences. 1.3.3 Choose whether to opt into the Distribution or Novel Use Schemes. 1.3.4 Delete any Images after one hundred and eighty (180) days notice. On image deletion Alamy will cease to grant Licences for the Image so deleted (but without prejudice to any Licences which may subsequently be granted for Images already downloaded). 1.3.5 Update the System, and must do so in respect of any sale on exclusive terms not made via the Alamy System. 1.3.6 Supply your Images on a non exclusive basis and may therefore sell your Images in any other way you wish. 1.3.7 Only if you are an Agency Contributor you may set your own prices for your Royalty-Free Images (but not for Rights Managed or Novel Use Licences). 1.3.8 Terminate the contract on 45 days’ notice in accordance with the section entitled "Termination" in the Terms and Conditions. second, be sure to get a contract from each person prior to submitting their images. Remember that under Section 1.4 of your contract with Alamy you must have their permission to submit their images to Alamy.... 1.4 Under this contract you must 1.4.1 Be the Copyright owner of the Images or have authority from the Copyright owner to enter into the Contract. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Elliott Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 5 photographers to register as an agency? That's curious as there is a very well known pro photographer on here who has images registered as an agency. As far as I know, said photographer does not represent other photographers so how come they are registered as an agency and why? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin P Wilson Posted August 11, 2014 Share Posted August 11, 2014 5 photographers to register as an agency? That's curious as there is a very well known pro photographer on here who has images registered as an agency. As far as I know, said photographer does not represent other photographers so how come they are registered as an agency and why? I suspect it will be historic. The rules were different in the early days. I think I may be an agency not that it seems to give me any detectable benefits; but then I joined in 2002 and was planning to build a library at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jools Elliott Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 5 photographers to register as an agency? That's curious as there is a very well known pro photographer on here who has images registered as an agency. As far as I know, said photographer does not represent other photographers so how come they are registered as an agency and why? I suspect it will be historic. The rules were different in the early days. I think I may be an agency not that it seems to give me any detectable benefits; but then I joined in 2002 and was planning to build a library at the time. You could be right. Just looked at your stuff and you do indeed come up as an agency. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert M Estall Posted August 12, 2014 Share Posted August 12, 2014 I became a small specialised agency more by accident than by design. It's a long story and I certainly would not do it to-day. But it did very well for maybe 20 years. Did you/do you tidy up/clean up your son's room? If Yes, all is lost and you might as well do his keywording and PP work as well! Otherwise he needs to get real and do his own keywording and learn to go through the Alamy hoops if he hopes to make it as a photographer even if it is only part of the plan. On no account take on a few snaps from friends; no matter how they protest, they will forever have this nagging hope that you will get something published and windfalls may occur. Keywording and captioning other peoples work is at least twice as hard as doing your own. As far as working with Alamy; it makes no difference as far as I can see. The deal is the same. feeling a little remorse about my room cleaning remark, I have set about clearing up this tip of an office, so something useful has resulted from your question. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jill Morgan Posted August 12, 2014 Author Share Posted August 12, 2014 I became a small specialised agency more by accident than by design. It's a long story and I certainly would not do it to-day. But it did very well for maybe 20 years. Did you/do you tidy up/clean up your son's room? If Yes, all is lost and you might as well do his keywording and PP work as well! Otherwise he needs to get real and do his own keywording and learn to go through the Alamy hoops if he hopes to make it as a photographer even if it is only part of the plan. On no account take on a few snaps from friends; no matter how they protest, they will forever have this nagging hope that you will get something published and windfalls may occur. Keywording and captioning other peoples work is at least twice as hard as doing your own. As far as working with Alamy; it makes no difference as far as I can see. The deal is the same. feeling a little remorse about my room cleaning remark, I have set about clearing up this tip of an office, so something useful has resulted from your question. My son is not looking for fortunes in photography. He is in film, but does like to do stills when the mood besets him. He spends hours in Premiere PP film, so doesn't want to do more in stills. But he is talented in his photography and of course I would take a cut. As to the friends, one in particular is very very talented but again, very busy and knowing the tough road to income in stock, hasn't really bothered, but I think in the long haul she could do well. She already has quite a large portfolio.. She does most of her own PP so would only need me for keywording. Jill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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