christian58 Posted March 6, 2015 Share Posted March 6, 2015 I think you missed my point - I think we actually agree. I need, want, to get away from generic stock. It is a mass market where the retailer is the only one that makes real money, through aggregation. Suppliers of commodity products always get squeezed. My point about diversificataion was about finding that specialised niche that both interests me and where my enthusiasm can show through. As I have said in the past, a very small niche would be ideal as I am not looking to get rich, just make enough to live comfortably. A small niche can be more personal and hopefully less attractive to all and sundry so face less competition. The big challenge, as always, is finding the route to market; it is almost certainly not the Alamy, G, C et al. Oh Ok Martin I see. Sorry mate! well I think you're on the right track. Problem is that if stock is a full-time thing, there are two micros that you really need to be with, they are selling big time, all the time and you know it's a matter of trying to earn as much as possible, best. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sheila Smart Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 Fees like $10.00 are the reason why I have placed restrictions editorial>editorial website on ALL of my work. I suggest others do likewise! Sheila Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacecadet Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 If I did my aleady modest sales would drop even further. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Brook Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 ... The big challenge, as always, is finding the route to market; it is almost certainly not the Alamy, G, C et al. To be fair to A: available evidence, such as it is, suggests that it is possible to generate a living wage through high quality volume production, probably specializing in secondary editorial, probably with a niche element. To be fair to the other two: available evidence, such as it is, more than suggests that a salary can be drawn without the need to produce thousands of images. I don't give too much credence to my own data*, but it very much tallies with figures from various sources, including this forum, including posts that have been removed. * For example: I have 32 of the very same images here, as I do at one of the others. They have been here longer. No sales at all here, sales every month at the othe place. I also have a few hundred archival images at the other place, in another collection, that are roughly in the same ballpark as work I have here. Because of the 50% commission I do better with those here. Where and how you sell very much depends on what you have to sell. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lochlomond Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 Same here. A sale last week for $8.80! Plain ridiculous !! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Travelshots Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 5 sales this month for $6.02 each. This is just stupid Alamy really should put a bottom line of about 15$ on everything. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Duncan_Andison Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 I think you missed my point - I think we actually agree. I need, want, to get away from generic stock. It is a mass market where the retailer is the only one that makes real money, through aggregation. Suppliers of commodity products always get squeezed. My point about diversificataion was about finding that specialised niche that both interests me and where my enthusiasm can show through. As I have said in the past, a very small niche would be ideal as I am not looking to get rich, just make enough to live comfortably. A small niche can be more personal and hopefully less attractive to all and sundry so face less competition. The big challenge, as always, is finding the route to market; it is almost certainly not the Alamy, G, C et al. Oh Ok Martin I see. Sorry mate! well I think you're on the right track. Problem is that if stock is a full-time thing, there are two micros that you really need to be with, they are selling big time, all the time and you know it's a matter of trying to earn as much as possible, best. Hmmm, I wonder who those could be Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spacecadet Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 No, I really do wonder. I don't have a clue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Linda Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 I've licensed many images for $300-$2500+ this year as I always have. Have content that people will pay for. I don't put those types of images here as I knew they would probably just get knicked instead of purchased so the only way to buy is thru my own agencies.I have hundreds of thousands of images on my 2 sites but only registered buyers get the password to view all images. Another reason for that is because in the past I've found many photographers(not from Alamy) copying my locations and captions/keywords verbatim.One from another agency was stupid enough to leave my name in the keywords. Low rates and copyright issues are two of the main reasons I quit Alamy. Still here until my images vanish!L Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin P Wilson Posted March 10, 2015 Share Posted March 10, 2015 Would anyone be interested in a FB group to explore the wider stock photography market? I am a member of a FB writers' group (now with 340+ members) that spun off from a content publishing site when we needed to discuss matters that were inappropriate on a public forum associated with our publisher. It has turned into a very useful, positive and supportive group that needs no moderation - everyone acts like grown-ups. It would be particularly useful to discuss the wider stock photograaphy market as it seems to be changing (again!) and for us to keep in touch with online friends and colleagues as they move on to other things. It would certainly not replace these Alamy forums or be a place to bitch about Alamy; it should be about professional matters, wider opportunities and mutual support generally - the sort of stuff we give and receive by email but in a shared environment. Provisionally I have set up Professional Stock Photographers as a closed FB group so you will have to request membership but if I know you or you have the credentials I will accept your request asap. I appreciate FB may not be the best format or indeed suit everybody but it has worked for the writers and requires minimal administration (which is where a lot of groups have failed in the past). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Todd Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 I'm up for that Martin. As a member of EPUK I've been keeping an eye on the developments of the Alamy contract and it looks like I will also terminate within the next few days so it will be good to keep in touch elsewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stokie Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 I've licensed many images for $300-$2500+ this year as I always have. Have content that people will pay for. I don't put those types of images here as I knew they would probably just get knicked instead of purchased so the only way to buy is thru my own agencies.I have hundreds of thousands of images on my 2 sites but only registered buyers get the password to view all images. Another reason for that is because in the past I've found many photographers(not from Alamy) copying my locations and captions/keywords verbatim.One from another agency was stupid enough to leave my name in the keywords. Low rates and copyright issues are two of the main reasons I quit Alamy. Still here until my images vanish! L Linda, Could you remove your existing images, leave Alamy, then rejoin under a different name (not your real name), put one throwaway image up, and hey presto you can still join in the fun here!? John. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alex Todd Posted March 11, 2015 Share Posted March 11, 2015 I've licensed many images for $300-$2500+ this year as I always have. Have content that people will pay for. I don't put those types of images here as I knew they would probably just get knicked instead of purchased so the only way to buy is thru my own agencies.I have hundreds of thousands of images on my 2 sites but only registered buyers get the password to view all images. Another reason for that is because in the past I've found many photographers(not from Alamy) copying my locations and captions/keywords verbatim.One from another agency was stupid enough to leave my name in the keywords. Low rates and copyright issues are two of the main reasons I quit Alamy. Still here until my images vanish! L Linda, Could you remove your existing images, leave Alamy, then rejoin under a different name (not your real name), put one throwaway image up, and hey presto you can still join in the fun here!? John. It's possible to join again as some are members with 0 images because they don't want people knowing their portfolio under a different name. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gruffydd Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 I suggest we put a 'tip jar' and Paypal link to all of our images available on agency sites! Anyone that licenses our images..if they really love it,can chip in some extra money without a commission being taken! If it works for blogs.... L I just think I have had the first tip under this new scheme - $1.99 just appeared in my account. Oh, hang on, it's actually a sale: $6.61 gross, $1.99 net. Country: Norway Usage: Editorial Media: Editorial website Placement: Single Placement Image Size: up to 1/4 screen Start: 01 February 2015 End: 01 March 2015 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Posted March 13, 2015 Share Posted March 13, 2015 As a member of the Newspaper Scheme, sub $10 sales are to me commonplace. This is a relatively new market, normally web use only with many thousands of images used. Multiple sales can result leading to a reasonable return over time, and of course your ranking is boosted so increasing the chances of more lucrative deals. As Chuck rightly says, the days of big 3 figure stock deals are perhaps coming to and end and survival depends upon flexibility. I can understand those with access to exclusive opportunities wanting to protect their assets, but for many, myself included, that's just something to dream about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Mitchell Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 As a member of the Newspaper Scheme, sub $10 sales are to me commonplace. This is a relatively new market, normally web use only with many thousands of images used. Multiple sales can result leading to a reasonable return over time, and of course your ranking is boosted so increasing the chances of more lucrative deals. As Chuck rightly says, the days of big 3 figure stock deals are perhaps coming to and end and survival depends upon flexibility. I can understand those with access to exclusive opportunities wanting to protect their assets, but for many, myself included, that's just something to dream about. It sounds as if the newspaper scheme makes sense if you're in the UK and have the right kind of images. However, for those of us living on distant shores, it's a different story (as is Alamy "live news"). My last sale to a UK newspaper (I'm not in the scheme) was for about $60. Looked like the image was used to illustrate a travel story on Mexico. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryan Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 It sounds as if the newspaper scheme makes sense if you're in the UK and have the right kind of images. However, for those of us living on distant shores, it's a different story (as is Alamy "live news"). My last sale to a UK newspaper (I'm not in the scheme) was for about $60. Looked like the image was used to illustrate a travel story on Mexico. I suspect that you are right in that the mundane shots of public buildings etc that regularly sell to UK newspapers would be difficult for you to obtain. However the papers do use photos of extreme weather from around the world, with lots of snow and ice photos including those taken in New York and Niagara featuring recently. I didn't spot any from Alamy live news this time around. A tad difficult from, relatively sunny, Vancouver I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southpole Posted March 14, 2015 Share Posted March 14, 2015 $10 wow I only got $8.17 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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