MicrostockGroup
Agency Based Discussion => Crestock.com => Topic started by: News Feed on May 18, 2009, 10:15
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A Guided Tour in Yuri Arcurs' Photo Studio
A guided tour in Yuri Arcurs' studio at Aarhus in Denmark - see how he works and organizes his sets and get a unique look behind the scenes at one of the most successful and productive stock photography studios in the world!
http://www.crestock.com/blog/photography/a-guided-tour-in-yuri-arcurs-photo-studio-172.aspx
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yep.. it looks pretty big alright :)
Here is the video
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYkNKP96b84&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]
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Holy heck, that's a lot of overhead costs! Nice setup, Yuri.
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That's just plain crazy. I wonder how long it took to amass all that stuff.
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Holy heck, that's a lot of overhead costs!
Yes, Mr. Locke, and it gives a great idea of what not to shoot, like blonde models in IKEA (http://www.ikea.com/l) pseudo-globalist living an bed rooms, hospital beds and cheering nannies in a black non-reflective wheelchair. He got a bit fat, right, after turning 30 ;D
I just wonder how he will get a tropical waterfalls, sunsets or architects in his fancy studio. The message still is, be different, at 1/10th of the cost. And the bottomline is still 0.25$ at Crestock 8)
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I cant imagine what his building costs are plus all his props. No stock photographer has that kind of overhead. That is insane. Paying for a complete staff, models, MA's, Assistants out the wazoo. I just dont see how he makes so much money after all his overhead.
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Makes my studio look like a shed.
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makes my studio look like ... oh wait.. what studio... oh yeah I don't have a studio :(
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I cant imagine what his building costs are plus all his props. No stock photographer has that kind of overhead. That is insane. Paying for a complete staff, models, MA's, Assistants out the wazoo. I just dont see how he makes so much money after all his overhead.
He doesn't. He said his profit is only 20% in another thread.
Here's my studio tour. "Check out this wall here. Here's my clothes rack. There's the bathroom. Now, get out."
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I think I'll quit... :o
:D
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His studio makes mine look empty. LOL I have 1600 sq ' spacious with tall vaulted ceilings and a changing room having makeup mirrors and a wardrobe of model clothing. My walls are brick. In my spacious studio I have my lighting set-up that I move to different locations for different sets. I have a chase lounge, about 8 chairs and a futon and my backgrounds hanging from the walls. I have a few props crammed into a closet out of the way so it still looks nice and presentable so I can shoot senior and family photography because that is what pays our bills.
I wonder what his 20% is? Does he do anything besides stock photography?
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yep.. it looks pretty big alright :)
Here is the video
[youtube][url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck3Vh2Xp6sY&feature=player_embedded[/url][/youtube]
Video removed? Is it just me?
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This link should work http://www.arcurs.com/video-episode-5-a-tour-in-my-studio (http://www.arcurs.com/video-episode-5-a-tour-in-my-studio)
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i fixed the original link. They must have updated their video.
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I don't have a studio either, and I am happy. Imagine having to keep all that space spotless clean. That's a nightmare to me! ;D
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A friend of minelet me use his studio some time ago. It was one corner with two white walls and three lights :)
As someone said, at least we know now not to shoot, OR we could go to IKEA and have some shots done :D
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I don't have a studio either, and I am happy. Imagine having to keep all that space spotless clean. That's a nightmare to me! ;D
Me neither ;D I take almost all my shots outside in fresh air and I would like to keep it that way. ;D
Interesting video tho... Makes me happy because it's telling me I am just playing and I enjoy it a lot actually.
@FlemishDreams: Good point about what kind of shots not to make.
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Interesting video tho... Makes me happy because it's telling me I am just playing and I enjoy it a lot actually.
@FlemishDreams: Good point about what kind of shots not to make.
Yuri seems to enjoy it too: you can do it (very) seriously and still be happy with that.
We are talking about microstock here, right? You can argue again and again and explain why you don't like IKEA furnitures or blonde models, but the facts are that Yuri is #1 in this business.
The message still is, be different, at 1/10th of the cost.
And 1/100 of the earnings?
I often feel some jealousy as soon as we are talking about Yuri here ;)
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I am so utterly and completely blown away. That is a huge studio! Incredibly organized and clearly successful. Anyone that can find fault in it is trying to make themselves feel better because that is what being at the top of your game looks like.
Frankly, it's humbling to see that and makes me feel incredibly disorganized.
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And 1/100 of the earnings?
Not necessarily.
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We are talking about microstock here, right? You can argue again and again and explain why you don't like IKEA furnitures or blonde models, but the facts are that Yuri is #1 in this business.
In Europe, all my furniture happens to be IKEA ;D
The lesson is not to shoot in an IKEA environment since Yuri took that market already.
Where is the "jealousy"?
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And this is a big part of why Yuri 'owns' the market.
He decided to take traditional stock production values and saturate the microstock market.... and it worked.
I would LOVE to have the means to jump in at this level, but there is no chance for me or most of us here.
I suspect he had a big bankroll to begin with (maybe a wealthy father?), because one does not build up to this sort of studio location in only three years without either some help or a huge amount of luck.
Oh yes, by no means do I wish to belittle his talent at either photography or his business acumen. Yuri has both in spades!
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The sole purpose of such movies, sponsored by stock agency of course, is to make all Yuri-wannabies drool and start feeling sudden urge to shoot and upload more :-) Most degenerated individuals may experience urge for keywording. Please do not exceed recommended doses of watching this material.
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The sole purpose of such movies, sponsored by stock agency of course, is to make all Yuri-wannabies drool and start feeling sudden urge to shoot and upload more :-) Most degenerated individuals may experience urge for keywording. Please do not exceed recommended doses of watching this material.
Really? I thought Yuri was just sharing the love ;D
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Did anyone noticed that all his studio look like this (http://tgfwrw.bay.livefilestore.com/y1pTuDEti9PzLITnE32Nn2m2fWbvgedkEe30Pe94WfzuMm_tAQmcBsJORZDDzmCZdb47Kf3QYbT25nqQDb30en48A/forum2-4134.jpg)
But seriously I like this guy :)
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Did anyone noticed that all his studio look like this
That door is not from IKEA but from Handyman Inc. ! :P
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I enjoyed watching that and I love the way Yuri has gone for it. I wonder how much all that costs per month?
Working in a studio doesn't appeal to me personally but that is what is great about doing this, we can all do our own thing.
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I enjoyed watching that and I love the way Yuri has gone for it. I wonder how much all that costs per month?
Working in a studio doesn't appeal to me personally but that is what is great about doing this, we can all do our own thing.
It's not cheap in overhead. But it is cheap in production costs now that it is all there. It's was a long term thing from the start. It was built from the ground and it took us a year to built. Microstock paid for it, so I did not get this studio because of a big bank roll as some suggested.
It's a playground for stock freaks.
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The lesson is not to shoot in an IKEA environment since Yuri took that market already.
Running scared is not necessarily the lesson either.
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I am probably wrong, but the building looks like it was a greenhouse that was converted to a studio. It must have great ventilation to keep it cool.
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Interesting video tho... Makes me happy because it's telling me I am just playing and I enjoy it a lot actually.
@FlemishDreams: Good point about what kind of shots not to make.
Yuri seems to enjoy it too: you can do it (very) seriously and still be happy with that.
We are talking about microstock here, right? You can argue again and again and explain why you don't like IKEA furnitures or blonde models, but the facts are that Yuri is #1 in this business.
The message still is, be different, at 1/10th of the cost.
And 1/100 of the earnings?
I often feel some jealousy as soon as we are talking about Yuri here ;)
OMG Araminta, how can I be jealous at someone who is not my competition at all? :D I am a vet, and I play with microstock. Yuri is microstock photographer and he can just play with animals. What I said is people often enjoy more doing things just for playing than doing them professionally. He HAS to do it all the time, and I don't. He can enjoy it, but I can enjoy more when I take few shots outside and then I sit on my balcony to drink some coffee or juice without pressure to do certain number of images and pay all those people etc etc. And vice versa, I am sure Yuri will enjoy much more in just playing with some cute dog, cat or what ever, than treating their diseases and performing rectal examination. ;D
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I am a vet, and I play with microstock. Yuri is microstock photographer and he can just play with animals. What I said is people often enjoy more doing things just for playing than doing them professionally. He HAS to do it all the time, and I don't. He can enjoy it, but I can enjoy more when I take few shots outside and then I sit on my balcony to drink some coffee or juice without pressure to do certain number of images and pay all those people etc etc. And vice versa, I am sure Yuri will enjoy much more in just playing with some cute dog, cat or what ever, than treating their diseases and performing rectal examination. ;D
I also enjoy more shooting macro, sitting for hours in a meadow outside. And I also wouldn't enjoy working as Yuri does.
But I wouldn't assume either that Yuri enjoy less his way of doing things. People are different.
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It's not cheap in overhead. But it is cheap in production costs now that it is all there. It's was a long term thing from the start. It was built from the ground and it took us a year to built. Microstock paid for it, so I did not get this studio because of a big bank roll as some suggested.
It's a playground for stock freaks.
all money reinvested, and all tax deductible anyway.
and re someone else's comment of a converted greenhouse, that wouldn't be a bad idea. skylight.
i love that idea of a converted greenhouse.
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Seems to me a pretty usual residential / office area...
http://www.findvej.dk/Mejlgade71,8000 (http://www.findvej.dk/Mejlgade71,8000)
bye!
Antonio
I am probably wrong, but the building looks like it was a greenhouse that was converted to a studio. It must have great ventilation to keep it cool.
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I had the same thought - it's a greenhouse:) Not that there is anything wrong with it - the light should be great, especially with those hanging light-diffusing panels instead of ceiling. Top diffused light makes everything look so nice. Thanks for sharing Yuri - that's pretty neat. Although, for me 2 white walls and 3 lights still works fine:), but every kid has a right to have all they toys they want, why not.
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Seems to me a pretty usual residential / office area...
[url]http://www.findvej.dk/Mejlgade71,8000[/url] ([url]http://www.findvej.dk/Mejlgade71,8000[/url])
I am probably wrong, but the building looks like it was a greenhouse that was converted to a studio. It must have great ventilation to keep it cool.
Most residences don't have transparent ceilings.
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very cool!
(I could just imagine my kids with furniture on wheels... races with the stove...)
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i love that idea of a converted greenhouse.
Might work in Denmark but don't try that in the tropics (200m from the sea, air humidity 95%, air temp 34C). Washed out make-up, droplets of sweat on faces, wet rings under arms in shirts, tired models, etc..
I had to move all my stuff in a tiny closed room with a 2HP airco. >:(
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I dont know that I could be a full time stock photographer. I enjoy doing all kinds of photography too much. I have never paid a model to pose for stock and would not want any overhead. Too many great models that would do it for free.
I have done fashion model shoots but never set up a set for stock. Thought about it but I think I would use what I have and not invest much into it and just be creative.
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So, how do your sales turn out, not paying anyone and being creative?
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Disneyland, Disneyworld and Yuriworld ;) I´m honestly jelous :'(
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So, how do your sales turn out, not paying anyone and being creative?
What's your arrangement with models? Is there any fee beyond the usual in TFP (transport, food, drinks)? I know some people work with a percentage of sales only, to keep the model motivated.
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Fantastic setup!!! Thanks for showing us round Yuri!
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So, how do your sales turn out, not paying anyone and being creative?
What's your arrangement with models? Is there any fee beyond the usual in TFP (transport, food, drinks)? I know some people work with a percentage of sales only, to keep the model motivated.
Are you asking me or lephotography?
BTW, I told a model the other day that I am not able entertain the "percentage of sales" model, sorry if that means we can't work together.
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Are you asking me or lephotography?
You, since you seemed to imply that in order to stay creative, you'll have to pay (models?). Perhaps I misunderstood.
BTW, I told a model the other day that I am not able entertain the "percentage of sales" model, sorry if that means we can't work together.
The TFP model is still very workable for beginning or aspiring models.
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I feel if I am trying to make money off of even beginning or aspiring models, they deserve some money up front, especially as I am not going to try and waste my time shooting for their portfolio. No TFP for me.
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Yuri's studio is awesome:) (drooling on my keyboard after watching the video). Our two studios combined are not anywhere near that ;( had to shoot more :). But seriously the idea of different and always "ready" setups sounds very effiency when shooting. Overhead in initial installment is huge, but it long run it should work well. As I like to shoot food and related setups the idea of moveable kitchen furnitures looks ideal (no space here, but maybe someday).
BTW How about starting "show us your studio (some images of each other studios etc, because that way we can learn new things too)" thread over here Microstock group?
br, MjP