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May 26, 2012, 02:55

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Topic: 3 years as a full-time stock photographer

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Elenathewise

« on: February 01, 2011, 12:15 »

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Today is exactly 3 years since I walked out of my corporate job and became a full-time stock photographer.
It's been a lot of work but also a lot of fun, and in spite of some unpleasant things that are happening in the industry I am looking forward to many more!
I also gave in to nudging from some people and started a blog where I wrote up some thoughts about my experiences and my views on microstock:
blog.elenaphoto.com
There will be more - am planning to update it weekly. Now, where is that champaign?


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cthoman

« Reply #1 on: February 01, 2011, 12:33 »

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Congrats. It takes a lot of courage to quit a steady income and pursue something you're interested in.


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lisafx

Premium Member

« Reply #2 on: February 01, 2011, 12:35 »

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Congrats Elena

It has certainly been (and continues to be) a wild ride, hasn't it?!


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grp_photo

« Reply #3 on: February 01, 2011, 12:35 »

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Quote from: cthoman on February 01, 2011, 12:33

It takes a lot of courage to quit a steady income ..

lol stock-photography is my most steadiest income Cheesy


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Fotonaut

« Reply #4 on: February 01, 2011, 13:03 »

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Well done, congratulations! I have an enourmous respect for anyone who makes their own living.


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pinkarmy25

New Member

« Reply #5 on: February 01, 2011, 13:38 »

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Congrats! I hope to be as upbeat in three years when I look back


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Elenathewise

« Reply #6 on: February 01, 2011, 14:19 »

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Thank you all:) Wild ride it has been but hey at least it's not boring!:-)


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ceeker

New Member

« Reply #7 on: February 01, 2011, 16:59 »

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Congratulations Elena!!

So nice to hear someone being positive about this industry!!

I am currently on the verge of taking the full time plunge myself and it so nice to hear from someone who is actually doing it! Makes me feel much more confident in my descision!

Thanks!!!


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leaf

Premium Member

« Reply #8 on: February 01, 2011, 17:46 »

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Congrats on the milestone elena.


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PixelsAway

« Reply #9 on: February 01, 2011, 19:20 »

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Congratulations!

So, you don't miss physics at all?

I am 1/2 time scientist (meteorology) and 1/2 time photographer.
Microstock supposed to be only a temporary fix for a lack of funding in science,
but, now, I am trying to do both. Probably, that's not the best idea.


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Elenathewise

« Reply #10 on: February 01, 2011, 21:35 »

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Quote from: ceeker on February 01, 2011, 16:59

You're welcome

I am glad I could provide something positive.... We do need a bit of optimism here, it's too much doom and gloom around... things are not that bad.


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Elenathewise

« Reply #11 on: February 01, 2011, 21:38 »

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Quote from: PixelsAway on February 01, 2011, 19:20

Actually, I do miss physics a bit, physics is nice and lovely, but it turned out not to be my passion!


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Elenathewise

« Reply #12 on: February 01, 2011, 21:41 »

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Quote from: leaf on February 01, 2011, 17:46

Congrats on the milestone elena.

Thanks - it takes a bit of slowing down to even notice that there is a milestone.... three years flew right by.


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suemack

« Reply #13 on: February 02, 2011, 00:30 »

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Lovely reading such a positive post about microstock. Congrats, I'll look forward to reading more about your journey!


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Anyka

Premium Member

« Reply #14 on: February 02, 2011, 00:58 »

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Congratulations! I wish I had your courage to quit my job too! How much have you diversified, or are you 100% stockphotography ?


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Lagereek

« Reply #15 on: February 02, 2011, 02:26 »

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Congrats!! Im sure you have many more years left and you certainly dont lack incentives, thats for sure.

best.


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Elenathewise

« Reply #16 on: February 02, 2011, 11:47 »

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Thank you all:)

Quote from: Anyka on February 02, 2011, 00:58

Congratulations! I wish I had your courage to quit my job too! How much have you diversified, or are you 100% stockphotography ?

100% stock photography. I haven't been even looking for clients. I am very happy with my lifestyle, sometimes I feel a bit isolated, but then there is Facebook:)


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grp_photo

« Reply #17 on: February 02, 2011, 12:24 »

#link

Quote from: Elenathewise on February 02, 2011, 11:47

I am very happy with my lifestyle, sometimes I feel a bit isolated, but then there is Facebook:)

lol


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ceeker

New Member

« Reply #18 on: February 02, 2011, 17:31 »

#link

Quote from: Elenathewise on February 02, 2011, 11:47

Thank you all:)

Quote from: Anyka on February 02, 2011, 00:58

Congratulations! I wish I had your courage to quit my job too! How much have you diversified, or are you 100% stockphotography ?

100% stock photography. I haven't been even looking for clients. I am very happy with my lifestyle, sometimes I feel a bit isolated, but then there is Facebook:)

Hi again Elena, just wondering if you have made any inroads into the RM market, as I was thinking this may be a good idea also...


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Elenathewise

« Reply #19 on: February 02, 2011, 22:24 »

#link

Quote from: ceeker on February 02, 2011, 17:31

Quote from: Elenathewise on February 02, 2011, 11:47

Thank you all:)

Quote from: Anyka on February 02, 2011, 00:58

Congratulations! I wish I had your courage to quit my job too! How much have you diversified, or are you 100% stockphotography ?

100% stock photography. I haven't been even looking for clients. I am very happy with my lifestyle, sometimes I feel a bit isolated, but then there is Facebook:)

Hi again Elena, just wondering if you have made any inroads into the RM market, as I was thinking this may be a good idea also...

My images on Getty are RM but I am not too happy with sales there. So practically all of my stuff is RF.


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littleny

« Reply #20 on: February 03, 2011, 06:42 »

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Hey Elena that is fantastic and your portfolio is beautiful..
wondering, if you dont mind my asking, how do your sales on your personal website compare to the microstock sites?


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Elenathewise

« Reply #21 on: February 03, 2011, 12:45 »

#link

Quote from: littleny on February 03, 2011, 06:42

Hey Elena that is fantastic and your portfolio is beautiful..
wondering, if you dont mind my asking, how do your sales on your personal website compare to the microstock sites?

Thank you - the site that sells my images in only a couple of weeks old

So it's too early to tell. We did have some sales already, so hopefully this trend continues:).


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littleny

« Reply #22 on: February 03, 2011, 12:50 »

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good luck with that..
keep us updated on how thats going


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redwater

« Reply #23 on: February 03, 2011, 15:55 »

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Good to know that you're doing well and enjoying the ride. i took the plunge myself as a full-time microstocker in April 2009 and never looked back.


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RacePhoto

« Reply #24 on: February 03, 2011, 22:44 »

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Nice going. I'm still amused by someone having their own proprietary software for keywording and the extent of your efforts to become a success in three years. Not what the average person or even a success driven person might do. It's exceptional. Oh that and something like someone like myself couldn't buy in another 30 years of trying or training. Artistic ability and creativity! Cheesy


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