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Author Topic: Do you make a living at this?  (Read 17783 times)

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« on: February 18, 2009, 08:24 »
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Is this your main income or you do this on the side?

The images are selling so dirt cheap that I am wondering if someone can make a living after all ... ???


Microbius

« Reply #1 on: February 18, 2009, 08:54 »
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no one can make a living doing this. Anyone who thinks they can is wasting their time. Especially starting from scratch now.

Nothing to see here, move along.

« Reply #2 on: February 18, 2009, 09:05 »
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Nope, not even close. But it does help offset the cost of some of my gear.

« Reply #3 on: February 18, 2009, 10:24 »
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no one can make a living doing this. Anyone who thinks they can is wasting their time. Especially starting from scratch now.

Nothing to see here, move along.

... is the right answer.

« Reply #4 on: February 18, 2009, 10:37 »
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So, it's a $2/hour job then!

I guess, it's not a question to ask as some people are doing well and others not so well. It all depends of what you have to offer and the quantity you submit.

I guess...  :-\

« Reply #5 on: February 18, 2009, 11:05 »
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It all depends of what you have to offer and the quantity you submit.

Nope, it's a question of quantity you sell, not quantity you submit.

Microbius

« Reply #6 on: February 18, 2009, 11:29 »
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It all depends of what you have to offer and the quantity you submit.

Nope, it's a question of quantity you sell, not quantity you submit.
lol, spot on

lisafx

« Reply #7 on: February 18, 2009, 11:36 »
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no one can make a living doing this. Anyone who thinks they can is wasting their time. Especially starting from scratch now.

Nothing to see here, move along.

... is the right answer.

 ;D

« Reply #8 on: February 18, 2009, 12:27 »
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So, it's a $2/hour job then!

More like 1$. There really is no money in Microstock, not when you start now. The first mice got the cheese. Better move on.  ;D
« Last Edit: February 18, 2009, 12:29 by FlemishDreams »

« Reply #9 on: February 18, 2009, 12:33 »
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Okay guys, got it: stupid question!!!

« Reply #10 on: February 18, 2009, 12:39 »
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The truest things are said in jest, while there are quite a few who are making a living from this, the returns are diminishing particularly for new contributors. The way the search rankings work for many sites - particularly IS, DT and FT makes it harder and harder for new contributors to achieve what has been achieved before.

« Reply #11 on: February 18, 2009, 12:45 »
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I can realize that, I was a graphic designer just a few years ago and purchased images between $50 to $600 for my company (it was heaven for photographers)... So now since everything is SO cheap, I was just wondering if there was someone in the world who made any living at this. I got chew up, man!

« Reply #12 on: February 18, 2009, 12:58 »
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My photos sales make up about 25-30% of my income after doing this for a couple years. I dont think I will ever get to a point where 100% of my income is from stock, but 90-95% would be pretty cool.

« Reply #13 on: February 18, 2009, 15:44 »
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Thanks travismanley and holgs!
That's the kind of info I was wondering about. I understand very well that no one can expect revenues right from the beginning, it's like any other freelance job...... Tough out there!

« Reply #14 on: February 18, 2009, 15:49 »
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I now make quite a bit more out of stock than I do my day job.

tan510jomast

« Reply #15 on: February 18, 2009, 16:38 »
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i suppose if you're living in a country where the wages is pittance, selling on microstock would be attractive.
if you're asking if this is a better way to earn a living,  i would say playing flute walking on stilts at the underground would earn you 24 bucks an hour.
if you're tossing burger in US or Canada, i would say that would still have you better off , as you don't have to pay for expensive camera, battery, mem card, lights,etc..
but, one could still squeegee  windscreens at the junction and make far more money , ... without any initial investment.  ;)
... and you get to be outside in the open air all day.  :D
« Last Edit: February 18, 2009, 16:41 by tan510jomast »

gbcimages

« Reply #16 on: February 18, 2009, 16:51 »
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I don't make much from micro.I'm retired so  I hope to make enough to buy my hunting stuff from my photos. :)


« Reply #17 on: April 08, 2009, 01:46 »
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So, if it is getting harder and harder for us newbies to get beyond the microstock bottom rung (admittedly, I haven't been doing this long, and I don't have a huge portfolio - but I haven't sold a single download yet - not even to a subscription earning me a pitiful 20c - perhaps it says something about my photos :-[), is there an alternative - other than learning how to play flute while walking on stilts..?  I never thought I'd make a fortune, but the constant battle to try and achieve even a single image that would sell is taking the fun out of my hobby.

vlad_the_imp

« Reply #18 on: April 08, 2009, 05:24 »
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I've been doing it for around 3 years and make a good living. It's about quantity and quality

« Reply #19 on: April 08, 2009, 07:33 »
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You can make good living at this, especially if you live in countries where life is cheap. Here, average monthly salary is about 300$ and people live with that. But if you live in USA or EU.... you have to be really good in this business to make living selling your photos this way.

« Reply #20 on: April 08, 2009, 09:33 »
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It's about quantity and quality

Exactly

« Reply #21 on: April 08, 2009, 09:37 »
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... and toasted goodness.

« Reply #22 on: April 08, 2009, 09:40 »
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Here, average monthly salary is about 300$ and people live with that.

$300! Where do you live? (if you dont mind me asking). I might need to move there when I retire lol

« Reply #23 on: April 08, 2009, 13:35 »
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Microstock will amount for about 10% of my income and I'm getting around 20-25$/hour. I started more seriously in may 2008 but had a little portfolio before that since september 2007. I still consider myself a newbie. At the beginning, the pay was a LOT lower because I had to learn the tricks and tips: post-process, keywording (was a pain at first), uploading, etc. Now that I'm used to it, I'm slowly cruising. I could make a lot more money if I put the time into it. You get what you invest in (in terms of hours).

good luck!

gbcimages

« Reply #24 on: April 08, 2009, 14:01 »
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you don't live in American for $300!

« Reply #25 on: April 08, 2009, 14:04 »
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you don't live in American for $300!

no kidding...not even close. maybe if you still live with your parents and dont have a mortgage, rent, car payment, etc.

lisafx

« Reply #26 on: April 08, 2009, 15:21 »
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If you check whitechild's profile you will see he is from Serbia, not USA. 


« Reply #27 on: April 08, 2009, 15:23 »
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If you check whitechild's profile you will see he is from Serbia, not USA. 

I assumed he was not from the US.

« Reply #28 on: April 08, 2009, 15:25 »
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For people who live in high cost-of-living areas, it is quite hard to make a living out of microstock. In San Francisco Bay Area, for example, an average rent for a two bedroom apartment is around $1,800  while mortgage for a house if $3,000 minimum, and that's not counting property taxes and the rest of the bills.

In my case, i would be very satisfied if microstock earnings come to 1% of my total earnings, as they are right now at about 0.1%. I still derive satisfaction from ever 25 cents I get because it means someone liked my image enough to buy it :) If I manage to offset the cost of some of my gear along the way, even better!

lisafx

« Reply #29 on: April 08, 2009, 15:34 »
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If you check whitechild's profile you will see he is from Serbia, not USA. 

I assumed he was not from the US.

The point I was making is that rather than having to speculate or wonder where someone is from, people can click on the profile and find out.   :)

vonkara

« Reply #30 on: April 08, 2009, 15:41 »
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In Montreal ( not true for all Canada), you can live with 900$ (cad) a month, or around 750$ american dollars. This come with a decent apartement and a free shooting range environment

« Reply #31 on: April 08, 2009, 15:43 »
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Same for Winnipeg, Canada, if not even lower than that.

vonkara

« Reply #32 on: April 08, 2009, 15:50 »
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Same for Winnipeg, Canada, if not even lower than that.
Haaa Winnipeg! The home of the Thane.ca H2O vac  ;D (kidding)

lisafx

« Reply #33 on: April 08, 2009, 15:51 »
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In Montreal ( not true for all Canada), you can live with 900$ (cad) a month, or around 750$ american dollars. This come with a decent apartement and a free shooting range environment

Wow, really?!!  Low cost of living and free universal healthcare.  You guys have it made.

If I wasn't afraid of the cold weather I would pack up and move to Canada! 

vonkara

« Reply #34 on: April 08, 2009, 16:07 »
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In Montreal ( not true for all Canada), you can live with 900$ (cad) a month, or around 750$ american dollars. This come with a decent apartment and a free shooting range environment

If I wasn't afraid of the cold weather I would pack up and move to Canada! 
LOL we have the underground city downtown, whit a thousand stores and all the subway stations inside. Some people live there and never go outside for all winter. I just made some photoshoot there and I lost myself each times. For cold you are right though. Nothing worst than being slammed in the face by the cold and abrasive winter wind.

Edit: That's why our old people, enough rich after living with low costs, go in florida  :D
« Last Edit: April 08, 2009, 16:10 by Vonkara »

lisafx

« Reply #35 on: April 08, 2009, 16:12 »
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LOL we have the underground city downtown, whit a thousand stores and all the subway stations inside. Some people live there and never go outside for all winter. I just made some photoshoot there and I lost myself each times. For cold you are right though. Nothing worst than being slammed in the face by the cold and abrasive winter wind

That underground city sounds pretty cool!  Definitely worth checking out as a visitor, but I can't imagine living where I couldn't see the sun every day.  Don't a lot of people get Seasonal Affective Disorder (depression caused by too little sunlight) there?

OTOH if you decide to escape the cold by coming to Florida you should sitemail me and we can get together for a shoot :)

Quote
That's why our old people, enough rich after living with low costs, go in florida  Cheesy

Boy is that the truth.  In winter when I go out on the roads I see almost as many Quebec license plates as Florida ones :D
« Last Edit: April 08, 2009, 16:14 by lisafx »

« Reply #36 on: April 08, 2009, 16:16 »
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Me and the wife went to Florida a couple years ago (Disneyworld) and it was so ridiculously hot and humid...in October! It was like a constant adventure to get from one air conditioned place to the next.

My first digital camera actually fried due to the weather, luckily it was just a point and shoot. 

Guess im not used to the heat being from WA.


« Reply #37 on: April 08, 2009, 16:24 »
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Same for Winnipeg, Canada, if not even lower than that.
Haaa Winnipeg! The home of the Thane.ca H2O vac  ;D (kidding)

Yup :) It used to be the home of Winnipeg Jets as well, i guess it got too cold for them :)

« Reply #38 on: April 08, 2009, 16:27 »
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That underground city sounds pretty cool!  Definitely worth checking out as a visitor, but I can't imagine living where I couldn't see the sun every day. ...


Sorry to burst your bubble, but the 'underground city' is just a downtown shopping mall laid out in concourse fashion. Nobody lives there, they just use it to get around after getting off the metro. There's one in Toronto, too.

As far as living on $750 USD goes, that's really a stretch, no matter where you live in Canada - it's below the poverty line! It's just not possible to have any sort of 'quality of life' in Canada with that meagre income.
« Last Edit: April 08, 2009, 16:40 by sharply_done »

lisafx

« Reply #39 on: April 08, 2009, 16:32 »
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Me and the wife went to Florida a couple years ago (Disneyworld) and it was so ridiculously hot and humid...in October! It was like a constant adventure to get from one air conditioned place to the next.

My first digital camera actually fried due to the weather, luckily it was just a point and shoot. 

Guess im not used to the heat being from WA.

The weather here is strange.  It can hot as blazes in October or November and then we have days like yesterday where it was in the 50s (Farenheit) in April.  In spring and autumn you never know how to dress without turning on the weather channel, LOL.  

Orlando is particularly hot and humid because it is landlocked.  On the east or west coast you get more of an ocean breeze.  

Sorry to the OP for getting off track and turning this into a Florida weather report ;)

FWIW (and back on topic) the cost of living here is reasonable enough to be able to live comfortably with a total family income in the mid-high five figures.

lisafx

« Reply #40 on: April 08, 2009, 16:35 »
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That underground city sounds pretty cool!  Definitely worth checking out as a visitor, but I can't imagine living where I couldn't see the sun every day. ...

Sorry to burst your bubble, but the 'underground city' is just a downtown shopping mall laid out in concourse fashion. Nobody lives there, they just use it to get around after getting off the metro. There's one in Toronto, too.

Well, to be honest it wasn't my bubble, was it? 

I was responding to someone else's post about it. :)

gbcimages

« Reply #41 on: April 08, 2009, 16:36 »
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I'm also from WA and the cost of living is pretty high here.

« Reply #42 on: April 08, 2009, 16:39 »
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OMG, it would take TWO welfare cheques to make $750 U.S. and live the good life in Winnipeg. The only problem is it is not quite enough to buy much in cigarettes, beer, glue and grass, but yes we have some lovely neighborhoods where you can pull it off on $750 a month.  You just have to be careful and mind the occasional stray bullet zinging by, or someone beating you up as you walk home with your six pack, but other than that our trendy little inner city neighborhoods are world class!!!

« Reply #43 on: April 08, 2009, 16:45 »
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OMG, it would take TWO welfare cheques to make $750 U.S. and live the good life in Winnipeg. The only problem is it is not quite enough to buy much in cigarettes, beer, glue and grass, but yes we have some lovely neighborhoods where you can pull it off on $750 a month.  You just have to be careful and mind the occasional stray bullet zinging by, or someone beating you up as you walk home with your six pack, but other than that our trendy little inner city neighborhoods are world class!!!

I was offered a beer at couple of occasions while strolling downtown Winnipeg but that's about it :)

vonkara

« Reply #44 on: April 08, 2009, 18:07 »
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Sorry to burst your bubble, but the 'underground city' is just a downtown shopping mall laid out in concourse fashion. Nobody lives there, they just use it to get around after getting off the metro. There's one in Toronto, too.

As far as living on $750 USD goes, that's really a stretch, no matter where you live in Canada - it's below the poverty line! It's just not possible to have any sort of 'quality of life' in Canada with that meagre income.
Students from McGill college are linked directly to the underground, the residence also. There's also all the condominiums around ( some look like office buildings but are condos). The underground make around 5 to 8km and is linked to 4 subway station. (Even greater using your link Sharply)

From your wiki connected areas include shopping malls, apartment buildings, hotels, condominiums, banks, offices, museums, universities, seven metro stations, two commuter train stations, a regional bus terminal and the Bell Centre amphitheatre and arena.[

I don't know what you mean about quality of life, but I assure you that I am actually living in Montreal with that amount of money... You should look at your source Sharply

« Reply #45 on: April 08, 2009, 18:35 »
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This is getting way OT, and I wouldn't bother responding save for the fact that people might think $750 USD per month is enough to live in Canada. As I said earlier, making this amount per month (currently about $11k CAD annually) is below the poverty line. Here's a citation: http://www.ccsd.ca/factsheets/fs_lic01.htm

Oh, and also from my wiki: "For most Montrealers, however, it tends to be considered more as a large mall complex linking metro stations - they may not know they are in it."


That's it, I'll shut up and go away now, I promise.
« Last Edit: April 08, 2009, 18:45 by sharply_done »

« Reply #46 on: April 08, 2009, 18:48 »
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Canada sounds cool, I like that. Sitting in a blockhouse and doing illustrations, going for a walk with the dog while the pCs are working....well, sounds good. But, i'm worried about how canadian authorities will react if i declare my business as a microstock illustrator :-).



« Reply #47 on: April 08, 2009, 18:51 »
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This is getting way OT

Well not really, since the definition of "making a living" depends on the place where you live, especially since this is a global business.

« Reply #48 on: April 08, 2009, 19:15 »
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This is getting way OT

Well not really, since the definition of "making a living" depends on the place where you live, especially since this is a global business.

I agree. It can be very relative.

« Reply #49 on: April 08, 2009, 19:49 »
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This is getting way OT, and I wouldn't bother responding save for the fact that people might think $750 USD per month is enough to live in Canada. As I said earlier, making this amount

I'd say for a family that $7500 per month is a bit of a stretch in most urban centers in Canada.

vonkara

« Reply #50 on: April 08, 2009, 20:24 »
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I'd say for a family that $7500 per month is a bit of a stretch in most urban centers in Canada.

I said 900CAD for a decent appart in a peaceful environment. I live well but by myself (No family)


 

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