And they also know that individual microstock photographers have no bargaining power.
Right, Jon got in early and all the suckers uploaded for 25c. Now the same suckers complain that we get paid nothing. You are right because driving the value and prices down to nothing is the work of the so called professionals who sold their souls to SS for some coin. You are right, we have no bargaining power because photos, illustrations and video, the Internet, digital advances and the market have become over saturated by desperate people, willing to work for almost nothing.
We aren't artists in Microstock any more, we are producers of a commodity. Accept that position or leave. This over supply will not get better and earnings will continue to fall for individuals. Jon will keep getting richer, but what person needs a billion dollars to live comfortably? My answer of course is a raise for us to thank us for making him a billionaire.