MicrostockGroup

that is a fantastic bit of market research.

Yes I believe this is the reason for the massive increase in rejections this year. I think the buyers and agencies are looking for something new and fresh.

Personally I believe we are on the verge of something big here. The Ron Chapple's etc have huge but outdated portfolios. This is a chance for those of us who are smaller and closer to the real action of day to day business to get really creative and be the new force in micro.

We see that from the images being requested there is a huge need for senior citizens being active in their lives. We also see the need for better medical images.

Let's look at the way medicine is now being practiced. For instance ambultory care is big, nursing is the new growth area since there is a worldwide shortage of doctors. Doctors will soon be used only for acute medical situations. The new focus is on Nurse Practicioners.

Also, what are the issues facing medicine. For aged care it is the baby boomer generation facing "consumption" diseases such as lung cancer, diabetes, and obesity related illnesses.

Also, these senior citizens are unlike the generation before. 55 - 70 years of age is no longer old. Most of these people are active and their post-work lives are full of entertainment, travel, etc.

Yeah I never got the connection either Paulie. They must have a business relationship of some type.

any kind of actual market research is helpful, regardless of whether someone like brian_SV has an interest or connection.

no one wants to be in a rut, and i think the buyers too.

considering that like you said, litifeta, lots of ppl are growing old.
so buyers too are growing old and TIRED.
maybe the change in buying needs reflect this fact, ie the mouldy oldies are being given the pink slip to graze in the field with a new younger buyer taking their place.

so, new buying needs, hopefully... a big change for micro.

Would join Snapvillage and Photoshelter in giving this info absolute full endorsement. This is incredibly valuable info for photographers and is 100% relevant to microstock, too.

Nice of Crestock to jump on the bandwagon, but I thought I better point out that Photoshelters statement:
 "reports of unfair treatment of photographers"
is in reference to poor commissions being paid.

Their whole marketing campaign is geared around fair commissions for photographers.

As one (if not THE) of the lowest paying stock sites around, do Crestock still give 'absolute full endorsement' of the information, and if so does this mean that anytime in the near future you'll be raising the commision to match Photoshelter and Snapvillage?

Was definitely only relating to the thorough research they'd performed. The report is helpful to photographers for them to focus and optimize their portfolios. Finding niche markets like some of the ones mentioned in the report, and satisfying the needs of the client within that niche is how to make microstock work for you. Not wanting to ignore your concerns, tho we have discussed it before. I hope its only a matter of time before photographers like yourselves, and the 100s others in a similar situation will get on board with Crestock. We continue to listen to your concerns, but have a plan and we will continue work hard and follow that through.

There probably is speculation over the direction or future of microstock. Unfortunately, for some of the smaller or amateur photographers, whats happening is simply a shift in focus. What may feel like a downturn for some, is just that things are changing. Microstock is changing in the way that highly professional people are entering the industry and getting ready very large amounts of well-researched, well-composed, and well-keyworded images that are bred to sell. There is no agency that will suffer from lack of images and clients expectations will rise with the increase of hi-quality images.

What i see in the report provided by Photoshelter is a well-researched way of escaping the pinch, improving your images, and selling more.

Double Post!
Quote or Modify David