Author Topic: Photoshelter is picking up steam (Read 23582 times)

Slimshady · « **on:** May 03, 2008, 06:08 »

More and more people are reporting sales. Yesterday a photographer reported in the forums that they sold two photos that brought in $5000.

72% of the first quarter sales were RM.

vphoto · « **Reply #1 on:** May 03, 2008, 08:09 »

where is the link to that report ?

Slimshady · « **Reply #2 on:** May 03, 2008, 08:19 »

The information is in their forum. You have to be an approved photo submitter in order to participate in the forum so I can't link it.

They also have recently released a Q1 sales report in the forum which has some good information in it.

epantha · « **Reply #3 on:** May 03, 2008, 08:49 »

This is the first site I signed up with a couple of months ago. The photos I have there are exclusive by my choice and I like the fact that they take some of the more artistic shots that may not be perfect "stock" material. The editability and keywording of the images is excellent and the editors have good taste in the photos they have selected. I'm optimistic but don't expect to make a ton of money there any time soon. I'll keep uploading some of my best shots and see what happens.

jsnover · « **Reply #4 on:** May 03, 2008, 17:11 »

Perhaps I should go back and add to my small portfolio there. I uploaded last fall (and it was a very slow process to disambiguate the keywords, but they did a good job with available meanings) but thought I'd wait to add to it as it didn't appear anyone was making sales at that time.

They certainly seem to have folks actively working to drum up business, which is promising indeed.

Slimshady · « **Reply #5 on:** May 03, 2008, 18:27 »

Yes the keywording process is a little bit more work than most microstock sites I have worked with but hopefully it will help buyers find exactly what they are looking for by bringing back relevant search results.

I think it's pretty cool how they have like 6 direct sales agents. They also have people reviewing photos that have a lot more experience than the people who sell $500 worth of photos and become reviewers. The whole team's credentials and experience is pretty impressive. Allen, the top dog, is proven winner in the business world. Winners usually keep winning.

I wonder how they can swing giving back 70% to photographers and still stay in business. They must have to pay their direct sales agents a commission also. Some microstock sites are only paying back 20%. I come to the conclusion that I'm either being ripped off by the microstock sites or their is more money available for purchasing photos with the higher end buyers.

snurder · « **Reply #6 on:** May 03, 2008, 23:29 »

Quote from: Slimshady on May 03, 2008, 18:27

I come to the conclusion that I'm either being ripped off by the microstock sites or their is more money available for purchasing photos with the higher end buyers.

Only you yourself can decide what your whotos are worth and where they should go. Microstock is merely a different business model that fills a need for lower budget users. It is a volume game for the photographer. A hot photo may be downloaded 800 times and earn you $800 in this volume game over time. The same photo, if offered as Licensed and Rights managed, can earn you $1500 or more for one sale.

Please note that it is not proper business practice to ffer micro as Licensed on rights managed sites. It is unfortunate that some of the Rights Managed sites do not spell this out implicitly - they are so afraid to use the "M" word (microstock). I do believe Photoshelter has taken steps to clarify their kanguage since of of their contributors had photos listed as RM that were already selling on a half dozen RF micro sites.

Licensed is there for a reason, so that usage of an image can be tracked. Once it is out in the market as RF, it is up for grabs. That is why this "exclusive buyout" that Dreamstime offers is quite the joke, although it does happen. A buyer would be stupid to do an exclusive buy on an image that has already been DL'd 250 times.

If you are interested in earnings potential for an image, the price calculator at Alamy.com is open to use without logging in. Do a search on a subject you shoot. Pick any image as long as it is "L" not RF. Then use their price calculator on it. Choose different criteria when doing this, for instance, choose one use as "Front Cover" and another price as Inside Page. It will help give you an understanding of how RM pricing works. BTW, on Alamy, the quality of the image you select won't matter. So don't worry if the image you select is trashy (unfortunately there is a lot of garbage on Alamy Alamy does not edit content, only technical quality)

I do micro mainly for my illustrations - but most of my photos go RM. I have 150+ RM on Photoshelter but just in a holding pattern there to see where things go with it.

The guy who sold the 2 for $5K on PSC is a seasoned pro already having a track record with major magazines. Just wanted to discourage any rush of upload mania there because there will be disappointment in watching every day for sales. It does not happen that way in the RM world. It is not unusal for an image to be considered by a buyer for weeks, and if it does not fit in the final product, there is a chance of the image being returned.

Some of the above cited is why FeaturePics will ultimately fail - they don't knw how to market properly for RM, and many of the contributors there that are offering images for $10 or $14 as RM (what a joke), haven't a clue as to what it is all about. Offering RM, a bulk of their (FeatPics) income should be generated from it. But they have no idea as to how to manage RM models and do not actively market such content. One of the reasons I quit FP.

As for the higher end buyers - they are out there. And only on rare occasions do they go micro.

Slimshady · « **Reply #7 on:** May 04, 2008, 06:54 »

Quote from: snurder on May 03, 2008, 23:29

Quote from: Slimshady on May 03, 2008, 18:27

I come to the conclusion that I'm either being ripped off by the microstock sites or their is more money available for purchasing photos with the higher end buyers.

Only you yourself can decide what your whotos are worth and where they should go. Microstock is merely a different business model that fills a need for lower budget users. It is a volume game for the photographer. A hot photo may be downloaded 800 times and earn you $800 in this volume game over time. The same photo, if offered as Licensed and Rights managed, can earn you $1500 or more for one sale.

Please note that it is not proper business practice to ffer micro as Licensed on rights managed sites. It is unfortunate that some of the Rights Managed sites do not spell this out implicitly - they are so afraid to use the "M" word (microstock). I do believe Photoshelter has taken steps to clarify their kanguage since of of their contributors had photos listed as RM that were already selling on a half dozen RF micro sites.

Licensed is there for a reason, so that usage of an image can be tracked. Once it is out in the market as RF, it is up for grabs. That is why this "exclusive buyout" that Dreamstime offers is quite the joke, although it does happen. A buyer would be stupid to do an exclusive buy on an image that has already been DL'd 250 times.

If you are interested in earnings potential for an image, the price calculator at Alamy.com is open to use without logging in. Do a search on a subject you shoot. Pick any image as long as it is "L" not RF. Then use their price calculator on it. Choose different criteria when doing this, for instance, choose one use as "Front Cover" and another price as Inside Page. It will help give you an understanding of how RM pricing works. BTW, on Alamy, the quality of the image you select won't matter. So don't worry if the image you select is trashy (unfortunately there is a lot of garbage on Alamy Alamy does not edit content, only technical quality)

I do micro mainly for my illustrations - but most of my photos go RM. I have 150+ RM on Photoshelter but just in a holding pattern there to see where things go with it.

The guy who sold the 2 for $5K on PSC is a seasoned pro already having a track record with major magazines. Just wanted to discourage any rush of upload mania there because there will be disappointment in watching every day for sales. It does not happen that way in the RM world. It is not unusal for an image to be considered by a buyer for weeks, and if it does not fit in the final product, there is a chance of the image being returned.

Some of the above cited is why FeaturePics will ultimately fail - they don't knw how to market properly for RM, and many of the contributors there that are offering images for $10 or $14 as RM (what a joke), haven't a clue as to what it is all about. Offering RM, a bulk of their (FeatPics) income should be generated from it. But they have no idea as to how to manage RM models and do not actively market such content. One of the reasons I quit FP.

As for the higher end buyers - they are out there. And only on rare occasions do they go micro.

How many people have photos that are selling 800 times?

Seren · « **Reply #8 on:** May 04, 2008, 12:27 »

Quote from: snurder on May 03, 2008, 23:29

It is not unusal for an image to be considered by a buyer for weeks, and if it does not fit in the final product, there is a chance of the image being returned.

Just wanted to highlight this point.

Last week I made a good rights managed sale to a designer. He downloaded the comp from an agency this time last year. It took his client a year to decide that they wanted to go ahead with the campaign.

snurder · « **Reply #9 on:** May 04, 2008, 13:03 »

Quote from: Slimshady on May 04, 2008, 06:54

How many people have photos that are selling 800 times?

I used the 800 as an arbitrary figure, and I did say HOT photo, not a puppy or kitty pic. Take a look at this image on DT. It presently has 345 DLs. Being that the image has good appeal and probably an excellent lifespan, it is likely it will receive many more good DLs in a relatively short period of time. However in the RM market, I see this photo with the potential to bring in much more.

http://www.dreamstime.com/beach-image112560

So how many people? Not many. But as you see it is not outside of the realm of possibility. It does indeed happen.

cphoto · « **Reply #10 on:** May 04, 2008, 14:30 »

Photoshelter is extremely promising; they have great people in their team and they are doing an amazing jobs in finding new customers and promoting the site.

Just uploaded 200 over night

They had more than 100,000 approved images last month and already more than 16000 photographers...

Seren · « **Reply #11 on:** May 04, 2008, 14:43 »

I suspect they're missing out on alot of overseas photographers, because they have this strange system of keeping taxes from non-US citizens. None of the other sites do it...

They look interesting, but I don't see why I should have to register with the US government to collect my full payment?

Contakt · « **Reply #12 on:** May 04, 2008, 15:57 »

Quote from: Slimshady on May 03, 2008, 06:08

More and more people are reporting sales. Yesterday a photographer reported in the forums that they sold two photos that brought in $5000.

72% of the first quarter sales were RM.

And more and more "shady" characters are coming on here and registering and talking up a site that has actually sold SFA from my perspective.

Separating the hype from reality is almost a full-time job for some of us

madelaide · « **Reply #13 on:** May 04, 2008, 16:29 »

Quote from: snurder on May 03, 2008, 23:29

Some of the above cited is why FeaturePics will ultimately fail - they don't knw how to market properly for RM, and many of the contributors there that are offering images for $10 or $14 as RM (what a joke), haven't a clue as to what it is all about.

The basic price you set at FP is for one of their cheapest use. I set mine at US$24, and when you see the other usage prices look more reasonable.

I see however two problems in their RM model:
- They show the cheapest price, so a casual buyer who does not know what this is about may pick it just because he sees the cheapest price (choosing from a group of suitable images, of course)
- If you set prices thinking of editorial uses, they look cheap in licenses for resale items. I once suggested they should rethink this balance.

Regards,
Adelaide

Slimshady · « **Reply #14 on:** May 04, 2008, 19:11 »

Quote from: Contakt on May 04, 2008, 15:57

Quote from: Slimshady on May 03, 2008, 06:08
More and more people are reporting sales. Yesterday a photographer reported in the forums that they sold two photos that brought in $5000.

72% of the first quarter sales were RM.

And more and more "shady" characters are coming on here and registering and talking up a site that has actually sold SFA from my perspective.

Separating the hype from reality is almost a full-time job for some of us

Forgive me for supporting and talking up a site that is giving 70% back to its photographers.

Cooper · « **Reply #15 on:** May 04, 2008, 20:50 »

I hope they are picking up steam. I've been contributing there for a couple of months, and while I've only got a few online, I really like the style of imagery they seem to focus on.

I see alot of complaints regarding the keywording system. I actually don't mind it. Doesn't seem to bad at all.

Contakt · « **Reply #16 on:** May 05, 2008, 03:25 »

Quote from: Slimshady on May 04, 2008, 19:11

Quote from: Contakt on May 04, 2008, 15:57
Quote from: Slimshady on May 03, 2008, 06:08
More and more people are reporting sales. Yesterday a photographer reported in the forums that they sold two photos that brought in $5000.

72% of the first quarter sales were RM.

And more and more "shady" characters are coming on here and registering and talking up a site that has actually sold SFA from my perspective.

Separating the hype from reality is almost a full-time job for some of us

Forgive me for supporting and talking up a site that is giving 70% back to its photographers.

D'yknow that's what someone who is working for them would come back with but I kinda have you spotted already.

Sorry fella, that sorta unsupported hype might work on some but not on this guy.

leaf · « **Reply #17 on:** May 05, 2008, 03:40 »

Quote from: Slimshady on May 04, 2008, 06:54

How many people have photos that are selling 800 times?

I would venture it is pretty safe to say that everyone who is making over $2000/month doing microstock has a number of images which have sold 800x

grp_photo · « **Reply #18 on:** May 05, 2008, 05:19 »

Quote from: Contakt on May 04, 2008, 15:57

SFA

what does this mean(Scottish Football Association?)

Quote

Separating the hype from reality is almost a full-time job for some of us

You speak of SS-Newbie or IS-woohay-threads?

Slimshady · « **Reply #19 on:** May 05, 2008, 05:28 »

Quote from: Contakt on May 05, 2008, 03:25

Quote from: Slimshady on May 04, 2008, 19:11
Quote from: Contakt on May 04, 2008, 15:57
Quote from: Slimshady on May 03, 2008, 06:08
More and more people are reporting sales. Yesterday a photographer reported in the forums that they sold two photos that brought in $5000.

72% of the first quarter sales were RM.

And more and more "shady" characters are coming on here and registering and talking up a site that has actually sold SFA from my perspective.

Separating the hype from reality is almost a full-time job for some of us

Forgive me for supporting and talking up a site that is giving 70% back to its photographers.

D'yknow that's what someone who is working for them would come back with but I kinda have you spotted already.

Sorry fella, that sorta unsupported hype might work on some but not on this guy.

It's not hype. It's what is right. 70% commission back to it's photographers at a fair price. Images that are going to be used to make other people money are worth much more than $1. Your standing behind the wrong team. Good luck.

Eco · « **Reply #20 on:** May 05, 2008, 07:22 »

Quote

It's not hype. It's what is right. 70% commission back to it's photographers at a fair price.

It is actually only 40% if you include the 30% taxes that they will withhold from non-US photographers if they are not registered with the US tax authority. This is totally ridiculous.

sharpshot · « **Reply #21 on:** May 05, 2008, 11:47 »

Do other sites like Getty and Corbis withhold money for non-us citizens? I don't mind claiming money back but not if photoshelter is the only site that does this.

cphoto · « **Reply #22 on:** May 05, 2008, 12:11 »

Wow Reviews are fast

Submitted multiple small batches Friday, first one has been reviewed, 2 pictures are Editor Choice, sweet!

Seren · « **Reply #23 on:** May 05, 2008, 12:14 »

Quote from: sharpshot on May 05, 2008, 11:47

Do other sites like Getty and Corbis withhold money for non-us citizens? I don't mind claiming money back but not if photoshelter is the only site that does this.

Photoshelter appear to be the only ones who do this, as far as I can see. Sounds a bit scam-like to me. Something about it isn't quite right.

stokfoto · « **Reply #24 on:** May 05, 2008, 12:26 »

Quote from: Seren on May 05, 2008, 12:14

...Sounds a bit scam-like to me. Something about it isn't quite right.

totally agree.I haven't joined with them yet but it is disappointing to hear that.

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Author Topic: Photoshelter is picking up steam (Read 23582 times)

Slimshady

vphoto

Slimshady

epantha

jsnover

Slimshady

snurder

Slimshady

Seren

snurder

cphoto

Seren

Contakt

madelaide

Slimshady

Cooper

Contakt

leaf

grp_photo

Slimshady

Eco

sharpshot

cphoto

Seren

stokfoto

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