Author Topic: $10 Million a Year in Sight for Yuri Arcurs - New Interview Released Today (Read 24757 times)

anc · « **on:** July 16, 2012, 11:12 »

http://hunchmag.com/interview-yuri-arcurs-the-top-selling-microstock-photographer/

New Interview with Yuri Arcurs released today has him talking about his earnings. Something he has not done for 3 years.

He also talks about starting off in Microstock today in 2012 and do people have a chance to be successful?

Talks about quality vs quanity. Talks about the early days.

ShadySue · « **Reply #1 on:** July 16, 2012, 11:17 »

You've got to hand it to him; he really works the publicity machine.
But to be fair, that's a good and interesting interview.

anc · « **Reply #2 on:** July 16, 2012, 11:22 »

what do you mean by that sue?

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #3 on:** July 16, 2012, 11:23 »

She means he got three fan threads posted here today, with no effort of his own.

Nice picture in the private jet with the hot swimsuit model and the large camera, lol.

'• Income “way higher than $3 Million a year”, 8 figures in sight'

'I invest almost all the money I earn in the company'

ie., gross is high, net is near zero (insanely high overhead). I prefer a high gross and a high net

...

'Just recently I got a stunning series of macro close-ups of eyes rejected for “out of focus” because the inspector did not know that on a macro shot you will have a very narrow focal plan as a consequence of the optics involved.'

Or, maybe they were out of focus?

'My average return on investment is currently about 30 months and I’m the world’s best!'

I'm guessing my return is 3-4 months. I won't make any claim besides that.

anc · « **Reply #4 on:** July 16, 2012, 11:29 »

"We have more than 100 people employed worldwide, and paying them their monthly salaries is our biggest expense. "

I agree with you on some level there. But I also can't help thinking to myself if he had not kept investing back into his photography, hiring staff, etc. then maybe he wouldnt be the microstock giant he is today.

PeopleImages might not have come around etc.

Maybe he has a 15 year plan with his photography and PeopleImages and part of that plan is to put all the money back into it until it is at such a size it threatens istock, shutterstock etc.

ShadySue · « **Reply #5 on:** July 16, 2012, 11:30 »

Quote from: sjlocke on July 16, 2012, 11:23

'I invest almost all the money I earn in the company'
ie., gross is high, net is near zero (insanely high overhead). I prefer a high gross and a high net ...

I noted that he says it takes him 30 months to pay for new equipment. Ha! I'm about the lowest of the low, and I don't buy new equipment until I've already earned it.
But then, in the past he's mentioned he's been sponsored by companies with equipment, and did promotional videos referencing the equipment; I'll never reach these dizzy heights.
I wonder how much he actually earns net, for himself. But it's good that he's employing and training people.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #6 on:** July 16, 2012, 11:31 »

Quote from: anc on July 16, 2012, 11:29

Maybe he has a 15 year plan with his photography and PeopleImages and part of that plan is to put all the money back into it until it is at such a size it threatens istock, shutterstock etc.

Yes, his goal is to shut you down and put you out of business by flooding the market with tons of images. Nice, eh? Then you can join his agency for 10% royalty.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 16, 2012, 11:32 »

I like your example, but making a profit in one year is nearly imposible. My average return on investment is currently about 30 months and I’m the world’s best!

seriously? never heard of that before!

or are we talking about the Arcurs, Yuri Arcurs - the top selling microstock photographer??

do we actually need to read this interview once again?

luissantos84 · « **Reply #8 on:** July 16, 2012, 11:35 »

Quote from: anc on July 16, 2012, 11:29

"We have more than 100 people employed worldwide, and paying them their monthly salaries is our biggest expense. "

I agree with you on some level there. But I also can't help thinking to myself if he had not kept investing back into his photography, hiring staff, etc. then maybe he wouldnt be the microstock giant he is today.

PeopleImages might not have come around etc.

Maybe he has a 15 year plan with his photography and PeopleImages and part of that plan is to put all the money back into it until it is at such a size it threatens istock, shutterstock etc.

16!

anc · « **Reply #9 on:** July 16, 2012, 11:39 »

Quote from: sjlocke on July 16, 2012, 11:31

Quote from: anc on July 16, 2012, 11:29
Maybe he has a 15 year plan with his photography and PeopleImages and part of that plan is to put all the money back into it until it is at such a size it threatens istock, shutterstock etc.

Yes, his goal is to shut you down and put you out of business by flooding the market with tons of images. Nice, eh? Then you can join his agency for 10% royalty.

Im not talking about being nice. Im talking about one guys plans to be successful.

Did Steve Jobs worry about "flooding" the market with Apple computers.

Any other microstocker, their goal is to get as many of their photos out there as possible, i dont see whats wrong with that.

sjlocke, your posts usually really make me laugh and i am a fan of your wit but we are going to have to agree to disagree. You seem kind of bitter on the subject.

Lagereek · « **Reply #10 on:** July 16, 2012, 11:41 »

Come on folks! you know the drill, assholes and ellbows, get out shooting instead of just reading about it. Jealous bums, the lot of ya.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 16, 2012, 11:42 »

anc you are so predictable really..

cthoman · « **Reply #12 on:** July 16, 2012, 11:49 »

Quote from: sjlocke on July 16, 2012, 11:23

'My average return on investment is currently about 30 months and I’m the world’s best!'

I'm guessing my return is 3-4 months. I won't make any claim besides that.

Is that a cost out for time or just expenses? If it's just expenses, then I don't really have any. So, my time to return is zero seconds. Maybe, I'm the world's best?

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #13 on:** July 16, 2012, 11:54 »

Quote from: cthoman on July 16, 2012, 11:49

Is that a cost out for time or just expenses? If it's just expenses, then I don't really have any. So, my time to return is zero seconds. Maybe, I'm the world's best?

I'm just thinking expenses. Although I probably spend 4-5 hours processing and keywording, so even that doesn't add a lot. I say you're the world's best.

leaf · « **Reply #14 on:** July 16, 2012, 12:00 »

Quote from: sjlocke on July 16, 2012, 11:23

She means he got three fan threads posted here today, with no effort of his own.

Nice picture in the private jet with the hot swimsuit model and the large camera, lol.

I'm pretty sure that's his Girlfriend / fiance Cecilie .. I guess that doesn't negate the fact about her being a swimsuit model.

Anyhow, nice article thanks for the link anc. It's nice to see their didn't glorify microstock. I don't think there is much doubt that Yuri has created an impressive machine.

EmberMike · « **Reply #15 on:** July 16, 2012, 12:05 »

Quote from: anc on July 16, 2012, 11:29

...I also can't help thinking to myself if he had not kept investing back into his photography, hiring staff, etc. then maybe he wouldnt be the microstock giant he is today.

PeopleImages might not have come around etc...

Depends on how you define "microstock giant." Yuri says in that interview that he "was earning the income of a plastic surgeon within the first year." That's a giant of the business by pretty much any standard, I think. And that was back when he didn't have the big staff, the huge overhead, etc.

At some point I think Yuri could have just shifted into a casual shooting mode and maintained a pretty easy million dollar annual income without all of the overhead. Or he could do exactly that now. Close the business, and just enjoy the royalties for many years to come. Why doesn't he?

I hate to say it, but I think that at least part of his motivation has to do with fame. He would do better financially on his own, without the big business overhead and 100 staff to pay. So the only reason I can think of as to why he'd do all of this is more about building his name, becoming even more well-known, and maybe creating some sort of lasting legacy as the guy who went from nothing to the biggest name in the business, and then possibly changed the very business itself.

Difydave · « **Reply #16 on:** July 16, 2012, 12:18 »

Quote from: EmberMike on July 16, 2012, 12:05

Quote from: anc on July 16, 2012, 11:29
...I also can't help thinking to myself if he had not kept investing back into his photography, hiring staff, etc. then maybe he wouldnt be the microstock giant he is today.

PeopleImages might not have come around etc...

Depends on how you define "microstock giant." Yuri says in that interview that he "was earning the income of a plastic surgeon within the first year." That's a giant of the business by pretty much any standard, I think. And that was back when he didn't have the big staff, the huge overhead, etc.

At some point I think Yuri could have just shifted into a casual shooting mode and maintained a pretty easy million dollar annual income without all of the overhead. Or he could do exactly that now. Close the business, and just enjoy the royalties for many years to come. Why doesn't he?

I hate to say it, but I think that at least part of his motivation has to do with fame. He would do better financially on his own, without the big business overhead and 100 staff to pay. So the only reason I can think of as to why he'd do all of this is more about building his name, becoming even more well-known, and maybe creating some sort of lasting legacy as the guy who went from nothing to the biggest name in the business, and then possibly changed the very business itself.

Fame with who though? Microstock people? That's hardly going to make him a household name.
If it was me, I'd be worried about the overheads. He obviously has plenty of turnover, but he also seems to have plenty of costs.
Turnover is nothing really. The only figure that matters is the bottom line after all the expenses have been taken out.

Lagereek · « **Reply #17 on:** July 16, 2012, 12:22 »

Im thinking from another angle here. How great is the everlasting demand for these type of glossy model people shots. I know that in the Getty-RM, the demand is OK, but nothing as great as it seems in micro.
I know that back in the early 90s, I was shooting brokers/dealers, with wide braces, Yuppies, by the thousands and they sold like crazy, especiually during the big-bang! however as soon as a minor depression and what-nots threatened, it was a big fat no go and these depressions seem to come more often nowdays.

Lagereek · « **Reply #18 on:** July 16, 2012, 12:29 »

Quote from: Difydave on July 16, 2012, 12:18

Quote from: EmberMike on July 16, 2012, 12:05
Quote from: anc on July 16, 2012, 11:29
...I also can't help thinking to myself if he had not kept investing back into his photography, hiring staff, etc. then maybe he wouldnt be the microstock giant he is today.

PeopleImages might not have come around etc...

Depends on how you define "microstock giant." Yuri says in that interview that he "was earning the income of a plastic surgeon within the first year." That's a giant of the business by pretty much any standard, I think. And that was back when he didn't have the big staff, the huge overhead, etc.

At some point I think Yuri could have just shifted into a casual shooting mode and maintained a pretty easy million dollar annual income without all of the overhead. Or he could do exactly that now. Close the business, and just enjoy the royalties for many years to come. Why doesn't he?

I hate to say it, but I think that at least part of his motivation has to do with fame. He would do better financially on his own, without the big business overhead and 100 staff to pay. So the only reason I can think of as to why he'd do all of this is more about building his name, becoming even more well-known, and maybe creating some sort of lasting legacy as the guy who went from nothing to the biggest name in the business, and then possibly changed the very business itself.
Fame with who though? Microstock people? That's hardly going to make him a household name.
If it was me, I'd be worried about the overheads. He obviously has plenty of turnover, but he also seems to have plenty of costs.
Turnover is nothing really. The only figure that matters is the bottom line after all the expenses have been taken out.

Dave! you nailed it completely! fame with who, us?, micros?, etc? outside here we are nobodies. Outside in the real world of commissioned photogrpahy we are totally unheard of. Fame, household names? blimey, you have to go to the photographers like Newton, Bailey, Avedon, Penn, Turner, Haas, Webber, etc, etc, whos images sell for millions at auctions.
we are still nothing but small fry.

ShadySue · « **Reply #19 on:** July 16, 2012, 12:33 »

Quote from: Difydave on July 16, 2012, 12:18

The only figure that matters is the bottom line after all the expenses have been taken out.

As in "turnover is vanity, profit is sanity"

Difydave · « **Reply #20 on:** July 16, 2012, 12:35 »

Quote from: ShadySue on July 16, 2012, 12:33

Quote from: Difydave on July 16, 2012, 12:18
The only figure that matters is the bottom line after all the expenses have been taken out.
As in "turnover is vanity, profit is sanity"

Oh yes! I actually put "turnover is only vanity" and altered it!

Difydave · « **Reply #21 on:** July 16, 2012, 12:35 »

Quote from: Lagereek on July 16, 2012, 12:22

Im thinking from another angle here. How great is the everlasting demand for these type of glossy model people shots. I know that in the Getty-RM, the demand is OK, but nothing as great as it seems in micro.
I know that back in the early 90s, I was shooting brokers/dealers, with wide braces, Yuppies, by the thousands and they sold like crazy, especiually during the big-bang! however as soon as a minor depression and what-nots threatened, it was a big fat no go and these depressions seem to come more often nowdays.

We'd better start shooting guys with a tin cup and the soles hanging off their boots While we're standing in the soup queue!
"Buddy can you spare a dime"

I'm not really joking though. . .
No doubt that "look" of his, has made a lot of money. Whether that's forever or not is, as you say a different matter. And big ships take a long time to answer the helm. . .

antistock · « **Reply #22 on:** July 16, 2012, 12:37 »

Quote from: sjlocke on July 16, 2012, 11:31

Quote from: anc on July 16, 2012, 11:29
Maybe he has a 15 year plan with his photography and PeopleImages and part of that plan is to put all the money back into it until it is at such a size it threatens istock, shutterstock etc.

Yes, his goal is to shut you down and put you out of business by flooding the market with tons of images. Nice, eh? Then you can join his agency for 10% royalty.

jokes apart he's maybe the only man in the stock business who has both the expertise of successful photographer and successful entrepreneur.

if someone tomorrow is going to launch an agency that can seriously become a big player this is Yuri, he's delivering much more than what
he says and he only focus on shooting best sellers (people, business, etc), he doesn't try to diversify in fields like travel or nature or conceptual ..

PeopleImages is the first step, next step could be the launch of the next IS/SS killer and i'm sure it's in his grand plan for stock domination.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #23 on:** July 16, 2012, 13:08 »

Quote from: antistock on July 16, 2012, 12:37

PeopleImages is the first step, next step could be the launch of the next IS/SS killer and i'm sure it's in his grand plan for stock domination.

will it have cute icons, badges and moo cards?

p.s: lets not forget that even if Yuri had his 1.4M in 2011, iStock had more 17 M

ouchie · « **Reply #24 on:** July 16, 2012, 14:26 »

"Which means by the time he has prepared and eaten his breakfast he has already made more money than most people make in a day."

All i wanted to say is WOW. Some people live a blessed life. Good fore you Yuri!

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Author Topic: $10 Million a Year in Sight for Yuri Arcurs - New Interview Released Today (Read 24757 times)

anc

ShadySue

anc

Sean Locke Photography

anc

ShadySue

Sean Locke Photography

luissantos84

luissantos84

anc

Lagereek

luissantos84

cthoman

Sean Locke Photography

leaf

EmberMike

Difydave

Lagereek

Lagereek

ShadySue

Difydave

Difydave

antistock

luissantos84

ouchie

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