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Author Topic: 2014: your image market predictions & personal resolutions ?  (Read 16361 times)

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« on: December 20, 2013, 07:25 »
+1
What will happen and how are you planning to take your work forward ?


« Reply #1 on: December 20, 2013, 08:26 »
+10
It seems to me like we've passed the peak in this business. Yuri wrote a blog post a while back about how much less he makes per image nowadays than during the golden days, and other top sellers (and medium and low sellers too, for that matter) seem to be reporting decreasing sales.

I only create vectors and I've noticed that I have to spend a lot more time on a vector nowadays to make it stand out, and yet there's no guarantee that it will sell very well. So I'm slowly getting more and more bored with this business. Why spend ten hours on a vector that hardly sells at all?

I don't think the microstock industry will die but I can't see how it would be possible for the contributors to make more money or even stay on the same level, when competition just gets tougher every day. So my resolution for the new year will probably be to find another job.  :P

ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #2 on: December 20, 2013, 08:29 »
+1
What will happen and how are you planning to take your work forward ?
You go first second.

« Reply #3 on: December 20, 2013, 08:41 »
+2
.
« Last Edit: May 12, 2014, 00:00 by tickstock »

« Reply #4 on: December 20, 2013, 08:49 »
+11
Learn a lot about SEO with self-hosting and keep on drawing.
I agree, the peak has passed, but Im also convinced microstock will still make sense for dedicated contributors.

PaulieWalnuts

  • We Have Exciting News For You
« Reply #5 on: December 20, 2013, 09:13 »
+2
Diversify.  That's my word of the year.

Yep, same here.

I haven't been spending much time on microstock lately. I've seen excellent growth every year until 2013 where growth totally stalled.

2014 will be spending more time on my own site, shifting to macro to see if there's any life left in it, and experimenting with artwork and other non-stock channels.

« Reply #6 on: December 20, 2013, 09:41 »
+9
You go first second.

OK: I think Symbiostock has the potential to be one of the biggest stories in 2014. I am not part of it but can see that it is a big achievement already. I could definitely see groups emerging from within it and forming their own mini-agencies whilst still being in some ways part of the wider project as a whole. I would expect to see some big 'players' joining which should give it a boost. Maybe even subscriptions. It needs to be a much more unified customer experience like an agency - but I have no doubt that will gradually happen and especially within smaller groups.

Personally - Alamy RM and Airbnb is becoming a big part of my life. And much smaller cameras - since I like to be able to travel with only carry-on luggage.

Ron

« Reply #7 on: December 20, 2013, 14:31 »
+7
In 2014 I am going to focus on my new freelance service in cooperation with a project called TripShooter. They accepted me as one of their in house photographers. You go on holidays in Dublin or another famous city in Europe and you can hire our services, pick your photographer available in that city, and we will eternalize your trip and the best part is, you will be in the photos this time! They liked my snapshots, my style matched with their objective. New opportunities.

« Reply #8 on: December 20, 2013, 14:53 »
+4
1. Submit only to few sites that generate enough sales for regular payouts.
2. Learn more about video, experiment more with video (I am happy I sold a video at SS today ;-) )
3. Take it easy and shoot what I like :-)

« Reply #9 on: December 20, 2013, 17:56 »
+3
Keep it as a self-financing hobby while remembering that a day's MS income is approximately 5 minutes income from the day job, i.e. don't forget where the actual money comes from.

Lev

« Reply #10 on: December 20, 2013, 18:08 »
+3
2014 will be amazing.

we are planning to triple our income comparing to 2013.

« Reply #11 on: December 20, 2013, 18:58 »
+4
More than tripled my stock photography income this year and hope to do even better in 2014 since I was not able to put the time into it that I would have liked in 2013.

1. I'm still seeing good growth in my microstock portfolio so I plan to increase my files on the various micro sites that are earning for me.
2. My income on Alamy dropped this year which was a big disappointment and I'm hoping to find other outlets for my RM work, though I will still contribute to Alamy.
3. Best licensing fees are coming from direct editorial licensing of my stock so I plan to approach more publishers and increase my income from those sources. I'm also putting together larger lightboxes of images for the publishers I'm working with now, hoping my income from those existing clients will increase as well. I think my direct marketing efforts are paying off better than my more general marketing efforts on various social media sites, so I will spend more time on the former and less on the later, though I still plan to stay fairly active on twitter, etc and also hope I'll finally find the time to really work on my blog.
4. Also hoping to show more of my work in galleries as that was a good income source for me this year and I'm hopeful it will be even better in 2014. Along those same lines, my income from Fine Art America is growing and I plan to keep uploading work there.
5. Of course, I also plan to keep taking on regular photography and writing assignments - both editorial and corporate/commercial.[/li][/list]

Best of luck to all and happy new year!  8)

« Reply #12 on: December 20, 2013, 19:07 »
+2
2013 was my most successful year since starting out in 2009. Microstock is about 35% of my income, the rest comes from from other self employment (non photography) but the plan is to turn photography/design into 50% or more of my income in 2014 which would allow me to spend more time with the family.

The market is unpredictable....I haven't read an accurate assessment from anybody on here, in a blog or in the press in five years...so I won't even go there.

« Reply #13 on: December 20, 2013, 19:09 »
-1
2014 will be amazing.

we are planning to triple our income comparing to 2013.

how do you know the next year sales? crystal ball? ;D

edited: you guys can hide this post but I haven't said anything stupid, how can anyone know if agencies will maintain/lower royalties or even some closing doors or dramatic changing in terms of searches or lowering marketing or approving different content? I can only understand "triple income" statements if there is inside info regarding future earnings, yes I mean deals ;)
« Last Edit: December 21, 2013, 07:14 by luissantos84 »

Shelma1

  • stockcoalition.org
« Reply #14 on: December 20, 2013, 19:40 »
+6
I plan to do more drawing and uploading to really increase my portfolios, and less time working in ad agencies. I'm hoping to transition to illustration full time within the next two years. Then I'll move to a nice, warm climate.

Goofy

« Reply #15 on: December 20, 2013, 19:44 »
+3
at my level all I have do is submit more and pray... :D



stocked

« Reply #16 on: December 21, 2013, 04:38 »
0
2014 will be amazing.

we are planning to triple our income comparing to 2013.
you go exclusive? ;)


ShadySue

  • There is a crack in everything
« Reply #17 on: December 21, 2013, 05:28 »
0
2014 will be amazing.

we are planning to triple our income comparing to 2013.
you go exclusive? ;)

Nowadays, that's no guarantee of anything.

stocked

« Reply #18 on: December 21, 2013, 05:58 »
0
2014 will be amazing.

we are planning to triple our income comparing to 2013.
you go exclusive? ;)

Nowadays, that's no guarantee of anything.
Therefore the  ;)

« Reply #19 on: December 21, 2013, 07:35 »
+4
Work harder and smarter and concentrate on what I can control :)

Beppe Grillo

« Reply #20 on: December 21, 2013, 10:45 »
-2
If I will not make better in 2014 I surely suicide

« Reply #21 on: December 21, 2013, 10:57 »
+1
Work harder and smarter and concentrate on what I can control :)

+1

« Reply #22 on: December 21, 2013, 16:01 »
+3
In 2014, microstock's downward spiral will only accelerate.  Small agencies that offer fair deals but can't make sales will disappear.  The big agencies will announce nothing except more great "deals" like IS/Google and SS/FB, in which the agencies keep all the real money -  in the form of upfront fees - while offering pitiful token returns to contributors.   Contributors will respond by telling each other that it "sounds like a good deal."

The SS/FB deal was the final straw for me: I say we've seen the future, and it's 35 cents.  So I'm not doing any more photos specifically for microstock.  I've sold a few prints on FAA and from now on,  the only photos I do will be things I actually like and intend to offer through FAA or other "art" channels.   I might also put them on a couple of micro sites - if they're lucky - but I'm done thinking about microstock as a goal in itself.

« Last Edit: December 21, 2013, 16:22 by stockastic »

« Reply #23 on: December 21, 2013, 16:26 »
0
Wheres the evidence of this downward spiral?

Batman

« Reply #24 on: December 21, 2013, 17:56 »
0
Work harder and smarter and concentrate on what I can control :)

+1

Make Symbiostock the new place to grow. Old will go level and not grow more, small will fall and fail more.

« Reply #25 on: December 21, 2013, 18:40 »
+1
You go first second.

OK: I think Symbiostock has the potential to be one of the biggest stories in 2014. I am not part of it but can see that it is a big achievement already. I could definitely see groups emerging from within it and forming their own mini-agencies whilst still being in some ways part of the wider project as a whole. I would expect to see some big 'players' joining which should give it a boost. Maybe even subscriptions. It needs to be a much more unified customer experience like an agency - but I have no doubt that will gradually happen and especially within smaller groups.

Personally - Alamy RM and Airbnb is becoming a big part of my life. And much smaller cameras - since I like to be able to travel with only carry-on luggage.

I really hope you are right on Symbiostock! :D

lisafx

« Reply #26 on: December 21, 2013, 18:50 »
+2
2014 will be amazing.

we are planning to triple our income comparing to 2013.

how do you know the next year sales? crystal ball? ;D

edited: you guys can hide this post but I haven't said anything stupid, how can anyone know if agencies will maintain/lower royalties or even some closing doors or dramatic changing in terms of searches or lowering marketing or approving different content? I can only understand "triple income" statements if there is inside info regarding future earnings, yes I mean deals ;)

Jeez Luis, you make a joke and people act like you peed in their conflakes ;)

FWIW, I agree with you - too many variables in this industry and too many changes in too short a time to make any firm predictions. 

I can only predict I will keep at it and try to come up with good ideas and execute them with care.  Anything beyond that is out of my control and therefore beyond my ability to predict :)
« Last Edit: December 21, 2013, 18:54 by lisafx »


« Reply #27 on: December 21, 2013, 18:52 »
+6
I hope Symbiostock takes off, but I'm not getting on board yet. The problem I see is lack of committed developer support going into the future.

« Reply #28 on: December 21, 2013, 18:53 »
+2
I really hope you are right on Symbiostock! :D

i only really said that I think it will be one the biggest stories; that I see it as a great achievement; that I think mini-agency like groups will emerge within it and that some big 'players' will likely adopt it.

I didn't predict anything about money or market share. I think I was making a relatively neutral prediction tbh.
« Last Edit: December 21, 2013, 18:56 by bunhill »

« Reply #29 on: December 21, 2013, 20:18 »
+2
2014 will be amazing.

we are planning to triple our income comparing to 2013.

how do you know the next year sales? crystal ball? ;D

edited: you guys can hide this post but I haven't said anything stupid, how can anyone know if agencies will maintain/lower royalties or even some closing doors or dramatic changing in terms of searches or lowering marketing or approving different content? I can only understand "triple income" statements if there is inside info regarding future earnings, yes I mean deals ;)

Jeez Luis, you make a joke and people act like you peed in their conflakes ;)

FWIW, I agree with you - too many variables in this industry and too many changes in too short a time to make any firm predictions. 

I can only predict I will keep at it and try to come up with good ideas and execute them with care.  Anything beyond that is out of my control and therefore beyond my ability to predict :)

I agree, much appreciated Lisa! :)

« Reply #30 on: December 21, 2013, 21:18 »
+1
I hope Symbiostock takes off, but I'm not getting on board yet. The problem I see is lack of committed developer support going into the future.

You could always spend a little of your own money and have another coder tweak it to be exactly what you need. Here's a good place to start.

« Reply #31 on: December 22, 2013, 03:30 »
+1
H'mm marked down for asking for evidence?

Ron

« Reply #32 on: December 22, 2013, 06:09 »
+2
If someone says they are planning to triple their income they dont need a crystal ball. The key is in the word planning. If you have 10k images on 10 agencies, and you are going to add 30k more and expand to 20 agencies you can say you are planning to triple your income

« Reply #33 on: December 22, 2013, 06:35 »
+2
Thats right though you need to take into account that any additional agencies are likely to be lower earners. Whilst you can plan increased income I wouldn't take out a loan based on it  ;)

Lucadp

« Reply #34 on: December 22, 2013, 07:12 »
+4
the same things that i've done over the last three years:
model, render, upload, sell, request payment...model, render, upload, sell, request payment...and so on :)

« Reply #35 on: December 22, 2013, 08:14 »
0
If someone says they are planning to triple their income they dont need a crystal ball. The key is in the word planning. If you have 10k images on 10 agencies, and you are going to add 30k more and expand to 20 agencies you can say you are planning to triple your income

sure, we can say whatever we wish!

« Reply #36 on: December 22, 2013, 09:08 »
+5
I have a choice, I can choose between two options:

1.. Either I can put more work into my pictures, more photoshopping and more travelling around to get the well selling pictures in the 2-3 digit class to try to compete.
2.. or  I can chose to seek out the easy pictures. Like when Im already carrying my camera and I just have to point at a roadsign to make a stockphoto. A click, and it will earn 5 dollars.

Well, I took that decision already in 2010. When I found out I couldnt compete. So I only make cheap and easy pictures for stock, or what  I stumble over.
The eleborate works, go elsewhere, is not done, or I might even, if I have already done something elaborate for a different purpose, upload it to stock and get 50 dollars in return. Just because the picture is already done.
Advanced works, and dedication is not an option in the stock market anymore.

We are working for pennies, and I simply try to ajust my hourly wage to a decent amount.

« Last Edit: December 22, 2013, 15:38 by JPSDK »


« Reply #37 on: December 22, 2013, 09:23 »
+4
Or make "cheap" photos look expensive ;)

« Reply #38 on: December 22, 2013, 12:07 »
+3
6 years in microstock producing 1000-1200 pictures/year during recent years ...

I've got 35% increase of microstock income in 2012, and about 15% in 2013.

2014?
I would be happy if I can keep the same level of income from microstock and devote more time for other projects.

BTW. I am not checking my monthly sales stats any more. I am just counting actual payments and looking at this from the annual perspective. In early years, I used to have a regular growth of sales every month. Nowadays, it's more complicated with a lot of month to month variability and different payment schedules.

lisafx

« Reply #39 on: December 22, 2013, 17:25 »
+2
Or make "cheap" photos look expensive ;)

That is definitely the holy grail of microstock :)

Grafix04

« Reply #40 on: December 22, 2013, 22:09 »
+3
Or make "cheap" photos look expensive ;)

That is definitely the holy grail of microstock :)

That was true 10 year ago.  Today the holy grail of microstock is making expensive photos cheap - at our expense.

2014, my goal is pretty much the same as my goal has been this year and last - to disassociate myself from agents and photographers who continue to contribute to the pressure of cheapening my images and join forces with those who know their worth and who demand to be remunerated appropriately.  The rest can kick rocks.

Uncle Pete

« Reply #41 on: December 23, 2013, 10:00 »
0
I have a choice, I can choose between two options:

Agree with the rest of your message also. I'll add my two options:

1. Cut Bait
2. Or Fish

First is create new, second is start editing things that I have in the Working folders on the hard drive. I have much more shot, to be edited, than I can shoot in the next year. Thus, time to start fishing and stop creating more unfinished projects.

While some people wish to expand by adding new, more equipment, more staff, getting bigger, I think the idea of creating product for less, based on the lower returns, can be a good plan. Lower expenses, lower production costs = greater profits and more income.

I do have two goals for 2014.

First: Get the independent site up and running, whatever software it takes. Nothing fancy I just want to have a way to show a special collection I'm working on, and have an easy cart with one time use license. CHEAP! (that would exclude places that charge per month for warehousing my images and I do the promotions. Also anything that has Pay software which will exceed the expected returns for the first two years)

Second: Start adding much more Editorial to SS. That used to be sent to Alamy exclusively, but they have fallen off so much that SS presents a better opportunity for returns on efforts. License conflict has had me only adding a test batch to SS because of that RF/RM issue. Follow the money.

Three: (oh wait, I said two didn't I?) I guess three will have to wait for 2015.  :)

Or make "cheap" photos look expensive ;)

Yes!


Diversify.  That's my word of the year.

This is the right advise. I am trying to expand the breadth of my port and also started shooting video in addition to stills. I currently only have 20 vids or so on p5 and SS with no sales. Like images I know I need usable content and a lot of it. I need to apply to a few more agencies but will probably keep my videos to only certain agencies unlike the 10 I am on with pics.

No No - people need to specialize and find a Niche'   ::)

I find it interesting that both answers are good answers, depending on what ones goal may be. Diversify is good. But specializing is also a good plan?
« Last Edit: December 28, 2013, 10:56 by Uncle Pete »

« Reply #42 on: December 23, 2013, 13:15 »
0
Diversify.  That's my word of the year.

This is the right advise. I am trying to expand the breadth of my port and also started shooting video in addition to stills. I currently only have 20 vids or so on p5 and SS with no sales. Like images I know I need usable content and a lot of it. I need to apply to a few more agencies but will probably keep my videos to only certain agencies unlike the 10 I am on with pics.

« Reply #43 on: December 23, 2013, 14:50 »
0
I predict Another Record Year in sales and in SS Stock!
Perhaps it will Split and even be MORE FUN!
One can only hope

Merry Christmas to all

:)

Ho Ho Ho

« Reply #44 on: December 24, 2013, 17:47 »
0
Well, I have dived into microstock about 15 months ago and I don't think I did as much work as I could, but even with those conditions I got almost 800% portfolio income increase compared to December 2012. (from 60USD to 480USD)

I believe SS, Stocksy, FAA and Alamy are leaders  which will significantly continue to grow. This should help us to get the best of us, providing enough income for us to stick in this industry. At least for those, who are willing to take this seriously! :)
« Last Edit: December 25, 2013, 02:15 by 3pphoto »

« Reply #45 on: December 26, 2013, 15:28 »
+1
I hope Symbiostock takes off, but I'm not getting on board yet. The problem I see is lack of committed developer support going into the future.

Sort of agree.  It needs to works as a proper business where the founder can generate a decent income from it and continue to lead it.

« Reply #46 on: December 27, 2013, 17:29 »
0
Quote
If someone says they are planning to triple their income they dont need a crystal ball. The key is in the word planning. If you have 10k images on 10 agencies, and you are going to add 30k more and expand to 20 agencies you can say you are planning to triple your income
Quite correct!
Tripling the number of images should triple the income, while doubling the number of agencies will do nothing.


lisafx

« Reply #47 on: December 28, 2013, 00:02 »
+1
Quote
If someone says they are planning to triple their income they dont need a crystal ball. The key is in the word planning. If you have 10k images on 10 agencies, and you are going to add 30k more and expand to 20 agencies you can say you are planning to triple your income
Quite correct!
Tripling the number of images should triple the income, while doubling the number of agencies will do nothing.

Tripling your images doesn't triple your income.  Would be nice if it did, but I never heard of it happening.  Too many other factors in play. 

« Reply #48 on: December 28, 2013, 01:55 »
0
I plan to increase the average spend of my portrait customers (mostly Belly/Baby photos) so that this income will cover the loss of microstock.  This is what happened in 2013, so diversification worked for me.  I also plan to let portrait work not take ALL my time, because if I stop shooting stock, stock income will surely go down a lot more.

Leo Blanchette

« Reply #49 on: December 28, 2013, 03:43 »
+1
Image market predictions?

The way to go is not images, but multipart files.

PSDs, 3d files, etc. Stuff with multiple parts customers can work with. I'm surprised its not a more popular approach already.

This is not my own insight - someone else's -- get out of Microstock and find a more dignified way to sell such as RM. Of course I don't sell RM, so I'm just echoing stuff. But it make sense.

My goal is to make Symbiostock more easily assimilated by everyone - developers and users. A general cart for downloadable items, with emphasis on images. Also a prestine out-of-box look, then make it available in several popular market places and as a sort of standard for anyone serious about their online presence. Possibly not even dependent on Wordpress.

Of course there's the other 50% chance I'll just drop it and go back into 3d and other development. I've been tempted with making a living in electronics and getting out of the strictly digital stuff. Choices, choices...

I think 2014 will finally give us flying cars and possibly aliens will come looking for intelligent life and leave disappointed.

Goofy

« Reply #50 on: December 28, 2013, 04:46 »
+1
My goal is to do less and make more which in my day job means moving into a management position!  ;D



« Reply #51 on: December 28, 2013, 05:29 »
0
I'm spending less time on microstock.  Going to do more timelapse videos and more arty stuff.  Sold one of these last week, nice soft LCV stuff is the way forward for me  :)
http://www.saatchionline.com/art/Photography-Daisies-soft-focus-pinhole-photograph/291685/132242/view
« Last Edit: December 28, 2013, 05:31 by sharpshot »

Ron

« Reply #52 on: December 28, 2013, 05:50 »
0
I'm spending less time on microstock.  Going to do more timelapse videos and more arty stuff.  Sold one of these last week, nice soft LCV stuff is the way forward for me  :)
http://www.saatchionline.com/art/Photography-Daisies-soft-focus-pinhole-photograph/291685/132242/view
Ow my word, just opened an account as it looked interesting but they dont read IPTC data? Ugh. Thats such a let down.

« Reply #53 on: December 30, 2013, 11:12 »
0
I plan to follow my plan and I hope it works out.

Goofy

« Reply #54 on: December 30, 2013, 11:39 »
+2
My list (both business and personal):

1. Submit more
2. Take more photos
3. Process faster- do more in the camera and less in photoshop
4.  Drink more water
5. Eat less bad food
6. Don't bug my wife for you know what
7. Take some professional photos courses
8. Don't bitch about rejections or others members on MSG
9. Stop worrying about lower commissions
10. Have fun taking photos

lisafx

« Reply #55 on: December 30, 2013, 14:03 »
+3
My list (both business and personal):

1. Submit more
2. Take more photos
3. Process faster- do more in the camera and less in photoshop
4.  Drink more water
5. Eat less bad food
6. Don't bug my wife for you know what
7. Take some professional photos courses
8. Don't bitch about rejections or others members on MSG
9. Stop worrying about lower commissions
10. Have fun taking photos

Sounds like a smart list except #6.  If you stop bugging your wife, she may feel insulted.  ;)

Goofy

« Reply #56 on: December 30, 2013, 14:08 »
0
Lol on number 6

Or she might feel I have a girlfriend!



mlwinphoto

« Reply #57 on: December 30, 2013, 16:19 »
+1
Diversify.  That's my word of the year.

So, you're going to drop the crown and try some of the other microstock's out there?  'Bout time.   ;)

Actually, diversification is about the only way to make it in this business any more.  Stock agencies (RF and RM), self-marketing, print sales, teaching workshops, etc.  I know what I have to do, now it's a matter of getting the energy and motivation to do it.

lisafx

« Reply #58 on: December 30, 2013, 18:10 »
0
Lol on number 6

Or she might feel I have a girlfriend!

LOL!  First thing I'd wonder if I were her  :-X

« Reply #59 on: December 30, 2013, 21:18 »
0
[,.[


« Reply #60 on: December 31, 2013, 04:38 »
+2
Today is my first official day as a full-time microstocker :)

Money from microstock (and savings) gave me this change to quit my daily job and concentrate 100% in microstock. I felt this was the right time to took this step in my file as this is some sort of a dream job for me. Income from microstock pays the bills atm but that's pretty much it so I have to work hard.

I think there is not much of easy money left in microstock but doing quality stuff should grow my income.


 

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