Anyone here a member of the Stoack Artists Alliance?

Perhaps they have no room for microstock photographers, but they could have some good info info.  They keywords magazine looks interesting.

When last I heard, they were quite strongly anti microstock. I don't know if that has changed.

I don't know their rules.

I don't think they won't let you join but, as I recall, when they were created there was a lot of discussion in the AlamyPro forum on Yahoo, much of which was anti microstock.

If you do join you may feel a bit like a rabbit in a room full of foxes. (Not a good analogy, I know, but the best I can do at this hour in the morning.)
 

I think some kind of alliance would be a great idea for microstock photographers, but I am not sure if the SAA is the right fit for us. 

The only reason to join such a group would be so they would negotiate better deals for us with the micro sites.  If these folks are vehemently anti microstock, then I doubt they would bother negotiating for us.  Or else if they did it might be with an eye toward furthering the interests of trad artists, not necessarily micro artists.  (lets face it, our being put out of business would a great end result from their perspective)

If there was anyone with the time, energy, and organizational skill to form a microstock alliance that revolved around our specific issues, that would be something worth looking at.  So far nobody seems eager to step in, though...

i had a conversation with the SAA president a few weeks ago and we were discussing some RF agreements...  and based on that, i think they would welcome anyone interested that is a stock artist and has the money to join the organization.   but i am not sure, maybe there is a qualification process or application asking what agencies you contribute, not sure

jay reilly
http://www.mycameraisbiggerthanyours.com

Although I'm not a paid member yet, when I inquired they were very happy to accept my membership as a microstock photographer.   

Unless Betsy recently changed her view of microstock, last I checked they were a very anti-microstock group. If they welcome microstock artists now, it's with a handshake up front and a middle finger when your back is turned.

From their Keywords publication:

Have you heard about the web sites offering Royalty Free images for a dollar? On one of them, there�s an open chat room where the photographers post when they discover that their images are being used for ads, web banners and point-of-sale posters by major advertisers. Fellow shooters offer their congratulations.

Are we missing something? It may be exciting to see your image in print, but after the initial thrill is gone, what�s so something to think about great about giving your image away to a major corporation for a buck? (Actually, the photographer�s share is only 20 cents.) This must be why these companies are being referred to as �micropayment agencies.�

For the stock web site owner, a dollar a download can add up to millions. To an advertiser, a dollar an image is a giveaway. But for the photographer, is this any way to build a business?