Author Topic: Exploring going exclusive while remaining non-exclusive with current portfolios (Read 6209 times)

08stock08 · « **on:** March 17, 2019, 01:33 »

Need your advise and guidance.

I have good portfolios with 10 agencies which are doing fairly well with periodic returns. I am thinking of having exclusive and non-exclusive portfolios with istock, dreamstime and others. Can an individual operate like this or better a business given a name legally can operate with two portfolios. Has anyone tried.

I see with DT, it is the contract of photographer being exclusive not portfolio, so may be I would need another person to sign-up as exclusive as I am already non-exclusive there.

If it works, the business can expand and can have benefits of both being exclusive and non-exclusive. I have resources and means to setup two different production units.

Please share your views. Highly appreciated.

john_woodcock · « **Reply #1 on:** March 17, 2019, 03:43 »

You're either exclusive or not, you can't have it both ways, certainly as far as iStock are concerned.

Pauws99 · « **Reply #2 on:** March 17, 2019, 03:54 »

Quote from: john_woodcock on March 17, 2019, 03:43

You're either exclusive or not, you can't have it both ways.

You can have exclusive images but I think all the "dodging and diving" is only going to lead to trouble. I doubt there's any benefit these days on exclusive images on microstock.

dooks · « **Reply #3 on:** March 17, 2019, 04:31 »

If you decide to go exclusive with Istock, it is not content exclusive option, it is photographer shooting RF content exclusive. You can't do RF anywhere else, only RM and editorial.
By the way, does anyone know why have there been rejections for exclusivity applications lately at Istock, I remember that it used to be a matter of pushing the Apply button before. They got selective now?

tätarätä · « **Reply #4 on:** March 17, 2019, 05:44 »

If istock is thinking your contend would doing well exclusive they will contact you.
It ist quite hard to get an exclusive contract at istock nowadays.
I don't know what you are shooting. But shooting lifestyle makes it easier to get an exclusive contract.
Good luck.

dooks · « **Reply #5 on:** March 17, 2019, 05:52 »

Quote from: tätarätä on March 17, 2019, 05:44

If istock is thinking your contend would doing well exclusive they will contact you.
It ist quite hard to get an exclusive contract at istock nowadays.
I don't know what you are shooting. But shooting lifestyle makes it easier to get an exclusive contract.
Good luck.

Thank you for the info!

ShadySue · « **Reply #6 on:** March 17, 2019, 06:37 »

Quote from: dooks on March 17, 2019, 04:31

By the way, does anyone know why have there been rejections for exclusivity applications lately at Istock, I remember that it used to be a matter of pushing the Apply button before. They got selective now?

Yes, apparently they review your port.
There's a recent post by Kelvin stating this in the Discussion forum over there.

08stock08 · « **Reply #7 on:** March 17, 2019, 07:39 »

I have no wish to operate "dodging and diving" business. I want to operate legitimately and going with the rules of agencies. If nothing works, I will seek the multiple partners who will have the common pool business and exclusive and non-exclusive accounts will be operated under legal names and identities. I am going to write to agencies to seek all the advice they provide me for doing business with them fairly without breaking/bending rules.

davidbautista · « **Reply #8 on:** March 17, 2019, 10:46 »

Dreamstime and pixta are "photo" exclusive not the whole photographer exclusive such as in Istock. But it is a waste of time since they don't sell a lot (DT and pixta). I would remain non exclusive unless your iS portfolio is making more than 70-80% of your general microstock income.

Enviado desde mi ALP-L29 mediante Tapatalk

cascoly · « **Reply #9 on:** March 17, 2019, 12:50 »

Quote from: 08stock08 on March 17, 2019, 07:39

I have no wish to operate "dodging and diving" business. I want to operate legitimately and going with the rules of agencies. If nothing works, I will seek the multiple partners who will have the common pool business and exclusive and non-exclusive accounts will be operated under legal names and identities. I am going to write to agencies to seek all the advice they provide me for doing business with them fairly without breaking/bending rules.

but it does sound like you want to have another person represent they own YOUR images that you want to be exclusive - most agencies require you own the copyright of the images you submit

Pauws99 · « **Reply #10 on:** March 17, 2019, 14:32 »

Quote from: cascoly on March 17, 2019, 12:50

Quote from: 08stock08 on March 17, 2019, 07:39
I have no wish to operate "dodging and diving" business. I want to operate legitimately and going with the rules of agencies. If nothing works, I will seek the multiple partners who will have the common pool business and exclusive and non-exclusive accounts will be operated under legal names and identities. I am going to write to agencies to seek all the advice they provide me for doing business with them fairly without breaking/bending rules.

but it does sound like you want to have another person represent they own YOUR images that you want to be exclusive - most agencies require you own the copyright of the images you submit

Exactly my point ;-)

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #11 on:** March 17, 2019, 16:19 »

Look, you’re obviously trying to get around the spirit of the rules. Either you’re “exclusive” per site rules or not.

08stock08 · « **Reply #12 on:** March 21, 2019, 00:58 »

Thanks dear all for advice and putting me back on track. I will do fair business. No dodging and diving by any means.
Lets see what is in store in London for good illustration and other images in local market.