Author Topic: How much has your best selling image made you? (Read 16402 times)

leaf · « **on:** October 27, 2006, 15:04 »

Of course it has a lot to do with time your images have been online, but none the less. How much has your best selling image earned you across the micros you sell

beisea · « **Reply #1 on:** October 27, 2006, 17:21 »

Since I only started in late July, so my number did not make lots of sense, but here is mine:

This image made me $28.75 at SS ( 1 ESL ), $1 at DT, $0.70 at FT, rejected by StockXpert, $1.6 at IS, rejected by BigStock, so total about $32.05 in couple of month.
http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=1701128
My most downloaded image is from SS, 80 downloads in 2 1/2 month for $20.00, but no ESL.

madelaide · « **Reply #2 on:** October 27, 2006, 18:23 »

I don't have that statistics, because I would have to gather information from all sites. The one with most downloads had 39 and I believe I've earned about $15 with it. Another best seller is an exclusive at DT and with 23 dlds I've earned $15.20.

Regards,
Adelaide

Inger Anne Hulbækdal · « **Reply #3 on:** October 27, 2006, 19:36 »

My best selling image has so far earned me 43.60 dollars and one euro from seven sites.

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup.php?id=1130579

Inger

Freezingpictures · « **Reply #4 on:** October 28, 2006, 02:53 »

My best selling Image has earned me arround 120$

chellyar · « **Reply #5 on:** October 28, 2006, 03:15 »

This image...

http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup.php?id=1286330

$139.95 US across four sites since the 8th of Feb this year.

$61.00 on Fotolia (inc. Two extended)
$46.60 on Istock
$16.50 on Dreamstime
$15.85 on Shutter stock

Interestingly, this does not follow the general stats for my whole portfolio on microstock, I make over 50% of my money on Istock, but not for this image it would seem.

Leaf, how about you; you asked the question, but havn't stumped up your hidden gem... :-)

leaf · « **Reply #6 on:** October 28, 2006, 03:53 »

I don't have this stat, so I have to go to all the sites and calculate it (and figure out exactly which image it is). I will do it later today

sharpshot · « **Reply #7 on:** October 28, 2006, 07:23 »

How do you work out how much a photo has made on istock? I have stats for sales but can't see how much individual photos have made.

maunger · « **Reply #8 on:** October 28, 2006, 07:52 »

Quote from: sharpshot on October 28, 2006, 07:23

How do you work out how much a photo has made on istock? I have stats for sales but can't see how much individual photos have made.

Go to http://www.istockphoto.com/my_uploads.php and it is in the far right column called "royalties"

leaf · « **Reply #9 on:** October 28, 2006, 18:09 »

If you click on the column heading then it will sort your images by that column, so you can easily see which image has earned you the most.

a.k.a.-tom · « **Reply #10 on:** October 28, 2006, 20:21 »

I'm too new to compete with you folks in sales. A funny thing though. 'bout two weeks ago I posted to Shutterstock a series of 3 xrays of my knee. Guess I have sexy bones. They've sold 20 times already!! Forget about the landscape, the office meeting or the sliced vegetable shots.... dig out your old xrays, take a pic of them and get'em posted. Ha ha ha ha ha ha...

sharpshot · « **Reply #11 on:** October 29, 2006, 02:38 »

Thanks for the info.

My best selling photo so far has made $15. Haven't had an EL yet after just over 3 months doing this.

http://www.shutterstock.com/pic.mhtml?id=1946664

leaf · « **Reply #12 on:** October 29, 2006, 05:18 »

well i didn't realize how hard this question was to answer before i tried to calculate it. My answer is still a pretty vague guess, but i think it is somewhat realistic. Some sites i can't figure out how much an image has made (like fotolia) because i can't seem to see the total sales for an image. I also realized that it is a bit of a vague stat, because on some sites i have an image that has sold 120 times, yet on all the other sites it has sold 2 or 3 times. That is search ranking for you.

None the less, i do have a couple images that are selling somewhat allright on most sites... and adding the totals, and guessing for the other sites, perhaps they just pop over $100.

FourSeasons · « **Reply #13 on:** October 29, 2006, 13:01 »

My bestseller earn me $206, on iStockPhoto

leaf · « **Reply #14 on:** October 29, 2006, 13:27 »

wow, that is really good.

FourSeasons · « **Reply #15 on:** October 29, 2006, 13:37 »

Thank you. Just checked this image earnings on other sites and found that it earned almost $100, so totally this one photo earned me over $300.
If everyone image from over 1000 on my portfolio would earn such a sum, that would be really nice!!

)

grp_photo · « **Reply #16 on:** October 29, 2006, 14:07 »

My best selling image has made me 1000,- Euros one single RM-sale.
Microstock i don't know but i just checked Shutterstock i have three images with a little bit over 60,- Dollar.

phildate · « **Reply #17 on:** November 01, 2006, 19:30 »

My best selling picture which has over 1100 downloads on IS and many more across the other sites has earned me well over $500. And who says you can't make good money with $0.20 sales

markrhiggins · « **Reply #18 on:** October 06, 2020, 16:57 »

Over $4000 on Shutterstock. I haven't checked the other sites. It was rejected the first try at submitting it. It has been in since 2012

mj007 · « **Reply #19 on:** October 06, 2020, 17:17 »

I like this question. As I have not figured out yet what sells best. These two pictures I posted on stock about the same time which would be around 15 years ago. If you ask my neither one is really a good photo but with said the Octopus has made me on 12 different sites a total of $ 6000 dollars and the leopard skin has made me $25,000 total. I have a lot of photos that I think are good and have made very little money. i guess it is just all about luck and timing.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #20 on:** October 06, 2020, 18:32 »

Quote from: markrhiggins on October 06, 2020, 16:57

Over $4000 on Shutterstock. I haven't checked the other sites. It was rejected the first try at submitting it. It has been in since 2012

Is a 16 year resurrection of a thread a record?

Zero Talent · « **Reply #21 on:** October 06, 2020, 20:13 »

markrhiggins · « **Reply #22 on:** October 06, 2020, 20:18 »

Well I did not look at the date when answering that thread. Resurrecting the thread? No. Not looking at the date. I guess that is a crime here???

tpack · « **Reply #23 on:** October 06, 2020, 22:05 »

Over $800 on Shutterstock.

leaf · « **Reply #24 on:** October 07, 2020, 00:49 »

I guess I should change my vote then??

Firn · « **Reply #25 on:** October 07, 2020, 01:18 »

Quote from: maunger on October 28, 2006, 07:52

Quote from: sharpshot on October 28, 2006, 07:23
How do you work out how much a photo has made on istock? I have stats for sales but can't see how much individual photos have made.

Go to http://www.istockphoto.com/my_uploads.php and it is in the far right column called "royalties"

The link gives me an error message (probably because istock tries to redirect me automatically to the German version of their site, even though that's not even my language setting) Can you tell me how to navigate there from the Contributor dashboard? I don't see any option called "my uploads" there.

eyewave · « **Reply #26 on:** October 07, 2020, 02:16 »

Quote from: leaf on October 07, 2020, 00:49

I guess I should change my vote then??

Change the amounts in the poll first

Gannet77 · « **Reply #27 on:** October 07, 2020, 02:30 »

Quote from: eyewave on October 07, 2020, 02:16

Quote from: leaf on October 07, 2020, 00:49
I guess I should change my vote then??

Change the amounts in the poll first

Yes, should be higher... my best image currently at over $2000 and still regularly tops my monthly sales. But it's been there since 2009. So not quite as long as this thread...

MarekM · « **Reply #28 on:** October 07, 2020, 02:34 »

The photo was taken more as a test and casually uploaded for sale.
https://www.istockphoto.com/photo/beautiful-sky-with-white-clouds-gm182412483-11765469 [nofollow]
I don't know how much it earned exactly because there is no such data anymore, but something like $ 30,000

Fred · « **Reply #29 on:** October 07, 2020, 05:39 »

My best seller has earned over $500 since 2010 ($452 with 883 DL's on Shutterstock alone and a few hundred on 5 other sites). A simple picture of a fluttering plain white flag against a blue cloudless sky. Used the same image and changed the color of the flag to yellow, blue, green, red, and black. If I included sales of those images it would be well over $1,000.

fred

gameover · « **Reply #30 on:** October 07, 2020, 14:36 »

deleted

ShadySue · « **Reply #31 on:** October 07, 2020, 15:04 »

I didn't retain the amounts at iS before they went to ESP, but I know that before the change, my top earner there had earned more than the entire cost of taking it. I live in Scotland and the photo - an iceberg - was taken in Newfoundland, so the cost incuded flights, two weeks' accommodation, food, day trips etc. However, tellingly, although still my 'best seller' (equal) since ESP, it has only netted $230.96 in the ESP era (since Jan 2017), which really shows how much the average rpd has decreased as well as the number of sales. The ESP rpd on that file is £2.22, I don't remember exactly what it was before, it was around $7.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #32 on:** October 08, 2020, 10:06 »

Quote from: Sean Locke Photography on October 06, 2020, 18:32

Quote from: markrhiggins on October 06, 2020, 16:57
Over $4000 on Shutterstock. I haven't checked the other sites. It was rejected the first try at submitting it. It has been in since 2012

Is a 16 year resurrection of a thread a record?

Records are made to be broken!

Quote from: leaf on October 07, 2020, 00:49

I guess I should change my vote then??

Yes, $500 isn't high enough any more.

I just noticed I haven't answered in this version of myself.

Microstock only, I started in 2008, since 2012 one image = over $2,000 the next best is around $400, but keep in mind I'm an unmotivated, underachiever.

For amusement, an image from my original 20 to get accepted at SS: 209DLs $95.03 Uploaded 1/18/08, IS 10.01$ 19DLs since ESP Pretty Exciting?

Asthebelltolls · « **Reply #33 on:** October 08, 2020, 13:17 »

Way back in the 1840's when Marconi invented the first digital camera I started uploading to Dreamstime, 123RF and Depositphoto. Ever since, almost since day one, I started selling a cow grazing in the meadow. Nice shot. A little different. Low angle and close. The image has sold steadily ever since. Never a big 3 or 4 digit sale but consistently throughout the years (yes, even during the Civil War

). All told, a little over $2000 and still counting. Second on the list was close on a special electric pavement saw. About $1500.

MotionDesign · « **Reply #34 on:** October 08, 2020, 13:56 »

i have two images (3d render) at about $2500 each one
upload date: 2010 and 2016

I have videos uploaded last year with the same amount of earnings...

Roger Mitsom · « **Reply #35 on:** October 08, 2020, 20:19 »

I just started in April (I know, perfect timing right?). I went months on Alamy with absolutely zero sales with modest and consistent sales at other agencies. I'd even started considering not even bothering to upload to Alamy anymore.

Then a few weeks ago I checked in and had a single sale for $30 (actually $99 but after their fee).

So that's my biggest so far. And surpasses sales on any image I have on other sites.

Roger Mitsom · « **Reply #36 on:** October 08, 2020, 20:34 »

Quote from: mj007 on October 06, 2020, 17:17

I like this question. As I have not figured out yet what sells best. These two pictures I posted on stock about the same time which would be around 15 years ago. If you ask my neither one is really a good photo but with said the Octopus has made me on 12 different sites a total of $ 6000 dollars and the leopard skin has made me $25,000 total. I have a lot of photos that I think are good and have made very little money. i guess it is just all about luck and timing.

For someone having just been doing this for a few months this is very encouraging. I consistently see these simple, elegant pictures that resonate and apply to so many different things being top sellers.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #37 on:** October 09, 2020, 07:44 »

Quote from: Asthebelltolls on October 08, 2020, 13:17

Way back in the 1840's when Marconi invented the first digital camera I started uploading to Dreamstime, 123RF and Depositphoto. Ever since, almost since day one, I started selling a cow grazing in the meadow. Nice shot. A little different. Low angle and close. The image has sold steadily ever since. Never a big 3 or 4 digit sale but consistently throughout the years (yes, even during the Civil War ). All told, a little over $2000 and still counting. Second on the list was close on a special electric pavement saw. About $1500.

Sorry to correct you but everyone knows that Alhazen invented the digital camera. "He was a scientist, mathematician, astronomer and philosopher, he wrote the Book of Optics and, among other things, he invented camera obscura and pinhole camera. At about the same time, Chinese scientist Shen Kuo experimented with a camera obscura." How someone invented the pinhole camera in the 11th Century is another mystery, because photography hadn't been invented yet?

Then people put a pencil in their hand and using their digits traced an image.

I'd be surprised if everyone here, didn't have one of those images, where we just took some fairly ordinary shot and it somehow sells over and over. Just like the image that has one sale and it's an EL or high value single. Always welcome.

SS - Sunset over corn field with glowing orange and yellow clouds reflecting the sun light. 1DL $84.00 Sunset over field, really? I thought it was a filler.

True this kind of one off deal, for an image that has never sold on any Microstock site, is more likely to happen on Alamy. I have a dozen of those.

sauletas · « **Reply #38 on:** October 13, 2020, 02:33 »

My best earners on Shutterstock is:
Image (134$) - https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/fruit-tree-cut-trim-prune-two-138071525
Video (655$) - https://www.shutterstock.com/video/clip-20187253

wordplanet · « **Reply #39 on:** August 01, 2022, 16:55 »

I know this is an old thread, but it's a continuing question...and since it got me reviewing which files are still doing well, and which new ones are moving, here is my all time best seller, uploaded in 2011, earning over $1,200 in license fees: ($768/338 DLs on ss).

https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/marshall-point-lighthouse-sailboat-sailing-on-68879227

Ironically, although I generally did well in photo critiques, a judge blasted this photo for poor composition. It may not be fine art, but it's done great editorially and has even been used on the cover of a Nora Roberts mystery (EL): https://tinyurl.com/3pvkzju4

Since reinstating my files on ss this summer, it's started licensing again there and continues to show up in sales elsewhere so past sales seem to be keeping it in the mix though not earning what it used to.

I've had fewer than ten stock photos that made it to the $1,000-dollar mark and a handful more that topped $500.

I'm awed and encouraged by people here who've earned $4,000-25,000 for a single image and who have single images that license thousands of times, not hundreds, and who'd see my best selling stats as quaint.

StockGuy101 · « **Reply #40 on:** August 01, 2022, 17:28 »

Image:
$849.50 (SS) on an image shot with my iPhone.

Video:
$7,715.11 (SS)

Justanotherphotographer · « **Reply #41 on:** August 02, 2022, 04:24 »

Interesting, made me dig through my portfolio stats. Across easily trackable agencies (some don't even tell you how much an image makes) approx:

best $8600+
second: $7800+
third: $7500+

Top 160 images are $1000+

Top 2800 $100+

Bottom 2500+ (10% of portfolio ish) zero $ (of course includes recent uploads)

Suprised to see that several of my top twenty were uploaded since 2014 and one since 2018.

blvdone · « **Reply #42 on:** August 02, 2022, 05:13 »

Photo $500. Video $800.

rushay · « **Reply #43 on:** August 02, 2022, 07:04 »

Image $1350

Dumc · « **Reply #44 on:** August 02, 2022, 07:35 »

SS:

Photo 783dls, 520$, uploaded in June 2018

Video 36dls, 650$, uploaded August 2017

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #45 on:** August 02, 2022, 13:24 »

Quote from: rushay on August 02, 2022, 07:04

Image $1350

That's the way to go.

SS only, top image: $1,964.17 I'm sure it sells other places, but too hard to do all that adding and finding. I wouldn't know how to find my top image on Adobe, IS or DT?

Over $2,000 is an easy answer.

Don't quit your day job.

Wilm · « **Reply #46 on:** August 03, 2022, 03:47 »

With shutterstock you can see that immediately. My bestseller has brought in just under $4,300 so far - uploaded almost exactly 10 years ago.

But this and other images have brought in significantly more, because some of the images run very well at several agencies. But I have no idea how to determine the right numbers, because you can't get the necessary information from some agencies.

I have a few images that I uploaded 5 years ago that are well over $2,000. And a couple of images that are 3 years old are approaching the $2,000 mark.

In any case, there are contributors who have made over $20,000 with just one image at shutterstock. If they have achieved similar sums at AS and such a picture - which I assume - also achieves good revenues at other agencies, $40,000 or even $ 50.000 for a picture is possible.

However, it must be said quite clearly: today, this will be far from possible. This was only possible with images that were uploaded many years ago.

ribtoks · « **Reply #47 on:** August 03, 2022, 07:42 »

Mine has brought me over $6,000 and I did the analysis how fast the sales dry up: https://xpiksapp.com/blog/earn-6314-usd-single-photo-shutterstock/

Basically the estimate is that sales will reach zero in approximately 10 years after the start. And they have clear seasonal peaks, at least for me.

Zero Talent · « **Reply #48 on:** August 05, 2022, 10:02 »

Below are my Top 5 photo and Top 5 video best sellers

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #49 on:** August 05, 2022, 11:40 »

Quote from: Wilm on August 03, 2022, 03:47

But this and other images have brought in significantly more, because some of the images run very well at several agencies. But I have no idea how to determine the right numbers, because you can't get the necessary information from some agencies.

However, it must be said quite clearly: today, this will be far from possible. This was only possible with images that were uploaded many years ago.

So true, those dimes just don't add up as fast as the 38¢ did. Then there were ODs and ELs and others which have vanished.

Quote from: ribtoks on August 03, 2022, 07:42

Mine has brought me over $6,000 and I did the analysis how fast the sales dry up: https://xpiksapp.com/blog/earn-6314-usd-single-photo-shutterstock/

Basically the estimate is that sales will reach zero in approximately 10 years after the start. And they have clear seasonal peaks, at least for me.

Fantastic Photo, it deserves to sell and something that you aren't going to have a bunch of copycats. There's one big positive to unique and interesting images. Less competition.

blvdone · « **Reply #50 on:** August 05, 2022, 13:34 »

Quote from: Zero Talent on August 05, 2022, 10:02

Below are my Top 5 photo and Top 5 video best sellers

I think you actually have some talent with that kind of sales.

Wilm · « **Reply #51 on:** August 05, 2022, 13:38 »

Quote from: Uncle Pete on August 05, 2022, 11:40

Quote from: Wilm on August 03, 2022, 03:47

But this and other images have brought in significantly more, because some of the images run very well at several agencies. But I have no idea how to determine the right numbers, because you can't get the necessary information from some agencies.

However, it must be said quite clearly: today, this will be far from possible. This was only possible with images that were uploaded many years ago.

So true, those dimes just don't add up as fast as the 38¢ did. Then there were ODs and ELs and others which have vanished.

Quote from: ribtoks on August 03, 2022, 07:42
Mine has brought me over $6,000 and I did the analysis how fast the sales dry up: https://xpiksapp.com/blog/earn-6314-usd-single-photo-shutterstock/

Basically the estimate is that sales will reach zero in approximately 10 years after the start. And they have clear seasonal peaks, at least for me.

Fantastic Photo, it deserves to sell and something that you aren't going to have a bunch of copycats. There's one big positive to unique and interesting images. Less competition.

EL???

What is this Pete? I do not know that! Nobody buys an EL...

Zero Talent · « **Reply #52 on:** August 05, 2022, 14:39 »

Quote from: blvdone on August 05, 2022, 13:34

Quote from: Zero Talent on August 05, 2022, 10:02
Below are my Top 5 photo and Top 5 video best sellers

I think you actually have some talent with that kind of sales.

Lol, I'll take this as a compliment. Thanks!

But for me, being "talented" is not really a compliment, because it assumes being lucky at birth.

These sales are based on acquired knowledge applied in practice, i.e. engineering and physical work, not talent.

Wilm · « **Reply #53 on:** August 05, 2022, 16:00 »

Quote from: Zero Talent on August 05, 2022, 14:39

Quote from: blvdone on August 05, 2022, 13:34
Quote from: Zero Talent on August 05, 2022, 10:02
Below are my Top 5 photo and Top 5 video best sellers

I think you actually have some talent with that kind of sales.

Lol, I'll take this as a compliment. Thanks!

But for me, being "talented" is not really a compliment, because it assumes being lucky at birth.

These sales are based on acquired knowledge applied in practice, i.e. engineering and physical work, not talent.

Even though the term "talent" is hard to categorize, you definitely have a very good feel for microstock! Your images are exceptionally good. And your numbers reflect that very well.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #54 on:** August 06, 2022, 11:36 »

Quote from: Wilm on August 05, 2022, 13:38

Quote from: Uncle Pete on August 05, 2022, 11:40
Quote from: Wilm on August 03, 2022, 03:47

But this and other images have brought in significantly more, because some of the images run very well at several agencies. But I have no idea how to determine the right numbers, because you can't get the necessary information from some agencies.

However, it must be said quite clearly: today, this will be far from possible. This was only possible with images that were uploaded many years ago.

So true, those dimes just don't add up as fast as the 38¢ did. Then there were ODs and ELs and others which have vanished.

Quote from: ribtoks on August 03, 2022, 07:42
Mine has brought me over $6,000 and I did the analysis how fast the sales dry up: https://xpiksapp.com/blog/earn-6314-usd-single-photo-shutterstock/

Basically the estimate is that sales will reach zero in approximately 10 years after the start. And they have clear seasonal peaks, at least for me.

Fantastic Photo, it deserves to sell and something that you aren't going to have a bunch of copycats. There's one big positive to unique and interesting images. Less competition.

EL???

What is this Pete? I do not know that! Nobody buys an EL...

Exactly the point. Not only aren't we getting 38¢ we are also getting less for the rare other licenses that we used to get. Dimes just don't add up to anything close to what was paid before. 15% across the board, isn't anything like commissions used to be. The weaker sites aren't just paying lower, their volume is dropping.

I consider Talent as acquired, not given at birth, but OK, if there's some sort of definition quibble. People who make better money have better learned abilities and use them. Knowing how to create is easier in this business than knowing what to create. 👍

I could be a fantastic photographer or artist (and I'm not) and still not make money at Microstock, because it's the content or the subject that make the sales, much of the time, over just technical skills. I'm very good at creating low demand and unusual niche images. Not going to make much from that. But I do know how to have fun.

Brasilnut · « **Reply #55 on:** August 06, 2022, 12:09 »

Earned $1,450 for this book cover (Paris background only) - various RM licenses

Nikontandolo · « **Reply #56 on:** August 06, 2022, 15:23 »

I have half a dozen of images with more than $2000 only in Shutter and Adobe. There was better times.

Pacesetter · « **Reply #57 on:** August 06, 2022, 22:47 »

I started uploading in February 2019. I figured pretty early on that images weren't going to be too profitable with little history in photography or a collection of photos for that matter. Thus I only take photos now as an incidental while capturing video content. My best-selling image as far as earnings are concerned (combined Shutterstock and Adobe Stock) is $126.12. Probably would of made more if I had uploaded to Getty / iStock which this exercise has just revealed to me that I haven't.

ETA for correction. I do have the image on G/istock but no idea how to find it or the submission batch on this platform.

TonyD · « **Reply #58 on:** February 25, 2023, 06:40 »

$19.95 for 1 DL on Alamy but that's the actual price not sure what I got after their commission because they reduced the royalty for some of us last year.
$15.47 on SS for 1 DL even counting multiple DLs. I've had 23 DLs for one photo on SS but sadly added since the 10-cent DLs came in and have only earned $4.57, pretty dire as the photo was pretty unique - nothing anywhere near as good on the site for the subject.

Hannafate · « **Reply #59 on:** February 25, 2023, 09:06 »

It's everywhere...

DiscreetDuck · « **Reply #60 on:** February 25, 2023, 09:10 »

Quote from: Uncle Pete on August 05, 2022, 11:40

Fantastic Photo...

cobalt · « **Reply #61 on:** February 25, 2023, 09:40 »

Old thread but still useful. My bestselling file from the old istock days has earned over 9000 dollars.

And if I upload it to a new site, even now, it still sells. Not in the same volume, but apparently it is useful enough.

I have a few more with several thousand dollars, but that one file was really popular at the time.

StockPhoto · « **Reply #62 on:** February 25, 2023, 16:23 »

Shutterstock: 932 $ AdobeStock: 362€

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