Author Topic: what's the most amount of money you would spend on a single shoot for microstock (Read 8854 times)

cardmaverick · « **Reply #25 on:** February 29, 2012, 22:53 »

The most I ever put into a shoot was $2,000 (USD), fairly elaborate location shoot with two models, MUA, etc... ROI in about 12 months. That was years ago however. I'd never do that today. About half the cost was keywording services I decided to try since the shoot produced such a large number of images (over 300). Looking back on it, I'm still undecided on the keyword service choice. It did expose me to a whole different methodology that I value and did save me a good month or more of work. I suppose if you're dedicated to doing that level of production every month, it's worth the investment since you'll have economy of scale working for you.

Graffoto · « **Reply #26 on:** February 29, 2012, 23:52 »

The most I ever put out was just under $900 US in 2008.
The model and MUA were reasonable, but the hairstylist was over the top expensive.
Needless to say, I have not used her since.

I can't remember exactly, but I think it took a year to recoup.
Luckily, these are still selling and have done fairly well.

dreamstock · « **Reply #27 on:** June 27, 2012, 13:47 »

Quote from: grp_photo on February 29, 2012, 11:09

Certainly not more than 100,- .If I spend more I don't put it on microstock but even for macro I would be very cautious to spend a 4-digit-sum. I hope and I'm pretty sure it doesn't work out for you some people need to learn it the hard way!

i hate to disappoint you, but as of today i have fully recovered my expenses of $1085 for that shoot, after 4 months. yet i still cannot believe that you hoped that this doesn't work out for me, how dark is your heart?

grp_photo · « **Reply #28 on:** June 27, 2012, 13:52 »

Quote from: dreamstock on June 27, 2012, 13:47

Quote from: grp_photo on February 29, 2012, 11:09
Certainly not more than 100,- .If I spend more I don't put it on microstock but even for macro I would be very cautious to spend a 4-digit-sum. I hope and I'm pretty sure it doesn't work out for you some people need to learn it the hard way!

i hate to disappoint you, but as of today i have fully recovered my expenses of $1085 for that shoot, after 4 months. yet i still cannot believe that you hoped that this doesn't work out for me, how dark is your heart?

lol

darker as darth vader

leaf · « **Reply #29 on:** June 27, 2012, 14:04 »

With model fees and props my shoots usually cost around $400-$600, most of that from model fees. I've had a few shoots going over $1000, the last one being last weekend. I ALWAYS pay my models and I've never had to pay for a location. Business are generally more than happy to get photos they can use in exchange for their location. If they aren't happy with that you can find someone else who is.

I would be willing to spend as much as I think I could recover in 6-12 months time... the less time the better obviously.

Two things I've learned is it's worth investing some money to make the shot look great and a shoot doesn't have to be a big investment to make a lot of money.

A great shoot will earn it's cost back every month.

ruxpriencdiam · « **Reply #30 on:** June 27, 2012, 15:33 »

For microstock it should be fairly low.

Mine is just the cost of gas to drive to the shoot.

Poncke · « **Reply #31 on:** June 27, 2012, 15:50 »

I havent spent a single dime since I am an amateur, and no chance in hell I would spent 1100 dollars for a shoot for micro stock with the risk of never getting it back. But I wish I was in a position to be able to spent 1100 dollars and knowing I would make a profit.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #32 on:** June 27, 2012, 16:16 »

You never know if you'll make it back.

I spent around two grand on a shoot last year.

lisafx · « **Reply #33 on:** June 27, 2012, 16:36 »

I finally had a shoot that cost well over $1,000. It was the first one that went over that mark. I have no idea if it will make the money back, but a lot of that was props and costumes, most of which can be reused.

Keeping my fingers crossed there's a market for them.

ShadySue · « **Reply #34 on:** June 27, 2012, 18:16 »

There's a nice opportunity to throw a lot of money at a few possible sales here:
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=344985&page=1
and more here:
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=345015&page=1

Ed · « **Reply #35 on:** June 27, 2012, 18:51 »

Quote from: ShadySue on June 27, 2012, 18:16

There's a nice opportunity to throw a lot of money at a few possible sales here:
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=344985&page=1
and more here:
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=345015&page=1

Hate to say this...and I know I'm a minority in this group...but I'll be very clear - THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL I WOULD DO EITHER ONE OF THESE SHOOTS AND MARKET THEM AS MICROSTOCK. This is RM material and I know a local photographer (who is also with Getty) that specializes in this sort of thing. The oil and gas industry has money to spend these days folks...take advantage of it. Take a look at David Tejada's portfolio on Getty - he specializes in this for a reason.

Why would anyone do that for pennies? More importantly, why would anyone be willing to undercut someone else for pennies on the dollar when they could make the same amount of money as David by submitting the same topic to Getty or any other photo library?

ShadySue · « **Reply #36 on:** June 27, 2012, 18:56 »

Quote from: Ed on June 27, 2012, 18:51

Quote from: ShadySue on June 27, 2012, 18:16
There's a nice opportunity to throw a lot of money at a few possible sales here:
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=344985&page=1
and more here:
http://www.istockphoto.com/forum_messages.php?threadid=345015&page=1

Hate to say this...and I know I'm a minority in this group...but I'll be very clear - THERE IS NO WAY IN HELL I WOULD DO EITHER ONE OF THESE SHOOTS AND MARKET THEM AS MICROSTOCK. This is RM material and I know a local photographer (who is also with Getty) that specializes in this sort of thing. The oil and gas industry has money to spend these days folks...take advantage of it. Take a look at David Tejada's portfolio on Getty - he specializes in this for a reason.

Why . would anyone do that for pennies? More importantly, why . would anyone be willing to undercut someone else for pennies on the dollar when they could make the same amount of money as David by submitting the same topic to Getty or any other photo library?

Are you sure you're in the minority?
I posted these links sarcastically. I couldn't believe the OP's barefaced impertenence.
Remember, I'm the one who paid a whopping £5 for props, then ate them. I'm pleased to announce a 500% return on that investment, not to mention the calories.

Also see this Alamy forum thread:
http://www.alamy.com/forums/Default.aspx?g=posts&t=13130