Author Topic: Drop in Income from Highest Years (Read 1904 times)

Big Money · « **on:** August 20, 2024, 11:25 »

Speaking for myself --my best year was in 2017 and since then it continues to drop even though I keep submitting new images.

Stockhome Syndrome · « **Reply #1 on:** August 20, 2024, 12:02 »

My peak year was 2018 when I made about $225K. Last year, it dropped to $148K, and so far this year, I'm on track for $125K, assuming the second half of the year is about the same as the first. But with SS falling off a cliff lately, I'm not sure if I can accurately project my 2024 earnings.

sgoodwin4813 · « **Reply #2 on:** August 21, 2024, 20:43 »

My best was 2017 and it's been all downhill since then

Big Money · « **Reply #3 on:** August 21, 2024, 22:43 »

Quote from: sgoodwin4813 on August 21, 2024, 20:43

My best was 2017 and it's been all downhill since then

A few other folks told me that Shutter did something in 2017 that affected their sales as well. Maybe a search engine change? That was the beginning to the end for many.

Anyka · « **Reply #4 on:** August 22, 2024, 00:54 »

My top year was 2012+2013, and now I'm at about 60% down (but retired now, so my main income is pension, not photography). Still submitting, but at quite a low number of images per year.

Big Money · « **Reply #5 on:** August 22, 2024, 08:19 »

Quote from: Anyka on August 22, 2024, 00:54

My top year was 2012+2013, and now I'm at about 60% down (but retired now, so my main income is pension, not photography). Still submitting, but at quite a low number of images per year.

same here. I am retired and living off my social security check. I dabble a bit but nothing serious anymore. I ruined a few family vacations but concentrating on stock images instead of spending quality time with my family. I was so stupid back then...

blvdone · « **Reply #6 on:** August 22, 2024, 08:45 »

Quote from: Stockhome Syndrome on August 20, 2024, 12:02

My peak year was 2018 when I made about $225K. Last year, it dropped to $148K, and so far this year, I'm on track for $125K, assuming the second half of the year is about the same as the first. But with SS falling off a cliff lately, I'm not sure if I can accurately project my 2024 earnings.

You are holding well from the peak. I'm down over 50% from my peak in 2018-19. I used to make decent money from my stock videos on Pond5, Shutterstock, StoryBlocks and Adobe Stock back then. Now Pond5 is the only place I sell my videos. Are you a stock photo or video producer mainly? Which agencies do you sell now?

cobalt · « **Reply #7 on:** August 22, 2024, 10:40 »

From my success days in 2008-2012 I am down 80%, but since I started uploading again my income is increasing. To get back to at least 3-5k a month will take some time and good research.

But it is still possible to increase income.

Stockhome Syndrome · « **Reply #8 on:** August 22, 2024, 12:46 »

Quote from: blvdone on August 22, 2024, 08:45

Are you a stock photo or video producer mainly? Which agencies do you sell now?

Mostly videos. A few photos. Pond5, ShutterStock, Adobe Stock are my main agencies, but I also put my stuff on iStock and a few others smaller agencies.

blvdone · « **Reply #9 on:** August 22, 2024, 20:13 »

Quote from: Stockhome Syndrome on August 22, 2024, 12:46

Quote from: blvdone on August 22, 2024, 08:45
Are you a stock photo or video producer mainly? Which agencies do you sell now?

Mostly videos. A few photos. Pond5, ShutterStock, Adobe Stock are my main agencies, but I also put my stuff on iStock and a few others smaller agencies.

That's impressive. I stopped selling videos on Shutterstock and AdobeStock when they started the video subs and eventually went 100% Pond5 exclusive, but maybe that was a bad business move.

cobalt · « **Reply #10 on:** August 22, 2024, 23:21 »

Quote from: Stockhome Syndrome on August 20, 2024, 12:02

My peak year was 2018 when I made about $225K. Last year, it dropped to $148K, and so far this year, I'm on track for $125K, assuming the second half of the year is about the same as the first. But with SS falling off a cliff lately, I'm not sure if I can accurately project my 2024 earnings.

Very inspiring data. Perhaps i should do more videos than images.

Extremely impressive results.

Minsc · « **Reply #11 on:** August 25, 2024, 13:50 »

My best year was 2020.

Ever since then, it's been on the decline. Shutterstock fell off a cliff and this month, I'm on pace to making about 20% of what I used to make on that website.

AS saw some decline, but holding steady for now. The rise of AI and SS's insane yearly earnings reset really did a number on my earnings.

Uncle Pete · « **Reply #12 on:** August 26, 2024, 12:11 »

Only 25%? There could have been more options for this.

Big or small or in between, I'd guess that percentages when the market drops, are fairly similar. I still add new and now and then, something clicks, but easily 50% down, overall, except Adobe, which was higher 2023 than 2022. Every year has been higher since Adobe bought them.

SS down 60%. To be fair, I'm only photo or illustrations, and don't do AI except for entertainment. No video, which probably hurts a bunch.

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For folks that have been in this business at least 10 years --How many have seen their income drop at least 25% or more from their peak year.

Author Topic: Drop in Income from Highest Years (Read 1904 times)

Big Money

Stockhome Syndrome

sgoodwin4813

Big Money

Anyka

Big Money

blvdone

cobalt

Stockhome Syndrome

blvdone

cobalt

Minsc

Uncle Pete

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