Author Topic: Were you Happy with 2008? (Read 13478 times)

takestock · « **on:** December 24, 2008, 17:40 »

Well - another year almost over and how do you feel about it?
Did you get enough return for all your work and were you happy with sales generated during the year.?

For me, I was happy enough - put in a lot of work, building folios and now seeing quite regular sales.
Here's to 2009!

Kngkyle · « **Reply #1 on:** December 24, 2008, 18:27 »

Made less per month in 2008 than in 2007 despite increasing my portfolio size by about 30%. So no not really that happy with 2008 stats, it seems you have to constantly and drastically increase your portfolio size each year just to maintain the same level of income. Too much * competition these days.

vonkara · « **Reply #2 on:** December 24, 2008, 19:04 »

2008 was my first full year in micro and I'm happy with what I achieved. Small expectations is the key LOL.

I disagree with the growing portfolio method... I'm normally searching 50% of my time to find what didn't have been done already instead of shooting continiously. Everyone have their method to increase sales. But I don't think that flowing the stock library with new images help anyone. (I don't say it's anyone case here

PEACE IN 2009

ljooc · « **Reply #3 on:** December 24, 2008, 20:23 »

I can definitely contribute to the quality versus volume debate. I am no photographer in comparison to most of you. My work is improving but it is on going process

I am exclusive on Fotolia (600+ images) , and I opted out on Sub, and since I was able to raise my price after reaching Gold, and my work got a little better, my earnings/month improved. So 2008 was a much better year for me. I have been at this thing for a little under 2 years but more actively last 8 months.

Everything else not accepted by Fotolia went to 123rf, and BigStock and despite having a larger portfolio on 123rf, I made far less each month. I have started sending landscape images and people w/o release to Alamy, will see how that goes.

But definitely, it is the quality that counts. vol helps but good photos will sell. If my work is a third as good as most of you, I would definitely sell more

.

Happy Holidays

JC
P.S I have been a member here but have not participated much in the forums. I have been reading the posts though and have learned a great deal from everyone. Thank you.
http://socalislandgirl.blogspot.com

goldenangel · « **Reply #4 on:** December 24, 2008, 22:08 »

I am very pleased with 2008, because, among other things, I started with micro in August. Since then, I had a lot of excitement and fun learning new things every day. This forum is great place to be. I can't wait to see what 2009 will bring. Looking forward to it!

Happy holidays and all the best to everyone in 2009!

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #5 on:** December 24, 2008, 22:32 »

Quote from: Vonkara on December 24, 2008, 19:04

2008 was my first full year in micro and I'm happy with what I achieved. Small expectations is the key LOL.

Same here, and I think things went well.

MicrostockExp · « **Reply #6 on:** December 25, 2008, 05:45 »

I will miss my $$ goal this year but I took better pics than last year and got some new equipment so no complains!

CofkoCof · « **Reply #7 on:** December 25, 2008, 05:58 »

I'm also very new in stock business, uploaded my first picture in January and from then on it only went upwards. When I started on DT there was a topic about goals for 2008 and I've set mine to: 100$ per month and 75% acceptance rate. First one was achieved just a month later and my current acceptance rate across the sites is greater than 75%. My main goal (didn't write this one down at DT) is to be able to support my hobbies (photography, travel, mountainbiking) with stock only. I'm almost there

I'll take the oppurtunity to set my goals for 2009 and I'll try to be very modest so that I can surpass them:
- sustainable income of about 1000€ per month
- attend a minilypse
- learn as much as I can in photography (I'm still just a newbie

)

shank_ali · « **Reply #8 on:** December 25, 2008, 16:26 »

Enjoyed my first full year in micro as a part time photographer and steadily building my portfolio on istockphoto and had a few sales which is always nice.More of the same in 2009 with some additional kit.

Freedom · « **Reply #9 on:** December 25, 2008, 18:24 »

I am happy with the improvement of my photography and the uploading goals I set for myself.

I am disappointed that my sales goals were not met, especially iStock sales were declining even with a portfolio 4 times bigger than in 2007.

going_underground · « **Reply #10 on:** December 25, 2008, 22:37 »

I wasn't as happy with 2008 as I would like but part of that was due to moving to a new house. We spent months on fixing up the old house to sell it and getting settled in the new house took longer than expected. As far as earnings go, I did well at FT, DT and SS but I got slammed by the best match changes at IS this year. My earnings there dropped from over 50% of my overall stock income to about 20% and still dropping.

P.S. Due to a recent incident I have had to become "anonymous" here by opening a new account without links to my portfolios to protect myself and my right to speak freely.

hayaship · « **Reply #11 on:** December 26, 2008, 05:22 »

Hello!! 2008 was my first full year in micro and I'm happy with the continual improvement, 2008 exceed my expectation

crazychristina · « **Reply #12 on:** December 26, 2008, 07:30 »

I'm very happy with 2008, despite complete failure to progress with my stock photography. I've branched out into other areas of digital image making and am having a lot more fun than I did last year. I'm currently engaged in my seventh battle in the istock steel cage, which is very challenging and stimulates my creativity much more than photography ever did. I've also started looking into 3D, which is a fascinating area. I think my lack of success with photography was a major incentive to go sideways. Good thing too.

shank_ali · « **Reply #13 on:** December 26, 2008, 08:01 »

Quote from: going_underground on December 25, 2008, 22:37

I wasn't as happy with 2008 as I would like but part of that was due to moving to a new house. We spent months on fixing up the old house to sell it and getting settled in the new house took longer than expected. As far as earnings go, I did well at FT, DT and SS but I got slammed by the best match changes at IS this year. My earnings there dropped from over 50% of my overall stock income to about 20% and still dropping.

P.S. Due to a recent incident I have had to become "anonymous" here by opening a new account without links to my portfolios to protect myself and my right to speak freely.

The last part sounds sinister,like a sherlock holmes murder mystery.Are you sure you have not been playing to much cludeo and mrs white was was murdered by professor plum in the library with a candlestick.

shank_ali · « **Reply #14 on:** December 26, 2008, 15:07 »

Quote from: shank_ali on December 26, 2008, 08:01

Quote from: going_underground on December 25, 2008, 22:37
I wasn't as happy with 2008 as I would like but part of that was due to moving to a new house. We spent months on fixing up the old house to sell it and getting settled in the new house took longer than expected. As far as earnings go, I did well at FT, DT and SS but I got slammed by the best match changes at IS this year. My earnings there dropped from over 50% of my overall stock income to about 20% and still dropping.

P.S. Due to a recent incident I have had to become "anonymous" here by opening a new account without links to my portfolios to protect myself and my right to speak freely.

The last part sounds sinister,like a sherlock holmes murder mystery.Are you sure you have not been playing to much cludeo and mrs white was murdered by professor plum in the library with a candlestick.

ozbandit · « **Reply #15 on:** December 26, 2008, 16:27 »

I've had a good year despite several periods of luls in terms of new material. December was extra good with an exclusive sale on DT that netted me $520 alone!

michealo · « **Reply #16 on:** December 26, 2008, 18:07 »

Quote from: going_underground on December 25, 2008, 22:37

I wasn't as happy with 2008 as I would like but part of that was due to moving to a new house. We spent months on fixing up the old house to sell it and getting settled in the new house took longer than expected. As far as earnings go, I did well at FT, DT and SS but I got slammed by the best match changes at IS this year. My earnings there dropped from over 50% of my overall stock income to about 20% and still dropping.

P.S. Due to a recent incident I have had to become "anonymous" here by opening a new account without links to my portfolios to protect myself and my right to speak freely.

Just curious is this to protect yourself from a site or sites? Or other MSG users?

dbvirago · « **Reply #17 on:** December 26, 2008, 19:11 »

Despite personal stuff that cut into many of my plans, I had a 56% increase in revenue over 2007. Very happy with that.

going_underground · « **Reply #18 on:** December 26, 2008, 22:06 »

Quote from: michealo on December 26, 2008, 18:07

Quote from: going_underground on December 25, 2008, 22:37
I wasn't as happy with 2008 as I would like but part of that was due to moving to a new house. We spent months on fixing up the old house to sell it and getting settled in the new house took longer than expected. As far as earnings go, I did well at FT, DT and SS but I got slammed by the best match changes at IS this year. My earnings there dropped from over 50% of my overall stock income to about 20% and still dropping.

P.S. Due to a recent incident I have had to become "anonymous" here by opening a new account without links to my portfolios to protect myself and my right to speak freely.

Just curious is this to protect yourself from a site or sites? Or other MSG users?

Only from people "in power" at some micro sites who read these forums. I have no issues with any MSG users at all. I'm typically not this paranoid but I have learned my lesson the hard way.

StockManiac · « **Reply #19 on:** December 26, 2008, 22:19 »

Quote from: ljooc on December 24, 2008, 20:23

I am exclusive on Fotolia (600+ images) ...

...

Everything else not accepted by Fotolia went to 123rf, and BigStock and despite having a larger portfolio on 123rf, I made far less each month. I have started sending landscape images and people w/o release to Alamy, will see how that goes.

Does FT allow you to submit rejected images to other sites?

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #20 on:** December 26, 2008, 23:28 »

Quote from: going_underground on December 26, 2008, 22:06

Only from people "in power" at some micro sites who read these forums. I have no issues with any MSG users at all. I'm typically not this paranoid but I have learned my lesson the hard way.

I'm curious as well. Others have said they are afraid of this kind of thing, but aside from the "Bobby" incident which seemed much deeper than forum posting, I'm curious as to what those "in power" could do to you negatively on any site. Could you elaborate in general terms?

shank_ali · « **Reply #21 on:** December 26, 2008, 23:41 »

Quote from: sjlocke on December 26, 2008, 23:28

Quote from: going_underground on December 26, 2008, 22:06
Only from people "in power" at some micro sites who read these forums. I have no issues with any MSG users at all. I'm typically not this paranoid but I have learned my lesson the hard way.

I'm curious as well. Others have said they are afraid of this kind of thing, but aside from the "Bobby" incident which seemed much deeper than forum posting, I'm curious as to what those "in power" could do to you negatively on any site. Could you elaborate in general terms?

Ha, curiosity killed the cat Mr.Mind your biscuits.Bobby as in Mr bobbit who had his ....removed and make a comeback as ... star....

going_underground · « **Reply #22 on:** December 27, 2008, 00:07 »

Quote from: sjlocke on December 26, 2008, 23:28

Quote from: going_underground on December 26, 2008, 22:06
Only from people "in power" at some micro sites who read these forums. I have no issues with any MSG users at all. I'm typically not this paranoid but I have learned my lesson the hard way.

I'm curious as well. Others have said they are afraid of this kind of thing, but aside from the "Bobby" incident which seemed much deeper than forum posting, I'm curious as to what those "in power" could do to you negatively on any site. Could you elaborate in general terms?

I'm not sure how I can do this without giving away the cake. All I will say for now is I was retaliated against for some information I gave in a previous post. I'm sorry I can't be more specific right now.

mantonino · « **Reply #23 on:** December 27, 2008, 04:59 »

Yes, I was happy with 2008 - I increased from an average of $80 to an average closer to $500 per month and rising.

No, I wasn't happy with 2008 - I wanted to end the year over $1000 per month.

Iriz · « **Reply #24 on:** December 27, 2008, 06:46 »

I'm not sure how I can do this without giving away the cake. All I will say for now is I was retaliated against for some information I gave in a previous post. I'm sorry I can't be more specific right now.
[/quote]

Who you are is glaringly obvious and if this is your attempt at remaining incognito by continually drawing attention to yourself in every which way possible I'd really go back to the drawing board if I were you.
And "IF" this is the same person who PM'd me yesterday in a state of abject terror I trust you'll understand why I haven't bothered replying. It's not a new ID you need mister it's a shrink

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Author Topic: Were you Happy with 2008? (Read 13478 times)

takestock

Kngkyle

vonkara

ljooc

goldenangel

Sean Locke Photography

MicrostockExp

CofkoCof

shank_ali

Freedom

going_underground

hayaship

crazychristina

shank_ali

shank_ali

ozbandit

michealo

dbvirago

going_underground

StockManiac

Sean Locke Photography

shank_ali

going_underground

mantonino

Iriz

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