Author Topic: Would You Recommend Microstock To Someone As Their Sole Source of Income? (Read 16182 times)

Ed · « **on:** September 30, 2011, 10:36 »

We've got a mix of contributors on the forum...those that just submit to micros, those that submit to traditional agencies (whether it's traditional RF or traditional RM), we've got full time folks, and we've got part time folks. There's a TON of negativity here and elsewhere (which has me scratching my head as to why people keep doing this but that's a different topic).

So lets hear it...if a newb joined the forum today, what would you tell him/her with relation to the question in the poll?

Let's keep this about stock in general - let's not turn this thread into a pissing match about which agency is better or that agency that has cut commissions.

traveler1116 · « **Reply #1 on:** September 30, 2011, 10:45 »

Depends on how serious you are, how much of an investment in equipment and learning you are willing to put in? Also if you live in India it's much more viable than if you live in Norway.

pancaketom · « **Reply #2 on:** September 30, 2011, 11:01 »

Making a few hundred a month - no problem (which is a living wage in much of the world). Making a few thousand a month might be more of a problem. There are a lot of factors to consider. Starting from no equipment is a big hurdle too. If you already have a computer, internet, and dslr you could poke your toe in the water with little investment. If you don't have access to any of these things it is going to cost a fair bit just to try it. If you had a bit of skill and actually put in full time effort I think it would still be possible to make a decent return (eventually - the first year or 2 might be painful). I don't know that you'd be better off flipping burgers, but I wouldn't be surprised at all if there were entry level positions that would have a higher return. One of the advantages of microstock is that you can do it at all hours of the day and even if nobody is hiring in your area. I wouldn't recommend relying entirely on microstock though.

I am guessing that things are not going to get easier in the future though, supply is growing faster than demand.

rimglow · « **Reply #3 on:** September 30, 2011, 11:11 »

Quote from: Ed on September 30, 2011, 10:36

There's a TON of negativity here and elsewhere (which has me scratching my head as to why people keep doing this but that's a different topic).

Not surprising. Anonymity allows posters to vent and rant about perceived injustices. Not many go to forums to sing praises or brag about how well they are doing.

sharpshot · « **Reply #4 on:** September 30, 2011, 11:18 »

While we are going through a phase of commission cuts, people would have to be crazy to rely on microstock as their only source of income. I'm far too dependant on my microstock income and it's not something I can recommend. If sites decide that cutting commissions is detrimental to their profits, it might become more stable. It looks like cutting commissions has been the wrong strategy but will the sites have the courage to admit they were wrong or are they going to carry on with this policy that appears to be making microstock unsustainable for lots of us?

If you're in the top 5% of contributors and you don't need a lot to live on, things might be different but I think there's only a small percentage of people that are going to be able to live off their micrtostock earnings unless things change for the better.

Pixart · « **Reply #5 on:** September 30, 2011, 11:27 »

I didn't vote. It MIGHT become a viable source of income, but you either have to be independently wealthy to begin, or have a supporting employment while you build up a portfolio. Even if you reach that magic number in earnings, it's not guaranteed and the greedy grubs that sign your paycheck might decide you are making too much at their expense.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #6 on:** September 30, 2011, 11:46 »

"Would You Recommend Microstock To Someone As Their Sole Source of Income?"

Yes, if you can make enough for it to satisfy your financial needs.

RT · « **Reply #7 on:** September 30, 2011, 12:01 »

"Would You Recommend Microstock To Someone As Their Sole Source of Income?"

Yes if you're running an agency.

velocicarpo · « **Reply #8 on:** September 30, 2011, 12:06 »

No. Not so much because of the financial situation. More because of the unreliability of the Agencies. You never know what tomorrow happens. If the situation would be stable: yes.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #9 on:** September 30, 2011, 12:07 »

"Would You Recommend Microstock To Someone As Their Sole Source of Income?"

Yes, if you want to be FREE, STRESSED and POOR!

microstockphoto.co.uk · « **Reply #10 on:** September 30, 2011, 13:30 »

yes, if you are a single boy or girl living with your parents with no rent and bills to pay and you only need your income for beer, concert tickets and low-cost flights

and if you can mantain this situations for at least the next 3 years while you build up your port

lisafx · « **Reply #11 on:** September 30, 2011, 13:51 »

Although I make my FT living from microstock, I voted for flipping cheeseburgers (actually, you don't flip them once you have added the cheese

).

6 years ago, I would have told them it is difficult, but possible to make a living at microstock. Now, I don't think it would be for someone just starting out. The only ones I have seen join and succeed in the past couple of years have been image factories staffed with experienced industry professionals.

Graffoto · « **Reply #12 on:** September 30, 2011, 13:53 »

Deleted...

Graffoto · « **Reply #13 on:** September 30, 2011, 13:55 »

I see Lisa beat me to it.
Yeah... What she said.

Ed · « **Reply #14 on:** September 30, 2011, 14:07 »

Quote from: lisafx on September 30, 2011, 13:51

Although I make my FT living from microstock, I voted for flipping cheeseburgers (actually, you don't flip them once you have added the cheese ).

LOL....have you noticed McDonald's doesn't sell burgers without cheese (at least in the U.S.)?

travelstock · « **Reply #15 on:** September 30, 2011, 14:18 »

Quote from: lisafx on September 30, 2011, 13:51

Although I make my FT living from microstock, I voted for flipping cheeseburgers (actually, you don't flip them once you have added the cheese ).

6 years ago, I would have told them it is difficult, but possible to make a living at microstock. Now, I don't think it would be for someone just starting out. The only ones I have seen join and succeed in the past couple of years have been image factories staffed with experienced industry professionals.

+1

There is still room in the industry, but most of those who would succeed really have better options elsewhere.

Most of those who ask really don't have a good understanding of what's involved and underestimate the input that's required to be successful.

michealo · « **Reply #16 on:** September 30, 2011, 14:22 »

If the OPs surname is Stock then yes I'd say ...

Ed · « **Reply #17 on:** September 30, 2011, 14:40 »

I know this is a microstock forum, but there's 33 votes...and not a single person has indicated traditional stock is a viable source of income but some HAVE indicated microstock is a viable source of income.

Interesting.

bizair · « **Reply #18 on:** September 30, 2011, 14:44 »

Quote from: Ed on September 30, 2011, 14:07

Quote from: lisafx on September 30, 2011, 13:51
Although I make my FT living from microstock, I voted for flipping cheeseburgers (actually, you don't flip them once you have added the cheese ).

LOL....have you noticed McDonald's doesn't sell burgers without cheese (at least in the U.S.)?

Taste has to come from somewhere.

The US has exported many wonderful things to the rest of the world. McDonalds in not one of them $:-\$

Back to the OP, only if Microstock agency site training has as it's last skill to learn being word perfect in "Would you like fries with that?". (apologies to Fine Arts students - plagerised from the last area of study in your syllabus)

lisafx · « **Reply #19 on:** September 30, 2011, 14:54 »

Quote from: Ed on September 30, 2011, 14:07

Quote from: lisafx on September 30, 2011, 13:51
Although I make my FT living from microstock, I voted for flipping cheeseburgers (actually, you don't flip them once you have added the cheese ).

LOL....have you noticed McDonald's doesn't sell burgers without cheese (at least in the U.S.)?

Seriously? You cant get a plain old hamburger anymore? I gave up eating beef 6 or 7 years ago, so I didn't realize it.

Xalanx · « **Reply #20 on:** September 30, 2011, 15:57 »

Quote from: lisafx on September 30, 2011, 14:54

I gave up eating beef 6 or 7 years ago

Blasphemy!

On topic: I think the only way to make a living out of microstock starting brand new today is to try and become a image factory. Otherwise no chance. Or Maybe in Burundi somewhere.

cathyslife · « **Reply #21 on:** September 30, 2011, 16:30 »

I think that a small percentage of very talented newbs starting out today MIGHT be able to make it a full-time career, but they would need money in the bank to tide them over until they build their port, and money to buy the equipment and set up photo shoots.

I think for the majority of people starting today, they would in all probability not make it that far up the ladder, for all the reasons previously mentioned.

@Lisa...I think you can order a cheeseburger, hold the cheese, please. You still pay the same amount, but...

Totally OT relating to fast food...Sonic charges $.50 if you ask them to put relish on your burger. They have it on their menu for the hot dogs. If you don't want to pay .50 then they hand you little packets and you can put it on yourself. Of course you need about 10 packets to equal what you would spread on...how's that for greediness? Especially when you have them hold other things, like tomato and mayo.

Carl · « **Reply #22 on:** September 30, 2011, 19:46 »

I think it's possible to make a full-time living from microstock, but you would need money to live on for several years while you're in the process. If it were my sole source of income, I would definitely be in hurtin' status!

rinderart · « **Reply #23 on:** October 01, 2011, 00:51 »

I would advise someone today with Unique talent to pursue real commercial Photography and go get clients and not even think about Penny stock. The kids I talk to coming Out of Brooks think were all fools. Exception is of course are the ones that have an incredible work ethic and saw the light 7/8 years ago and went for the "Stocky" stuff By the thousands. The new kids coming up aren't very Impressed.

Good for them. I would Hope they go back to creating something instead of how many Pics they can do to feed the hungry beast . Im sorry But some us us old timers are like old Boy bands that are boring now. Look around guys there's some fresh stuff being submitted everyday. So would I suggest this?........ I don't to my students. If they love Image making I would rather they learn Image making, The the art of Photography instead of what they can maybe sell for 38 cents. You asked and Thats my Opinion.

Sole source of Income? maybe a supplement to client work. 6 years ago? yes.

10% of commercial Photography is actually taking the pictures. I find Most have no clue about the other 90%. And they better no matter how good they are.

I have about 15 people bookmarked That are the future of this business. And are amazing and fresh. I reviewed for 3+ years and we always had a running Joke that if we saw another batch of handsome business people we were gonna throw up, it ain't new guys, Some of us did it 30 years ago for real money. The new kids are breaking all the rules. good for them if that's what they want.

Learn Photography first and learn to shoot every subject not just a isolated apple. Thats my advice.

Anita Potter · « **Reply #24 on:** October 01, 2011, 01:05 »

Very true Laurin which is why you don't see many photos in my port

I can't be an image factory there's no way in *bleep* I could sit in front of this computer and churn out hundreds to thousands of images a month. I'm a group of one so that's not going to happen. For me, micro is my full time job (after mother) and it pays my bills and sometimes I have extra to just play with. It's definitely hard to try to make the money that you want to in this business due to lack of equipment and resources but that doesn't stop me or hinder me from trying my very best to create images that buyers need/want. And soon I will be able to get the equipment that I need to make my work a little easier.

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Would You Recommend Stock To Someone As Their Sole Source of Income?

Author Topic: Would You Recommend Microstock To Someone As Their Sole Source of Income? (Read 16182 times)

Ed

traveler1116

pancaketom

rimglow

sharpshot

Pixart

Sean Locke Photography

RT

velocicarpo

luissantos84

microstockphoto.co.uk

lisafx

Graffoto

Graffoto

Ed

travelstock

michealo

Ed

bizair

lisafx

Xalanx

cathyslife

Carl

rinderart

Anita Potter

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