Author Topic: Are Your Exclusive To Istock? (Read 12229 times)

Will Dutt · « **on:** July 14, 2011, 18:28 »

Hi All,

First off I would like to say sorry, I could not find the "post a topic" button, I could only find the poll one. I want to hear from exclusive photographers and images to Istock.

Exclusive Istock Photographer Questions:
Do you believe you earn as much/more than non-exclusive photographers?
What advantages are there of being an exclusive photographer apart from higher sales and easy to upload and organise photos?
How long are you in contract with Istock as a exclusive photographer?
What are your average rates per download?

Exclusive Istock Image:
Do you believe you earn as much/more with having an exclusive photo rather than submitting on multiple sites?
How many images do you/can you submit as exclusive to Istock?
Can you back out of selling exclusive images?

Kind Regards
-WD

P.S.
What other agencies do Exclusive Photos/Photographers?

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #1 on:** July 14, 2011, 18:38 »

If you're new to all this, you don't have to worry about exclusivity for a while.

Will Dutt · « **Reply #2 on:** July 14, 2011, 18:40 »

Quote from: sjlocke on July 14, 2011, 18:38

If you're new to all this, you don't have to worry about exclusivity for a while.

So Istock wont really except new members without previous sales/work on microstock sites? Also this is more me trying to get some research and opinions from exclusive photographers.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #3 on:** July 14, 2011, 18:51 »

I'm sure if you research a bit, you can find the requirements for exclusivity.

But yes, you will need to show some technical and conceptual skill to be accepted as a contributor to start.

Will Dutt · « **Reply #4 on:** July 14, 2011, 18:53 »

Quote from: sjlocke on July 14, 2011, 18:51

I'm sure if you research a bit, you can find the requirements for exclusivity.

But yes, you will need to show some technical and conceptual skill to be accepted as a contributor to start.

I am aware of the quality images need to be. Like I said earlier I would like to hear from exclusive photographers about the questions I asked

Thanks

traveler1116 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 14, 2011, 18:55 »

It's all or nothing with regards to exclusive images. YOU are exclusive or YOU are not exclusive. I think you can get all the answers by looking at the application and FAQ for iStock on the website.

Dreamstime and Fotolia also have exclusivity but they allow individual images to be exclusive.

Mantis · « **Reply #6 on:** July 14, 2011, 18:56 »

Quote from: Will Dutt on July 14, 2011, 18:53

Quote from: sjlocke on July 14, 2011, 18:51
I'm sure if you research a bit, you can find the requirements for exclusivity.

But yes, you will need to show some technical and conceptual skill to be accepted as a contributor to start.
I am aware of the quality images need to be. Like I said earlier I would like to hear from exclusive photographers about the questions I asked

Thanks

Sean is exclusive. Why do you only want to hear from exclusives? They will pollute your brain. Why put up a poll for "exclusive" or "non exclusive" if all you want to hear from is exclusive. I'd reword and rephrase exactly what you are looking to gain from this thread. Very unclear as to who you're asking to participate and what you are looking for.

Will Dutt · « **Reply #7 on:** July 14, 2011, 19:01 »

Quote from: traveler1116 on July 14, 2011, 18:55

It's all or nothing with regards to exclusive images. YOU are exclusive or YOU are not exclusive. I think you can get all the answers by looking at the application and FAQ for iStock on the website.

Dreamstime and Fotolia also have exclusivity but they allow individual images to be exclusive.

Thanks for the reply traveler, I shall browse through the FAQ now.

@Mantis
Some of the questions are simple yes and no answers, but I am mainly interested in hearing experiences from exclusive photographers and images.

Thanks for the help

Mantis · « **Reply #8 on:** July 14, 2011, 19:08 »

Quote from: Will Dutt on July 14, 2011, 19:01

Quote from: traveler1116 on July 14, 2011, 18:55
It's all or nothing with regards to exclusive images. YOU are exclusive or YOU are not exclusive. I think you can get all the answers by looking at the application and FAQ for iStock on the website.

Dreamstime and Fotolia also have exclusivity but they allow individual images to be exclusive.
Thanks for the reply traveler, I shall browse through the FAQ now.

@Mantis
Some of the questions are simple yes and no answers, but I am mainly interested in hearing experiences from exclusive photographers and images.

Thanks for the help

Here's why you are wrong in asking for this. Several contributors here WERE exclusives and no longer are. You would be wise to freely accept their opinions on the good, bad and the ugly of exclusivity. Otherwise you are only seeing one side of the story.

Will Dutt · « **Reply #9 on:** July 14, 2011, 19:11 »

Quote from: Mantis on July 14, 2011, 19:08

You would be wise to freely accept their opinions on the good, bad and the ugly of exclusivity. Otherwise you are only seeing one side of the story.

True, most of the questions I asked were all good sides of being exclusive. Hmmm... it will most likely be easiest and higher profiting to start and stay as a non-exclusive member.

Thanks Mantis, you've been a great help.

VB inc · « **Reply #10 on:** July 14, 2011, 19:38 »

Quote from: Mantis on July 14, 2011, 18:56

Quote from: Will Dutt on July 14, 2011, 18:53
Quote from: sjlocke on July 14, 2011, 18:51
I'm sure if you research a bit, you can find the requirements for exclusivity.

But yes, you will need to show some technical and conceptual skill to be accepted as a contributor to start.
I am aware of the quality images need to be. Like I said earlier I would like to hear from exclusive photographers about the questions I asked

Thanks

Sean is exclusive. Why do you only want to hear from exclusives? They will pollute your brain. Why put up a poll for "exclusive" or "non exclusive" if all you want to hear from is exclusive. I'd reword and rephrase exactly what you are looking to gain from this thread. Very unclear as to who you're asking to participate and what you are looking for.

why the hostility towards exclusives? makes me wonder if exclusives hates non exclusives... like an eternal war with likens and vampires

Mantis · « **Reply #11 on:** July 14, 2011, 19:54 »

No hostility at all. It's not us vs. them. I was poking fun at the OP is all. Surprised you thought that comment seemed real.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #12 on:** July 14, 2011, 20:01 »

before thinking of that I guess you need like a few months and perhaps a little more to see what works for you, some portfolios might work only at IS, if you have some unique photography style etc.. on the other side their royalties % to contributors (exclusives and non seem to be going down..) but I am sure some will do a lot better as exclusives, try yourself first and see where do you sell more.. regarding agencies all top 3 agencies that offer exclusive have "screwed" contributors, year and after so upload to all, work hard and pray too

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #13 on:** July 14, 2011, 20:01 »

I was an exclusive until the beginning of June. I had been independent from fall 2004 to August 2008. With some experience on both sides of the fence I will suggest that (a) other people's experience won't necessarily match yours and (b) you'll never know for sure where you earn the most money as the industry is constantly changing and you can only know how those changes are affecting you on whichever side of the fence you're on at the moment.

If you look at the June earnings post, you'll see some numbers from me about my revenue per download as an iStock exclusive in May 2011 and as an independent in June. I was earning the 35% royalty rate.

Will Dutt · « **Reply #14 on:** July 14, 2011, 20:19 »

All of the replies above have lead me to learn four things:

1) Being exclusive is a tricky game to play
2) Hard work, determination and inspiration will eventually pay off
3) Shooting what the market wants will increase sales, not necessarily what you want to shoot.
4) The microstock market is forever changing as images fade in and out of marketing fads.

Agree or Disagree?

luissantos84 · « **Reply #15 on:** July 14, 2011, 20:27 »

5) agencies have the fork and the cheese (do whatever they want, mainly I am talking about royalties %)

SNP · « **Reply #16 on:** July 14, 2011, 21:14 »

Quote from: Mantis on July 14, 2011, 19:54

No hostility at all. It's not us vs. them. I was poking fun at the OP is all. Surprised you thought that comment seemed real.

your comment read as pretty 'real' to me too, and snarky at that...to the OP, there's an inevitable conflict of interest that exists between exclusives and non-exclusives. it's just the reality of things. but you'll find we're generally friendly and integrated within the industry. on this forum is another story, but I think much of what happens here is "information" served up with a whole lot of water cooler and schoolyard fun.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #17 on:** July 14, 2011, 21:29 »

'Like I said earlier I would like to hear from exclusive photographers about the questions I asked'

Ah, I didn't realize this was that type of thread.

Shank_ali · « **Reply #18 on:** July 15, 2011, 01:26 »

I am exclusive at Istockphoto.I don't mind non exclusives but would find it difficult eating a full one !
Time is an issue for me and one of the main reasons i stay with one particular agent.I really do not have the time to upload to a lot of microstock sites on a regular basis.I earn 30% commission from my work at Istockphoto.If i dropped my exclusive crown it would go down to 16% and then i would be waiting to get my new portfolios established at other sites and the sales might not make up the 14% loss.
"It's better the devil you know ......."
TIP:If your thinking about uploading to Microstock sites for the first time..Join Istockphoto first and keep at it until your accepted.Build a portfolio there and if the sales come, you will need no reason to venture outside IMO

Will Dutt · « **Reply #19 on:** July 15, 2011, 01:57 »

Quote from: shank_ali on July 15, 2011, 01:26

TIP:If your thinking about uploading to Microstock sites for the first time..Join Istockphoto first and keep at it until your accepted.Build a portfolio there and if the sales come, you will need no reason to venture outside IMO

True, I thinks it's best if I can get accepted into Istock before adventuring onto another agency. Thanks for that tip.

Freedom · « **Reply #20 on:** July 15, 2011, 02:30 »

The truth hurts sometimes but you are not likely to be accepted by iStock if the samples you posted are considered your best.

If I were you, I'd try to get into agencies such as Dreamstime and Fotolia first because they will aceept individual images. Then if you learn from their rejections and improve your work and learn the essence about stock photos, you'll pass iStock's application one day if you survive the leanring process.

Will Dutt · « **Reply #21 on:** July 15, 2011, 02:50 »

Quote from: Freedom on July 15, 2011, 02:30

The truth hurts sometimes but you are not likely to be accepted by iStock if the samples you posted are considered your best.

If I were you, I'd try to get into agencies such as Dreamstime and Fotolia first because they will aceept individual images. Then if you learn from their rejections and improve your work and learn the essence about stock photos, you'll pass iStock's application one day if you survive the leanring process.

I want to try and pass Istocks entry exam before submitting to any other agency, if I can get into Istock, I believe the other agencies will be easier to pass there exams.

BaldricksTrousers · « **Reply #22 on:** July 15, 2011, 03:20 »

Quote from: Will Dutt on July 15, 2011, 01:57

Quote from: shank_ali on July 15, 2011, 01:26
TIP:If your thinking about uploading to Microstock sites for the first time..Join Istockphoto first and keep at it until your accepted.Build a portfolio there and if the sales come, you will need no reason to venture outside IMO
True, I thinks it's best if I can get accepted into Istock before adventuring onto another agency. Thanks for that tip.

I don't know why you would think that. Since you can't get any benefit of exclusivity until you sell 250 or 500 images, or whatever the current target is, why would you want to avoid getting paid by anybody else during the months or years it takes you work your way up to qualifying as an exclusive? If you submit everywhere to start with then at least you have an idea of whether or not your work sells at other sites and how much you would give up to get the extra benefits from exclusivity. It looks like a no-brainer to me.

Frankly, I can't see how exclusivity could be beneficial to anybody just starting out now.

PS: If your images aren't reckoned good enough for iS, there's not much chance of them getting into DT or SS and without top-tier agencies the earnings potential in this game is pretty poor.

Will Dutt · « **Reply #23 on:** July 15, 2011, 03:29 »

Quote from: BaldricksTrousers on July 15, 2011, 03:20

I don't know why you would think that. Since you can't get any benefit of exclusivity until you sell 250 or 500 images, or whatever the current target is, why would you want to avoid getting paid by anybody else during the months or years it takes you work your way up to qualifying as an exclusive? If you submit everywhere to start with then at least you have an idea of whether or not your work sells at other sites and how much you would give up to get the extra benefits from exclusivity. It looks like a no-brainer to me.

Frankly, I can't see how exclusivity could be beneficial to anybody just starting out now.

PS: If your images aren't reckoned good enough for iS, there's not much chance of them getting into DT or SS and without top-tier agencies the earnings potential in this game is pretty poor.

Nonono, what I meant is I want to be able to get my photos non-exclusively into Istock prior to submitting to other agencies. I believe if I can make it there, I can make it on the others.

BaldricksTrousers · « **Reply #24 on:** July 15, 2011, 03:36 »

What gets rejected on one agency is often accepted by another, so it's no use trying to use one agency as a filter to tell you what is good for others.
On the other hand, if stuff is seriously sub-standard they will all reject it.

jm · « **Reply #25 on:** July 15, 2011, 03:38 »

If I would start again in Microstock now, maybe I would first "test" my images at GraphicLeftOvers. They are relatively picky and don't take every image like other unnamed agencies. If you are rejected at iStock waiting period before next upload is rather long. And becomes much longer with further rejections.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #26 on:** July 15, 2011, 07:19 »

Quote from: shank_ali on July 15, 2011, 01:26

TIP:If your thinking about uploading to Microstock sites for the first time..Join Istockphoto first and keep at it until your accepted.Build a portfolio there and if the sales come, you will need no reason to venture outside IMO

this is not tip no nothing, it just BAD but you may do that and non-exclusives will appreciate this for sure!

what is the point of just sticking with IS and then if things don´t go well go with all other?? thats just ridiculous.. you should go with all.. I don´t think you would "try" to make it on stock with 15% comission and low sales if your port don´t attract massive sales/buyers!

Shank_ali · « **Reply #27 on:** July 15, 2011, 09:46 »

Quote from: luissantos84 on July 15, 2011, 07:19

Quote from: shank_ali on July 15, 2011, 01:26
TIP:If your thinking about uploading to Microstock sites for the first time..Join Istockphoto first and keep at it until your accepted.Build a portfolio there and if the sales come, you will need no reason to venture outside IMO

this is not tip no nothing, it just BAD but you may do that and non-exclusives will appreciate this for sure!

what is the point of just sticking with IS and then if things don´t go well go with all other?? thats just ridiculous.. you should go with all.. I don´t think you would "try" to make it on stock with 15% comission and low sales if your port don´t attract massive sales/buyers!

Do you live in china by any chance?

briciola · « **Reply #28 on:** July 15, 2011, 11:05 »

Quote from: shank_ali on July 15, 2011, 01:26

I am exclusive at Istockphoto.I don't mind non exclusives but would find it difficult eating a full one !
Time is an issue for me and one of the main reasons i stay with one particular agent.I really do not have the time to upload to a lot of microstock sites on a regular basis.I earn 30% commission from my work at Istockphoto.If i dropped my exclusive crown it would go down to 16% and then i would be waiting to get my new portfolios established at other sites and the sales might not make up the 14% loss.
"It's better the devil you know ......."
TIP:If your thinking about uploading to Microstock sites for the first time..Join Istockphoto first and keep at it until your accepted.Build a portfolio there and if the sales come, you will need no reason to venture outside IMO

God I hope your ban doesn't last long, this sycophantic crap is making me sick...

helix7 · « **Reply #29 on:** July 15, 2011, 11:13 »

Quote from: shank_ali on July 15, 2011, 01:26

...Time is an issue for me and one of the main reasons i stay with one particular agent.I really do not have the time to upload to a lot of microstock sites on a regular basis...

How many times do we have to go over this? istock has the most time-consuming upload process in the business. If time is your issue, you went all-in with the wrong agency.

Quote from: shank_ali on July 15, 2011, 01:26

TIP:If your thinking about uploading to Microstock sites for the first time..Join Istockphoto first and keep at it until your accepted.Build a portfolio there and if the sales come, you will need no reason to venture outside IMO

Voluntary exclusivity without the perks. That makes sense. Join the site with the most time-consuming upload process, toughest application process, and plummeting earnings, instead of joining one of the many other sites that are easier to get approved at as a contributor and will earn far more for an independent artist. Right...

luissantos84 · « **Reply #30 on:** July 15, 2011, 13:09 »

Quote from: shank_ali on July 15, 2011, 09:46

Quote from: luissantos84 on July 15, 2011, 07:19
Quote from: shank_ali on July 15, 2011, 01:26
TIP:If your thinking about uploading to Microstock sites for the first time..Join Istockphoto first and keep at it until your accepted.Build a portfolio there and if the sales come, you will need no reason to venture outside IMO

this is not tip no nothing, it just BAD but you may do that and non-exclusives will appreciate this for sure!

what is the point of just sticking with IS and then if things don´t go well go with all other?? thats just ridiculous.. you should go with all.. I don´t think you would "try" to make it on stock with 15% comission and low sales if your port don´t attract massive sales/buyers!
Do you live in china by any chance?

sorry mate but if you wanna go that way I can tell you that I speak better ENGLISH than you write, please take a cup of coffee and go back to school

lisafx · « **Reply #31 on:** July 15, 2011, 18:39 »

Quote from: shank_ali on July 15, 2011, 09:46

Quote from: luissantos84 on July 15, 2011, 07:19

what is the point of just sticking with IS and then if things don´t go well go with all other?? thats just ridiculous.. you should go with all.. I don´t think you would "try" to make it on stock with 15% comission and low sales if your port don´t attract massive sales/buyers!
Do you live in china by any chance?

No. Luis is Russian.

I thought everyone knew that by now!

Suljo · « **Reply #32 on:** July 15, 2011, 19:00 »

Quote from: Will Dutt on July 14, 2011, 20:19

All of the replies above have lead me to learn four things:

1) Being exclusive is a tricky game to play
2) Hard work, determination and inspiration will eventually pay off
3) Shooting what the market wants will increase sales, not necessarily what you want to shoot.
4) The microstock market is forever changing as images fade in and out of marketing fads.

Agree or Disagree?

So for a while did you have any image approved on any agency listed on right side of you browser window?

Phadrea · « **Reply #33 on:** July 16, 2011, 05:43 »

I am appalled at how low my sales have dropped in the last 2 years (coupled with the impossible process of getting anything accepted anymore) I am going to give up my exclusivity because I have waited long enough for the sales to get better. They haven't and I don't believe they will ever again. I have thousands of images good enough to sell elsewhere and I will do so. I dropped audio exclusivity and it's the best choice I made. Here is an example. In July 2010 with less files, I earned around £182. So far into July 2011 with more files and over half way into the month I have earned £24 !

madelaide · « **Reply #34 on:** July 16, 2011, 06:00 »

Will,

As we discussed in another thread, there is a long way ahead for learning, being approved, building a portfolio and having enough sales to consider exclusivity. When you get there or near, THEN you ask about opinions, because by then commissions, rules and the market will have changed. If you search for opinions about exclusivity 2 or 3 years ago, you will see different opinions than you will now.

luissantos84 · « **Reply #35 on:** July 16, 2011, 14:51 »

my language will be always an issue on here

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