Author Topic: "On demand" site Flashstock.com anyone tried this? (Read 12420 times)

Deformat · « **on:** March 15, 2017, 10:19 »

So I got invited to register as a contributor to this website, I wondered if anyone has heard of it? I don't usually take on paid assignments like this. Basically they send you briefs to shoot for brands social media accounts, and your images are used on their instagram etc. Looks like they have some big names signed up which is cool, some food and drinks brands and airlines, and looks like you are guaranteed the fee which is nice.

But I'm not sure whether it's good or not, here's a link I was sent by one of their staff: http://www.flashstock.com/kit

What's everyones opinion? An extra money maker on top of shooting stock?

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #1 on:** March 15, 2017, 16:52 »

I'd never heard of these guys until you posted. Looking at the site, I don't see anything much about prices and payment, but it does say that the client has exclusive rights to the images and that you get paid for "approved work"

The devil will be in the details

http://www.flashstock.com/contributors/

They curate the content - so does that involve them working with the client and allowing the client to change their mind? Do they have a series policy like Getty and some other agencies such that you can't sell as stock the "outtakes" the client doesn't want (I would expect them to)

And with the payment for approved work, do you get paid up front, regardless of whether the client drops the campaign or is it more like Alamy where you have a "sale" that shows up and the payment arrives in some number of months when the customer pays.

I'd ask a lot of questions before taking on something like this so you don't end up paying for a big shoot and models only to have no "approved work" and thus no payment

StanRohrer · « **Reply #2 on:** March 15, 2017, 17:19 »

So the site shows some really big names. The question quickly becomes: Can I confidently shoot the quality images like shown next to those big names? Then, as Jo Ann said, what percentage of my work can get "approved". Go look at their case studies for some of the sales pitch to their customers for which you need to shoot. I may or may not be able to quickly deliver to their requirements within a few days turn time. But I bet there are people here who could.

Deformat · « **Reply #3 on:** March 16, 2017, 06:36 »

Thanks Jo Ann you make some good points and I will investigate a little further.

I've signed up and I am waiting to hear back, be good to get some more opinions and I'm surprised no one on the forums have tried it yet?

Am I right that this is a new form of stock photography but geared towards things like Instagram?

Will this eventually supersede stock?

Pauws99 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 16, 2017, 06:49 »

Quote from: Deformat on March 16, 2017, 06:36

Thanks Jo Ann you make some good points and I will investigate a little further.

I've signed up and I am waiting to hear back, be good to get some more opinions and I'm surprised no one on the forums have tried it yet?

Am I right that this is a new form of stock photography but geared towards things like Instagram?

Will this eventually supersede stock?

I think its more of a threat to "high end" rather than Microstock. It sounds interesting but not my thing.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #5 on:** March 16, 2017, 08:18 »

Quote from: Deformat on March 16, 2017, 06:36

...Am I right that this is a new form of stock photography but geared towards things like Instagram?

Will this eventually supersede stock?

It's more like the internet-ization of assignment photography, largely because no one but the single client can use the images. There have been a number of attempts at this sort of thing - ages ago, iStock tried Buy Request, which flopped; various smartphone photography crowdsourced "assignment" outfits; ImageBrief.

http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-macrostock/new-mymarketplace-access-on-imagebrief/

Stock is about licensing to multiple buyers (even RM only has exclusives for a period of time). This site doesn't appear to be in that market but does appear to want to cost shift from the client to the photographer.

Deformat · « **Reply #6 on:** April 04, 2017, 08:20 »

Quote from: Jo Ann Snover on March 16, 2017, 08:18

Quote from: Deformat on March 16, 2017, 06:36
...Am I right that this is a new form of stock photography but geared towards things like Instagram?

Will this eventually supersede stock?

It's more like the internet-ization of assignment photography, largely because no one but the single client can use the images. There have been a number of attempts at this sort of thing - ages ago, iStock tried Buy Request, which flopped; various smartphone photography crowdsourced "assignment" outfits; ImageBrief.

http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-macrostock/new-mymarketplace-access-on-imagebrief/

Stock is about licensing to multiple buyers (even RM only has exclusives for a period of time). This site doesn't appear to be in that market but does appear to want to cost shift from the client to the photographer.

Yep totally understand, and yeah if you already have a large microstock portfolio, you wouldn't want to jump into shooting for clients like this, when you can license to lots of small buyers instead of shooting for one big one. I heard they are expanding, so be interesting to see if the decline in stock sales is due to businesses like these.

I reckon for photographers starting out this would be a better option

Pauws99 · « **Reply #7 on:** April 04, 2017, 10:44 »

Quote from: Deformat on April 04, 2017, 08:20

Quote from: Jo Ann Snover on March 16, 2017, 08:18
Quote from: Deformat on March 16, 2017, 06:36
...Am I right that this is a new form of stock photography but geared towards things like Instagram?

Will this eventually supersede stock?

It's more like the internet-ization of assignment photography, largely because no one but the single client can use the images. There have been a number of attempts at this sort of thing - ages ago, iStock tried Buy Request, which flopped; various smartphone photography crowdsourced "assignment" outfits; ImageBrief.

http://www.microstockgroup.com/general-macrostock/new-mymarketplace-access-on-imagebrief/

Stock is about licensing to multiple buyers (even RM only has exclusives for a period of time). This site doesn't appear to be in that market but does appear to want to cost shift from the client to the photographer.

Yep totally understand, and yeah if you already have a large microstock portfolio, you wouldn't want to jump into shooting for clients like this, when you can license to lots of small buyers instead of shooting for one big one. I heard they are expanding, so be interesting to see if the decline in stock sales is due to businesses like these.

I reckon for photographers starting out this would be a better option

Stock sales are not declining they are going up more slowly than image supply. I think this is more of a threat to traditional assigments

mcmiller · « **Reply #8 on:** June 13, 2017, 06:37 »

I've actually been on the site for 2-3 months and here's my experience. You start out with low paying (usually 4 images for $50 but one assignment wanted 10 images for $50) assignments and as you establish a successful track record the assignments pay better as you progress. That's the pitch, but in my experience they're very picky about accepting images, to the point of my not being able to making sense of what they do and do not pass on to the client. They offer no feedback, so there's no real way to learn as you go along. The pay is extremely low at face value, but even lower when you account for the fact that many of their assignments require multiple models and locations when the payout is only $50 IF they buy four images. Deadlines range from 3 days to two weeks. So far I've responded to two assignments and sold 1 image. It's a great idea, but it's being implemented rather stupidly.

angelawaye · « **Reply #9 on:** June 13, 2017, 07:08 »

Yes, I keep getting "assignments" 4 for $50 which just isn't worth it for what they want. I don't have time for that ... So I won't ever be "moving on up" there.

zapeir · « **Reply #10 on:** July 14, 2017, 05:17 »

I actually signed up with them a couple months ago and became a "preferred photographer" right off the bat. I accepted my first assignment a month ago, and it was 20 photos for $300. I've yet to be paid but out of the 40 images I submitted, 22 were accepted but I'm not sure how the payments going to work since they accepted more than were required? Overall it's been a good experience so far. I can update you on how the payment works out when it happens.

HappyBunny · « **Reply #11 on:** July 14, 2017, 05:20 »

That would be great. I was invited to work for them but haven't opened an account yet. What happens if they choose no images at all? Do I have to pay for props I need to buy and then end up getting no money if no images get accepted? 40 images.....that's an awful amount of images to edit if none get accepted.

HappyBunny · « **Reply #12 on:** July 14, 2017, 05:22 »

Forgot to ask. Can the non selected images be used for microstock or are they too brand specific?

zapeir · « **Reply #13 on:** July 14, 2017, 05:48 »

Quote from: HappyBunny on July 14, 2017, 05:20

That would be great. I was invited to work for them but haven't opened an account yet. What happens if they choose no images at all? Do I have to pay for props I need to buy and then end up getting no money if no images get accepted? 40 images.....that's an awful amount of images to edit if none get accepted.

I actually didn't have to edit the photos. They told me to just make sure all of them were properly exposed and they'd take care of it. Also, the company I worked with sent me a macbook pro & their merch to use as props. Didn't have to pay for a thing. Obviously had to return the macbook though haha (return label included). However, it really just depends on the project you accept.
edit:

Quote from: HappyBunny on July 14, 2017, 05:22

Forgot to ask. Can the non selected images be used for microstock or are they too brand specific?

I believe that you're not allowed to resell photos that you submit/are accepted for a project. Plus, with the company I worked with every photo had to incorporate their merchandise/brand so it was pretty specific.

Sean Locke Photography · « **Reply #14 on:** July 14, 2017, 08:10 »

22 custom exclusive use images for $300?

Sigh.

Jo Ann Snover · « **Reply #15 on:** July 14, 2017, 11:35 »

Quote from: Sean Locke Photography on July 14, 2017, 08:10

22 custom exclusive use images for $300?

Sigh.

$15 a photo for custom work? How long did it take you to shoot the 40 images you submitted, including setting up the props and returning their items? That seems like an insanely low amount for a one time payment.

I use the word payment loosely as you haven't seen a payment - when are you supposed to be paid for accepted work? I assume there's a payment schedule.

Why exactly do you see this as a good return for the work you did?

zapeir · « **Reply #16 on:** July 15, 2017, 01:02 »

Quote from: Jo Ann Snover on July 14, 2017, 11:35

Quote from: Sean Locke Photography on July 14, 2017, 08:10
22 custom exclusive use images for $300?

Sigh.

$15 a photo for custom work? How long did it take you to shoot the 40 images you submitted, including setting up the props and returning their items? That seems like an insanely low amount for a one time payment.

I use the word payment loosely as you haven't seen a payment - when are you supposed to be paid for accepted work? I assume there's a payment schedule.

Why exactly do you see this as a good return for the work you did?

It took around an hour to shoot. I returned the laptop on my own time a week later. The "props" were a tshirt that I had the model wear, a hat, and a laptop. Earning a quick $300 from shooting in an hour really isn't that bad in my opinion, plus I didn't have to edit a thing. The payment should be delivered by next Wednesday since they finished reviewing the photos yesterday. For me, photography is just thing I do on the side once in a while so I didn't see this as a negative experience.

edit/update: They changed it from $300 to $330 since 2 more photos were accepted

Fairplay · « **Reply #17 on:** July 15, 2017, 02:50 »

Who pays the model?

HughStoneIan · « **Reply #18 on:** July 15, 2017, 11:33 »

Find out how much the "agency" gets paid by the end client per image/shoot. Then decide if you really want to continue with it.

Pauws99 · « **Reply #19 on:** July 16, 2017, 05:44 »

Quote from: HughStoneIan on July 15, 2017, 11:33

Find out how much the "agency" gets paid by the end client per image/shoot. Then decide if you really want to continue with it.

Not really that relevant though irksome.....if it makes a decent profit for you then go for it.

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Author Topic: "On demand" site Flashstock.com anyone tried this? (Read 12420 times)

Deformat

Jo Ann Snover

StanRohrer

Deformat

Pauws99

Jo Ann Snover

Deformat

Pauws99

mcmiller

angelawaye

zapeir

HappyBunny

HappyBunny

zapeir

Sean Locke Photography

Jo Ann Snover

zapeir

Fairplay

HughStoneIan

Pauws99

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