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Microstock Photography Forum - General => Newbie Discussion => Topic started by: wmaireche on February 01, 2018, 03:18

Title: What agencies work best for you ?
Post by: wmaireche on February 01, 2018, 03:18
Hello everyone,

I'm new here on the forum and in the stock photography, i do commercial and advertising photography but i have a lot of free time and a studio and all the equipement i need so i'm gonna try stock photography

My question is : what agencies work better for you ? i was thinking at the beginning to do it on all the agencies , but it takes a lot of money and i told my self that it is maybee better to concentrate on 2 or 3 agencies and spend the reste of the time shooting new images

I have tried shutterstock , adobe , dreamstime and bigstockphoto , but now i'm uploading just to adobe stock and shutterstock

this is my shutterstock gallery it will be great to have your opinion on my work , i have not uploaded a lot of photos , i started last week

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/wmaireche (https://www.shutterstock.com/g/wmaireche)

Thanks in advance for you help


Title: Re: What agencies work best for you ?
Post by: Brasilnut on February 01, 2018, 05:48
I'll throw in my Microstock 2 cents.

Quote
what agencies work better for you ?

Depends on your style. AS, SS is a good start, but you can also throw in iStock while you're at it (others would disagree). I understand that more agencies mean more model releases to fill out and administer which can be a pain, so it makes sense to limit to fewer than normal studio work which might as well go everywhere and RF.

Quote
https://www.shutterstock.com/g/wmaireche

Seems like stuff from 2006 - just too unnatural-looking / forced. I think this day in age you need to make more effort stand out and be different to have a chance (it's very competitive). As for the technicals, since I don't do studio work so perhaps others on here can provide better insight in that department.

Good luck

Title: Re: What agencies work best for you ?
Post by: wmaireche on February 01, 2018, 07:31
I'll throw in my Microstock 2 cents.

Quote
what agencies work better for you ?

Depends on your style. AS, SS is a good start, but you can also throw in iStock while you're at it (others would disagree). I understand that more agencies mean more model releases to fill out and administer which can be a pain, so it makes sense to limit to fewer than normal studio work which might as well go everywhere and RF.

Quote
https://www.shutterstock.com/g/wmaireche

Seems like stuff from 2006 - just too unnatural-looking / forced. I think this day in age you need to make more effort stand out and be different to have a chance (it's very competitive). As for the technicals, since I don't do studio work so perhaps others on here can provide better insight in that department.

Good luck



Thank you for you answer and your advices,
about Istock , i tried to register but it seems like they dont accept new contributors anymore
Title: Re: What agencies work best for you ?
Post by: Sean Locke Photography on February 01, 2018, 07:45
about Istock , i tried to register but it seems like they dont accept new contributors anymore

Be thankful, if that is the case.
Title: Re: What agencies work best for you ?
Post by: Jeffrey on February 03, 2018, 00:20
I'm okay at iStock, Shutter, and Fotolia.
Title: Re: What agencies work best for you ?
Post by: Noushad Akampadam on February 06, 2018, 06:12
Hello friend,

I just visited your SS Gallery.
Nice photos.
(But most of the photos are same angle and same distance...)

All the best! :)
Title: Re: What agencies work best for you ?
Post by: wmaireche on February 08, 2018, 13:23
I'm okay at iStock, Shutter, and Fotolia.
Thanks for your answer :)

Hello friend,

I just visited your SS Gallery.
Nice photos.
(But most of the photos are same angle and same distance...)

All the best! :)


Thanks friend, i appreciate your comment , in these photoshoots ( i have done only 2 for now ) i was concentrated only to change expressions and the subject , but you are right i need to make some variations of the angle and the distance too
Title: Re: What agencies work best for you ?
Post by: christiano on February 16, 2018, 13:37
Just started few months ago, and the best form me (order $): IS, AS, SS.
DT and Rf was not good enough to continue...
Since december, i contribute to Alamy, but no sales so far...
Title: Re: What agencies work best for you ?
Post by: akaza on February 17, 2018, 03:46
more than 50% my earning came from SS
u got my answer :)
Title: Re: What agencies work best for you ?
Post by: rinderart on February 23, 2018, 01:04
Best advice ...stop with the girl On cellphone Looking left and right. All these were done to death 12 years ago.
Title: Re: What agencies work best for you ?
Post by: cristianstorto on February 23, 2018, 02:28
My chart:

Adobe Stock/Fotolia
Istock
Shutterstock
Dreamstime
Alamy
Title: Re: What agencies work best for you ?
Post by: namussi on April 01, 2018, 20:47
Best advice ...stop with the girl On cellphone Looking left and right. All these were done to death 12 years ago.

So time for revival with latest models of smartphones?
Title: Re: What agencies work best for you ?
Post by: increasingdifficulty on April 02, 2018, 00:56
Best advice ...stop with the girl On cellphone Looking left and right. All these were done to death 12 years ago.

So time for revival with latest models of smartphones?

No no, everyone knows buyers are looking for outdated clips/photos with the Nokia 3310. It feels so cool to be retro.
Title: Re: What agencies work best for you ?
Post by: fiftyfootelvis on April 02, 2018, 13:33
I am a graphic designer/illustrator rather than a photographer and I buy a lot of stock images. What I usually look for are natural, unposed looking shots in real environments. Shopping, at home, in nature, eating, exercising, etc. – lifestyle. Most of your shots look posed in a studio. I would suggest getting your models out in the real world and acting naturally. I rarely buy shots where the model is looking at the camera.
Title: Re: What agencies work best for you ?
Post by: rinderart on May 12, 2018, 20:16
Hello friend,

I just visited your SS Gallery.
Nice photos.
(But most of the photos are same angle and same distance...)

All the best! :)

And the Background colors are hard to use for a buyers use He's gonna have to cut her out. to Much work Nowdays. this ain't 2006.I would use real Backgrounds.
Title: Re: What agencies work best for you ?
Post by: rinderart on May 12, 2018, 20:17
I am a graphic designer/illustrator rather than a photographer and I buy a lot of stock images. What I usually look for are natural, unposed looking shots in real environments. Shopping, at home, in nature, eating, exercising, etc. – lifestyle. Most of your shots look posed in a studio. I would suggest getting your models out in the real world and acting naturally. I rarely buy shots where the model is looking at the camera.


CORRECT!!!
Title: Re: What agencies work best for you ?
Post by: Gui Siebert (Creative Income) on May 18, 2018, 00:08
Shutterstock is my main source of income. But Pond5 is growing each day.

I actually wrote a full report of my earnings (yes, even the $$) here:
https://medium.com/@creativeincome/my-stock-footage-top-sellers-how-much-i-earn-on-shutterstock-pond5-istock-adobestock-71374560b3fb (https://medium.com/@creativeincome/my-stock-footage-top-sellers-how-much-i-earn-on-shutterstock-pond5-istock-adobestock-71374560b3fb)

Or also in video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HVD_L2EI1I (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HVD_L2EI1I)
Title: Re: What agencies work best for you ?
Post by: increasingdifficulty on May 18, 2018, 05:57
Shutterstock is my main source of income. But Pond5 is growing each day.

I actually wrote a full report of my earnings (yes, even the $$) here:
https://medium.com/@creativeincome/my-stock-footage-top-sellers-how-much-i-earn-on-shutterstock-pond5-istock-adobestock-71374560b3fb (https://medium.com/@creativeincome/my-stock-footage-top-sellers-how-much-i-earn-on-shutterstock-pond5-istock-adobestock-71374560b3fb)

Or also in video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HVD_L2EI1I (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HVD_L2EI1I)

May I ask what your incentives are for writing such an article?

Do you make money from ads?

Do you just think it's fun to write?

Do you think that footage buyers read those articles and will rush to buy your clips?

Do you think you earn too much and want to invite thousands of competitors to copy your clips by showing that you can make thousands of dollars?
Title: Re: What agencies work best for you ?
Post by: csm on May 18, 2018, 08:05
Shutterstock is my main source of income. But Pond5 is growing each day.

I actually wrote a full report of my earnings (yes, even the $$) here:
https://medium.com/@creativeincome/my-stock-footage-top-sellers-how-much-i-earn-on-shutterstock-pond5-istock-adobestock-71374560b3fb (https://medium.com/@creativeincome/my-stock-footage-top-sellers-how-much-i-earn-on-shutterstock-pond5-istock-adobestock-71374560b3fb)




Or also in video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HVD_L2EI1I (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HVD_L2EI1I)

May I ask what your incentives are for writing such an article?

Do you make money from ads?

Do you just think it's fun to write?

Do you think that footage buyers read those articles and will rush to buy your clips?

Do you think you earn too much and want to invite thousands of competitors to copy your clips by showing that you can make thousands of dollars?




Good points, my thoughts entirely.
Title: Re: What agencies work best for you ?
Post by: Brasilnut on May 22, 2018, 04:52
Quote
May I ask what your incentives are for writing such an article?

Do you make money from ads?

Do you just think it's fun to write?

Do you think that footage buyers read those articles and will rush to buy your clips?

Do you think you earn too much and want to invite thousands of competitors to copy your clips by showing that you can make thousands of dollars?

I think you scared him away! These are valid questions and my guess is that it's a nice outlet to share knowledge with others. After all, this can be a lonely business, spending hours and hours post-processing, keywording, etc.

There's money to be made with YT ads but really 1,000 views for $1 isn't worth it.

Sure, some people can easily copy his best-sellers. Sometimes it's best to keep cards close to the chest.

Nice videos, well-presented. Hope he puts together more of them. 
Title: Re: What agencies work best for you ?
Post by: increasingdifficulty on May 22, 2018, 06:44
Quote
May I ask what your incentives are for writing such an article?

Do you make money from ads?

Do you just think it's fun to write?

Do you think that footage buyers read those articles and will rush to buy your clips?

Do you think you earn too much and want to invite thousands of competitors to copy your clips by showing that you can make thousands of dollars?

I think you scared him away! These are valid questions and my guess is that it's a nice outlet to share knowledge with others. After all, this can be a lonely business, spending hours and hours post-processing, keywording, etc.

There's money to be made with YT ads but really 1,000 views for $1 isn't worth it.

Sure, some people can easily copy his best-sellers. Sometimes it's best to keep cards close to the chest.

Nice videos, well-presented. Hope he puts together more of them.

Yes, I know it can come off as harsh, but I'm just writing what I honestly think.

10,000 views on a "How To Make $$$ Selling Stock" or "I Made $1,000 With This Clip" will get you $10, but 1,000 new competitors with 100,000-1 million new files to compete with! You will lose out... a lot.

Now those numbers should scare anyone away!  ;)