Awhile back I mentioned that I would be submitting my portfolio directly to Pixmac.  I have finished uploading roughly 6k images and they are starting to sell.  Also, they interviewed my for their blog, which was fun.  It was just posted today:
http://blog.pixmac.com/4070/lisa-f-young-microstock-photography-is-my-love/#more-4070

I mentioned that I would post my experiences once I got uploaded there, so here goes: 

The upload process was extremely easy.  Just FTP them over and then assign releases.  Releases are uploaded and stored in the release library.  No categories or other annoyances to bother with. 

Reviews were pretty fast - within about 4 days or so.  Very few rejections, but this may be because I didn't upload some of my earlier LCV images.  If I forgot to assign release, rather than reject, the images came back to the editing section to be corrected, which was very nice. 

I have started getting a few sales a week.  Since my full port has only been there less than a week, and it is a holiday week, I think those sales are quite good.  They are selling better than all the other lower tier/newer sites I am on, but not comparable to BigStock or CanStockPhoto yet. 

The staff has been very friendly and the communication has been outstanding.  All in all I would call it a positive experience and I am optimistic about future success with Pixmac. 

Hope that helps anyone who was considering them

Interesting. I'd been wondering about this recently. I also was wondering about how the prices are determined. Your's are higher than mine (ones from an agency partner), but lower than Yuri's. Also, what royalty do they pay? Do they get rid of your partner images if you submit direct?

L
plz keep us posted on future "experience" w/PIX..thinking about uploading...I'll trust your impressions...heart for you 

Quote from: sharpshot on April 25, 2011, 16:54

Didn't they have a problem with images they had from other sites?  I remember Dreamstime removed their images.  Just found this http://www.microstockgroup.com/123royaltyfree-com/123rf-serves-termination-notice-to-pixmac/

I think that and a few other stories prompted me to remove most of my portfolio.  They aren't even in the low earners in the poll results, so I'm not going to waste time with them at the moment.

Yes, I remember that situation very well.  For whatever reason, the facts were never revealed so we were all left guessing...  

After several conversations with Vita, the owner,  my concerns were put to rest and I decided to try uploading to them directly.  Just wanted to pass along that, so far, it is a positive experience.  

I completely relate to the reluctance to upload to an additional site.  With so many new sites popping up I figured it would be important to pass along info so people can decide which ones are worthwhile and which aren't.  

So is there still a problem between them and DT and SS? Last I heard, pixmac "couldn't talk about it", indicating to me there was some legal action going on.
I remain skeptical, and would rather focus what little time I have to devote to microstock on projects already in the works.

But having you contribute to their site is most definitely a feather in their cap. I hope it turns out to be good for you, too!

"Yes, I have seen agencies raise the rates they were paying contributors, and improve contributor conditions in other ways based on comments and suggestions in the forums."

I'm not doubting you, but which agencies?

A few years ago, StockXpert raised their subscription rates to .30 based on a contributor campaign in the forums (this was before Getty bought them and lowered back to .25). 

When Fotolia introduced subs, they were originally on a scale from (I believe) .22 - .30.  Based on contributor action in the forums, they raised them up to current levels .30 - .42. 

Most recent example is the Istock Partner Program (Thinkstock, etc.) which paid non-exclusives .25 but has raised it to .28 due to activism in the forums. 

There are lots of other examples, but those are the three that come to mind off the top of my head. 

Oh well Lisa, you seem to be happy. Good luck to you.

Uhh, something is going on here, several of my illustrations are for sale on that site, and I've never uploaded to Pixmac!
Wait, just checked and I'm listed as the artist. I have a whole portfolio of work there.  Now I'm really confused...

Uhh, something is going on here, several of my illustrations are for sale on that site, and I've never uploaded to Pixmac!
Wait, just checked and I'm listed as the artist. I have a whole portfolio of work there.  Now I'm really confused...

They have a lot of image partners.  Your pics are probably there through one of those partners.  Here's a list, although I don't know if it's complete.  I don't see 123RF there, and I know they were one recently.  Are you on Yaymicro or Depositphotos?

http://www.pixmac.com/image-partners

123rf was a partner, but as far as I know, are no longer. You have to request directly from 123rf to have the images removed. I did so about a month ago, but they are still there.

Thats a long time...my portfolio was removed in about five days after 123rf posted here about the break up with Pixmac...maybe you should contact them again IMO...

Thank you Lisa! A few comments from Pixmac HQ:

The royalties
This article should help: http://blog.microstockgroup.com/major-press-release-from-pixmac-fairness-in-front/
- the price goes up 1cr. if the image is sold 2+ and 10+ times
- single image purchases (without credits) are more expensive = more for contributor
- get to 40% is pretty easy (after revenue of $200) compared to other sites

The current and ex-partner agencies
We're still working on that. It takes a bit more time than expected. Sorry for that. Be sure we are doing everything to make everyone of you happy and satisfied. In case anyone here feel insecure at Pixmac (even we have the content via our partners) just let us know at [email protected] and your pics will be removed within hours/days.

Thank you for support!
Vita

May was my first full month at Pixmac.  I sold 61 images, so it definitely outperformed all the other small sites I am on. 

You guys are certainly bringing in the sales Vita.  Keep up the good work

That's encouraging Lisa. Keep us posted on progress every so often.

@Vita: are you planning to offer direct upload to Pixmac more broadly, or is it a case by case basis for large contributors only? I ask as I'm now returning to independent status after 2.5 years as an iStock exclusive and trying to make sure I explore all opportunities.

And another question:
If I upload directly to Pixmac, will all my partner program images be removed?

I want to maximize my royalties and I don't want to have partner downloads through Pixmac if I upload there directly as well.

That's encouraging Lisa. Keep us posted on progress every so often.

@Vita: are you planning to offer direct upload to Pixmac more broadly, or is it a case by case basis for large contributors only? I ask as I'm now returning to independent status after 2.5 years as an iStock exclusive and trying to make sure I explore all opportunities.

You're welcome jsnover! Just sign-up at Pixmac and observe the system. Your "Photographers" section will be active right away for some time. If you've signed up earlier without any uploads, just send a request to [email protected] to re-activate the section for you and we'll do it. After the first upload the section remains active forever...

Uploaded a few today to check it out. You're right, upload is nice.

Got an email tonight that says
We are pleased to inform you that your images have been processed today.
To see more information please log in to www.pixmac.com and go to the Sell Images section.

I log in and don't see anything that say's Sell Images. Also, if I click my account and go to photographer, it shows everything is waiting, so not sure what Processed means.

Hi dbvirago,

thank you for noticing - Sell images section was renamed but we forgot to change it in messages. We will correct that.

Our approval process works in two steps and you get this message when the images are processed by our administrators. However, there is always one more check made by our supervizor - it usually takes just several hours. But you are right, it is quite confusing. We will change it, too.

Thanks for your support!

Okay, a bit of a fly in the ointment at Pixmac.  I finally reached payout today, and they require TWO forms of ID to be uploaded along with the payout request. 

This makes me uncomfortable to begin with, but I am willing to UL my driver's license.  Unfortunately, I don't have another form of photo ID, nor do I have a passport.  So for lack of a second form of ID I can't get my money. 

I have contacted Support. 

Lisa, was this written in the contract when you signed up with them, that they require the two forms of ID?

I assume you wouldn't be the only one who hasn't 2 forms of ID without a passport. No idea what other ID would be accepted besides the drivers license? A tennis club member card? My AAA card?

Sounds a bit inconvenient...

Just an update- I heard back from contributor support and they helped me get it sorted out.  I should (hopefully) receive payment in a few days. 

Okay, a bit of a fly in the ointment at Pixmac.  I finally reached payout today, and they require TWO forms of ID to be uploaded along with the payout request. 

This makes me uncomfortable to begin with, but I am willing to UL my driver's license.  Unfortunately, I don't have another form of photo ID, nor do I have a passport.  So for lack of a second form of ID I can't get my money. 

I have contacted Support. 

Wow, 4 months with 6k of photos that made you a BD and you only got to 1st payout?    Why do ppl like you even bother with sites like this, you make this amount in a day on SS alone (or a lot more of course). I'd probably make to my first payout in 25 years or so

Quote from: Slovenian on August 19, 2011, 15:45

Quote from: lisafx on August 18, 2011, 09:25

Okay, a bit of a fly in the ointment at Pixmac.  I finally reached payout today, and they require TWO forms of ID to be uploaded along with the payout request.  

This makes me uncomfortable to begin with, but I am willing to UL my driver's license.  Unfortunately, I don't have another form of photo ID, nor do I have a passport.  So for lack of a second form of ID I can't get my money.  

I have contacted Support.  

Wow, 4 months with 6k of photos that made you a BD and you only got to 1st payout?    Why do ppl like you even bother with sites like this, you make this amount in a day on SS alone (or a lot more of course). I'd probably make to my first payout in 25 years or so

Yeah, these were pretty much my thoughts too.  Obviously when I uploaded I was hoping for more sales.  

It started out pretty good - maybe because I was the new kid on the block, or because they did that featured interview.  But sales did slow to a trickle more recently.  Now that the stuff is there I might as well let it ride, though.  

Also, as to "why people like me bother" with smaller sites - I didn't used to.  But with some of the top sites crapping all over their contributors, I decided to give some smaller ones a try.  

I'm keeping this thread updated in case its helpful to anyone else facing the same decision.

I think giving (some) smaller sites a try is a way to go, just because of the reasons you stated. I just wish togs like you would also delete ports at the sites crapping on us, but then again, the smaller would become bigger and would probably start behaving as such and nothing good would come of it anyway. Nothing will ever change as long as we'll have monetary system (money corrupts), or at least capitalism, capitalism at its worst as it is now.

BTW, the time might just be right to change the title of the thread 

BTW, the time might just be right to change the title of the thread 

To be fair, they sorted my issue.  Assuming I get paid, I won't need to change the title

The Pixmac site you upload to must be different from the one I uploaded to.  After being approved as a contributing photographer a while back, I uploaded my first batch, and decided not to do so again.  I forgot about that decision until I uploaded another batch today.  It's almost as bad as istock!  Numerous categories, feelings, number of objects, hair color, hair length, type of portrait, facial expression, ad nauseum.  I probably won't be uploading again because I just can't afford the time.   

You don't actually have to fill all that stuff out.  Not even categories.  If your keywords, title, and description are in your IPTC, then all you have to do is assign releases, if you have them.  Then you press the submit button.  This all done in batch.  Go to Photographer>my pictures>unfinished.

Hope that helps. 

I just checked, and it turns out I have a small portfolio there from 123RF as well, with sales. I know it is from 123RF originally, because I had a unique (different than my userid at other MS agencies) name at 123RF that is the same name for PixMac.  So if 123RF is no longer a Partner, then where is the money going???  I certainly have never heard from them.  I did send an email to them on this...

I never did get an answer to this question on another thread:  Is pixmac currently a 123rf partner?  I have 700+ images at pixmac showing an account name I only use at 123rf.  If they're not a partner.... they should not be selling my content... and I shouldn't have to contact them to prevent unauthorized sales of my art... but I will if I need to.  So Pixmac please answer the question:  Are you currently a 123rf partner?

I think you would be better off asking 123rf that question, they are the ones who publicly stated they were terminating the relationship. pm has already been terminated with *one or two other agencies for behaving badly. Can you trust pm's answer? I sure wouldn't.

If the relationship with 123rf was NOT terminated, why didn't 123rf come back out publicly and state that?

http://www.microstockgroup.com/123royaltyfree-com/123rf-serves-termination-notice-to-pixmac/50/

*edited...I know DT terminated, I was thinking there was one other besides DT but I could be wrong

To Zager:  Thanks for the clarification. 

I said I would post back about the speed of the payout.  Requested payout on 8/19, and received it first thing this morning, 8/22.

So no complaints from me. 

Glad to hear you got paid. Since pm is desperately trying to repair their image, I am not surprised they handled this issue quickly for a big fish like you.

But the issue about one form of ID or two was never answered (click-click asked a few posts ago). Do contributors have to submit one form of ID or two?

I'd be interested in hearing the answer too.  I'm in the same boat with only a driver's license for ID and I was considering signing up and submitting until I saw the 2-ID issue come up.

We check the ID's on a per user basis. If it's a known name with files elsewhere we are ok with one ID. If it's a new user we're more strict. For anyone here one ID is fine. We're also developing new upload system that would be a way more easy to use and understand.

Thanks very much for providing an official answer for this. 

I have been asked, but I didn't know what the official policy was so wasn't able to respond. 

We check the ID's on a per user basis. If it's a known name with files elsewhere we are ok with one ID. If it's a new user we're more strict. For anyone here one ID is fine.

Must be an issue for a lot of people, esp from countries like the UK which don't require photo ID. For example, I happen to have a passport, but that's the only photo ID I have, and there must be lots of people who don't have a passport (fewer in the UK than - proportionately - in the US). I have an old-style driver's licence which doesn't have a photo and don't need to change that until 2033. (Ironically, those with the newer photo driver's licences have to renew them every ten years and pay �20 for the privilege. Huh, that's a great example of 'Rip-off Britain' - I look like a fatter, wrinklier version of my graduation photo, no-one would doubt it was me 34 years ago.)

Quote from: cclapper on August 22, 2011, 17:16

Glad to hear you got paid. Since pm is desperately trying to repair their image, I am not surprised they handled this issue quickly for a big fish like you.

I don't know about that... Being a "big fish" has not stopped me from having slooooowww payout issues occasionally at other sites. 

No, but other sites aren't trying to repair their image.   

Just had a look at the site. Interesting, the default search is 'budget'. Are files assigned e.g. 'budget' or 'premium' at acceptance?

Issues: keywording as Lisa mentioned. In the premium search for iceberg, first page, there are two photos of 'iceberg lettuce'. (and a super pic of an iceberg behind a Greenland village).

You have 16 'premium' photos on a search for African wild dog. (I tried "African Wild Dog" first, but your system didn't like the quotation marks and returned me an 'everything' search). Among these 16 are 2 hyaenas (not dogs) and 4 Jackals (wild dogs, but not 'African wild dogs').

There is a problem with this image:
http://www.pixmac.com/picture/roasted+duck+breast+fillet+with+misoorange+sauce/000036871561
Turned up on a search for 'duck', so I clicked on it to see the duck. There isn't one, but for some odd reason, it is a woman exercising outside a log cabin, but it's titled "Roasted duck breast fillet with miso-orange sauce". The title is obviously completely wrong for the photo, although the keywords are OK.
While you're small enough, get the keywording system sorted. Drives me nuts on iStock and even more on Alamy. You have the chance NOW to do it better, but it'll get more difficult every day as you acquire more files.

Not a totally bad thing considering the account could have been opened by the dude who downloaded her photos on Istock with a phoney credit card.

LOL!  I doubt anyone would get away with it for long.  Somebody would let me know that my hubby and/or my senior couple were "cheating on me" with another photographer

I'm actually quite satisfied with Pixmac and how they handled my issue.