So come on down Johnathan I assure you that you will not regret it. You might windup shooting magazine submissions instead of microstock but you will dang sure have fun doing it. There won't be any blond girl with cell phone photos at this one :-)

Yea I remember you, I will be working out of Studios 121 in Loveland while in town. I will be bringing my own lighting gear as the gear the studio has is pretty minimal.

You can contact me at bobby AT vegasvisionstudios.com and we can get something planned. I am looking at the possiblity of doing a full workshop there. If not then I will do a few provate lessons and a couple model shoots while there. I probably can spend to of the 4 days on CO working

Thank you Johnathan, I have been doing this for a little while and am familiar with submission standards for RF/RM stock.
For the record the Weekend With The Master workshops are NOT stock a shootout. They are lighting workshops designed to teach and fine tune your lighting skills.

Sorry Jonnathan, I missed read my rights respoinse above yours.

Here is another little taste of the loft home which will serve as outr location for this event

The front of the House

An Athletic Court
 

 
A Killer pool and spa in the mddle of a 1/2 acre back yard
 

 
A 12 seat private movie theatre with surround sound and stadium seating
 

Quote from: photoshow on July 10, 2009, 12:05

Like I said, not everything would be popular with the masses and this is one of the primary objections I would expect but as it would be an invite only agency dealing with pros it would be expected that they would be shooting pro gear. You can trust that the Rebels, Nikon D50, D70 grade of cameras would not be on the list. Keeping up with the list would be easy as it would only be updating the new crop of high end Prosumer and Pro DSLR and above cameras.

As I said there are plenty of existing outlets for point and shoot imagery. An agency such as this would be focusing their marketing on a different grade of client, ones who would need to be able to incorporate images in ad campaigns that would range from Web to Billboard and other forms of large format printing. Images from a 10 MP point and shoot sensor simply do not contain the pixel quality needed for these types of end use.

There are a few dangerous assumptions in this statement: 1 - pros always shoot with 3000$+ gear, 2 - the correlation with type (price) of gear and snapshot-ness [P&S cams always make snapshots, Progear always makes superior stock] - 3 customers mostly buy for billboards and large print.

When I quickly glance at my latest Dreamstime sales, the only maximum sizes are sold in subscription. I need 10,000 of those sales to finance a Canon D5-MKII. Maximum is almost never sold in PPD: those are medium, small, x-small. At that reduction, it doesn't matter at all whether the picture is made by a Hasselblad or a D90.

Billboard and large print is a tiny part of the market. To accommodate those customers, one could create a separate collection within the agency composed of top photographers with top gear. But the agency will miss the bulk of income if they neglect the vast majority that only needs web size or sidebars. Related to this: no agency should allow maximum size to be sold in subscription.

I am not sure if you read all 12 points of the agency or are only responding to the quoted post but.

As the agency would be invite only the agency would be well aware of the equipment that the pros it invites use and the pros would be well aware of the resolution requirements of the agency going in so there really would be no conflict. Again yes this would be a somewhat elite agency, not everyone can play in the sandbox. This agency would not care that it is missing Dreamstimes D70 sales.

This would not be another Istock, Shutterstock or Dreamstime. It would not be an agency targeting the same buyers you are already doing business with at the existing agencies. What is the point in creating a new agency that can only succeed by cannibalizing market share from the existing Microstock agencies? What would the contributor gain if he gained a sale here at the expense of a sale at Dreamstime? This agency does not want to earn its market share by taking it from DT, FT, IS or any of the other existing Micros, this is an agency that wants to open new markets and it could and would if someone would just create it.

This agency would look to exploit the market that exists among medium to large companies that refuse to use current microstock because of the obvious shortcomings of existing Micorstock collections. This agency does not want to sell to the neighborhood dentist who needs an image for his website home page. This agency want to sell to the Dental group who needs an image or series of images that can be used in their Web, Print, Television, Bus Shelter Posters and Billboard advertising campaign. This agency is looking to sell image licenses to designers at advertising agencies that are building full fledged ad campaigns where the images will be used in multiple levels of the campaign not just a single point of publication. These are the buyers who need the higher quality, they are the clients who will not tolerate the broken search engines of the keyword spammed Microstock agencies, these are the buyers who demand the ability to license imagery that not every company in the world will have access to. These are the clients that will capitalize on Midstock licensing. Willing to pay a little more, willing to negotiate use with photo agents before the license is issued.

If you think Microstock is currently serving the whole of the market you are mistaken, there is another whole level of buyer out there that sits between Microstock and Traditional Rights Managed Stock. A level of business that needs millions of images per month and can't bring themselves to use microstock and maybe can or can not afford traditional RM stock but would prefer to pay prices that fall reasonably in the middle.

Oh I would not prevent them from being able to license an RF image for extended uses. I would simply make them purchase an RM license and pay more appropriate fees for the extended rights. The right to reproduce and sell images for $50 or so is ludicrous. To be able to do it for that minimal fee and still have RF rights to do it over and over, naw that is a bad practice that we should have never allowed.

Quote from: photoshow on July 09, 2009, 15:08

Here are my personal 12 steps to a better agency. I know a few of these items would be unpopular with the masses of microstock contributors but IMO they would be good for the buyer.

1. It would not be a crowd sourcing site. It would be by invite only and those invited would be the individuals who have proven that they know and understand production photography and can concept and create true stock images, not just happy snapshots that might find a handful of sales per year but images that are truly commercial stock. Yes it would be an elite collection for professional content producers.  Crowdsourcing agencies fill a market niche and there are already more then enough of these agencies out there but I have yet to see a true professional microstock site. In short "YES" it would be an elite agency for elite content providers and it would attract elite clients and as such would be able to pay elite commissions (by current Microstock / Midstock Standards)

2. It would have an approved camera list and that list would not include point and shoots, not even the best of them. I know that there are P&S cameras out there capable of creating useful stock but this would not be the place for that stock.

3. It would be an agency that understands what it means to be an agent. It would treat its contributors like the important backbone to the business that they really are. It would be an agency that understands that the Agent Works for the Content Producer not the other way around.

4. It would offer both RF and midstock priced RM collections. RM Collections would have to be exclusive to the agency and similars from same shoot would not be allowed on other agencies. RM submissions would have to stay with the agency for a minimum of 24 months. RF submissions could be removed at any time.

5. It would offer subscription sales for web res - web use images only. All print usage would be on a per image license

6. There would be no RF Extended license. Extended rights fall into the territory of RM and would be priced and licensed accordingly.

7. Key wording would be done by agency staff not by content creators. This service would come at a cost of a 3% lower commission across the board. This would not be negotiable as it is the only way to truly prevent the keyword spam issues.

8. It would offer a clean intuitive GUI for both buyers and Content providers.

9. Content providers would FTP images and the submission process would end there for the content provider. There would be no instant personal gratification in the submission process. Images would be reviewed and key worded by agency staff in a timely manner (7-21 days)

10. A logical model release management tool would be provided that would allow content providers to upload one copy of MR and then apply it to every image of that model in bulk by allowing them to assign a searchable ID# to model and link it to the release. Model releases would be submitted with a head shot of model attached and then would be available to a top level agency staff member only. Releases and models private information would not be available to image reviewers.

11. There would be no image acceptance rejection appeal process. The agency would either choose to represent an image or they would not, simple, cut and dried.

12. There would be a solid and professional support staff that would communicate openly with content creators and content creators would have a personal agent within the agency that they would work with on all issues that require communication with the agency. There would be no contributor forums, this would be a business not a community. If there was a support issue that issue would be taken up with the content providers agent who would then escalate action up the ladder as required.

This is the best suggestion for a new stock agency I have heard so far! (If I would be invited of course ) I would love to see something like this take off.
The only thing I do not like is point 6. I understand the thing with RM, but you hereby limit buyers by not offering them to use extended lienses for RF images.

^^^ That's all very well thought out Bobby ... except the customer bit. You're entirely focused on the contributors and the agency although it's actually the customers who pay all the money and who will ultimately decide whether 'the perfect agency' lives or dies. It has to be perfect for them too.

Apart from the benefit of elite content only and no keyword spamming (OK, that's pretty significant) how would you differentiate/price your product in an over-crowded marketplace?

Well I think the content will be the key deciding factor. Not having to wade through all the happy snaps from Cousin Joey's visit to the states is a huge benefit. How does Neiman Marcus or Sharper Image differentiate themselves. They do it by presenting a well "Sharper Image" only in this case the content (product) would presumably actually be of a higher average quality and more focused then the other Micro and Midstock Agencies.

And of course the accurately indexed catalog of quality images is going to draw all those buyers who tried microstock but gave up because they had tro spend too much time searching for what they wanted and then when they did find it they found that it was only 4 mexapixels in resolution and they needed an image that would support large format printing as well as web use. By having the approved camera list the agency would be able to ensure the buyer that all images were available in High Resolution formats.

Models that flake on bookings are simply part of the game but I find that the stronger your portfolio the lees likely a model will flake on you. Today I have a very, very low flake percentage and also find that models are willing to work with me multiple times even for tfp.

   Having just watched some of Yuri Arcurs' amazing videos, I am struck how anybody can make a profit shooting models, for microstock. Doing the math, you pay a professional model around $200 an hour, and that doesn't include makeup and hair. And, a lot of shots include 4, 5, or 6 models. So say 6 x $200 = $1200, plus the cost of hair and makeup for 6 models. Plus , a lot of model agencies require at least a 2 hour minimum. So now, the cost doubles to $2400 for just the models. And then one photo only sells for $1? How many photos do you have to sell, from that 2 hour shoot, before you start showing a profit? 2400? It's not adding up!
   Can somebody, who shoots professional models for microstock, explain how they show a profit? Is my math completely off?

Naw, nobody in Microstock is paying models $200 an hour. $200 a day maybe but not per hour. Those kind of pay rates are reserved for quality commercial work being shot on spec for an agency and with real clients not Microstock.

While I don't shoot specifically for Microstock anylonger I still add a couple thousand images a year to the protfolio just from overflow from my other work but when I was shooting Microstock almost exclusively I never paid a model more then $200 a day. Most less often times just photos and some wardrobe items from our extensive closet. Even at TFP plus wardrobe I had no problem finding quality working models from my local area to work with. It helps if you have a strong portfolio to show them. If your portfolio is weak you will attract weak models.

Las Vegas Weekend With The Masters II

August 21-23, 2009 $525 Price Reduced Now only $450 and includes 5 meals
Limited to 12 Photographers - Registration Guaranteed upon payment

Register at Vegas Vision Lights Workshops

Early Registration Special � Register and pay in full by July 19 2009 and pay only $450. That�s 2 complete days of hands on instruction from 2 working professionals, one on one shooting time with professional fashion glamour and nude models and a full use commercial release for $225 a day. That is less then a half a day studio rental!

Internationally known fashion photographer, model coach and 5 time author Billy Pegram and
professional commercial stock, editorial fashion, glamour photographer Bobby Deal come together again to present the second in a series of seminars entitled, �Weekend with the Masters� The first seminar in May 2009 was a huge success and WWMII is expected to be even bigger and better then the inaugural event.

WWMII will kick off at 7:00 PM on Friday August 21, 2009 with a meet and greet cocktail party at the 6,000+ sq ft. 4 story luxury loft home that will serve as the location for this special event.  Starting at 9:00 AM Saturday and Sunday, attendees will meet for coffee and bagels followed by short interactive lecture sessions with both Billy/Bobby while the models are in makeup. Catered Lunches will be provided Saturday and Sunday and are included in the cost of registration.

At 10:30 we will break up into pairs to start shooting our fashion, glamour and nude photo sessions with professional models. These are not to be your typical workshop shooting sessions with lights already set and metered for you. This is an intermediate class and attendees will discuss the lighting needs of a particular session with their instructors and then set it up and meter it with instructor guidance. While this is an intermediate class instruction will be tailored to meet the individual needs of each attendee regardless of their prior experience levels.

The seminar will take place in an ultra modern 6,000 sq. ft. four story contemporary loft style home. This location sits on a full � acre with pool, spa, waterfall, palm tree background and a custom athletic court. The locations to shoot in this home are amazing and include a 3 story high great room featuring north facing windows with elevated shooting access from the 3rd floor Master Suite, a roof top hot tub and deck with panoramic views of the strip and or mountains in every direction. You can also shoot the grotto style back yard from this elevated position. The lower level features a custom pool table and spacious ultra bar and lounge setting with walk out access to the backyard.

 Experienced fashion/glamour models will be available, some of whom have shot for Playboy and or other national and international publications. We will maintain a model to photographer ratio of 1:2 or better throughout the workshop. Models will provide attendees with a full commercial release with the exception of restricting the use of nudes on pay or adult porn sites. While models and makeup artists are compensated for their time at the workshop we do ask that you provide them with a handful of photos and show them the same consideration that you would show any service industry professional and offer them a tip based on performance at the end of the workshop.

This is an incredible experience to watch, learn, and shoot with the pros. Attendees will learn the secrets of posing models, special lighting techniques, and other valuable and practical methods focusing on improving your skills as a fashion/glamour photographer.

Learn the secrets, the tricks and the techniques of photographing high fashion and glamour models that will set the mood and help you to develop a unique and personal style that allows your work to stand out in the crowd! Seize the opportunity to shoot Playboy or high-fashion style under the tutelage of internationally recognized fashion/glamour photographer Billy Pegram. Study specialized lighting techniques for both studio and location from professional commercial stock, editorial fashion, glamour photographer Bobby Deal.
What: A full two-day seminar preceded by an evening meet and greet cocktail party

When: Meet and Greet August 21st, Instruction and shooting August 22 & 23
Where: On location in a spectacular private residence in exciting Las Vegas, Nevada. A photo tour of the home will be available by July 14, 2009

About Your Instructors

Bobby Deal spent much of his life as a serious amateur photographer before turning Pro in 2001. Commercial stock photography is the core of Deal�s work as he now licenses in excess of 40,000 images per year! Moving to Las Vegas in 2008, he opened Vegas Vision Studios, a 6,000 sq. ft. commercial studio complex to serve the needs of both photographers and the video production community of Las Vegas. In addition to teaching hands-on workshops, shooting custom stock images that are continually licensed by some of the biggest companies, television studios and publications in the world Deal runs the day-to-day activities of the studio, and continues to shoot local, regional and national commercial, editorial, fashion and glamour assignments for clients such as Swimbay Swimwear, Auto Nation, VQ Action, ALSA, Ken Roberts Productions, Post Modern Group and the Yellow Pages Association and many others.

Deal has a strong knowledge of studio and location lighting, which, combined with his love for the dramatic and artistic world of glamour and fashion photography, lends his photographs an intensely individual style.

Billy Pegram is an internationally known fashion photographer, director, producer, and writer. His photos have appeared in media around the globe for clients such as Fila, Swatch, Michael Flatley�s Lord of the Dance a wide variety of haute couture designers, including Isis Couture, Billionaire Mafia, Helly Hansen, Bikini Bay , and many others.

Billy's creativity combined with a natural tendency to teach others led Amherst Media, Inc. to request a series of five books as teaching tools for aspiring photographers. Four are completed and are available at local book stores.
They are:
FASHION MODEL PHOTOGRAPHY                                                                    
THE MAKING OF A MODEL
POSING TECHNIQUES
 and
LIGHTING TECHNIQUES: For Model Portfolios.
The fifth book PROFESSIONAL TECHNIQUES FOR PHOTOGRAPHING THE FIGURE MODEL will be in the stores in 2010.

Well I did hit traffic today, there was an accident in the hallway (spilled coffee) and traffic was backed up for tiles.
All total my commute is well I don't commute I live in my studio so when I step through the doorway of my bedroom I am at work.

Quote from: oboy on May 21, 2009, 12:42

They struggle to find high-quality, affordable images for their company brochures, Web sites, advertising and newsletters. Today, the struggle is over," explains Patrick Lor, President, PhotoXpress North America.

Today, the struggle is over for a good laugh, looking at the result of some test searches.
Like this one by the keyword "Chinese".

Patrick Lor? As in Patrick Lor formerly of IStockPhoto? What a match made in heaven Patrick Lor and Oleg Tscheltzoff, these two deserve each other for sure but as one is a proponent of open scource and one a greed driven capitalist it ought to be a nice and rocky relationship while it lasts.

Nice to see  Patrick putting the screws to the photographers that made him a wealthy man yet again. I wonder if he brought his HAMMER with him to the new company.
These guys build a database they buy some servers, get us to fill them with images and then sell the servers and DB to the likes of Getty for multi millions, pass nothing on to the true owners of what they sell and then turn around and shoot us in the foot by regressing to the beginning all over again. What a POS!

I just confirmed that I can provide accommodations at the shoot location for up to 7 attendees.



The sleeping accommodations are available as follows



Bedroom 1 - 1 Queen Bed - $150 per night

Bedroom 2- 1 Queen Bed - $150 per night

Bedroom 3 - 2 twin beds - $75 per night per person

Bedroom 4 - 1 twin bed - $75 per night

I will make these beds available free of carge to those who register and pay before 5/20



These beds are in rooms that will not be used for shooting during the workshop and they are available Friday May 29 - Sunday May 31

Rooms must be vacant by 10:00 AM Monday morning