As a summary:

Looks like Fotolia is on the same path as iStock before, repeating the same mistakes iStock made.

Ok, let's see how fast they burn their fingers.

Meanwhile I guess I just stop submitting files to Fotolia. It maybe worthed that 2 years ago, when I had 10% of my overall earnings with FL, but certainly it's not worth the effort now, when I earn with them  just 1% of the amount I earn at SS.

Even such "Low Earner" as 123rf brings me 2-3 times more money, than FL does, despite the fact that at 123rf I have 2 times less files uploaded.

Bye Bye Fotolia   

QuoteThey did not precise if positive or negative record...

yes, and what competition they are gaining on LOL

This topic needs some update... Did you fellow illustrators check your stats on FL last months? I've checked mine and I am not happy, but Fotolia is:

http://www.microstockgroup.com/illustration-general/fotolia-says-they-are-doing-fine-and-how-about-you-dear-contributors/

Dear colleagues,
just wanted to bring to your attention a very interesting dialog that I had with Fotolia the other day.
Some days ago I uploaded a small batch of simple vector designs to Fotolia that has been previously accepted on SS and IS. These 2 big agencies at one time made their requirements more strict, especially IS, but now they have changed their policy and now they do accept simple vector designs that sell real good. Fotolia rejected the whole batch for "Originality & Quality" reason = "Too Simple", what made me write them this Email:

"Hello,
Fotolia has just rejected a small batch of my simple vector illustrations - File ID: 54774***, 54774***, 54774***, 54774***, 54774*** for the reason "Originality & Quality " which must be means "Too simple vectors" in this case.

Also you mentioned: "Image buyers typically require images that have intricate details that they cannot create on their own" - that's not true. My 6 year microstock experience shows different picture - simple designs and design elements are required.

By the way, if you don't know yet, Shutterstock and even iStock (!) have changed their acceptance policy and now accept such simple vectors like these ones.

You may check on SS, for example:

Image ID: 148202***
Image ID: 148223***
Image ID: 148223***
Image ID: 148223***
Image ID: 148223***


Sorry to say that, but I don't think Fotolia can afford such kind of policy. FL doesn't seem to be doing very well.
Please don't do the same mistakes as your competitors did. iStock once pushed this too far and still can't recover. Now they accept everything - simple vectors, simple vectors with text etc., just to motivate people uploading, because at some point they just stopped doing that.

Best Regards,
your contributor since 2006"


And here is the answer I got from their support:


"Hello,

We appreciate your feedback but your perception that Fotolia is not doing well is simply misinformed. In fact we are on track for a record year in sales and we are gaining on our competition. As a result we feel it is best to keep our standards high with vector submissions. We wish you the best at the other agencies but Fotolia standards will not be changing.

Sincerely,

Fotolia employee since 2005"


LOOOOL

So... They wish me the best at the other agencies and kindly inform they are doing fine.

I am happy to hear they are "on track for a record year in sales", but as for me I don't feel like I am on this track myself. My sales on FL decreased dramatically over the past few months.

What about you guys?
Are you doing that well in sales on this website as Fotolia does itself selling your images at a low price?

Tenho uma pergunta para os contribuintes, aqueles que pagam impostos em Portugal.

Acabo se mudou para Portugal e eu não sei o que para começar.

Agora tenho trabalho do dia, mas desde que eu já tenho renda estável a partir de stock sites, queria sair e trabalhar como um particular.

Não é um problema para obter a licença de um empresário privado - "Recibo Verde"

A minha pergunta é como é que vou relatar minhas rendas de microstocks? Eu não vou ser capaz de fornecer nem acordos com os meus clientes ou certificados, nem outros documentos assinados pelos clientes, mostrando o quanto dinheiro que ganhei.

Como lidam com isso? Fornecem formulários fiscais enviadas por sites de fotografia, uma vez por ano? Isso deve ser uma forma de Imposto de papel ou versão em PDF é suficiente?
Que documentos fornecem às autoridades fiscais?

Gostaria de ser apreciado por qualquer informação

I have a question for European contributors, those ones who pay taxes in EU.

I have just moved to EU (Portugal) and I don't know what to start with.

Now I have day job, but since I already have stable income from stock sites, I want to quit and work as a private individual.

It's not a problem to get a private entrepreneur's licence here in Europe ("Recibo Verde" here in Portugal)

My question is how shall I report my incomes from microstocks? I will not be able to provide neither agreements with my customers or certificates, nor other documents signed by customers, showing how much money I have earned.

How do you deal with this? Do you provide Tax forms sent to you by Stock sites once a year? Should this be a paper Tax form or PDF version is enough?
What documents you provide to tax authorities?

I would be appreciated for any information