A friend of mine is with both Cavan and Offset, and told me the difference is if you shoot a session, say you have 100 images you wanted to submit, with Cavan, you don't have to retouch out the logos until they make their selection. With Offset, you'll have to retouch all 100 images and they will select a percentage. That's a lot of post production time not knowing how many images will be accepted.

Secondly, he gets 30% from Offset. Where as Cavan is 50% direct sale, and thru distributing partners i think it's around 20% of the retail price.

Cavan is a macro stock agency that's why it's not mentioned much here. Clearly the quality of their images is way above the big 4. While they are a distributor on top of selling thru their site, the return is still higher than selling thru the big 4. We're in this game to make money so why not sell thru the highest paying agency? I joined them a while ago but haven't start submitting. I know they have in-house art directors to work with photographers on shoot concepts, which at times can be based on client's feedback. They have a closed Facebook group where contributors can converse.

I think series exclusive is an advantage, (of course you have to be good to get as many images accepted per series), the big money clients don't want to have a similar image being sold everywhere, they know if they go to certain agencies, they'll get that.

Quote from: derby on January 04, 2018, 07:11

Quote from: rgphoto on January 01, 2018, 22:40
Hi res image at Cavan = $500 each. Hi res image at Stocksy = $125, that's 4 times more per image!

So now I'm going to start a new agency, with hi res image at $1000 each.
WOW

It's useless to look at prices if you have not buyer. Comparing prices between agencies is a simple joke

I don't know if you looked at the images between the 2 sites, but I think both Cavan and Stocksy has very good images, hence same quality of work selling at different price.

Agreed that it would great to hear from contributors here that shoots with both agencies (or with Offset and Stocksy) and their take.

I've read that Cavan owns copyright of your photos once they are sold. Is this true?
[/quote]

The photographer owns the copyright.

what the advantage to join the Cavan?
[/quote]

Hi res image at Cavan = $500 each. Hi res image at Stocksy = $125, that's 4 times more per image!

Quote from: Chicago913 on October 12, 2017, 19:05
I applied to Stocksy a month ago when I first saw the call for artists and am still waiting for a response. Does anyone know how long the application process takes? I think it said two weeks when I submitted? Do they just not follow up if you're rejected?

I was also recently accepted to Cavan images where I did submit my editorial images with them. I also want to submit my commercial images to Cavan but can't yet because most of them are sitting waiting for a response from Stocksy.

Does anyone know if Stocksy has a time limit for removal of images after acceptance? I think Alamy has 60 days for example. I just don't want my images to be crossing paths between to exclusive sites if I am accepted to Stocksy!

I'm curious, a hi res image at Cavan is selling for $500, and hi res at Stocksy is $125, and they both offer 50% royalty to the photographer. Considering you're putting the same effort toward your shoot, what would be the advantage to join Stocksy?

Anyone using iPhone 7 plus or 8 plus to shoot 4k video? If so, how's the quality? what's your work flow---such as do you use a gimbal? which software for editing? 

I'm new to video, and wanted to give a go using an iPhone first. Thanks!

Thank you Sean!

What about similar or sister images from an existing shoot with the same model and location that's already selling on another agency's site, but not the same image? The 2017 open call application page did not indicate these images can not be submitted. Just need to make sure. Thanks!

I'm with Image Source for about a year now. They are the only agency I'm with, I'm new to stock photography, and still learning my way.

As you may know, they are a distributor, so your image will be on Getty, Offset, Adobe etc. I can tell you that while some sales are decent, most are in the pennies which makes me cringe. That's because they supply to agencies that offers subscription based pricing model. The nice thing about these "premium" agencies is that they have art directors that advises you how to generate more salable images.

Anyone with ImageSource? If so, what's your experience with them? Also anyone contribute to both ImageSource and Westend 61? Any comparison?
Thanks!

Thanks!

Hi,

I'm wondering about renting homes thru AirBB for location shoots. Has anyone done this before? I'm worried about the owner up charge or refuse rental if I ask them to sign a release up front. The images will be for RM/Macro.

Thanks

Hello,

I'm wondering if anyone here is part of the Contour division?

Would appreciate you share your experience on working with them.

Thanks in advance!

Thank you very much Gillan and everyone else that gave me valuable advise on this topic. I definitely appreciate it!

cheers,
rg

Thanks ShadySue, I'll give that a try! I really hate dealing with skin cos there's really no quick fix method that's why I rather outsource that portion.

Thanks sjlocke, I didn't know outsourced retouching is not allowed. That'll cut the cost down quite a bit.

@MFCA

Thanks for sharing your insights. Luckily, I do have someone I worked a lot with before that can handle both hair & makeup to cut cost. And I will take your advise and offer images as part of payment.

Thanks everyone for your advise!

Great point on location and group shots. Unfortunately I'm in NYC where location is even more expensive than a plain studio so I'll have do some location scouting, or find another solution. Compositing can get tricky, I better master it before I make an attempt.

I definitely agree casting is very important. While I will not hire an agency model due to cost and logistics, I'm willing to allocate a chunk of my budget to find a commercially viable model.

Also the cost includes retouching. While I can handle almost all of my retouching, however if I do shoot beauty, I'll have to farm out the skin retouching.

Thanks again for all your help, I truly appreciate it!

Thanks for your reply tab62!

Yes, I looked thru a few sites with my proposed scenario but white background is most feasible now due to location cost.

I'm willing to pay for a good model for a profitable return, my estimation includes model fee. Want to play, gotta pay.....

Agree with you about up front payment. If I choose to pay based on percentage, it would be for 12 month only, with 2 payments at 6 and 12 month interval, based on the shoot date, not publish date. After that, I want to be clear of any further ties - and hopefully continue to profit.

cheers!

Hello,

I'm trying to get into stock photography and have been researching on profitable/commercially viable subjects to start. Seems like "people" is one of the top seller. I have several questions in regards to this:

1- I'm wondering if images with models on white background in scenarios such as hold a bag of grocery, business & medical setting, beauty/spa etc still in demand given this type of photo is everywhere? Or the market constantly need this type of image and hopefully with a new model/face?

2- What's the return on such a shoot? I estimated around $1-1,500 up front cost (model, hair & makeup, studio, and retouching - I work in fashion so I can style). In return I'd like to get around 50+ images per session (multiple scenario, multiple angles). Can I make that money back with in 6 month or less, given it's well executed?

3- How do you handle the model payment? I'm leaning towards 1 time payment, instead of percentage base on sales, so it's a clean break. Otherwise I can set it at once every 6 month I cut a check to the model based on sales. What's the best?

Any insight and/or experience you can share would be greatly appreciated!

cheers.

thanks