Quote from: DaLiu on August 01, 2025, 13:03
If anyone's interested, here's what I earned from the unlimited download model in July 2025:

$107.68 from images

$35.29 from videos

Overall, it was my second-best month on Shutterstock since I started stock photography 10 years ago.
Worth noting: I've uploaded very few files over the past two years—just been busy with life.

Not bad, how many images and videos you have in unlimited subscription?

For me, participating in the unlimited download model isn't primarily about making money; it's more about gaining exposure and staying visible to all buyers.

I had a number of high-value sales in July, even while participating in this model, so it doesn't concern me.

how to sign up in the unlimited download program ?

Quote from: Souf10 on August 04, 2025, 17:02
how to sign up in the unlimited download program ?

You get invited but you can also fill up a form and submit it to SS for them to evaluate your portfolio's suitability for that model. If you search you will find that form.

Earned $41.99 from the unlimited plan in August. It's an increase compared to July. So, I assume more customers are subscribing to that model on SS.

How were your August earnings from the unlimited plan?

Quote from: danielvisuals on September 01, 2025, 02:17
Earned $41.99 from the unlimited plan in August. It's an increase compared to July. So, I assume more customers are subscribing to that model on SS.

How were your August earnings from the unlimited plan?

Those like you who accept Unlimited Plans, those who upload to Freepik, those who agree to give their images for free to Adobe are
the ones who are RUINING our work and making agencies rich.

I've been working full-time in this industry for 20 years and I'm still holding on. If they want my (beautiful) photos, they have to pay. No Unlimited Plans, no AI training, no free photos.

It's not the agencies that are ruining this business, but the amateur contributors with poor artistic quality who work for peanuts.

Quote from: Bauman on September 01, 2025, 08:39

Quote from: danielvisuals on September 01, 2025, 02:17
Earned $41.99 from the unlimited plan in August. It's an increase compared to July. So, I assume more customers are subscribing to that model on SS.

How were your August earnings from the unlimited plan?

Those like you who accept Unlimited Plans, those who upload to Freepik, those who agree to give their images for free to Adobe are
the ones who are RUINING our work and making agencies rich.

I've been working full-time in this industry for 20 years and I'm still holding on. If they want my (beautiful) photos, they have to pay. No Unlimited Plans, no AI training, no free photos.

It's not the agencies that are ruining this business, but the amateur contributors with poor artistic quality who work for peanuts.

These plans are introduced by agencies and option for contributors is to take it or leave it.
Yes, agencies are getting rich, rich enough to hire their C post people at a very high price... who then makes changes to royalty structure to give peanuts to us.

If everyone opted out, agencies would have nothing. Without our images, agencies have nothing; they're empty shells. But contributors don't know they have this power and work for peanuts, ruining the market.

I see some contributors who have lost 90% of their earnings by accepting all kinds of impositions from agencies (free images, AI training, unlimited downloads, etc.)... I've always refused and have only lost 15-20% of my earnings. I'm saved by the high quality of my images, but I don't know if I'll be able to do that in the future, because more and more contributors are giving away their images. And clients, between a beautiful but expensive image and an uglier but free one, will choose the latter.

Contributors should focus on improving the quality and marketability of their images and not passively accept any form of income (AI Training, Unlimited Download, Free Images)

We live in a world where inflation is skyrocketing and every product costs more and more... the only products that are worthless anymore are images and videos. And it's our fault for allowing agencies to do as they please.

There has been a massive industry shift post covid and agencies are also bound to accept and make changes in their business model to survive.
Who knew that one day Canva will give huge competition to Adobe. Infact Adobe did launch their similar product but canva got the first mover advantage.

Its natural for companies to quickly adapt to the change or else someone else will take over them.

Quote from: Bauman on September 01, 2025, 08:39
Those like you who accept Unlimited Plans, those who upload to Freepik, those who agree to give their images for free to Adobe are
the ones who are RUINING our work and making agencies rich.

I've been working full-time in this industry for 20 years and I'm still holding on. If they want my (beautiful) photos, they have to pay. No Unlimited Plans, no AI training, no free photos.

It's not the agencies that are ruining this business, but the amateur contributors with poor artistic quality who work for peanuts.

Exactly the same. For 20 years in this industry, I opted out for all the AI training and refuse to give anything for free, and I don't submit snapshots like all the one I can see in the recently approved pictures. This industry has become a true disgrace to lovers of real skilled photography.

Quote from: DiscreetDuck on September 01, 2025, 19:23
Exactly the same. For 20 years in this industry, I opted out for all the AI training and refuse to give anything for free, and I don't submit snapshots like all the one I can see in the recently approved pictures. This industry has become a true disgrace to lovers of real skilled photography.

Thanks DiscreetDuck for your choices, unfortunately we're in the clear minority.

In the current stock market, I think there's no room for a professional who produces quality images.

Macrostock seems dead now. I've tried a few agencies that sell at high prices, but sales are almost nonexistent. And microstock now seems to be geared towards amateurs, and agencies seem to prefer quantity over quantity.

Has anyone tried Getty Images lately? Are there enough sales to earn a living?

Quote from: Bauman on September 01, 2025, 23:13
Macrostock seems dead now. I've tried a few agencies that sell at high prices, but sales are almost nonexistent.

My macrostock experience is also not great. They do sell, occasionally for large amounts, but my overall earnings are lower than on Adobe.
Probably the way forward is selling directly to clients, at least in case of quality content as yours. You can position yourself as someone, who offers premium content stock agencies don't have - they will soon be filled with cheap AI junk anyway, without any new quality content when the professionals will have stopped uploading.

In evolving markets, they are those who adapt and those who wither away. Make your choice and stop whingeing about it.

170$ from the unlimited plan in August.

Bauman, I feel your pain, I was in the same situation. I didn't join the plan for the first two months, but when I started searching, I saw so many people with strong portfolios already in. I felt I had no choice but to join as well, otherwise I was losing visibility.

For me, microstock is just a hobby. I could probably live off it, but I don't have the courage to leave my secure job for something so uncertain. That's why I really feel for people who rely on microstock as their only income, the industry is definitely not heading in the right direction.

Quote from: danielvisuals on September 02, 2025, 11:11
In evolving markets, they are those who adapt and those who wither away. Make your choice and stop whingeing about it.

Adapting to slavery  ... most of those who have adapted are losing their earnings, many who reject everything (like me) are still doing this job full-time. It's increasingly difficult, but we'll somehow manage to survive without selling our souls to agencies.

People like you would have accepted the crap Fotolia launched: Dollar Photo Club.

This isn't a complaint, but a suggestion to other contributors. I have the right to express my opinion, and you can't silence me.

Fair points, Bauman.

I live in Turkey. I don't see the unlimited download subscription option. Isn't this model valid in all countries?

https://youtu.be/r6FVk2k4qsM?si=Bjdrbw_r9UntUU1S

I'd say it's available in most countries. The cost is $99/month with an annual commitment. So, it's not the cheapest out there.

I´m in France and there isn´t any unlimited download option available (I checked it with Adobe support via chat, just out of curiosity ) - the biggest package you can get is 750 credits for 159,99 EUR / month. This is much more expensive than the one that danielvisuals can see.

This thread is for the unlimited download on SS not AS.

Quote from: danielvisuals on September 11, 2025, 13:09
This thread is for the unlimited download on SS not AS.

Oh, I see.. Thanks for the clarification.