MicrostockGroup

Agency Based Discussion => Shutterstock.com => Topic started by: dooks on October 16, 2019, 06:04

Title: Zero sales of new files
Post by: dooks on October 16, 2019, 06:04
I'm tracking my sales thanks to Catalog Manager, and  I found out that  the last few batches, which is about a last month period, had literally zero sales till now. It never happened before. It is a lot of pictures with a good potential and it looks like they were just thrown down the hole. Wasted pictures, wasted time, I don't think these pictures will recover ever.
Does anybody have the same problem?
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: mino216 on October 16, 2019, 08:07
Not in my case. I am selling both old and new images. To be honest, new images are selling better than the old ones.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: angelawaye on October 16, 2019, 08:22
Nothing new sells for me.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Mimi the Cat on October 16, 2019, 08:59
Hardly a surprise now that buyers only have two choices of search "relevant" and "new" and invariably the search defaults to "relevant" which is decided by SS

Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Uncle Pete on October 16, 2019, 10:01
Hardly a surprise now that buyers only have two choices of search "relevant" and "new" and invariably the search defaults to "relevant" which is decided by SS

And relevant shows the newest uploads for the search, which makes it a second version of new.

I'm tracking my sales thanks to Catalog Manager, and  I found out that  the last few batches, which is about a last month period, had literally zero sales till now. It never happened before. It is a lot of pictures with a good potential and it looks like they were just thrown down the hole. Wasted pictures, wasted time, I don't think these pictures will recover ever.
Does anybody have the same problem?

Nope, while old photos, and that's thousands of them, the same rather small group sell regularly, most old photos just sit. So it looks like older photos sell more, because, of course they do. Those are the established best selling. I've had a new photo join that group, but to be fair, most of my older files have never sold once and some that have, that was before 2012 and they haven't sold since.

New files have a search advantage but it only lasts until someone else uploads something that is found in the same search, and then, you are right, you will be shuffled off down the pages into oblivion.

You might try shooting less common and not "most popular" subjects. Shooting what will be pushed down in days doesn't seem to work?

I just had some strange idea from last year, that's seasonal, sell for the first time, to someone in New Orleans, where superstition is more common and Halloween is coming up. Nice! Otherwise, that photo is so out of the ordinary, I don't know if anyone would even search for it. Now on page two of my relevant.

If our own move up, based on one sale, I'd suspect that any sale will move things up in the search. No sales... dungeon of doom.

Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Artist on October 16, 2019, 12:38
I am getting good month here with new stuffs also selling.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: ArenaCreative on October 16, 2019, 13:06
On my last 34 images uploaded to SS (mid to late August) I had 4 downloads.  I've earned a whopping $1.52  ::) So glad I wasted those 2-3 hours of my life editing, keywording, uploading. 

Microstock is a dead horse, so there is no point in continuing to beat it. 

Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: dooks on October 16, 2019, 13:19
Thank you all for your answers. I'm not usually posting or panicking about short term trends, but I just had a big production that was mostly uploaded during this dead (for new uploads) month, so I'm seriously demotivated now.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: derby on October 16, 2019, 14:32
Maybe it's time to think about subjects. I sell both old and new and middle (I'm in from 2014) and I cannot see any preferences. Old middle and new ones are really different in subjects, this Is the only thing I can suggest you
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: BalkanskiMacak on October 16, 2019, 21:42
That's actually surprising! While I noticed last month that most of my sales were coming from relatively old files (ID below 1.2 billion), the last week have seen a sharp increase of sales coming from files with an ID above 1.4 billion, plus an increase of the old and traditional best sellers.

In terms of quality, it is a bit strange, considering my files located around the ID 1.4bn are not as good as usual, due to the use of a lower quality lens during a trip, following some technical issues.

Furthermore, I have launched a search on a few terms that I'm used to search, and it seems indeed some newer files have been a bit pushed up.

That being said, considering the parameters taken in account in the algorithm, plenty of other factors could explain these differences...
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Snow on October 17, 2019, 03:41
Nothing new sells for me.

Same here Angela. Funny how people are able to view your work yet still put silly comments like changing subject matter or improving on quality. Or maybe those who make 100 to 500 dollars on 5k to +10k images can tell us how we should conduct our business.

Obviously something else is at work here but then that makes you a conspiracy theorist, so you can’t win, just shut up and take your place in the corner while you get ripped off.

There is no doubt about it that our earnings are being controlled, the only question is to what extend. My personal experience and what I have seen and read on their forum tells me this can go pretty far.
There is also no doubt that reviewers have a lot more control over our work (exposure) then we might think.
I even think SS staff (higher up the ladder) doesn’t have a clue what goes on behind the scene but as long as the money keeps coming in it probably doesn't matter anyway.

I recently read a message from Leaf mentioning he could once live from stock but that his earnings have halved in the past few years which makes it unsustainable.
Are you telling me the guy who created this forum and has a lot of knowledge of the stock photography business is suddenly clueless? Same with Sean btw

It is so disheartening to see the people that were very successful in the past suddenly became useless to these libraries. It’s also disheartening to see these people just gave up without a fight. Angela is amongst the very few and brave contributors I see coming forward with this but who cares right, what does she know?

Ive seen many come and go, bragging about their (short term) success here or on Shutterstock forum, it is quite hilarious. Now it is even better with new contributors telling experienced contributors what to do while they only make a tiny fraction of their earnings. Mind you there are still people making good money in stock but they are amongst the very few and lucky people.

These libraries want you to be unique so you try to upload unique work. What happens next is that your work gets buried somewhere never to be seen again so what does this forces us to do? copy other popular topics/images like everyone else but then this is also a lost cause because we can’t have a slice of their pie. One can still make money with a niche but hardly a full time or even half time income so for most this is a waste of time.

But keep the faith! it’s all just a coincidence, nah it’s the competition, no wait it’s your work thats below standards, hmm no wait, you’re not uploading 100 images a day? thats why!  ::)

Don’t give up on your work Angela. We (photographers, videographers, illustrators) are artists foremost. These libraries and even some fellow contributors have a good way to demoralize yourself and your work but don’t let that get to you. Keep creating even if it was only for you or your family, friends and followers. I know this doesn’t put food on the table but it will eventually turn out well somehow, somewhere! We can’t keep putting our hopes into these libraries though, we have to move elsewhere, move forward, trying new things and try to take matter in our own hands!
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on October 17, 2019, 06:10
Nothing new sells for me.

Same here Angela. Funny how people are able to view your work yet still put silly comments like changing subject matter or improving on quality. Or maybe those who make 100 to 500 dollars on 5k to +10k images can tell us how we should conduct our business.

Obviously something else is at work here but then that makes you a conspiracy theorist, so you can’t win, just shut up and take your place in the corner while you get ripped off.

There is no doubt about it that our earnings are being controlled, the only question is to what extend. My personal experience and what I have seen and read on their forum tells me this can go pretty far.
There is also no doubt that reviewers have a lot more control over our work (exposure) then we might think.
I even think SS staff (higher up the ladder) doesn’t have a clue what goes on behind the scene but as long as the money keeps coming in it probably doesn't matter anyway.

I recently read a message from Leaf mentioning he could once live from stock but that his earnings have halved in the past few years which makes it unsustainable.
Are you telling me the guy who created this forum and has a lot of knowledge of the stock photography business is suddenly clueless? Same with Sean btw

It is so disheartening to see the people that were very successful in the past suddenly became useless to these libraries. It’s also disheartening to see these people just gave up without a fight. Angela is amongst the very few and brave contributors I see coming forward with this but who cares right, what does she know?

Ive seen many come and go, bragging about their (short term) success here or on Shutterstock forum, it is quite hilarious. Now it is even better with new contributors telling experienced contributors what to do while they only make a tiny fraction of their earnings. Mind you there are still people making good money in stock but they are amongst the very few and lucky people.

These libraries want you to be unique so you try to upload unique work. What happens next is that your work gets buried somewhere never to be seen again so what does this forces us to do? copy other popular topics/images like everyone else but then this is also a lost cause because we can’t have a slice of their pie. One can still make money with a niche but hardly a full time or even half time income so for most this is a waste of time.

But keep the faith! it’s all just a coincidence, nah it’s the competition, no wait it’s your work thats below standards, hmm no wait, you’re not uploading 100 images a day? thats why!  ::)

Don’t give up on your work Angela. We (photographers, videographers, illustrators) are artists foremost. These libraries and even some fellow contributors have a good way to demoralize yourself and your work but don’t let that get to you. Keep creating even if it was only for you or your family, friends and followers. I know this doesn’t put food on the table but it will eventually turn out well somehow, somewhere! We can’t keep putting our hopes into these libraries though, we have to move elsewhere, move forward, trying new things and try to take matter in our own hands!

bravo! i agree 100%...our sales are clearly completely controlled.

you can live now with stockk mostly if you live in second tier country...is not a case the abundance of files and house of production from serbia russia thailand and ukraine..i'd say they account for more than 40% of the ss library....they pay nothing produce, low taxes, if they exist o they are paid, and cost of life that is 3 4 times less than italy usa france. it's still possible to live with micro stock in those country...in a western country where
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: angelawaye on October 17, 2019, 08:39
Thanks Snow. You are spot on. Been doing micro since 2008 and this year has been the absolute worst! I wish Shutterstock would take some pride in the work uploaded. It's very embarrassing what they accept these days. I'm happy I'm on Stocksy now but it's going to take some time to build a big port there. Been doing web design to help cover the loss of income from stock.

I really do love producing stock but I know that micro is dying ...
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Microstock Posts on October 17, 2019, 09:35
I wrote about this earlier this year.

Why your New Images on Shutterstock aren’t Being Seen (https://www.microstockposts.com/why-your-new-images-on-shutterstock-arent-being-seen/)

I've had just 2 sales from around 50 new images uploaded in the last month. October is so far a very poor month for me, but this comes after a good few months over the summer.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Uncle Pete on October 17, 2019, 10:24
I wrote about this earlier this year.

Why your New Images on Shutterstock aren’t Being Seen (https://www.microstockposts.com/why-your-new-images-on-shutterstock-arent-being-seen/)

I've had just 2 sales from around 50 new images uploaded in the last month. October is so far a very poor month for me, but this comes after a good few months over the summer.

Depends on what you upload, doesn't it. I just uploaded yesterday, got accepted overnight, both are on page one of the search, for Relevant.

I know people want to believe some sinister plot is behind lower earnings, some insider conspiracy behind dropping sales, while I can accept, it's not us or our work or anything controlling income.

The problem is competition and the amount of competition. Of course that's no fun... it doesn't involve the unknown, claims, mystery or conspiracy. It's just too simple that plain old supply and demand economics that's behind the marketing of everything we do, could be so easy to understand as the reason.

I'd like to suggest to the people who think everything on Microstock is a game and controlled and the managers or some computer control our earnings, should go out and do something else. You can't change the game and if you honestly believe it's all controlled, there's nothing but futility and frustration ahead.

I'm not denying that sales and earnings are down, I'm just not going to agree with the theories that everything is controlled and that's why. My images get first page placement as new images. If they get downloads they stay and earn. If not they drop down. How's that some evil plot against us?

New is new and relevant forces new to the front. Maybe there's something else going on? Hmmm, like competition!

Right, Microstock is dying. Not for agencies, but for us.

Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Microstock Posts on October 17, 2019, 10:39
I wrote about this earlier this year.

Why your New Images on Shutterstock aren’t Being Seen (https://www.microstockposts.com/why-your-new-images-on-shutterstock-arent-being-seen/)

I've had just 2 sales from around 50 new images uploaded in the last month. October is so far a very poor month for me, but this comes after a good few months over the summer.

Depends on what you upload, doesn't it. I just uploaded yesterday, got accepted overnight, both are on page one of the search, for Relevant.

I know people want to believe some sinister plot is behind lower earnings, some insider conspiracy behind dropping sales, while I can accept, it's not us or our work or anything controlling income.

The problem is competition and the amount of competition. Of course that's no fun... it doesn't involve the unknown, claims, mystery or conspiracy. It's just too simple that plain old supply and demand economics that's behind the marketing of everything we do, could be so easy to understand as the reason.

I'd like to suggest to the people who think everything on Microstock is a game and controlled and the managers or some computer control our earnings, should go out and do something else. You can't change the game and if you honestly believe it's all controlled, there's nothing but futility and frustration ahead.

I'm not denying that sales and earnings are down, I'm just not going to agree with the theories that everything is controlled and that's why. My images get first page placement as new images. If they get downloads they stay and earn. If not they drop down. How's that some evil plot against us?

New is new and relevant forces new to the front. Maybe there's something else going on? Hmmm, like competition!

Right, Microstock is dying. Not for agencies, but for us.

You quoted me, so I'm assuming you're addressing me. I have never said there is a plot against us and I also mentioned the things you have just mentioned in the article.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Pauws99 on October 17, 2019, 10:54
Given the number of new images coming onto the market compared with slow growth in demand   if sales for most contributors weren't going down that would be strong evidence that sales were controlled. Certainly some suffer more than others. Whether that is by design, random results of algorithm changes or changing customer demand is speculation unless you have a source in shutterstock or access to their data.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Uncle Pete on October 17, 2019, 10:55
I wrote about this earlier this year.

Why your New Images on Shutterstock aren’t Being Seen (https://www.microstockposts.com/why-your-new-images-on-shutterstock-arent-being-seen/)

I've had just 2 sales from around 50 new images uploaded in the last month. October is so far a very poor month for me, but this comes after a good few months over the summer.

Depends on what you upload, doesn't it. I just uploaded yesterday, got accepted overnight, both are on page one of the search, for Relevant.

I know people want to believe some sinister plot is behind lower earnings, some insider conspiracy behind dropping sales, while I can accept, it's not us or our work or anything controlling income.

The problem is competition and the amount of competition. Of course that's no fun... it doesn't involve the unknown, claims, mystery or conspiracy. It's just too simple that plain old supply and demand economics that's behind the marketing of everything we do, could be so easy to understand as the reason.

I'd like to suggest to the people who think everything on Microstock is a game and controlled and the managers or some computer control our earnings, should go out and do something else. You can't change the game and if you honestly believe it's all controlled, there's nothing but futility and frustration ahead.

I'm not denying that sales and earnings are down, I'm just not going to agree with the theories that everything is controlled and that's why. My images get first page placement as new images. If they get downloads they stay and earn. If not they drop down. How's that some evil plot against us?

New is new and relevant forces new to the front. Maybe there's something else going on? Hmmm, like competition!

Right, Microstock is dying. Not for agencies, but for us.

You quoted me, so I'm assuming you're addressing me. I have never said there is a plot against us and I also mentioned the things you have just mentioned in the article.

Nah just the general concept and all the quotes. Sorry about that. I was attacking an idea, not any individual.  :)  8)

The blame game is, when something is wrong, some people find something outside of reality or make their own reality, often hidden conspiracy and plots. That's my point.

My new images, always get first page placement the day they are accepted. If they were going to page 10 I'd be all in with the futility of uploading new, and how no new files sell. I actually have had new images, last couple months, get accepted and downloaded within a day or two. Still not going to make me rich, because sales and commissions are down overall.

Yes I also have old images with no sales, mysteriously get downloads after a year or more. I assume that someone needed that image, so they paid for it. Not too tricky?  ;)

But in general, the same images sell month after month, and as those are old images, success seems to breed success for those same older images. Best sellers, remain best sellers. I wish I had a bunch more!  ;D I did have a new image, last year upload, join the group. ONE? Long road ahead, I don't see this as getting any better or easier.

Yeah good blog I always enjoy it. The stupid pop up ads are distracting and keep repeating. But your work is appreciated.

Given the number of new images coming onto the market compared with slow growth  if sales for most contributors weren't going down that would be strong evidence that sales were controlled.

That too, interesting way of looking at it.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: derby on October 17, 2019, 10:56
So:

Same here Angela. Funny how people are able to view your work yet still put silly comments like changing subject matter or improving on quality. Or maybe those who make 100 to 500 dollars on 5k to +10k images can tell us how we should conduct our business.

If you're talking to me, I was not answering to Angela but to the guy who opened the thread.

Apart from this, I think yopur words it's very unfair. If you would like a place where you and few others old old contributors can talk crying each other for how bad is the business, maybe you can open a new forum.

At the contrary, I think that any experience are welcome here, not "silly".
You should be a little more humble: if a business is going bad for you there is for sure something you should change your business model.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on October 17, 2019, 13:16
Given the number of new images coming onto the market compared with slow growth in demand   if sales for most contributors weren't going down that would be strong evidence that sales were controlled. Certainly some suffer more than others. Whether that is by design, random results of algorithm changes or changing customer demand is speculation unless you have a source in shutterstock or access to their data.

i think if i had a proof they are capping me so breaking the contract i signed where there was no mention of a  cap...i would go to my advocate and they will be sued the second after i have the 100% confirmation...and i think many will do this..
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: MotionDesign on October 17, 2019, 13:46
For me new images sell after a few days/weeks, but new videos take at least 6 month to roll out.
But overall, i'm happy with my earnings, growing every year. Full time since 2012. I live in Italy (Expensive North Italy).
Honestly, i think that if you are a photographer you are out of game due to competition (unless your are a top one with
expensive models and locations or if you have a niche). The future is movie quality footage and stills.
Yes, lot of expenses, but i know several people doing well, so...
Alternatives? motion graphics, cg animations, templates. This is a dynamic business and i think that you must adapt to it to
be succesful. This is what i'm trying to do.
Best wishes to all!  :)
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: angelawaye on October 17, 2019, 14:50
Uncle Pete that is awesome your new images go straight to page 1 after uploaded. Yes, I can only wish!

Seems like a lot of you are doing very well. We are all going to have different experiences that can be the result of many factors.

Keep up the great work and wishing everyone a great season ahead :)
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on October 17, 2019, 14:53
For me new images sell after a few days/weeks, but new videos take at least 6 month to roll out.
But overall, i'm happy with my earnings, growing every year. Full time since 2012. I live in Italy (Expensive North Italy).
Honestly, i think that if you are a photographer you are out of game due to competition (unless your are a top one with
expensive models and locations or if you have a niche). The future is movie quality footage and stills.
Yes, lot of expenses, but i know several people doing well, so...
Alternatives? motion graphics, cg animations, templates. This is a dynamic business and i think that you must adapt to it to
be succesful. This is what i'm trying to do.
Best wishes to all!  :)

because you think that movie or cgi or motion design will give u forever 29 dollar 39  79...ahahah good luck soon you will realize the hard truth...video like photos will be sold for penny and competition will kill your earning...it's the same as photos, you can see already agency going sub, selling video for penny, soon even video will be a complete disaster.
alternative is a business made with direct customer who pay lot of money for single job.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: f9photos on October 17, 2019, 16:40
The future is movie quality footage and stills.
Yes, lot of expenses, but i know several people doing well, so...
I afraid the same will happen with videos in a very close future (2-3 years) as it is happening now with images.
However I am shooting more and more videos now, and it really pays off. Videos give me 3-5 times more profit when compared with photos from the same trip. But it takes me 1-2 weeks to post process all the videos, and 1-2 months to do the same with the images. And video sales went from 0 to 600-700$ a month very quickly. Of course it is not comparable with my photo portfolio, nevertheless it looks promising.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: MotionDesign on October 18, 2019, 00:43
because you think that movie or cgi or motion design will give u forever 29 dollar 39  79...ahahah good luck soon you will realize the hard truth...video like photos will be sold for penny and competition will kill your earning...it's the same as photos, you can see already agency going sub, selling video for penny, soon even video will be a complete disaster.
alternative is a business made with direct customer who pay lot of money for single job.

i'm not saying that cg or motion design will stay forever...obviously they will evolve to something else...maybe something like vr
or interactive videos or...
But, a talented photographer or motion designer will always find a job. I love microstock but, if i'll find my earnings fall, i'll move to something else.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: MotionDesign on October 18, 2019, 00:48
I afraid the same will happen with videos in a very close future (2-3 years) as it is happening now with images.
However I am shooting more and more videos now, and it really pays off. Videos give me 3-5 times more profit when compared with photos from the same trip. But it takes me 1-2 weeks to post process all the videos, and 1-2 months to do the same with the images. And video sales went from 0 to 600-700$ a month very quickly. Of course it is not comparable with my photo portfolio, nevertheless it looks promising.

Yes i agree, maybe a bit more then 2-3 years. But i'm enjoying the moment. Congratulation for your result :)
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Pauws99 on October 18, 2019, 01:28
Given the number of new images coming onto the market compared with slow growth in demand   if sales for most contributors weren't going down that would be strong evidence that sales were controlled. Certainly some suffer more than others. Whether that is by design, random results of algorithm changes or changing customer demand is speculation unless you have a source in shutterstock or access to their data.

i think if i had a proof they are capping me so breaking the contract i signed where there was no mention of a  cap...i would go to my advocate and they will be sued the second after i have the 100% confirmation...and i think many will do this..
You don't have proof though and where does it say in the ToS there isn't a cap? "Shutterstock shall have the right, but not the obligation, to license all Content through any of Shutterstock’s brands and platforms to its customers for use in perpetuity in accordance with license agreements entered into by Shutterstock, including but not limited to Shutterstock, Inc. Terms of Service License Agreements (collectively, "Licenses").
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Lola Ginabrigeta on October 18, 2019, 06:55
Uncle Pete that is awesome your new images go straight to page 1 after uploaded. Yes, I can only wish!

Seems like a lot of you are doing very well. We are all going to have different experiences that can be the result of many factors.

Keep up the great work and wishing everyone a great season ahead :)

Next upload see where yours go. I don't know why he gets special treatment?
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: pancaketom on October 18, 2019, 12:51
Uncle Pete that is awesome your new images go straight to page 1 after uploaded. Yes, I can only wish!

Seems like a lot of you are doing very well. We are all going to have different experiences that can be the result of many factors.

Keep up the great work and wishing everyone a great season ahead :)

Next upload see where yours go. I don't know why he gets special treatment?

Uncle Pete could provide more insight, but I am guessing that it isn't so much special treatment but it is down to subject matter. If you upload subjects that only a few are uploaded a week then your images can be on page one for a while. If you upload subjects that get hundreds of uploads per day or even hour, chances are your images won't be on page one for long, or even ever (depending on how often things get indexed).
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: wordplanet on October 18, 2019, 14:56
It is disappointing that stock has become so overcrowded and that, as there are more new people for the sites to choose from, plus all of us old-timers have continued to improve, SS and many (most?) other sites are crowding out the millions of good images with so much junk. With hundreds of thousands of images, why get less picky? With all the dreck, maybe it helps our images stand out? If they get seen...

I got lucky. On a calendar shoot earlier this year, I had some illustrative editorial shots I couldn't use. Uploaded them to shutterstock and they sold right and are continuing to sell.  Just adding those images seemed to jump start my account which had been languishing, giving me my best month this year and keeping the momentum going (nothing to write home about but at least a steady - if small - payout each month). Pix from 2010-12 are still my best-sellers, some still on page one and selling weekly even when I stopped uploading, but nice to see the new work wasn't a waste.

2019 has been a weird and inconsistent year. The first half was strong. In fact, by June I'd made as much from stock as all of last year, due largely to Alamy and, to a lesser extent, SS. Volume continues to be okay at Alamy, but the prices I've gotten for sales the past couple of months have tanked. Only SS seems to be holding steady.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not all "wahoo" like clueless newbies who are crowing over tiny sales each month and blogging about how great they are doing (I saw one blogger whose account showed his BME was $4!!!). When my SS income was cut in half a few years ago, it wasn't a big loss in terms of raw numbers, but it was disappointing to realize then that stock would always be supplemental income. For those who were earning enough to pay all their bills, I can't even imagine the disappointment. Ironically, while I regret that I didn't upload a significant portion of my portfolio "back in the day," I am now planning to upload a lot more to SS as I've seen my RPI hold steady for several months now. Even if this just gives me a few thousand $ a year, it's better than leaving them on my hard drive. But it is sad that that's all it will ever be.

It's such a shame that as the microstock market has matured and so many shooters' skills have grown, average income has gone down and even top shooters have to scramble for other ways to make ends meet.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: YadaYadaYada on October 18, 2019, 15:31
Nothing new sells for me.

Sorry to hear that I know you do good work.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Uncle Pete on October 18, 2019, 21:42
Uncle Pete that is awesome your new images go straight to page 1 after uploaded. Yes, I can only wish!

Seems like a lot of you are doing very well. We are all going to have different experiences that can be the result of many factors.

Keep up the great work and wishing everyone a great season ahead :)

Next upload see where yours go. I don't know why he gets special treatment?

Uncle Pete could provide more insight, but I am guessing that it isn't so much special treatment but it is down to subject matter. If you upload subjects that only a few are uploaded a week then your images can be on page one for a while. If you upload subjects that get hundreds of uploads per day or even hour, chances are your images won't be on page one for long, or even ever (depending on how often things get indexed).

Right, I'm nothing special, I try to find niche areas, I also upload stupid ideas that get a download here and there, that aren't high volume to start with. And yes, I don't try to shoot "best selling" because thousands of people are also doing that already. Anyone who shoots best selling is competing against everyone else who's shooting best selling. Destination = failure.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: georgep7 on October 19, 2019, 12:10
Quote
It's such a shame that as the microstock market has matured and so many shooters' skills have grown, average income has gone down and even top shooters have to scramble for other ways to make ends meet.

If i may comment as a newbie, what everyone seems to forget is the drastic price drop in combination with evolution of equipment. Before stock near-death experiences, some other industries and jobs died or eliminated. Including respected brand names. Guess we all remember that compact consumer cameras (film) were sold in millions and labs worked overnight to make prints for individuals. Same thing as back then with the addition of social media and web-spread knowledge (or rumors).
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Uncle Pete on October 19, 2019, 13:51
Quote
It's such a shame that as the microstock market has matured and so many shooters' skills have grown, average income has gone down and even top shooters have to scramble for other ways to make ends meet.

If i may comment as a newbie, what everyone seems to forget is the drastic price drop in combination with evolution of equipment. Before stock near-death experiences, some other industries and jobs died or eliminated. Including respected brand names. Guess we all remember that compact consumer cameras (film) were sold in millions and labs worked overnight to make prints for individuals. Same thing as back then with the addition of social media and web-spread knowledge (or rumors).

Right both. Cook photo in Iowa, which I knew of, provided the service for many corner drug stores (remember those?). They flew the film from Wisconsin to Iowa every evening, private plane. Processed overnight, or next day, and returned it to the many shops and stores. That was before Fotomat - also gone, or One Hour Photo.

Except for major cities and some exceptions, camera stores are also history, people now shop at discount and big box stores. Or online.

And the other part also, even top people have lost sales and income, as the market has matured past the initial boom times. iStock was right when they announced unsustainable.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Snow on October 22, 2019, 13:54
Just checked some 2020 concepts and almost all images I checked were from contributors from Thailand, some Russia, not one from America or Europe.

Sorry but you got to be pretty naive, hmm let me rephrase pretty d.mn stupid to think there isn't something else at play here. So my suggestion to all is put Thailand, Russia, Croatia, India, etc... as your location in your profile et voila problem solved!  :o

Seriously why do we even bother anymore if they only push those people in search?
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Pauws99 on October 22, 2019, 16:01
Just checked some 2020 concepts and almost all images I checked were from contributors from Thailand, some Russia, not one from America or Europe.

Sorry but you got to be pretty naive, hmm let me rephrase pretty d.mn stupid to think there isn't something else at play here. So my suggestion to all is put Thailand, Russia, Croatia, India, etc... as your location in your profile et voila problem solved!  :o

Seriously why do we even bother anymore if they only push those people in search?
Do you have any data on the proportion of new images from those places?
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: wordplanet on October 22, 2019, 18:29
In catching up on other threads, it appears that 10% of all files on SS sell.

Because I get so many more sales of old images, my impression, before doing the math, was that old images are selling best and new files are getting buried. But after crunching the numbers, I was wrong.

So, where do new files fall in that statistic? Well, my worst selling new set, 30 Easter images with a limited shelf life, did the SS average, and were online for only 16 days before Easter. Summer concepts did better with 25% of new images selling. My bread and butter, travel images, did best with 86% of my new travel photos selling within around a month or less of uploading, and continuing to sell again after. As a whole, 19% of my new files sold, with those Easter concepts dragging down the average since they accounted for 40% of new uploads.
 

So, why did my new work get seen and sell?

I think it's pure math - those algorithms most of us don't really understand. (My daughter is a Ph.D. candidate in math, but I am still clueless). But I have a layman's appreciation for percentages. Since I started, 63% of all my images have sold (some once, some just a handful of times, my best just under 500 times). If 10% of the collection sells, then I'm above the average. So while I got lucky since my new images were seen, I'm guessing that's because the algorithm takes into account my past sales ratio as well as perhaps the length of time I've been a contributor. My top sub downloads also tend to have the most Enhanced and Single licenses, so I think sales history helps them keep selling. Otherwise I can't imagine how my tiny portfolio would keep selling amongst a sea of 300 Million+ photos.

If newbies don't have a sales history, I'd imagine they get a bump to start or they would never be seen, just like new images a get a bump, though with so many new files daily, that bump must be short-lived. But I  have to think those spammy portfolios must be hurting themselves, as their sales ratio can't be very good.

Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: dooks on October 23, 2019, 04:11
.
Well, another good point.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on October 23, 2019, 05:55
Just checked some 2020 concepts and almost all images I checked were from contributors from Thailand, some Russia, not one from America or Europe.

Sorry but you got to be pretty naive, hmm let me rephrase pretty d.mn stupid to think there isn't something else at play here. So my suggestion to all is put Thailand, Russia, Croatia, India, etc... as your location in your profile et voila problem solved!  :o

Seriously why do we even bother anymore if they only push those people in search?
Do you have any data on the proportion of new images from those places?

data data ...check some profile....most of over 50000 are from those country is easy,,.....there was a site once some years ago with ranking of contributor for country...ukraine only had like 8 10 of pages with more than 2 3 million images...we are talking about some years ago..
in addiction every article ss publish has probably 50 60 % of photos from russian contributor...it's not they are better...it's that living and producing in those country, russia outside moscow clearly is 2 3 times cheap, in ukraine even 4 times, so that's why they keep producing thousand of files...even with 1000 dollar net they earn much more than many normal jobs....where i live you live under a bridge with 1000 dollar....it's simple to understand....just search lifestyle theme and you will see how many contributor are form russia....i hope trump blocked them also:), joking,.....
i shoot in ukraine sometimes....it's 8 dollar hour to rent a super studio and free or max 15 dollar hours for model, ranging from inexperienced to experienced, any case trained all life to be beautiful and photogenic in front of camera.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on October 23, 2019, 06:00
https://www.shutterstock.com/it/g/belchonock (https://www.shutterstock.com/it/g/belchonock)

and because 1300000 was not enough they add

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/newafrica (https://www.shutterstock.com/g/newafrica)

so 1.800.000 files only by one producer from ukraine, i think dnipro or kharkiv not kiev....they can do this cause they have salary as low was 300 400 dollar and model cost nothing.
try do this in europe or usa.

in kiev light field project is both a studio and shutter stock provider you can search...another 400 thousand images, and there at least 10 more of this size and a lot more from 50 to 100k files...and we are already at what 2 3 percent of all database of ss.
i'm sure usa contributor don't even reach 3 4 million images.

i always said this is a business you can run in long term only in those country apart rare cases of 3 4 contributor
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Uncle Pete on November 01, 2019, 09:59
Just for the fact bin since there's a bunch of "I remember" and made up disinformation going around.

Country Search 2017

Thailand      2567
Russian Federation   2122
Ukraine      1857
United States      818
Italy         367
Belarus         346
United Kingdom   344
Spain         301

(note: some people do not have a country listed so exact numbers were never possible.)

And from the same people who actually studied and documented their numbers, not made up to support creative hypothetical conclusions.  ::)

Today 100 of authors reached 100,000 images in their's portfolios. They has 20,604,400 images in sum. It's a 15% of all Shutterstock's library.

April 29, 2017

#   Author   Type   Portfolio   Added per week   Country   Member since
1   Africa Studio   Photographer   1067700   4700      2007
2   Rawpixel.com   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist   859700   14400      2014
3   Aha-Soft   Illustrator / Vector Artist   689600   300   Russian Federation   2010
4   Toluk      564100   17000      2011
5   lineartestpilot   Illustrator / Vector Artist   505900   0   United Kingdom   2009
6   wavebreakmedia   Photographer / Videographer   473400   0   Ireland   2006
7   Ionut Catalin Parvu   Illustrator / Vector Artist   431900   0   Romania   2016
8   ImageCatalog      401900   1100      2016
9   Sergey Nivens   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist   338900   1000   Australia   2009
10   Kathy Hutchins   Photographer   326200   1200   United States   2010
11   iDesign   Illustrator / Vector Artist   308800   0      2011
12   Anton_Ivanov   Photographer   297500   0   Ukraine   2012
13   s_bukley      291700   0      2011
14   Elesey   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist / Videographer   290700   2000      2013
15   Elnur      284300   1400      2006
16   Serg-DAV      279400   1600      2014
17   alexwhite   Illustrator / Vector Artist / Videographer   271800   700   Poland   2009
18   Blan-k   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist   267300   1100   Latvia   2012
19   gst   Illustrator / Vector Artist   266100   3000   Colombia   2011
20   antishock   Illustrator / Vector Artist / Videographer   265900   1600   Andorra   2008
21   Stockforliving   Photographer   252700   1200      2012
22   kzww   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist / Videographer   240200   1700   Kazakhstan   2008
23   Featureflash Photo Agency   Photographer   230700   0   United States   2011
24   Syda Productions   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist / Videographer   223500   700   Estonia   2006
25   Flat Design   Illustrator / Vector Artist   221300   0      2012
26   ValentinT   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist   218800   600   Romania   2013
27   SIM VA   Illustrator / Vector Artist / Videographer   216900   2000   Georgia   2014
28   smartdesign91   Illustrator / Vector Artist / Videographer   213800   1800      2015
29   popular.vector   Illustrator / Vector Artist   213200   600   Ukraine   2015
30   VectorA      208100   1200      2015
31   Billion Photos   Photographer   203100   0   Russian Federation   2013
32   Studio_G      202400   3300      2009
33   Jacek Dudzinski   Photographer   201100   0   Poland   2013
34   eatcute      201000   0      2014
35   Ganibal   Illustrator / Vector Artist / Videographer   199200   1000      2015
36   vectorbest      194400   1100   Ukraine   2014
37   Rvector   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist   194200   2000   Russian Federation   2012
38   fractal-an      191100   1600      2014
39   s_maria   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist   184800   1400   Russian Federation   2015
40   FashionStock.com   Photographer / Videographer   183700   300   United States   2005
41   AF studio   Illustrator / Vector Artist   175100   1000   Ukraine   2014
42   MonsterGraphics      173900   0      2013
43   Iulian Dragomir      172500   800      2015
44   bicicletta   Illustrator / Vector Artist   169600   0   Ukraine   2012
45   TonsOfBackgrounds      169500   8300      2016
46   Illustration Projects   Illustrator / Vector Artist   167600   4100   Sweden   2016
47   xtock   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist   163200   300      2013
48   WEB-DESIGN   Illustrator / Vector Artist   161600   200      2014
49   garagestock   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist / Videographer   160700   0   Turkey   2015
50   3vectorbest      159800   900      2015
51   Andrey Starostin   Photographer   158500   800   Russian Federation   2005
52   PictureStudio   Illustrator / Vector Artist   158100   0      2013
53   hchjjl   Illustrator / Vector Artist / Videographer   157800   300      2011
54   LovArt   Illustrator / Vector Artist   157700   300   Ukraine   2012
55   Only background   Photographer / Videographer   157200   300   United States   2014
56   StudioIcon   Illustrator / Vector Artist / Videographer   156400   0      2014
57   Bildagentur Zoonar GmbH   Photographer   155800   1300   Germany   2012
58   okart      154200   800   Andorra   2015
59   Nata-Lia   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist   148900   200      2009
60   All-about-Flowers   Illustrator / Vector Artist   146900   1400      2013
61   Iakov Filimonov   Photographer / Videographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist   139000   1500   Spain   2007
62   grmarc      138500   1900   Andorra   2011
63   notkoo   Illustrator / Vector Artist / Videographer   138100   0      2010
64   Alexander Rakov   Illustrator / Vector Artist   137600   300   Russian Federation   2016
65   Gregory Gerber   Photographer / Videographer   136600   0      2007
66   Paul Stringer   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist   136600   1000   United Kingdom   2009
67   Jemastock   Illustrator / Vector Artist / Videographer   135900   5000      2015
68   Mademoiselle de Erotic   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist   132400   1100   Swaziland   2016
69   PPVector   Illustrator / Vector Artist   131800   200   Ukraine   2015
70   Mr.Creative   Illustrator / Vector Artist / Videographer   128900   0      2015
71   design36   Illustrator / Vector Artist / Videographer   127800   400      2008
72   Shebeko   Photographer   126700   300   Belarus   2007
73   Luis Molinero   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist   125100   400   Spain   2012
74   designtools      124200   100      2016
75   Oleg1969   Photographer   122500   900   Ukraine   2010
76   schankz   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist / Videographer   121300   900   Kazakhstan   2010
77   Julien Tromeur   Illustrator / Vector Artist / Videographer   121200   300   France   2006
78   Aquir   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist   120400   100      2009
79   Tinseltown   Photographer / Videographer   118500   600   United States   2015
80   Artstyle Studio   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist / Videographer   118200   700   Canada   2016
81   MAHATHIR MOHD YASIN   Photographer   115700   100   Malaysia   2011
82   atibody photo   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist   115200   2700      2011
83   YanaDesign   Illustrator / Vector Artist   114100   7500   Ukraine   2016
84   ilolab   Photographer   111500   500      2006
85   GN ILLUSTRATOR   Illustrator / Vector Artist   108900   800   Ukraine   2015
86   Pooh photo   Photographer   108400   500      2015
87   VectorDesigner   Illustrator / Vector Artist   107400   100   Ukraine   2008
88   Rashad Ashurov   Illustrator / Vector Artist   107000   900   Azerbaijan   2012
89   iulias   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist   106500   100      2012
90   Khakimullin Aleksandr   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist   104700   2700      2011
91   Visual Generation   Illustrator / Vector Artist   104400   1000   Canada   2009
92   Panda Vector   Illustrator / Vector Artist / Videographer   104300   2700   Ukraine   2014
93   Kues   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist / Videographer   103400   500   Spain   2012
94   Oana_Unciuleanu   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist   102400   100   Romania   2014
95   FabrikaSimf   Photographer   101900   1863   Russian Federation   2014
96   RedlineVector   Illustrator / Vector Artist   101600   500      2015
97   successo images   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist / Videographer   101500   400      2012
98   nikitabuida   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist / Videographer   100900   0   Russian Federation   2006
99   Maksim Kabakou   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist   100900   1056   Belarus   2011
100   Netfalls Remy Musser   Photographer / Illustrator / Vector Artist   100400   367   Greece   2005

I'd guess this has some effect on new and old sales for everyone, if these 15% actually have good work. Anyone can go look if they want to draw their own conclusions.

Andorra? Andorra 168 Artists, what's with that?


Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 01, 2019, 12:45
most of andorra are russian...actually lot of russian states different country probably due to political reason, they scare buyer are not buying russian content so change name and location...but acuytally for those who know and lived in russia or ukraine is pretty easy to spot them. you forgot serbian, serbia is an enormous hub of production. there is probably the only stock model agency in serbia, and probably some models it account for 100 thousandd images,.
the fact is not they love photography more, simply cost are very low and model infinite, in addiction cost of life a third of western country. so in this condition living out off stock is still possible.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 01, 2019, 12:52
the list is pretty old, in 2 years everything has changed...actually since 2017 ss open the gate an flooding of images has began...f

https://www.fotolia.com/p/206713618 (https://www.fotolia.com/p/206713618)


this is house poe production born after 2017, in less than 2 years and a bunch of months they added half million images, there are much more from serbia and russia....the scheme is simple ,saturated all market, take idea and copycat them using many photographer paid penny,m and good model paid 10 dollar hours maximum. light field has a fully functional studio with lot of room, you can rent for 10 dollar hour if you go kiev to produce.

i have seen many house of production lately are copycatting especially the style and idea of jacob lund.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Uncle Pete on November 02, 2019, 10:16
the list is pretty old, in 2 years everything has changed...actually since 2017 ss open the gate an flooding of images has began...f

https://www.fotolia.com/p/206713618 (https://www.fotolia.com/p/206713618)


this is house poe production born after 2017, in less than 2 years and a bunch of months they added half million images, there are much more from serbia and russia....the scheme is simple ,saturated all market, take idea and copycat them using many photographer paid penny,m and good model paid 10 dollar hours maximum. light field has a fully functional studio with lot of room, you can rent for 10 dollar hour if you go kiev to produce.

i have seen many house of production lately are copycatting especially the style and idea of jacob lund.

Show me your data collection for 2019? You know, locations, number of artists, image totals for top 20 maybe?

Thanks for the filler on Andorra I never would have known. Here's some things I found which I'd say I still don't know much about Andorra. Andorra, according to the World Bank, is among top 15 countries with the highest GDP per capita. ... According to International living index, Andorra is a 12-th position in the world in terms of level and quality of life. Andorra is often considered as one of the safest countries in the world, and Andorra La Vella one of the safest European cities. The most used language is English, 38.8% of the Andorran population speak Catalan. To date, there are 516 Russians in Andorra. The immigration policy of the Principality is under control, and the number of immigrants is strictly quoted according to demands of the economy.

The link for "house poe production born after 2017" whatever that means, doesn't show anything. Got a link that works?  ;)

Reminder, true the location could be a lie and many accounts list no location. We don't know. This is simple the best information to indicate who has the largest accounts and where they are from. I don't know if SS actually checks the listed location. What I mean is, this is the best data available, if someone has better, please show us.

The data used for artists location was the 18,000 accounts that had over 1,000 images on SS at the time. Of course that could have changed, but the selection was designed to represent active contributors, not 300,000 accounts registered. (as an example, the number is now over 500,000)

But the question remains, show me your data, numbers and proof?
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 02, 2019, 12:27
the list is pretty old, in 2 years everything has changed...actually since 2017 ss open the gate an flooding of images has began...f

https://www.fotolia.com/p/206713618 (https://www.fotolia.com/p/206713618)


this is house poe production born after 2017, in less than 2 years and a bunch of months they added half million images, there are much more from serbia and russia....the scheme is simple ,saturated all market, take idea and copycat them using many photographer paid penny,m and good model paid 10 dollar hours maximum. light field has a fully functional studio with lot of room, you can rent for 10 dollar hour if you go kiev to produce.

i have seen many house of production lately are copycatting especially the style and idea of jacob lund.

Show me your data collection for 2019? You know, locations, number of artists, image totals for top 20 maybe?

Thanks for the filler on Andorra I never would have known. Here's some things I found which I'd say I still don't know much about Andorra. Andorra, according to the World Bank, is among top 15 countries with the highest GDP per capita. ... According to International living index, Andorra is a 12-th position in the world in terms of level and quality of life. Andorra is often considered as one of the safest countries in the world, and Andorra La Vella one of the safest European cities. The most used language is English, 38.8% of the Andorran population speak Catalan. To date, there are 516 Russians in Andorra. The immigration policy of the Principality is under control, and the number of immigrants is strictly quoted according to demands of the economy.

The link for "house poe production born after 2017" whatever that means, doesn't show anything. Got a link that works?  ;)

Reminder, true the location could be a lie and many accounts list no location. We don't know. This is simple the best information to indicate who has the largest accounts and where they are from. I don't know if SS actually checks the listed location. What I mean is, this is the best data available, if someone has better, please show us.

The data used for artists location was the 18,000 accounts that had over 1,000 images on SS at the time. Of course that could have changed, but the selection was designed to represent active contributors, not 300,000 accounts registered. (as an example, the number is now over 500,000)

But the question remains, show me your data, numbers and proof?

well don't have data but is pretty easy to see the influence of russia ukraine and serbia in  the database.. zillions of file...just search any lifestyle idea you will see the predominance of house of production born in eastern europe

the link is light field fotolia google it...it's from kiev in ukraine...450000 file in less than 2 years...they have many people working salary less than 600 dollar....model super cheap...try replicate it in usa. in serbia there is

https://shootset.com/search?p=22&sort=recommended&country=Serbia&radius=10 (https://shootset.com/search?p=22&sort=recommended&country=Serbia&radius=10)

is a stock model agency...if you ever have browsed lifestyle content in fotolia with model release you will recognize thousand of photos with the same 10 20 model of this agency....
it's not that they love doing photos more than us...it's their cost areas cheap is still good to shoot lifestyle content....in italy good model cost 10 times the price i pay in ukraine....where i pay 10 dollarr hour and it's already much more than what many stocker from kiev pay.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Zero Talent on November 02, 2019, 13:13
most of andorra are russian...
:o
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 02, 2019, 14:24
most of andorra are russian...
:o

yeas miha most are from russian...good trial from new york city..but is legal to shoot those? i know you can0't fly your drone in new york city...flyijng lawless makes trouble soon for less...
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Zero Talent on November 02, 2019, 23:49
most of andorra are russian...
:o

yeas miha most are from russian...good trial from new york city..but is legal to shoot those? i know you can0't fly your drone in new york city...flyijng lawless makes trouble soon for less...

Yes, I know all that.
What I didn't know is that most of that beautiful Andorra is Russian.  :'(
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: trabuco on November 03, 2019, 02:40
I think you can't fight in the same areas that people from countries where a civil servant earns 50$ a month. In western countries most of us can do nothing with stock earnings, but there, a few bucks means a decent living.

The cost of production is zero (Ukraine). Have to think that.

So, you have to find areas that they can not shot (if they exist) or produce master pieces if you can.

For us, the new ones, it's really hard to find this. I know that I'm not going to pay a model, f.i.

Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: nd3000 on November 03, 2019, 02:46
the list is pretty old, in 2 years everything has changed...actually since 2017 ss open the gate an flooding of images has began...f

https://www.fotolia.com/p/206713618 (https://www.fotolia.com/p/206713618)


this is house poe production born after 2017, in less than 2 years and a bunch of months they added half million images, there are much more from serbia and russia....the scheme is simple ,saturated all market, take idea and copycat them using many photographer paid penny,m and good model paid 10 dollar hours maximum. light field has a fully functional studio with lot of room, you can rent for 10 dollar hour if you go kiev to produce.

i have seen many house of production lately are copycatting especially the style and idea of jacob lund.

Show me your data collection for 2019? You know, locations, number of artists, image totals for top 20 maybe?

Thanks for the filler on Andorra I never would have known. Here's some things I found which I'd say I still don't know much about Andorra. Andorra, according to the World Bank, is among top 15 countries with the highest GDP per capita. ... According to International living index, Andorra is a 12-th position in the world in terms of level and quality of life. Andorra is often considered as one of the safest countries in the world, and Andorra La Vella one of the safest European cities. The most used language is English, 38.8% of the Andorran population speak Catalan. To date, there are 516 Russians in Andorra. The immigration policy of the Principality is under control, and the number of immigrants is strictly quoted according to demands of the economy.

The link for "house poe production born after 2017" whatever that means, doesn't show anything. Got a link that works?  ;)

Reminder, true the location could be a lie and many accounts list no location. We don't know. This is simple the best information to indicate who has the largest accounts and where they are from. I don't know if SS actually checks the listed location. What I mean is, this is the best data available, if someone has better, please show us.

The data used for artists location was the 18,000 accounts that had over 1,000 images on SS at the time. Of course that could have changed, but the selection was designed to represent active contributors, not 300,000 accounts registered. (as an example, the number is now over 500,000)

But the question remains, show me your data, numbers and proof?

well don't have data but is pretty easy to see the influence of russia ukraine and serbia in  the database.. zillions of file...just search any lifestyle idea you will see the predominance of house of production born in eastern europe

the link is light field fotolia google it...it's from kiev in ukraine...450000 file in less than 2 years...they have many people working salary less than 600 dollar....model super cheap...try replicate it in usa. in serbia there is

https://shootset.com/search?p=22&sort=recommended&country=Serbia&radius=10 (https://shootset.com/search?p=22&sort=recommended&country=Serbia&radius=10)

is a stock model agency...if you ever have browsed lifestyle content in fotolia with model release you will recognize thousand of photos with the same 10 20 model of this agency....
it's not that they love doing photos more than us...it's their cost areas cheap is still good to shoot lifestyle content....in italy good model cost 10 times the price i pay in ukraine....where i pay 10 dollarr hour and it's already much more than what many stocker from kiev pay.

In Serbia you pay 30$ for an average model but no model works for less than 20$ these days. Some with more experience have a wage as high as 65$/hr. So its pretty easy to see that an average set with 7-8 models will cost you around 1k. Not very expensive but not darn cheap either.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Uncle Pete on November 03, 2019, 06:50
most of andorra are russian...
:o

yeas miha most are from russian...good trial from new york city..but is legal to shoot those? i know you can0't fly your drone in new york city...flyijng lawless makes trouble soon for less...

Yes, I know all that.
What I didn't know is that most of that beautiful Andorra is Russian.  :'(

Just so you feel better, it's not. jonbull makes up his facts and hasn't produced any evidence except, "well don't have data but is pretty easy to see the influence of russia ukraine and serbia in  the database.. zillions of file...just search any lifestyle idea you will see the predominance of house of production born in eastern europe", it's easy to see?

Just like, there's something going on with sales because the agency controls them, it's a game, it's rigged, the search favors everyone else. (except everyone here of course?)  ;) Because everyone can see it, or it's easy to see, that's obvious. Sorry that's not proof or evidence. People make up factoids to bolster their beliefs. Problem is, others believe them, without asking for any evidence or proof.

I'll repeat this so it's not lost in the paragraph. "To date, there are 516 Russians in Andorra." and Andorra has population of approximately 77,281 What struck me was 168 SS artists registered their location as Andorra. I don't really believe that's accurate, I don't know, I have no way of checking. I think it's just something that's unreliable and not checked by SS during registration. Add that many contributors have no location listed.

If I open an account, I might use Tierra del Fuego next time. That sounds exotic, even if it's windy with a cool moderate climate? I have cousins in Argentina.

Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Desintegrator on November 03, 2019, 08:11
most of andorra are russian...
:o

yeas miha most are from russian...good trial from new york city..but is legal to shoot those? i know you can0't fly your drone in new york city...flyijng lawless makes trouble soon for less...

Yes, I know all that.
What I didn't know is that most of that beautiful Andorra is Russian.  :'(

I'll repeat this so it's not lost in the paragraph. "To date, there are 516 Russians in Andorra." and Andorra has population of approximately 77,281 What struck me was 168 SS artists registered their location as Andorra. I don't really believe that's accurate, I don't know, I have no way of checking. I think it's just something that's unreliable and not checked by SS during registration. Add that many contributors have no location listed.

If I open an account, I might use Tierra del Fuego next time. That sounds exotic, even if it's windy with a cool moderate climate? I have cousins in Argentina.

I think it has to do something with Andorra being the first on the list of countries...
Actually for a while my SS account was set to Andorra, I didn't know how it happened, just noticed it one day.  And after that for months I actually couldn't care to change it
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Pauws99 on November 03, 2019, 08:28
most of andorra are russian...
:o

yeas miha most are from russian...good trial from new york city..but is legal to shoot those? i know you can0't fly your drone in new york city...flyijng lawless makes trouble soon for less...

Yes, I know all that.
What I didn't know is that most of that beautiful Andorra is Russian.  :'(

I'll repeat this so it's not lost in the paragraph. "To date, there are 516 Russians in Andorra." and Andorra has population of approximately 77,281 What struck me was 168 SS artists registered their location as Andorra. I don't really believe that's accurate, I don't know, I have no way of checking. I think it's just something that's unreliable and not checked by SS during registration. Add that many contributors have no location listed.

If I open an account, I might use Tierra del Fuego next time. That sounds exotic, even if it's windy with a cool moderate climate? I have cousins in Argentina.

I think it has to do something with Andorra being the first on the list of countries...
Actually for a while my SS account was set to Andorra, I didn't know how it happened, just noticed it one day.  And after that for months I actually couldn't care to change it
I always it was for some obscure tax reason or similar but your explanation is simpler and makes more sense ;-)

Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Zero Talent on November 03, 2019, 09:50
I think it has to do something with Andorra being the first on the list of countries...
Actually for a while my SS account was set to Andorra, I didn't know how it happened, just noticed it one day.  And after that for months I actually couldn't care to change it
It's 4th behind Afghanistan, Algeria, and Albania, but it makes sense that it's just an accident.

Anyway, silly me..., for a moment I was afraid that Putin had occupied lovely Andorra too, and now most of Andorra is Russian.
 ;D
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Desintegrator on November 03, 2019, 10:29
I think it has to do something with Andorra being the first on the list of countries...
Actually for a while my SS account was set to Andorra, I didn't know how it happened, just noticed it one day.  And after that for months I actually couldn't care to change it
It's 4th behind Afghanistan, Algeria, and Albania, but it makes sense that it's just an accident.

Anyway, silly me..., for a moment I was afraid that Putin had occupied lovely Andorra too, and now most of Andorra is Russian.
 ;D

True, it's not the first. Could be something with the listbox... I haven't think it through well with the alphbetical order of counties. I just remember that some time after SS introduced this new kind of profile page thing i discovered that my location was set to Andorra somehow

I don't think buyers check our profiles anyways. For a while SS used to have a counter for profile views. I was getting 1 or 2 per week while selling 500-600 photos weekly
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: YadaYadaYada on November 03, 2019, 11:39
I think it has to do something with Andorra being the first on the list of countries...
Actually for a while my SS account was set to Andorra, I didn't know how it happened, just noticed it one day.  And after that for months I actually couldn't care to change it
It's 4th behind Afghanistan, Algeria, and Albania, but it makes sense that it's just an accident.

Anyway, silly me..., for a moment I was afraid that Putin had occupied lovely Andorra too, and now most of Andorra is Russian.
 ;D

True, it's not the first. Could be something with the listbox... I haven't think it through well with the alphbetical order of counties. I just remember that some time after SS introduced this new kind of profile page thing i discovered that my location was set to Andorra somehow

I don't think buyers check our profiles anyways. For a while SS used to have a counter for profile views. I was getting 1 or 2 per week while selling 500-600 photos weekly

I'm going to check my profile now.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 03, 2019, 12:11
the list is pretty old, in 2 years everything has changed...actually since 2017 ss open the gate an flooding of images has began...f

https://www.fotolia.com/p/206713618 (https://www.fotolia.com/p/206713618)


this is house poe production born after 2017, in less than 2 years and a bunch of months they added half million images, there are much more from serbia and russia....the scheme is simple ,saturated all market, take idea and copycat them using many photographer paid penny,m and good model paid 10 dollar hours maximum. light field has a fully functional studio with lot of room, you can rent for 10 dollar hour if you go kiev to produce.

i have seen many house of production lately are copycatting especially the style and idea of jacob lund.

Show me your data collection for 2019? You know, locations, number of artists, image totals for top 20 maybe?

Thanks for the filler on Andorra I never would have known. Here's some things I found which I'd say I still don't know much about Andorra. Andorra, according to the World Bank, is among top 15 countries with the highest GDP per capita. ... According to International living index, Andorra is a 12-th position in the world in terms of level and quality of life. Andorra is often considered as one of the safest countries in the world, and Andorra La Vella one of the safest European cities. The most used language is English, 38.8% of the Andorran population speak Catalan. To date, there are 516 Russians in Andorra. The immigration policy of the Principality is under control, and the number of immigrants is strictly quoted according to demands of the economy.

The link for "house poe production born after 2017" whatever that means, doesn't show anything. Got a link that works?  ;)

Reminder, true the location could be a lie and many accounts list no location. We don't know. This is simple the best information to indicate who has the largest accounts and where they are from. I don't know if SS actually checks the listed location. What I mean is, this is the best data available, if someone has better, please show us.

The data used for artists location was the 18,000 accounts that had over 1,000 images on SS at the time. Of course that could have changed, but the selection was designed to represent active contributors, not 300,000 accounts registered. (as an example, the number is now over 500,000)

But the question remains, show me your data, numbers and proof?

well don't have data but is pretty easy to see the influence of russia ukraine and serbia in  the database.. zillions of file...just search any lifestyle idea you will see the predominance of house of production born in eastern europe

the link is light field fotolia google it...it's from kiev in ukraine...450000 file in less than 2 years...they have many people working salary less than 600 dollar....model super cheap...try replicate it in usa. in serbia there is

https://shootset.com/search?p=22&sort=recommended&country=Serbia&radius=10 (https://shootset.com/search?p=22&sort=recommended&country=Serbia&radius=10)

is a stock model agency...if you ever have browsed lifestyle content in fotolia with model release you will recognize thousand of photos with the same 10 20 model of this agency....
it's not that they love doing photos more than us...it's their cost areas cheap is still good to shoot lifestyle content....in italy good model cost 10 times the price i pay in ukraine....where i pay 10 dollarr hour and it's already much more than what many stocker from kiev pay.

In Serbia you pay 30$ for an average model but no model works for less than 20$ these days. Some with more experience have a wage as high as 65$/hr. So its pretty easy to see that an average set with 7-8 models will cost you around 1k. Not very expensive but not darn cheap either.

in serbia cost of life is one 4 of the rest of world...renting space is one tenth...model cost 30 dollar but you can find pretty darn good for 10 15 dollar.... it's not you or other serbian have more wish to shot is that you have cost 23 4 times inferior to the rest of the world...it's like producing cheap items in america or in china, it's not competitive for usa because cost are higher is the same....that'0s why most of house of production are in serbia russia and ukraine.
you have a portfolio that would have cost 5 times more than what you paid and you did in less than 2 3 year, try to work and produce such a portfolio in uk or italy ,, then you will see how much you would have earned and if you would have shot micro stock for living.....anyway next year i will move to belagreade for 2 months...already contacted many models from that agency and 30 dollar are for top notch model , other are happy with much less.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 03, 2019, 12:12
there are many russian contributor that use other country, spain italy...i think they do these linked to the situation between russia and western world, maybe they think customer will not buy them or for tax reason....it's pretty easy to spot them,.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: dooks on November 03, 2019, 13:07
.
Good point.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: trabuco on November 03, 2019, 14:27
the list is pretty old, in 2 years everything has changed...actually since 2017 ss open the gate an flooding of images has began...f

https://www.fotolia.com/p/206713618 (https://www.fotolia.com/p/206713618)


this is house poe production born after 2017, in less than 2 years and a bunch of months they added half million images, there are much more from serbia and russia....the scheme is simple ,saturated all market, take idea and copycat them using many photographer paid penny,m and good model paid 10 dollar hours maximum. light field has a fully functional studio with lot of room, you can rent for 10 dollar hour if you go kiev to produce.

i have seen many house of production lately are copycatting especially the style and idea of jacob lund.

Show me your data collection for 2019? You know, locations, number of artists, image totals for top 20 maybe?

Thanks for the filler on Andorra I never would have known. Here's some things I found which I'd say I still don't know much about Andorra. Andorra, according to the World Bank, is among top 15 countries with the highest GDP per capita. ... According to International living index, Andorra is a 12-th position in the world in terms of level and quality of life. Andorra is often considered as one of the safest countries in the world, and Andorra La Vella one of the safest European cities. The most used language is English, 38.8% of the Andorran population speak Catalan. To date, there are 516 Russians in Andorra. The immigration policy of the Principality is under control, and the number of immigrants is strictly quoted according to demands of the economy.

The link for "house poe production born after 2017" whatever that means, doesn't show anything. Got a link that works?  ;)

Reminder, true the location could be a lie and many accounts list no location. We don't know. This is simple the best information to indicate who has the largest accounts and where they are from. I don't know if SS actually checks the listed location. What I mean is, this is the best data available, if someone has better, please show us.

The data used for artists location was the 18,000 accounts that had over 1,000 images on SS at the time. Of course that could have changed, but the selection was designed to represent active contributors, not 300,000 accounts registered. (as an example, the number is now over 500,000)

But the question remains, show me your data, numbers and proof?

well don't have data but is pretty easy to see the influence of russia ukraine and serbia in  the database.. zillions of file...just search any lifestyle idea you will see the predominance of house of production born in eastern europe

the link is light field fotolia google it...it's from kiev in ukraine...450000 file in less than 2 years...they have many people working salary less than 600 dollar....model super cheap...try replicate it in usa. in serbia there is

https://shootset.com/search?p=22&sort=recommended&country=Serbia&radius=10 (https://shootset.com/search?p=22&sort=recommended&country=Serbia&radius=10)

is a stock model agency...if you ever have browsed lifestyle content in fotolia with model release you will recognize thousand of photos with the same 10 20 model of this agency....
it's not that they love doing photos more than us...it's their cost areas cheap is still good to shoot lifestyle content....in italy good model cost 10 times the price i pay in ukraine....where i pay 10 dollarr hour and it's already much more than what many stocker from kiev pay.

In Serbia you pay 30$ for an average model but no model works for less than 20$ these days. Some with more experience have a wage as high as 65$/hr. So its pretty easy to see that an average set with 7-8 models will cost you around 1k. Not very expensive but not darn cheap either.

in serbia cost of life is one 4 of the rest of world...renting space is one tenth...model cost 30 dollar but you can find pretty darn good for 10 15 dollar.... it's not you or other serbian have more wish to shot is that you have cost 23 4 times inferior to the rest of the world...it's like producing cheap items in america or in china, it's not competitive for usa because cost are higher is the same....that'0s why most of house of production are in serbia russia and ukraine.
you have a portfolio that would have cost 5 times more than what you paid and you did in less than 2 3 year, try to work and produce such a portfolio in uk or italy ,, then you will see how much you would have earned and if you would have shot micro stock for living.....anyway next year i will move to belagreade for 2 months...already contacted many models from that agency and 30 dollar are for top notch model , other are happy with much less.

In countries like Ukraine girls are obsessed with instagram, facebook and all of them think that can be models.

I'm sure that most of them would do it for free just for the pictures.

Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: trabuco on November 03, 2019, 14:29
I mean... the cost for the people that live there is 0. Just an internet connection and a camera.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: nd3000 on November 03, 2019, 15:57
the list is pretty old, in 2 years everything has changed...actually since 2017 ss open the gate an flooding of images has began...f

https://www.fotolia.com/p/206713618 (https://www.fotolia.com/p/206713618)


this is house poe production born after 2017, in less than 2 years and a bunch of months they added half million images, there are much more from serbia and russia....the scheme is simple ,saturated all market, take idea and copycat them using many photographer paid penny,m and good model paid 10 dollar hours maximum. light field has a fully functional studio with lot of room, you can rent for 10 dollar hour if you go kiev to produce.

i have seen many house of production lately are copycatting especially the style and idea of jacob lund.

Show me your data collection for 2019? You know, locations, number of artists, image totals for top 20 maybe?

Thanks for the filler on Andorra I never would have known. Here's some things I found which I'd say I still don't know much about Andorra. Andorra, according to the World Bank, is among top 15 countries with the highest GDP per capita. ... According to International living index, Andorra is a 12-th position in the world in terms of level and quality of life. Andorra is often considered as one of the safest countries in the world, and Andorra La Vella one of the safest European cities. The most used language is English, 38.8% of the Andorran population speak Catalan. To date, there are 516 Russians in Andorra. The immigration policy of the Principality is under control, and the number of immigrants is strictly quoted according to demands of the economy.

The link for "house poe production born after 2017" whatever that means, doesn't show anything. Got a link that works?  ;)

Reminder, true the location could be a lie and many accounts list no location. We don't know. This is simple the best information to indicate who has the largest accounts and where they are from. I don't know if SS actually checks the listed location. What I mean is, this is the best data available, if someone has better, please show us.

The data used for artists location was the 18,000 accounts that had over 1,000 images on SS at the time. Of course that could have changed, but the selection was designed to represent active contributors, not 300,000 accounts registered. (as an example, the number is now over 500,000)

But the question remains, show me your data, numbers and proof?

well don't have data but is pretty easy to see the influence of russia ukraine and serbia in  the database.. zillions of file...just search any lifestyle idea you will see the predominance of house of production born in eastern europe

the link is light field fotolia google it...it's from kiev in ukraine...450000 file in less than 2 years...they have many people working salary less than 600 dollar....model super cheap...try replicate it in usa. in serbia there is

https://shootset.com/search?p=22&sort=recommended&country=Serbia&radius=10 (https://shootset.com/search?p=22&sort=recommended&country=Serbia&radius=10)

is a stock model agency...if you ever have browsed lifestyle content in fotolia with model release you will recognize thousand of photos with the same 10 20 model of this agency....
it's not that they love doing photos more than us...it's their cost areas cheap is still good to shoot lifestyle content....in italy good model cost 10 times the price i pay in ukraine....where i pay 10 dollarr hour and it's already much more than what many stocker from kiev pay.

In Serbia you pay 30$ for an average model but no model works for less than 20$ these days. Some with more experience have a wage as high as 65$/hr. So its pretty easy to see that an average set with 7-8 models will cost you around 1k. Not very expensive but not darn cheap either.

in serbia cost of life is one 4 of the rest of world...renting space is one tenth...model cost 30 dollar but you can find pretty darn good for 10 15 dollar.... it's not you or other serbian have more wish to shot is that you have cost 23 4 times inferior to the rest of the world...it's like producing cheap items in america or in china, it's not competitive for usa because cost are higher is the same....that'0s why most of house of production are in serbia russia and ukraine.
you have a portfolio that would have cost 5 times more than what you paid and you did in less than 2 3 year, try to work and produce such a portfolio in uk or italy ,, then you will see how much you would have earned and if you would have shot micro stock for living.....anyway next year i will move to belagreade for 2 months...already contacted many models from that agency and 30 dollar are for top notch model , other are happy with much less.

Its not that I am not aware of the costs of living in other countries as I live in an EU country with costs of life being a lot higher compared to Serbia. That is the exact reason I go to shoot there. I just wanted to clarify the costs of a set over there. What used to be 15 usd 2-3 years ago, its 30-50 today.  But hating people for living in 3rd world countries just because they can produce content for less is like hating people paying low taxes in Virgin Islands. Btw living in a 3rd world country isnt necessarily great in some other aspects.

Im not here to argue, I justposted facts but Im out.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 03, 2019, 17:11
the list is pretty old, in 2 years everything has changed...actually since 2017 ss open the gate an flooding of images has began...f

https://www.fotolia.com/p/206713618 (https://www.fotolia.com/p/206713618)


this is house poe production born after 2017, in less than 2 years and a bunch of months they added half million images, there are much more from serbia and russia....the scheme is simple ,saturated all market, take idea and copycat them using many photographer paid penny,m and good model paid 10 dollar hours maximum. light field has a fully functional studio with lot of room, you can rent for 10 dollar hour if you go kiev to produce.

i have seen many house of production lately are copycatting especially the style and idea of jacob lund.

Show me your data collection for 2019? You know, locations, number of artists, image totals for top 20 maybe?

Thanks for the filler on Andorra I never would have known. Here's some things I found which I'd say I still don't know much about Andorra. Andorra, according to the World Bank, is among top 15 countries with the highest GDP per capita. ... According to International living index, Andorra is a 12-th position in the world in terms of level and quality of life. Andorra is often considered as one of the safest countries in the world, and Andorra La Vella one of the safest European cities. The most used language is English, 38.8% of the Andorran population speak Catalan. To date, there are 516 Russians in Andorra. The immigration policy of the Principality is under control, and the number of immigrants is strictly quoted according to demands of the economy.

The link for "house poe production born after 2017" whatever that means, doesn't show anything. Got a link that works?  ;)

Reminder, true the location could be a lie and many accounts list no location. We don't know. This is simple the best information to indicate who has the largest accounts and where they are from. I don't know if SS actually checks the listed location. What I mean is, this is the best data available, if someone has better, please show us.

The data used for artists location was the 18,000 accounts that had over 1,000 images on SS at the time. Of course that could have changed, but the selection was designed to represent active contributors, not 300,000 accounts registered. (as an example, the number is now over 500,000)

But the question remains, show me your data, numbers and proof?

well don't have data but is pretty easy to see the influence of russia ukraine and serbia in  the database.. zillions of file...just search any lifestyle idea you will see the predominance of house of production born in eastern europe

the link is light field fotolia google it...it's from kiev in ukraine...450000 file in less than 2 years...they have many people working salary less than 600 dollar....model super cheap...try replicate it in usa. in serbia there is

https://shootset.com/search?p=22&sort=recommended&country=Serbia&radius=10 (https://shootset.com/search?p=22&sort=recommended&country=Serbia&radius=10)

is a stock model agency...if you ever have browsed lifestyle content in fotolia with model release you will recognize thousand of photos with the same 10 20 model of this agency....
it's not that they love doing photos more than us...it's their cost areas cheap is still good to shoot lifestyle content....in italy good model cost 10 times the price i pay in ukraine....where i pay 10 dollarr hour and it's already much more than what many stocker from kiev pay.

In Serbia you pay 30$ for an average model but no model works for less than 20$ these days. Some with more experience have a wage as high as 65$/hr. So its pretty easy to see that an average set with 7-8 models will cost you around 1k. Not very expensive but not darn cheap either.

in serbia cost of life is one 4 of the rest of world...renting space is one tenth...model cost 30 dollar but you can find pretty darn good for 10 15 dollar.... it's not you or other serbian have more wish to shot is that you have cost 23 4 times inferior to the rest of the world...it's like producing cheap items in america or in china, it's not competitive for usa because cost are higher is the same....that'0s why most of house of production are in serbia russia and ukraine.
you have a portfolio that would have cost 5 times more than what you paid and you did in less than 2 3 year, try to work and produce such a portfolio in uk or italy ,, then you will see how much you would have earned and if you would have shot micro stock for living.....anyway next year i will move to belagreade for 2 months...already contacted many models from that agency and 30 dollar are for top notch model , other are happy with much less.

Its not that I am not aware of the costs of living in other countries as I live in an EU country with costs of life being a lot higher compared to Serbia. That is the exact reason I go to shoot there. I just wanted to clarify the costs of a set over there. What used to be 15 usd 2-3 years ago, its 30-50 today.  But hating people for living in 3rd world countries just because they can produce content for less is like hating people paying low taxes in Virgin Islands. Btw living in a 3rd world country isnt necessarily great in some other aspects.

Im not here to argue, I justposted facts but Im out.
nobody is hating...is just explanation why people in western world probably won't succeed in living put of micro stock...there is simply too much competition and too high cost in western world.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: BalkanskiMacak on November 04, 2019, 07:36
Well, it depends on the type of microstock you're doing. I'm based in Southeastern Europe, mainly shooting editorial and travel.

The demand for southeastern Europe in these fields is actually incredibly low. So, shooting more or less the same topics, I get some significantly different performance.

In average, my RPI for a picture taken in the Balkans is almost three times lower than for a file taken in Germany, and between 5 to 6 times lower than for a Canadian picture. If I check my photos taken in Ukraine, it's even worse: the RPI is half the one of Balkans...

In the end, depending on what you shoot, there may still be a potential for you, even in a developed country, due to the much bigger demand.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 04, 2019, 08:18
Well, it depends on the type of microstock you're doing. I'm based in Southeastern Europe, mainly shooting editorial and travel.

The demand for southeastern Europe in these fields is actually incredibly low. So, shooting more or less the same topics, I get some significantly different performance.

In average, my RPI for a picture taken in the Balkans is almost three times lower than for a file taken in Germany, and between 5 to 6 times lower than for a Canadian picture. If I check my photos taken in Ukraine, it's even worse: the RPI is half the one of Balkans...

In the end, depending on what you shoot, there may still be a potential for you, even in a developed country, due to the much bigger demand.

the problem is no the rip is cost of life...in balkans you can live and not bad with 1000 dollar..in kiev the cost of life is even lower...in eurpope you need to run a business at least 6 70 k dollar, and at the end you not earn a lot....that's why if you want live a normal life with micro you better move to a country with that cost of life...7k dollar of files per month at this point are not a joke i tell you.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 04, 2019, 08:20
Well, it depends on the type of microstock you're doing. I'm based in Southeastern Europe, mainly shooting editorial and travel.

The demand for southeastern Europe in these fields is actually incredibly low. So, shooting more or less the same topics, I get some significantly different performance.

In average, my RPI for a picture taken in the Balkans is almost three times lower than for a file taken in Germany, and between 5 to 6 times lower than for a Canadian picture. If I check my photos taken in Ukraine, it's even worse: the RPI is half the one of Balkans...

In the end, depending on what you shoot, there may still be a potential for you, even in a developed country, due to the much bigger demand.

i shoot travel also, and is true i have lot of ukraine files ready to sell especially aerial, but they are not in high demand...if you live in balkans better you shoot lifestyle.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 04, 2019, 08:25
https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=France&country2=Serbia&city1=Paris&city2=Belgrade&tracking=getDispatchComparison (https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=France&country2=Serbia&city1=Paris&city2=Belgrade&tracking=getDispatchComparison)

just an easy comparison...considering the fact this data is not perfect...

the salary comparison is 2100 euro against 400 euro, in ukraine is even worst probably like 250 euro. and in russia outside moscow is comparable to belagrade...you understand that even if you earn 700 dollar is not bad in belgrade, thats why there are thousand contributor, it's still better to shoot micro than works macdonald....in the rest of the world is better mcdonald:)...by the way a mcdonald employer in kiev earn less than 200 dollar. it's fact. than there will be some isolated cases who can earn a lot even in western world, but for example lifestyle portfolio are completely coming in these days from those country, just make a search or look at the new files in fotolia, most are russian. so move there if you like shooting lifestyle,
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: qunamax on November 04, 2019, 09:34
Well, it depends on the type of microstock you're doing. I'm based in Southeastern Europe, mainly shooting editorial and travel.

The demand for southeastern Europe in these fields is actually incredibly low. So, shooting more or less the same topics, I get some significantly different performance.

In average, my RPI for a picture taken in the Balkans is almost three times lower than for a file taken in Germany, and between 5 to 6 times lower than for a Canadian picture. If I check my photos taken in Ukraine, it's even worse: the RPI is half the one of Balkans...

In the end, depending on what you shoot, there may still be a potential for you, even in a developed country, due to the much bigger demand.

the problem is no the rip is cost of life...in balkans you can live and not bad with 1000 dollar..in kiev the cost of life is even lower...in eurpope you need to run a business at least 6 70 k dollar, and at the end you not earn a lot....that's why if you want live a normal life with micro you better move to a country with that cost of life...7k dollar of files per month at this point are not a joke i tell you.

With 1000$ a month from stock you are the king in Serbia, firstly you don't have to deal with half-literate bosses and that's a major life improvement. People manage with 300$ a month, pretty decent, with a lot of pressure but still decent. But you have to have a balkan mentality sort of, so no classy restaurants everyday, no new V6 car, not the latest pro camera gear etc. With that, 1000$ makes your life easy, you get to buy stuff, travel and not worry about life in general all while doing what you love and not double shifts for your greedy boss. Avoid Belgrade, where everything is more expensive for no reason and where you throw you time in a black hole called public transport or looking for parking spot - and you are golden. 
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 04, 2019, 09:54
Well, it depends on the type of microstock you're doing. I'm based in Southeastern Europe, mainly shooting editorial and travel.

The demand for southeastern Europe in these fields is actually incredibly low. So, shooting more or less the same topics, I get some significantly different performance.

In average, my RPI for a picture taken in the Balkans is almost three times lower than for a file taken in Germany, and between 5 to 6 times lower than for a Canadian picture. If I check my photos taken in Ukraine, it's even worse: the RPI is half the one of Balkans...

In the end, depending on what you shoot, there may still be a potential for you, even in a developed country, due to the much bigger demand.

the problem is no the rip is cost of life...in balkans you can live and not bad with 1000 dollar..in kiev the cost of life is even lower...in eurpope you need to run a business at least 6 70 k dollar, and at the end you not earn a lot....that's why if you want live a normal life with micro you better move to a country with that cost of life...7k dollar of files per month at this point are not a joke i tell you.

With 1000$ a month from stock you are the king in Serbia, firstly you don't have to deal with half-literate bosses and that's a major life improvement. People manage with 300$ a month, pretty decent, with a lot of pressure but still decent. But you have to have a balkan mentality sort of, so no classy restaurants everyday, no new V6 car, not the latest pro camera gear etc. With that, 1000$ makes your life easy, you get to buy stuff, travel and not worry about life in general all while doing what you love and not double shifts for your greedy boss. Avoid Belgrade, where everything is more expensive for no reason and where you throw you time in a black hole called public transport or looking for parking spot - and you are golden.

novi sad is very good...next year will move permanently between russia ukraine and belgrade, in winter warm place like colombia and thailand...litterally thousand model, cheap, production cost very low....yeterday a girl know in street asked me 300 euro for a shooting of 2 hours...i laugh at her. but reallyy the problem is that where i live or you go agency or there is no point in finding model....when i walk in kiev i literally know 20 girl each day who are super happy to do shooting mostly for free...and as i said they are naturally blessed with a super attitude in front of camera. but time to stop talking or next year we will see thousand of stockers moving to kiev or belgrade
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 04, 2019, 09:56
just to say one run in taxi in center cost 1 dollar at the moment with uber...in paris when the taxi arrived you have already spent 8 euro.then 3 km and 15 euro gone forever....that's easy to understand why living with stock in paris rome london is pretty impossible att the moment.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: NeonRobot on November 13, 2019, 13:42
Uploaded almost 1500 pictures during last two weeks. One picture was sold:)
New stuff not selling at all. Only old ones. It looks like smth is broken and we are drowning in similars.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: MicroVet on November 13, 2019, 14:04
Well something is definitely different. I've been uploading photos and already had sales from those batches in all agencies, including the lowest earners, but nothing on SS.

That is a first in 14 years of stock for me.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: NeonRobot on November 13, 2019, 14:26
Well something is definitely different. I've been uploading photos and already had sales from those batches in all agencies, including the lowest earners, but nothing on SS.

That is a first in 14 years of stock for me.

It looks like "somebody" accept all and new files instantly drowning in newly uploaded ones.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Desintegrator on November 13, 2019, 15:04
It has happened before. Looking at images the page doesn't remember the "fresh content" setting, goes back to "most relevant" every time
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: cascoly on November 13, 2019, 18:20
just to say one run in taxi in center cost 1 dollar at the moment with uber...in paris when the taxi arrived you have already spent 8 euro.then 3 km and 15 euro gone forever....that's easy to understand why living with stock in paris rome london is pretty impossible att the moment.

but why would you use a taxi when metro is so good?
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: ShadySue on November 13, 2019, 19:28
if you want live a normal life with micro you better move to a country with that cost of life...7k dollar of files per month at this point are not a joke i tell you.
Eh? Where are you unable to live in Europe on $7k a month? (Of course, it depends what your expenses are in getting the $7K, and I'm assuming you're talking about US$ and not, e.g. HK$). Even in London and Paris you can live very well on US$7k pm.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Pauws99 on November 14, 2019, 03:05
if you want live a normal life with micro you better move to a country with that cost of life...7k dollar of files per month at this point are not a joke i tell you.
Eh? Where are you unable to live in Europe on $7k a month? (Of course, it depends what your expenses are in getting the $7K, and I'm assuming you're talking about US$ and not, e.g. HK$). Even in London and Paris you can live very well on US$7k pm.
It may come back to the old issue about revenue vs profit. If you are using a studio models  regularly buying equipment and travelling  then you may well need to generate that kind of money. Mstock is a small and diminishing part of my income...however my return on investment is very high as I have reduced my spending to close to zero (except my time).
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 14, 2019, 08:12
if you want live a normal life with micro you better move to a country with that cost of life...7k dollar of files per month at this point are not a joke i tell you.
Eh? Where are you unable to live in Europe on $7k a month? (Of course, it depends what your expenses are in getting the $7K, and I'm assuming you're talking about US$ and not, e.g. HK$). Even in London and Paris you can live very well on US$7k pm.

7k after all expenses and taxes, and considering you need to calculate a profit for your ime....then the rest is for making a living and if you live in a country where tax is 50 % believe me if 1 2 k are left you are very good.....and we are talking about 84000 k dollar, now make calculation to sell only 0,38 cent, something that in the near future will be the norm considering that big sale are rare like water in desert....than you see that how many can live out of micro in western world country...sure gif you live in ukraine...zero cost tax 20 per cent or less...even 12 k per year can be very good.
run a business in a ny modern developed country you need minimum 50k. and if you have a family to feed believe me you will live pretty bad.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 14, 2019, 08:16
if you want live a normal life with micro you better move to a country with that cost of life...7k dollar of files per month at this point are not a joke i tell you.
Eh? Where are you unable to live in Europe on $7k a month? (Of course, it depends what your expenses are in getting the $7K, and I'm assuming you're talking about US$ and not, e.g. HK$). Even in London and Paris you can live very well on US$7k pm.
It may come back to the old issue about revenue vs profit. If you are using a studio models  regularly buying equipment and travelling  then you may well need to generate that kind of money. Mstock is a small and diminishing part of my income...however my return on investment is very high as I have reduced my spending to close to zero (except my time).

my experience is at this point zero investment bring zero gain...shooting snapshot don't take you money, real money,,.sure if you want buy a lens for have a bunch of meals is a lot...model released images are the only wayy to make consistent money,  is not a case that most of but seller are model shooter.
in addiction everything cost, i shoot lot of food recently and believe me seems zero cost but it's very expensive. travel shooting is expensive...sure if you walk around the city take some snapshot and sell is a zero cost but how much you can earn?

in adddiction model released images at this point are the only barrier left against free website. released images give the buyer the insurance everything is correct while using free images with person in free sites can bring problem...the problem is that for a shooting with a model i need spend minimum 200 300 euro here.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Pauws99 on November 14, 2019, 12:50
if you want live a normal life with micro you better move to a country with that cost of life...7k dollar of files per month at this point are not a joke i tell you.
Eh? Where are you unable to live in Europe on $7k a month? (Of course, it depends what your expenses are in getting the $7K, and I'm assuming you're talking about US$ and not, e.g. HK$). Even in London and Paris you can live very well on US$7k pm.
It may come back to the old issue about revenue vs profit. If you are using a studio models  regularly buying equipment and travelling  then you may well need to generate that kind of money. Mstock is a small and diminishing part of my income...however my return on investment is very high as I have reduced my spending to close to zero (except my time).

my experience is at this point zero investment bring zero gain...shooting snapshot don't take you money, real money,,.sure if you want buy a lens for have a bunch of meals is a lot...model released images are the only wayy to make consistent money,  is not a case that most of but seller are model shooter.
in addiction everything cost, i shoot lot of food recently and believe me seems zero cost but it's very expensive. travel shooting is expensive...sure if you walk around the city take some snapshot and sell is a zero cost but how much you can earn?

in adddiction model released images at this point are the only barrier left against free website. released images give the buyer the insurance everything is correct while using free images with person in free sites can bring problem...the problem is that for a shooting with a model i need spend minimum 200 300 euro here.
So if you are doing so well with your "strategy" why are you always complaining?
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Uncle Pete on November 14, 2019, 13:17
if you want live a normal life with micro you better move to a country with that cost of life...7k dollar of files per month at this point are not a joke i tell you.
Eh? Where are you unable to live in Europe on $7k a month? (Of course, it depends what your expenses are in getting the $7K, and I'm assuming you're talking about US$ and not, e.g. HK$). Even in London and Paris you can live very well on US$7k pm.
It may come back to the old issue about revenue vs profit. If you are using a studio models  regularly buying equipment and travelling  then you may well need to generate that kind of money. Mstock is a small and diminishing part of my income...however my return on investment is very high as I have reduced my spending to close to zero (except my time).

my experience is at this point zero investment bring zero gain...shooting snapshot don't take you money, real money,,.sure if you want buy a lens for have a bunch of meals is a lot...model released images are the only wayy to make consistent money,  is not a case that most of but seller are model shooter.
in addiction everything cost, i shoot lot of food recently and believe me seems zero cost but it's very expensive. travel shooting is expensive...sure if you walk around the city take some snapshot and sell is a zero cost but how much you can earn?

in adddiction model released images at this point are the only barrier left against free website. released images give the buyer the insurance everything is correct while using free images with person in free sites can bring problem...the problem is that for a shooting with a model i need spend minimum 200 300 euro here.
So if you are doing so well with your "strategy" why are you always complaining?

+++++++++++++++++
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 14, 2019, 17:13
if you want live a normal life with micro you better move to a country with that cost of life...7k dollar of files per month at this point are not a joke i tell you.
Eh? Where are you unable to live in Europe on $7k a month? (Of course, it depends what your expenses are in getting the $7K, and I'm assuming you're talking about US$ and not, e.g. HK$). Even in London and Paris you can live very well on US$7k pm.
It may come back to the old issue about revenue vs profit. If you are using a studio models  regularly buying equipment and travelling  then you may well need to generate that kind of money. Mstock is a small and diminishing part of my income...however my return on investment is very high as I have reduced my spending to close to zero (except my time).

my experience is at this point zero investment bring zero gain...shooting snapshot don't take you money, real money,,.sure if you want buy a lens for have a bunch of meals is a lot...model released images are the only wayy to make consistent money,  is not a case that most of but seller are model shooter.
in addiction everything cost, i shoot lot of food recently and believe me seems zero cost but it's very expensive. travel shooting is expensive...sure if you walk around the city take some snapshot and sell is a zero cost but how much you can earn?

in adddiction model released images at this point are the only barrier left against free website. released images give the buyer the insurance everything is correct while using free images with person in free sites can bring problem...the problem is that for a shooting with a model i need spend minimum 200 300 euro here.
So if you are doing so well with your "strategy" why are you always complaining?


you should understand i foo photography for a living not for buy a pizza like you...maybe you will understand my strategy.....your strategy is zeo. you silly collect money from old file thanks to the fact that still ss favors old file...if they change this you will not even earn that pizza. simply.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 14, 2019, 17:14
if you want live a normal life with micro you better move to a country with that cost of life...7k dollar of files per month at this point are not a joke i tell you.
Eh? Where are you unable to live in Europe on $7k a month? (Of course, it depends what your expenses are in getting the $7K, and I'm assuming you're talking about US$ and not, e.g. HK$). Even in London and Paris you can live very well on US$7k pm.
It may come back to the old issue about revenue vs profit. If you are using a studio models  regularly buying equipment and travelling  then you may well need to generate that kind of money. Mstock is a small and diminishing part of my income...however my return on investment is very high as I have reduced my spending to close to zero (except my time).

my experience is at this point zero investment bring zero gain...shooting snapshot don't take you money, real money,,.sure if you want buy a lens for have a bunch of meals is a lot...model released images are the only wayy to make consistent money,  is not a case that most of but seller are model shooter.
in addiction everything cost, i shoot lot of food recently and believe me seems zero cost but it's very expensive. travel shooting is expensive...sure if you walk around the city take some snapshot and sell is a zero cost but how much you can earn?

in adddiction model released images at this point are the only barrier left against free website. released images give the buyer the insurance everything is correct while using free images with person in free sites can bring problem...the problem is that for a shooting with a model i need spend minimum 200 300 euro here.
So if you are doing so well with your "strategy" why are you always complaining?

+++++++++++++++++

you wrote me already you don't earn nothing..so why spend all your time here trying to be an expert of something you are clearly a failure?
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: dooks on November 15, 2019, 02:48
.
Another good point.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Pauws99 on November 15, 2019, 04:44
if you want live a normal life with micro you better move to a country with that cost of life...7k dollar of files per month at this point are not a joke i tell you.
Eh? Where are you unable to live in Europe on $7k a month? (Of course, it depends what your expenses are in getting the $7K, and I'm assuming you're talking about US$ and not, e.g. HK$). Even in London and Paris you can live very well on US$7k pm.
It may come back to the old issue about revenue vs profit. If you are using a studio models  regularly buying equipment and travelling  then you may well need to generate that kind of money. Mstock is a small and diminishing part of my income...however my return on investment is very high as I have reduced my spending to close to zero (except my time).

my experience is at this point zero investment bring zero gain...shooting snapshot don't take you money, real money,,.sure if you want buy a lens for have a bunch of meals is a lot...model released images are the only wayy to make consistent money,  is not a case that most of but seller are model shooter.
in addiction everything cost, i shoot lot of food recently and believe me seems zero cost but it's very expensive. travel shooting is expensive...sure if you walk around the city take some snapshot and sell is a zero cost but how much you can earn?

in adddiction model released images at this point are the only barrier left against free website. released images give the buyer the insurance everything is correct while using free images with person in free sites can bring problem...the problem is that for a shooting with a model i need spend minimum 200 300 euro here.
So if you are doing so well with your "strategy" why are you always complaining?


you should understand i foo photography for a living not for buy a pizza like you...maybe you will understand my strategy.....your strategy is zeo. you silly collect money from old file thanks to the fact that still ss favors old file...if they change this you will not even earn that pizza. simply.
So the answer is to invest huge amounts to produce images for a market that you have said over and over is flooded with images? I may be a failure but I'm not a bankrupt one. If people stop buying my images overnight I will go and do something else with no debts to service.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Lina on November 15, 2019, 05:00
Since I started this thread, just an update - the new files still don't sell at all. It never happened before. Lately I shoot lifestyle with professional models and assistants, big investments, and the last thing I expected was zero sales.
On the other hand the same files are doing great at Adobe and Istock, I really can't figure out what's going on.
To JonBull - I really understand what you are trying to say and I agree whit the most of it and with your plans to move to Eastern countries. But, it is funny how people are never satisfied with what they already have, always being desperate for something that they don't have. Do you now how many eastern world people are dreaming about living in EU and US? Do you see these endless columns of migrants sleeping on the borders of Hungary and Croatia, waiting to sneak in EU for moths, sleeping under plastic tends without food and water? JonBull, people in your country are not doing microstock full time just because the production expenses are high, but because there are plenty other photography jobs  that are paid much more than microstock. In Eastern country a wedding photographer can earn like 500 EUR for a wedding and in Swiss, Austria or wherever you are - you can tell me. Maybe 1500 - 3000 EUR? Not to mention senior portrait, newborn photography, fashion, corporate and industrial, architecture, studio still life, commercials, video. Believe me, the ONLY reason I'm doing microstock full time here in Eastern country - is that I don't have any other serious option. If I were where you are, I would walk away from microstock in a second, I would start a serious photographer's business and I would build a stable reputation in a stable country. So, think twice before you make that big decision.

True. My new files aren't selling at all either, but they are not selling at AS either, so... I don't know what anymore, I was never big earner, but lately whatever I do, it is just getting worse. I was also thinking to invest in models and that would probably be last thing I tried to do for microstosck, but after your post, I am not so sure anymore.

And yes, I am living in Eastern Europe too, thinking of same thing wherever I am reading Jonbull's posts, but I am curiously waiting for him to move to Serbia or wherever and come back kicking and screaming. Young people or moving from Croatia in other EU countries like crazy because they don't see any perspective. I guess it is just worse in other countries.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: DigitalPro on November 15, 2019, 16:53
the list is pretty old, in 2 years everything has changed...actually since 2017 ss open the gate an flooding of images has began...f

https://www.fotolia.com/p/206713618 (https://www.fotolia.com/p/206713618)


this is house poe production born after 2017, in less than 2 years and a bunch of months they added half million images, there are much more from serbia and russia....the scheme is simple ,saturated all market, take idea and copycat them using many photographer paid penny,m and good model paid 10 dollar hours maximum. light field has a fully functional studio with lot of room, you can rent for 10 dollar hour if you go kiev to produce.

i have seen many house of production lately are copycatting especially the style and idea of jacob lund.

Show me your data collection for 2019? You know, locations, number of artists, image totals for top 20 maybe?

Thanks for the filler on Andorra I never would have known. Here's some things I found which I'd say I still don't know much about Andorra. Andorra, according to the World Bank, is among top 15 countries with the highest GDP per capita. ... According to International living index, Andorra is a 12-th position in the world in terms of level and quality of life. Andorra is often considered as one of the safest countries in the world, and Andorra La Vella one of the safest European cities. The most used language is English, 38.8% of the Andorran population speak Catalan. To date, there are 516 Russians in Andorra. The immigration policy of the Principality is under control, and the number of immigrants is strictly quoted according to demands of the economy.

The link for "house poe production born after 2017" whatever that means, doesn't show anything. Got a link that works?  ;)

Reminder, true the location could be a lie and many accounts list no location. We don't know. This is simple the best information to indicate who has the largest accounts and where they are from. I don't know if SS actually checks the listed location. What I mean is, this is the best data available, if someone has better, please show us.

The data used for artists location was the 18,000 accounts that had over 1,000 images on SS at the time. Of course that could have changed, but the selection was designed to represent active contributors, not 300,000 accounts registered. (as an example, the number is now over 500,000)

But the question remains, show me your data, numbers and proof?

well don't have data but is pretty easy to see the influence of russia ukraine and serbia in  the database.. zillions of file...just search any lifestyle idea you will see the predominance of house of production born in eastern europe

the link is light field fotolia google it...it's from kiev in ukraine...450000 file in less than 2 years...they have many people working salary less than 600 dollar....model super cheap...try replicate it in usa. in serbia there is

https://shootset.com/search?p=22&sort=recommended&country=Serbia&radius=10 (https://shootset.com/search?p=22&sort=recommended&country=Serbia&radius=10)

is a stock model agency...if you ever have browsed lifestyle content in fotolia with model release you will recognize thousand of photos with the same 10 20 model of this agency....
it's not that they love doing photos more than us...it's their cost areas cheap is still good to shoot lifestyle content....in italy good model cost 10 times the price i pay in ukraine....where i pay 10 dollarr hour and it's already much more than what many stocker from kiev pay.

In Serbia you pay 30$ for an average model but no model works for less than 20$ these days. Some with more experience have a wage as high as 65$/hr. So its pretty easy to see that an average set with 7-8 models will cost you around 1k. Not very expensive but not darn cheap either.

in serbia cost of life is one 4 of the rest of world...renting space is one tenth...model cost 30 dollar but you can find pretty darn good for 10 15 dollar.... it's not you or other serbian have more wish to shot is that you have cost 23 4 times inferior to the rest of the world...it's like producing cheap items in america or in china, it's not competitive for usa because cost are higher is the same....that'0s why most of house of production are in serbia russia and ukraine.
you have a portfolio that would have cost 5 times more than what you paid and you did in less than 2 3 year, try to work and produce such a portfolio in uk or italy ,, then you will see how much you would have earned and if you would have shot micro stock for living.....anyway next year i will move to belagreade for 2 months...already contacted many models from that agency and 30 dollar are for top notch model , other are happy with much less.

Jonbull do you mean 30, 10, 15 dollars per hour for models in Serbia?
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 15, 2019, 17:19
the list is pretty old, in 2 years everything has changed...actually since 2017 ss open the gate an flooding of images has began...f

https://www.fotolia.com/p/206713618 (https://www.fotolia.com/p/206713618)


this is house poe production born after 2017, in less than 2 years and a bunch of months they added half million images, there are much more from serbia and russia....the scheme is simple ,saturated all market, take idea and copycat them using many photographer paid penny,m and good model paid 10 dollar hours maximum. light field has a fully functional studio with lot of room, you can rent for 10 dollar hour if you go kiev to produce.

i have seen many house of production lately are copycatting especially the style and idea of jacob lund.

Show me your data collection for 2019? You know, locations, number of artists, image totals for top 20 maybe?

Thanks for the filler on Andorra I never would have known. Here's some things I found which I'd say I still don't know much about Andorra. Andorra, according to the World Bank, is among top 15 countries with the highest GDP per capita. ... According to International living index, Andorra is a 12-th position in the world in terms of level and quality of life. Andorra is often considered as one of the safest countries in the world, and Andorra La Vella one of the safest European cities. The most used language is English, 38.8% of the Andorran population speak Catalan. To date, there are 516 Russians in Andorra. The immigration policy of the Principality is under control, and the number of immigrants is strictly quoted according to demands of the economy.

The link for "house poe production born after 2017" whatever that means, doesn't show anything. Got a link that works?  ;)

Reminder, true the location could be a lie and many accounts list no location. We don't know. This is simple the best information to indicate who has the largest accounts and where they are from. I don't know if SS actually checks the listed location. What I mean is, this is the best data available, if someone has better, please show us.

The data used for artists location was the 18,000 accounts that had over 1,000 images on SS at the time. Of course that could have changed, but the selection was designed to represent active contributors, not 300,000 accounts registered. (as an example, the number is now over 500,000)

But the question remains, show me your data, numbers and proof?

well don't have data but is pretty easy to see the influence of russia ukraine and serbia in  the database.. zillions of file...just search any lifestyle idea you will see the predominance of house of production born in eastern europe

the link is light field fotolia google it...it's from kiev in ukraine...450000 file in less than 2 years...they have many people working salary less than 600 dollar....model super cheap...try replicate it in usa. in serbia there is

https://shootset.com/search?p=22&sort=recommended&country=Serbia&radius=10 (https://shootset.com/search?p=22&sort=recommended&country=Serbia&radius=10)

is a stock model agency...if you ever have browsed lifestyle content in fotolia with model release you will recognize thousand of photos with the same 10 20 model of this agency....
it's not that they love doing photos more than us...it's their cost areas cheap is still good to shoot lifestyle content....in italy good model cost 10 times the price i pay in ukraine....where i pay 10 dollarr hour and it's already much more than what many stocker from kiev pay.

In Serbia you pay 30$ for an average model but no model works for less than 20$ these days. Some with more experience have a wage as high as 65$/hr. So its pretty easy to see that an average set with 7-8 models will cost you around 1k. Not very expensive but not darn cheap either.

in serbia cost of life is one 4 of the rest of world...renting space is one tenth...model cost 30 dollar but you can find pretty darn good for 10 15 dollar.... it's not you or other serbian have more wish to shot is that you have cost 23 4 times inferior to the rest of the world...it's like producing cheap items in america or in china, it's not competitive for usa because cost are higher is the same....that'0s why most of house of production are in serbia russia and ukraine.
you have a portfolio that would have cost 5 times more than what you paid and you did in less than 2 3 year, try to work and produce such a portfolio in uk or italy ,, then you will see how much you would have earned and if you would have shot micro stock for living.....anyway next year i will move to belagreade for 2 months...already contacted many models from that agency and 30 dollar are for top notch model , other are happy with much less.

Jonbull do you mean 30, 10, 15 dollars per hour for models in Serbia?

from 10 to 30 dollar very good model. in ukraine 10 12 is enough , i was even quoted 15 from an agency for new faces..russia outside moscow is the same. but if you have good instagram you will be easily a requested photographer from lot of young teenager ready to improve their skill and have a bunch of photo for their instagram.. and believe me most of the time from model to non model the difference is minimal. they have a natural attitude in fronton camera written in dna.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Uncle Pete on November 16, 2019, 09:55
if you want live a normal life with micro you better move to a country with that cost of life...7k dollar of files per month at this point are not a joke i tell you.
Eh? Where are you unable to live in Europe on $7k a month? (Of course, it depends what your expenses are in getting the $7K, and I'm assuming you're talking about US$ and not, e.g. HK$). Even in London and Paris you can live very well on US$7k pm.
It may come back to the old issue about revenue vs profit. If you are using a studio models  regularly buying equipment and travelling  then you may well need to generate that kind of money. Mstock is a small and diminishing part of my income...however my return on investment is very high as I have reduced my spending to close to zero (except my time).

my experience is at this point zero investment bring zero gain...shooting snapshot don't take you money, real money,,.sure if you want buy a lens for have a bunch of meals is a lot...model released images are the only wayy to make consistent money,  is not a case that most of but seller are model shooter.
in addiction everything cost, i shoot lot of food recently and believe me seems zero cost but it's very expensive. travel shooting is expensive...sure if you walk around the city take some snapshot and sell is a zero cost but how much you can earn?

in adddiction model released images at this point are the only barrier left against free website. released images give the buyer the insurance everything is correct while using free images with person in free sites can bring problem...the problem is that for a shooting with a model i need spend minimum 200 300 euro here.
So if you are doing so well with your "strategy" why are you always complaining?

+++++++++++++++++

you wrote me already you don't earn nothing..so why spend all your time here trying to be an expert of something you are clearly a failure?

I think he's writing to you Pauws, I'm a verified Veteran and certified Expert.  ;) Hard to tell what JB is writing about most of the time.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: DigitalPro on November 16, 2019, 10:12
the list is pretty old, in 2 years everything has changed...actually since 2017 ss open the gate an flooding of images has began...f

https://www.fotolia.com/p/206713618 (https://www.fotolia.com/p/206713618)


this is house poe production born after 2017, in less than 2 years and a bunch of months they added half million images, there are much more from serbia and russia....the scheme is simple ,saturated all market, take idea and copycat them using many photographer paid penny,m and good model paid 10 dollar hours maximum. light field has a fully functional studio with lot of room, you can rent for 10 dollar hour if you go kiev to produce.

i have seen many house of production lately are copycatting especially the style and idea of jacob lund.

Show me your data collection for 2019? You know, locations, number of artists, image totals for top 20 maybe?

Thanks for the filler on Andorra I never would have known. Here's some things I found which I'd say I still don't know much about Andorra. Andorra, according to the World Bank, is among top 15 countries with the highest GDP per capita. ... According to International living index, Andorra is a 12-th position in the world in terms of level and quality of life. Andorra is often considered as one of the safest countries in the world, and Andorra La Vella one of the safest European cities. The most used language is English, 38.8% of the Andorran population speak Catalan. To date, there are 516 Russians in Andorra. The immigration policy of the Principality is under control, and the number of immigrants is strictly quoted according to demands of the economy.

The link for "house poe production born after 2017" whatever that means, doesn't show anything. Got a link that works?  ;)

Reminder, true the location could be a lie and many accounts list no location. We don't know. This is simple the best information to indicate who has the largest accounts and where they are from. I don't know if SS actually checks the listed location. What I mean is, this is the best data available, if someone has better, please show us.

The data used for artists location was the 18,000 accounts that had over 1,000 images on SS at the time. Of course that could have changed, but the selection was designed to represent active contributors, not 300,000 accounts registered. (as an example, the number is now over 500,000)

But the question remains, show me your data, numbers and proof?

well don't have data but is pretty easy to see the influence of russia ukraine and serbia in  the database.. zillions of file...just search any lifestyle idea you will see the predominance of house of production born in eastern europe

the link is light field fotolia google it...it's from kiev in ukraine...450000 file in less than 2 years...they have many people working salary less than 600 dollar....model super cheap...try replicate it in usa. in serbia there is

https://shootset.com/search?p=22&sort=recommended&country=Serbia&radius=10 (https://shootset.com/search?p=22&sort=recommended&country=Serbia&radius=10)

is a stock model agency...if you ever have browsed lifestyle content in fotolia with model release you will recognize thousand of photos with the same 10 20 model of this agency....
it's not that they love doing photos more than us...it's their cost areas cheap is still good to shoot lifestyle content....in italy good model cost 10 times the price i pay in ukraine....where i pay 10 dollarr hour and it's already much more than what many stocker from kiev pay.

In Serbia you pay 30$ for an average model but no model works for less than 20$ these days. Some with more experience have a wage as high as 65$/hr. So its pretty easy to see that an average set with 7-8 models will cost you around 1k. Not very expensive but not darn cheap either.

in serbia cost of life is one 4 of the rest of world...renting space is one tenth...model cost 30 dollar but you can find pretty darn good for 10 15 dollar.... it's not you or other serbian have more wish to shot is that you have cost 23 4 times inferior to the rest of the world...it's like producing cheap items in america or in china, it's not competitive for usa because cost are higher is the same....that'0s why most of house of production are in serbia russia and ukraine.
you have a portfolio that would have cost 5 times more than what you paid and you did in less than 2 3 year, try to work and produce such a portfolio in uk or italy ,, then you will see how much you would have earned and if you would have shot micro stock for living.....anyway next year i will move to belagreade for 2 months...already contacted many models from that agency and 30 dollar are for top notch model , other are happy with much less.

Jonbull do you mean 30, 10, 15 dollars per hour for models in Serbia?

from 10 to 30 dollar very good model. in ukraine 10 12 is enough , i was even quoted 15 from an agency for new faces..russia outside moscow is the same. but if you have good instagram you will be easily a requested photographer from lot of young teenager ready to improve their skill and have a bunch of photo for their instagram.. and believe me most of the time from model to non model the difference is minimal. they have a natural attitude in fronton camera written in dna.
Jonbull Prices you mention sound reasonable. I will try to contact some models for a couple of concepts I have in mind. Belgrade is not far from where I currently live - about one and a half hour flight. If financial terms end up positive, I can either fly to Belgrade or bring models to my location offering them an 8 day free vacation in an sea side airbnb villa with modern facilities including a pool, in exchange of their time - 5-6 hours photoshoot a day. TFV (time for vacation - flights included).  Will calculate costs and see if I should proceed or not.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Uncle Pete on November 16, 2019, 10:18
Jonbull Prices you mention sound reasonable. I will try to contact some models for a couple of concepts I have in mind. Belgrade is not far from where I currently live - about one and a half hour flight. If financial terms end up positive, I can either fly to Belgrade or bring models to my location offering them an 8 day free vacation in an sea side airbnb villa with modern facilities including a pool, in exchange of their time - 5-6 hours photoshoot a day. TFV (time for vacation - flights included).  Will calculate costs and see if I should proceed or not.

Sorry to clip out some of the irrelevant parts. Maybe you should also calculate the earnings from those photos, not just the expenses? If you can make back your investment, time, money, everything in two years, that's not a bad plan. (except you already have the equipment and software, so you don't need to include that in a single project prediction?)

What's your return for 8 days and 40 to 48 hours of shooting. You should count your personal time editing and uploading as an expense.

How much profit do you expect?
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 16, 2019, 14:02
if you want live a normal life with micro you better move to a country with that cost of life...7k dollar of files per month at this point are not a joke i tell you.
Eh? Where are you unable to live in Europe on $7k a month? (Of course, it depends what your expenses are in getting the $7K, and I'm assuming you're talking about US$ and not, e.g. HK$). Even in London and Paris you can live very well on US$7k pm.
It may come back to the old issue about revenue vs profit. If you are using a studio models  regularly buying equipment and travelling  then you may well need to generate that kind of money. Mstock is a small and diminishing part of my income...however my return on investment is very high as I have reduced my spending to close to zero (except my time).

my experience is at this point zero investment bring zero gain...shooting snapshot don't take you money, real money,,.sure if you want buy a lens for have a bunch of meals is a lot...model released images are the only wayy to make consistent money,  is not a case that most of but seller are model shooter.
in addiction everything cost, i shoot lot of food recently and believe me seems zero cost but it's very expensive. travel shooting is expensive...sure if you walk around the city take some snapshot and sell is a zero cost but how much you can earn?

in adddiction model released images at this point are the only barrier left against free website. released images give the buyer the insurance everything is correct while using free images with person in free sites can bring problem...the problem is that for a shooting with a model i need spend minimum 200 300 euro here.
So if you are doing so well with your "strategy" why are you always complaining?

+++++++++++++++++

you wrote me already you don't earn nothing..so why spend all your time here trying to be an expert of something you are clearly a failure?

I think he's writing to you Pauws, I'm a verified Veteran and certified Expert.  ;) Hard to tell what JB is writing about most of the time.

you don't have a clue about micro..believe me you are expert maybe in your condominium.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 16, 2019, 14:05
if you want live a normal life with micro you better move to a country with that cost of life...7k dollar of files per month at this point are not a joke i tell you.
Eh? Where are you unable to live in Europe on $7k a month? (Of course, it depends what your expenses are in getting the $7K, and I'm assuming you're talking about US$ and not, e.g. HK$). Even in London and Paris you can live very well on US$7k pm.
It may come back to the old issue about revenue vs profit. If you are using a studio models  regularly buying equipment and travelling  then you may well need to generate that kind of money. Mstock is a small and diminishing part of my income...however my return on investment is very high as I have reduced my spending to close to zero (except my time).

my experience is at this point zero investment bring zero gain...shooting snapshot don't take you money, real money,,.sure if you want buy a lens for have a bunch of meals is a lot...model released images are the only wayy to make consistent money,  is not a case that most of but seller are model shooter.
in addiction everything cost, i shoot lot of food recently and believe me seems zero cost but it's very expensive. travel shooting is expensive...sure if you walk around the city take some snapshot and sell is a zero cost but how much you can earn?

in adddiction model released images at this point are the only barrier left against free website. released images give the buyer the insurance everything is correct while using free images with person in free sites can bring problem...the problem is that for a shooting with a model i need spend minimum 200 300 euro here.
So if you are doing so well with your "strategy" why are you always complaining?

+++++++++++++++++

you wrote me already you don't earn nothing..so why spend all your time here trying to be an expert of something you are clearly a failure?

I think he's writing to you Pauws, I'm a verified Veteran and certified Expert.  ;) Hard to tell what JB is writing about most of the time.
ok great expert.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: DigitalPro on November 16, 2019, 15:26
Jonbull Prices you mention sound reasonable. I will try to contact some models for a couple of concepts I have in mind. Belgrade is not far from where I currently live - about one and a half hour flight. If financial terms end up positive, I can either fly to Belgrade or bring models to my location offering them an 8 day free vacation in an sea side airbnb villa with modern facilities including a pool, in exchange of their time - 5-6 hours photoshoot a day. TFV (time for vacation - flights included).  Will calculate costs and see if I should proceed or not.

Sorry to clip out some of the irrelevant parts. Maybe you should also calculate the earnings from those photos, not just the expenses? If you can make back your investment, time, money, everything in two years, that's not a bad plan. (except you already have the equipment and software, so you don't need to include that in a single project prediction?)

What's your return for 8 days and 40 to 48 hours of shooting. You should count your personal time editing and uploading as an expense.

How much profit do you expect?
Hello Pete,
You are absolutely right. It is mandatory all aspects of such a project must be taken in consideration to avoid unpleasant financial end results; however I cannot really predict the sales potential each image has. But I can say I am often surprised with repeating good sales coming from some of my older or/and newer images I thought did not have that much sales potential.
Of course I have the equipment and software. I do the editing, keywording etc by myself, and upload in small batches.

In regard to the prospective projects with the Serbian models, I find the idea of flying them over to my location best, as I have the experience of a photoshoot I did four years ago using the same approach. The models for that photoshoot were from Romania – young couple (male-female), no professional models. Six days creating stock photos in various concepts. Only difference: No villa. Offered them full board accommodation in a beach hotel plus flights. Photoshoot took place on the beach, mountains, parks, sports grounds and in the city. Everything worked fine. They were happy and I was content with the results and the financial outcome of this job. Many of those images did not sell at all. Some had random sales and faded away, but there are a small number of those images that sell nearly every single day since they were uploaded. Those few images are the ones that have returned the cost of the photoshoot several times back to me and still working with very good results. To be honest when I started that project I was not sure I would make my money back.
So I am kind of optimistic for this new photoshoot possibility. But that does not mean that I will make my money back in this case. Will see.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: trucic on November 17, 2019, 01:56
... sorry, but this is going to wrong direction... looks like pure exploitation...
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 17, 2019, 10:30
... sorry, but this is going to wrong direction... looks like pure exploitation...

exploatation for what? do you think with your earning you could live in a first world economy country?
if serbian are shooting in mass micro stock like ukraine and russia is only beach cost are nonexistent and cost of life is 3 4 times less than any modern country...it's like china who sell products for peanuts because they have cost of production ridiculous. if a model cost 10 dollar per hour in serbia is because cost of life there is proportioned to the cost of living, there is any exploration...the problem is that i got paid 38 cent if i pay 10 dollar a model or 100 dollar per hour...so you understand that if i want to keep business running i need to go where cost of production is low...is the same as delocalization of production from modern country to country where salary are much lower....fiatproduce car in serbia not because serbian are better worker simply because serbian got paid one third of italian, same for renault ,volskwagen....
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 17, 2019, 10:31
... sorry, but this is going to wrong direction... looks like pure exploitation...

exploatation for what? do you think with your earning you could live in a first world economy country?
if serbian are shooting in mass micro stock like ukraine and russia is only beach cost are nonexistent and cost of life is 3 4 times less than any modern country...it's like china who sell products for peanuts because they have cost of production ridiculous. if a model cost 10 dollar per hour in serbia is because salary  there is proportioned to the cost of living, there is any exploration...the problem is that i got paid 38 cent  if i pay 10 dollar a model and the same if i pay  100 dollar per hour...so you understand that if i want to keep business running i need to go where cost of production is low...is the same as delocalization of production from modern country to country where salary are much lower....fiat produce car in serbia not because serbian are better worker simply because serbian got paid one third of italian, same for renault ,volskwagen....
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: trucic on November 17, 2019, 11:30
If you are going to open agency(facilities like Fiat in Serbia) for at least 10 years than your words make sense... if you are going for a weekend or month and say publicly that 10-12USD is enough, then your posts have other connotations... people from Serbia are naturally beautiful in general, it`s not their fault that you have to pay much more elsewhere for a model and earn for life by shooting microstock...
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 17, 2019, 11:44
If you are going to open agency(facilities like Fiat in Serbia) for at least 10 years than your words make sense... if you are going for a weekend or month and say publicly that 10-12USD is enough, then your posts have other connotations... people from Serbia are naturally beautiful in general, it`s not their fault that you have to pay much more elsewhere for a model and earn for life by shooting microstock...

what connotations. sorry ..i repeat most of serbian contributor , like you, will starve in any country. and will probably won't shot micro stock ever...if i  find a business opportunity i take. pay 10 dollar per hour in serbia is not exploitation at all....actually i pay much more than a worker in a fabric take or at least near some good office position.

10 12 doler is a lot compared to a lot fo people working 8 hour 6 dos a week in serbia, that's why model are happy, actually they are happy with 15 dollar...nd3000 who wrote before built up a successful business in 3 years shooting model in serbia as he said, probably paying even less in the past. that's it. 
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 17, 2019, 11:50
https://checkinprice.com/average-minimum-salary-belgrade-serbia/

so in a country where minimum salary is 270 euro, and probably outside belgrade is half of that, if i pay somebody 50 dollar for 4 5 hours of work is not enough.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: trucic on November 17, 2019, 11:57
... 10-12USD is not enough, but you are able to pay only that much... just open agency in Belgrade for at least 10 years and became reach without doing Microstock for living...
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 17, 2019, 12:03
... 10-12USD is not enough, but you are able to pay only that much... just open agency in Belgrade for at least 10 years and became reach without doing Microstock for living...

is not enough for who? fo what...you live in poor country with a salary of 250 dollar minimum...10 12 dollar is not enough? maybe you should begin  shooting model as you live in that country so you stopped complaining in ss forum that you don't sell nothing or somebody as switched off our ports so you can be rich.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: trucic on November 17, 2019, 12:03
... and leave your gear at home, if possible... you will buy all you need at much lower prices...  ;)
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: jonbull on November 17, 2019, 12:05
... and leave your gear at home, if possible... you will buy all you need at much lower prices...  ;)

actually gear in that places cost a lot that's why most buy abroad. so i should stop shooting lifestyle cause thousand of mediocre photographer from easter europe are overflowing the agency with the same files with same models because they can live with 10000 dollar and model cost nothing? ahaha no way. next year i will even pay somebody for shooting for me..clearly penny,.. war is war. commercial war is commercial war.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: trucic on November 17, 2019, 12:06
I hope my country will make you rich, asap... :)
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: Uncle Pete on November 17, 2019, 17:06
Jonbull Prices you mention sound reasonable. I will try to contact some models for a couple of concepts I have in mind. Belgrade is not far from where I currently live - about one and a half hour flight. If financial terms end up positive, I can either fly to Belgrade or bring models to my location offering them an 8 day free vacation in an sea side airbnb villa with modern facilities including a pool, in exchange of their time - 5-6 hours photoshoot a day. TFV (time for vacation - flights included).  Will calculate costs and see if I should proceed or not.

Sorry to clip out some of the irrelevant parts. Maybe you should also calculate the earnings from those photos, not just the expenses? If you can make back your investment, time, money, everything in two years, that's not a bad plan. (except you already have the equipment and software, so you don't need to include that in a single project prediction?)

What's your return for 8 days and 40 to 48 hours of shooting. You should count your personal time editing and uploading as an expense.

How much profit do you expect?
Hello Pete,
You are absolutely right. It is mandatory all aspects of such a project must be taken in consideration to avoid unpleasant financial end results; however I cannot really predict the sales potential each image has. But I can say I am often surprised with repeating good sales coming from some of my older or/and newer images I thought did not have that much sales potential.
Of course I have the equipment and software. I do the editing, keywording etc by myself, and upload in small batches.

In regard to the prospective projects with the Serbian models, I find the idea of flying them over to my location best, as I have the experience of a photoshoot I did four years ago using the same approach. The models for that photoshoot were from Romania – young couple (male-female), no professional models. Six days creating stock photos in various concepts. Only difference: No villa. Offered them full board accommodation in a beach hotel plus flights. Photoshoot took place on the beach, mountains, parks, sports grounds and in the city. Everything worked fine. They were happy and I was content with the results and the financial outcome of this job. Many of those images did not sell at all. Some had random sales and faded away, but there are a small number of those images that sell nearly every single day since they were uploaded. Those few images are the ones that have returned the cost of the photoshoot several times back to me and still working with very good results. To be honest when I started that project I was not sure I would make my money back.
So I am kind of optimistic for this new photoshoot possibility. But that does not mean that I will make my money back in this case. Will see.

Sounds good if you can do that. I only said two years because that's a usual number to amortize an investment. I understand the expenses up front could be less by working you plan, which potentially means you can make your investment back sooner.

By the way the verified expert part was a joke but some people can't see past their anger, hostility and closed minds.
Title: Re: Zero sales of new files
Post by: DigitalPro on November 18, 2019, 16:34
Jonbull Prices you mention sound reasonable. I will try to contact some models for a couple of concepts I have in mind. Belgrade is not far from where I currently live - about one and a half hour flight. If financial terms end up positive, I can either fly to Belgrade or bring models to my location offering them an 8 day free vacation in an sea side airbnb villa with modern facilities including a pool, in exchange of their time - 5-6 hours photoshoot a day. TFV (time for vacation - flights included).  Will calculate costs and see if I should proceed or not.

Sorry to clip out some of the irrelevant parts. Maybe you should also calculate the earnings from those photos, not just the expenses? If you can make back your investment, time, money, everything in two years, that's not a bad plan. (except you already have the equipment and software, so you don't need to include that in a single project prediction?)

What's your return for 8 days and 40 to 48 hours of shooting. You should count your personal time editing and uploading as an expense.

How much profit do you expect?
Hello Pete,
You are absolutely right. It is mandatory all aspects of such a project must be taken in consideration to avoid unpleasant financial end results; however I cannot really predict the sales potential each image has. But I can say I am often surprised with repeating good sales coming from some of my older or/and newer images I thought did not have that much sales potential.
Of course I have the equipment and software. I do the editing, keywording etc by myself, and upload in small batches.

In regard to the prospective projects with the Serbian models, I find the idea of flying them over to my location best, as I have the experience of a photoshoot I did four years ago using the same approach. The models for that photoshoot were from Romania – young couple (male-female), no professional models. Six days creating stock photos in various concepts. Only difference: No villa. Offered them full board accommodation in a beach hotel plus flights. Photoshoot took place on the beach, mountains, parks, sports grounds and in the city. Everything worked fine. They were happy and I was content with the results and the financial outcome of this job. Many of those images did not sell at all. Some had random sales and faded away, but there are a small number of those images that sell nearly every single day since they were uploaded. Those few images are the ones that have returned the cost of the photoshoot several times back to me and still working with very good results. To be honest when I started that project I was not sure I would make my money back.
So I am kind of optimistic for this new photoshoot possibility. But that does not mean that I will make my money back in this case. Will see.

Sounds good if you can do that. I only said two years because that's a usual number to amortize an investment. I understand the expenses up front could be less by working you plan, which potentially means you can make your investment back sooner.

By the way the verified expert part was a joke but some people can't see past their anger, hostility and closed minds.
...beautiful day today and I am out shooting ...stock photos!  :D