So, I just got sick of all the competition on these microstock sites, and I set up my own web site (www.photosfordesigns.com).

Who knows if it will work, I really don't have a clue.. it won't be easy that's for sure. Things that make me feel hopeful are things like, on a search for 'male retro fashion' (and there are other searches this applies to), my site is no. 7 on page one of google results, before the microstock sites.. so it is possible to compete in google with the 'big boys' if you know how to search engine optimise.. the question is, do people REALLY use google, or do they go to their preferred provider, also are they prepared to pay 10 quid for a download?.. Will they trust a non-corporation?

So I'm starting off like this, if I don't make sales, I'll drop the price, although not by a massive %, and I will only sell my images on other sites where I can set my own price, and that don't do subscription sales.. so that my images will never be available cheaper on another site no matter where you go it will be a uniform price across the board.

So that's the story, just thought I would let you guys know that, it is possible to do other things, maybe even to sell directly to the buyer on your own, although it remains to be seen, but if it is a disaster I'll let you know It'll be an interesting experiment either way!!

I feel the same as you do. At the moment I have a pro account with clustershot.com with 400 images setting my own prices
http://bidphotos.clustershot.com

I feel the same as you do. At the moment I have a pro account with clustershot.com with 400 images setting my own prices
http://bidphotos.clustershot.com

Awww   Yeah, I think this new model is worth a try! I'm on Zym tho   I think I'll be sticking to those two only, my site and Zym, that's it.. and see how it goes!!

Looks like you're off to a great start, showing very highly in the Google rankings.  I certainly admire the ambition and the resourcefulness and dedication needed to chart your own course.

Your work is very good, but will a buyer want to just search for images within your portfolio when he/she can find tens of thousands of similar shots searching within SS, FT, DT, ISP, etc.?  You will probably attract some people unaware of the microstock agencies and who used Google to search and found you before they found the agencies.

I'm guessing that this approach works best for artists who have a very identifiable style and whose images have practically a trademarked look all to themselves, such as LuMaxArt.  Again, no knock against your shots, but you're essentially setting up a mini-agency that covers a wide range of topics and styles, so why would a user search within a very tiny galaxy of good images rather than a huge universe of images at one of the big agencies.

I'm very eager to hear updates on how well this works for you.  Best of luck for success!  

Thanks that's a great message

Yeah I totally agree.. if let's say LuMaxArt deleted his gallery from all microstock sites and said right, the ONLY way you can get my stuff now is directly from me on my own web site located 'here', he'd make a fortune.. it would be much easier for him or anyone else that is recognisable from the other users on those sites..

Still my hope is that someone will see images that are different, I'm moving away from the usual 'stock' way of shooting, if I can give them something different it might work.. I know if I saw the PERFECT image for a project I was working on, and knew I wouldn't find similar elsewhere I'd give it a go, but I definately want to add loads more images and things over the next year or so!

You could always try The3dStudio.com with a few of your images, they pay 60% commission, you can set your own prices default $12, and no waiting to reach the minimum payout, and they have customers.

David 

I'm result 5 in google for 'food images for commercial use'.. if nothing else I should get a job in search engine optimisation for some other stock site if it all goes belly up for me 

I wish you all the luck in the world. The website looks great and I really admire what you're doing.
Please keep us updated!

Aww thanks so much, it's really nice to see so much support!! And I will for sure, either way, I'll let you guys know!

Good for you.  Very gutsy.  As Lisa said, you may want to hire a lawyer to draft up your license terms.  Copying the ones from FotoSearch may not be the best idea for someone trying to protect IP.

Yours:
3.1 Licensee may store the Licensed Material in a digital library, network configuration or similar arrangement to allow the Licensed Material to be viewed by employees, partners and clients of Licensee, but under no circumstance may the Licensed Material ever be used by more than 10 Users unless otherwise provided in writing by the Licensor.

Theirs:
3.1. Licensee may store the Licensed Material in a digital library, network configuration or similar arrangement to allow the Licensed Material to be viewed by employees, partners and clients of Licensee, but under no circumstance may the Licensed Material ever be used by more than 10 Users unless a separate seat license is purchased for each additional User, before such additional use begins.

etc...

http://www.fotosearch.com/stock-photo-licensing/digital-vision-video/

Fotosearch copied my license the cheek!! In fact Sean, there is a generic 'guide' image license provided by a friendly solicitor that has already done the rounds, so I'd imagine many stock web sites have pulled from that particular experts wording, and tweaked/had it looked over by their own solicitor to fit within their own sales ethos. Apart from the bigger web sites (corporations) that I'm sure have their own legal team to word these things from scratch etc, anyway, it's not something that concerns me one bit, and I'm not quite sure why it concerns you?

Hi Lisa, thanks for the message, I have an excellent solicitor on hand who is a personal friend, and I also have an expert legal contact that specialises in copyright law to ask questions to free of charge.. as it stands, the reason I have my pricing at �10 is to prevent mis-use before it happens.. if you want to make a quick buck on someone's images, best to pay �1 or less and re-distribute etc at will. So, I'm hoping it won't happen, but if I do find my images mis-used in the future, I'll cross that bridge and I will pursue it legally.

The only web site agent I have heard of to date of actually legally pursing downloaders who are not abiding to license agreements etc is SS. It is not common practice to chase these people with the aim of acheiving compensation on other web sites at all, in most cases it seems an offender, for example, someone stealing images and uploading them to another site as their own work, they simply have their accounts deleted, but I have yet to hear of the photographer getting the 'download' money back from that web site (bar compensations made by ss having chased mis-users directly).. so, I have more faith in myself to make sure I'm compensated for illegal usage, than the majority of the web sites I used to submit to tbh!!

Quote from: hqimages on August 24, 2009, 13:10

it's not something that concerns me one bit, and I'm not quite sure why it concerns you?

I don't care in the least what you do with your licensing terms.   You're right in that there are quite a few sites out there with the samely worded terms:
http://tinyurl.com/kktugw

Like I said, good luck!

Good. And thank you.

When can we start submiting

lol! Well, you know, I thought about that.. I really did, and then I thought of all your guys images taking away from my own, and I wanted the stage  What I might do in the future though, if this model works (we're talking two years minimum down the line), is set up an etsy type conglomeration of sellers, not on that site though, on a new one, where you have sales of prints, downloads, maybe calenders and cute things too.. I would do it so that when the buyer downloads the image, you get emailed all the sales details along with me, as if you really are running your own shop, I might even charge an annual fee, like flickr, and then if someone buys something, the money goes directly to your paypal each time, and you manage the customer yourself..

Anyway lot's of idea's but baby steps, c how this does first   

My hat's off to you, Hillary.

I will anxiously watch this thread and am sending all the luck I can your way! Brilliant idea, gutsy move- I REALLY hope it works out for you!!!

Katrina

Hi Katrina, thanks!! I need the luck I'll take that one

I'll check that out, thanks Jonathan!!