If you're dying for cash, the 15% might be acceptable.  I don't think I would.  Your work is good, but there are some stellar landscape photogs there who are established already.  It would take time to gain any traction.

Starting with Sean and all the rest who suggested Stocksy. I had applied a few months ago but never heard back. I just reapplied with a link to the West part of my website. I heard back within 2 hours with an offer to join! Very excited to say the least! They are image exclusive, but appear so upright and respectful of the photographers that how can one not want to be with them.

So what to do? Sign up (in process right now) and send them first choice then sign up with other Microstock agencies for the images they do not take (non similar of course), or split images between Stocksy and all the others  (again non similar) to see which does better?

Opinions?

DonLand...

The whole stock industry today is upside down compared to the 80's when it was normal to sell a photo for what it is worth and get a royalty that was sustainable. It is now a corporate game that only cares about the bottom line of the business and not the bottom line of the suppliers.

Microstock, digital, and the internet have all changed this. The valuation in general of images across the board has decreased by roughly 80% -90%, and the average royalty rate has followed suite.

There is a whole new generation/breed of photographer in today's world that is quite content shooting for chump change with the attitude that it is better to sell an image a 100 times for $1.00 than sell it once once for $100.

Having done both for many years, a former Tony Stone shooter who got ingested by the evil empire of Getty,  and played the field in microstock etc. I think it is clear the industry as you knew it is over, I also think the industry as an image supplier is over. Not to sound negative here, just trying to keep it real.

In my opinion there is no easy way to make money from stock these days, as it appears the whole industry is in a state of collapse, at least from the supplier's point of view. Simply too many images available on too many sites, and most of it available for much less than it costs to produce. The buyers have now more or less accepted that these low prices for photography are the norm. Every RM agency has reduced the price of their images especially RF images to compete with the likes of the rates one can buy images from agencies like SS.

For me it's an easy choice, I'd deal with the agencies like IS who pay you like crap at the beginning,  but they at least offer you a glimmer of hope you can go exclusive and get your work onto Getty. That works for me. Albeit there have been many that don't like Getty, so opt out of exclusivity as they think the grass is greener on the other side.

Once you are on the other side you create a lot more work for yourself by uploading to multiple sites, and with the glimmer of hope all those sites will add up to more income than the crap over at IS and Getty.

Industry wide the whole thing is messed up. I really don't think there is a right way to do this anymore. You have been in TIB and know you are good, as to be a TIB shooter meant you had to be good - no questions. In today's world there is a generation of shooter that thinks getting 3 photos to gain acceptance is the qualifier and self applaud at such a small feat.

Good luck with whatever you decide man, it's brutal out there.

^ if you don't like the IS non-exclusive contract, you will hate the exclusive one, it's the worst in the industry.

Thanks PW,

I had to re-read your post a couple of times... I kept getting caught up on your comment

"The problem I've found with macro is only my totally unique images or highly conceptual images sell."

My bad  , I kept reading it as MICRO, not macro.  Makes sense once I correctly read what you wrote!

So your vote is go exclusive with iStock? Another person suggested that also.

Well, I'm exclusive but I wasn't suggesting that for you. I think as a whole whether you go IS exclusive or go indy with a few different sites you should be able to pull in the figures I quoted. I'm doing okay as an exclusive but I would suggest reviewing all of the posts about what's changed over the past couple of years and decide for yourself.

No kidding. I lived on Long Island and go into NYC just to talk to my editor. Every year TIB would host a meeting then a party at night where we would all go to meet each other. People would come up to you and say hello, they knew you through your photography. People would come from around the world for these meetings! It was an amazing time.

Another thing they did was have a lottery for digital imaging classes. This was back in 90 or 91. They had a day class in NYC or a week long class in Camden Maine. I put my luck in Camden figuring there would be more people picking NYC so I'd have a greater chance winning Camden. Sure enough, I won a spot! Met some world renowned photographers there and still keep in touch, including a NG photographer. Those were the days!

LOL   I guess if Getty invited me back to TIB/Stone I'd really have to think about it. When I signed the current contract I was told that if I submitted enough to PC that I might be given the chance to submit to a house collection.

Too funny. Nancy Brown! She was a TIB shooter also. One of the get togethers was at her NYC studio. She is a very nice person. Just did a google on her. She's still at it in Florida. Still beautiful photography! http://www.nancybrown.com

You certainly have some good points about IS/Getty. That was one of the other offers they gave me.

I guess I could try diversifying but I think I'll first give Stocksy a shot, see how many images they take and how quickly they sell etc. I have to tell you though, I REALLY like their photographer stand though, that carries a lot of weight, but of course it's the pay back at the end of the day that really counts.

Quote from: DonLand on April 06, 2013, 20:21

Starting with Sean and all the rest who suggested Stocksy. I had applied a few months ago but never heard back. I just reapplied with a link to the West part of my website. I heard back within 2 hours with an offer to join! Very excited to say the least! They are image exclusive, but appear so upright and respectful of the photographers that how can one not want to be with them.

So what to do? Sign up (in process right now) and send them first choice then sign up with other Microstock agencies for the images they do not take (non similar of course), or split images between Stocksy and all the others  (again non similar) to see which does better?

Opinions?

My opinion:  Stocksy is an unknown at this point but if it works out I, personally, would rather be there than at the micros.  Keep submitting to RM but make a concerted effort to succeed at Stocksy.  They seem determined to treat photogs with respect.  Anything you don't give to RM or Stocksy give to the micros (iStock and SS, at the least). 

If a year (minimum) from now Stocksy isn't working for you then put more effort into the micros and shoot for exclusivity at iStock.....assuming they're still around by then.

I agree with this... Stocksy is an unknown. I like the whole idea of it but would not put my eggs in that basket - yet. I prefer to sit on the sidelines and see how it is going. You have some nice work, so if it were me, I'd me more focused on putting my images where the buyers are at the moment, not with some start - up that relies on legend and good will. Besides, the contracts these days are so easy to get out of, usually only one months notice, so if it is not working on an agency like IS, then you can pull your stuff.

I personally don't see anything new being brought to the table by Stocksy apart from some well pumped utopia. Back to my original point, there is a ton of great work out there for much cheaper, and that is what the buyer has been accustomed to.

Fair trade coffee is a great idea too... but in reality who buys it?

Ok, too excited. After sending the requested 10 images I received an e-mail saying thanks for the application, it will be reviewed by our editors and they'll get back with a decision. I thought they made the decision after looking at my website but apparently it is a two step process. As always looking at the bright side. If not accepted it makes my decision about who to submit to one less agency easier.

Well, hoping for the best. Either way I learned a lot today from everyone, and feel good about my future in stock photography (micro, macro or whatever!), thank you!

You're right when you say Stocksy could be a game changer. You can be sure if it starts selling anyone on it will quickly move their images out of the other sites. I'd love to get in on the ground floor. Currently they have 2 problems, not enough traffic and not enough content. It may be the chicken/egg.

I certainly understand about not getting too positive about it, just would like to make more than 5�/image/month!

Don, how about asking Shutterstock if you could be included in Offset?

For perspective, my 200 images on SS usually make the 100$ payout every month. All niche and very un-microstock.