Author Topic: Highest price for a photo on Shutterstock. (Read 36040 times)

William Perry · « **Reply #25 on:** December 26, 2021, 13:09 »

Agree with you David.

Think it is better to hang in there.

Level6 · « **Reply #26 on:** December 26, 2021, 13:14 »

Quote from: William Perry on December 26, 2021, 12:41

No one said you can make a living at stock.

But a $1,000 sale for one photo ain’t bad.

Make your bread somewhere else, but in retirement not a bad gig.

Through stock some of my photos have shown up in National Geographic publications.

So get out if you want to make a living . As one senior person in Stock told me about people leaving SS because of the cut in commissions “good”. Less competition. By the way, she is not working at SS.

This is simple market reality.

Maybe now no but just before sales stopped like a switch was pulled on April 1 2019 I was making $3500/month on pond5 with editorial video, $800/month on SS with editorial and before Videoblocks closed to contributors I made $1500/month there and all with editorial, maybe 10% commercial. There was another contributor at pond5 who was reportedly making $10,000/month with some high end severe weather content and it went downhill for him as well.

I want out, I stayed in too long after April 1 2019 happened and that was my fault, Pond launched the exclusive program which I didn't fall for but either way sales didn't come back, they lower our prices as they claim they are the "stewards of the marketplace", it never ends and then SS cut commissions.

So yes, now it's a hobby...if that.

Finding other work has been one hell of a wake up call, I'm in Ontario Canada, I've done so many things before and when in college and even after before I got into video, everything from fast food to cleaning, maintenance, painting, stocking shelves, driving and I love driving, so many things and yet now since I've been looking for a real job for a year now I can't get hired for literally anything.

"This job isn't for you", "You wouldn't want this job", "You can't do this job", and from a boss at a local business who knows me as a customer, "unfortunately you're no the type of person head office wants".....that was for a job washing and detailing rental cars if you can believe it.

With self employed and camera work as my work history for 12 years I might as well be a made man in the mafia, actually no, a made man in the mafia would have a better chance at finding a real job I believe.

I have a clean police and driving record but my employment record is self-employed/camera work and most places need 3-4 verifiable manager references before they even look at your application and an employment record with no gaps unless it's for education.

I definitely want out believe me. The agencies are all startups, all working from the same playbook and it's the end game for contributors and there's no going back, this COVID times could be boom times for stock considering travel is limited, risky and expensive.....it's boom times alright but for the agencies.

William Perry · « **Reply #27 on:** December 26, 2021, 13:19 »

Look at other work with your camera.

Talked to one photographer a while ago and he marketed to law firms at his small studio. Did head shots of all the new lawyers.

Get into web design that might work.

I have already retired. So good luck in your search. It is never easy. So keep on fighting.

Dumc · « **Reply #28 on:** December 26, 2021, 13:25 »

Quote from: DavidK on December 26, 2021, 12:56

Quote from: Asthebelltolls on December 26, 2021, 11:17
Quote from: Dumc on December 26, 2021, 00:50
My highest this year: 72$, 66$, 64$, 48$ and plenty in the 15-25$ range (level 4)
My highest ever: 98$

Highest for video: 120$ (this month, level 2)

What a complete and totally useless topic and response. Share with us Dumc, how much would you have made pre-2018 before the SS slashed commissions? Are you an agent working for the SS? When you cuddle up to them do you thank them each time for being so generous? You have no idea how all of us collectively are delighted to learn your SS story and success. Just goes to show it doesn't matter how much the industry slashes commissions when you're a brilliant photographer and videographer. You'll still make 72$, 66$, 64$, 48$, 15-25$, 98$ and 120$.

I can only guess that you and Dumc have a history? If not that seems a bit over the top.

I wasn't going to respond to this thread at all because really it's no ones business but my own. However "all of us collectively" is not accurate and I just want to let you know that you are definitely not speaking for me. First though I want to make clear that I am not an agent of SS or any other agency for that matter. I'm neither a fan nor a hater of any of them. To me they're just a necessary means to an end and my emotional attachment to all or any of them is probably on par with their emotional attachment to me. I don't consider myself "brilliant" at anything, especially photography and video, and like you I'm also not thrilled with what's happening to the market right now.

That's why I am actually delighted to hear about Dumc's numbers. It shows that maybe just maybe there's a little more to be eeked out of this industry at least for a little while. That is while we're still in the transitional period of Shutterstock's move to subscription only. For myself all I will say is that my portfolio is tiny (887 images, 137 videos). So far this month on SS I've had 562 downloads for a total of $561.41. You can do the math but it's obviously similar to Dumc in that they are far from .10 downloads. It's also an average RPD which has been more or less consistent for me since the new earnings structure. Some months it's more. Some months it's less. It's actually the overall number of downloads that are down for me. Would I have made more before the cut? Perhaps, but it's impossible to tell for sure. Too many variables and moving parts right now. All I know is that to me the difference between 10 cents and 38 cents is negligible anyway, and always has been. It's the higher value sales that keep me in for now. Once those dry up completely with microstock it's all useless anyway.

So yes, good for you Dumc!

We don't have any history. And I am far from any "success story". I have less downloads, I have less ODD's, there are 10 cent subs, so although I made on average more than last year, I still make less than 2 or 3 years before. But it's still possible to get those big sales and those make the difference. I'm not running any statistics here, but I would say I even have more of these sales then before, but when those dry up, it's pretty much game over.

Level6 · « **Reply #29 on:** December 26, 2021, 13:32 »

Quote from: Dumc on December 26, 2021, 13:25

Quote from: DavidK on December 26, 2021, 12:56
Quote from: Asthebelltolls on December 26, 2021, 11:17
Quote from: Dumc on December 26, 2021, 00:50
My highest this year: 72$, 66$, 64$, 48$ and plenty in the 15-25$ range (level 4)
My highest ever: 98$

Highest for video: 120$ (this month, level 2)

What a complete and totally useless topic and response. Share with us Dumc, how much would you have made pre-2018 before the SS slashed commissions? Are you an agent working for the SS? When you cuddle up to them do you thank them each time for being so generous? You have no idea how all of us collectively are delighted to learn your SS story and success. Just goes to show it doesn't matter how much the industry slashes commissions when you're a brilliant photographer and videographer. You'll still make 72$, 66$, 64$, 48$, 15-25$, 98$ and 120$.

I can only guess that you and Dumc have a history? If not that seems a bit over the top.

I wasn't going to respond to this thread at all because really it's no ones business but my own. However "all of us collectively" is not accurate and I just want to let you know that you are definitely not speaking for me. First though I want to make clear that I am not an agent of SS or any other agency for that matter. I'm neither a fan nor a hater of any of them. To me they're just a necessary means to an end and my emotional attachment to all or any of them is probably on par with their emotional attachment to me. I don't consider myself "brilliant" at anything, especially photography and video, and like you I'm also not thrilled with what's happening to the market right now.

That's why I am actually delighted to hear about Dumc's numbers. It shows that maybe just maybe there's a little more to be eeked out of this industry at least for a little while. That is while we're still in the transitional period of Shutterstock's move to subscription only. For myself all I will say is that my portfolio is tiny (887 images, 137 videos). So far this month on SS I've had 562 downloads for a total of $561.41. You can do the math but it's obviously similar to Dumc in that they are far from .10 downloads. It's also an average RPD which has been more or less consistent for me since the new earnings structure. Some months it's more. Some months it's less. It's actually the overall number of downloads that are down for me. Would I have made more before the cut? Perhaps, but it's impossible to tell for sure. Too many variables and moving parts right now. All I know is that to me the difference between 10 cents and 38 cents is negligible anyway, and always has been. It's the higher value sales that keep me in for now. Once those dry up completely with microstock it's all useless anyway.

So yes, good for you Dumc!

We don't have any history. And I am far from any "success story". I have less downloads, I have less ODD's, there are 10 cent subs, so although I made on average more than last year, I still make less than 2 or 3 years before. But it's still possible to get those big sales and those make the difference. I'm not running any statistics here, but I would say I even have more of these sales then before, but when those dry up, it's pretty much game over.

Speaking of game over, I wouldn't wait another day, start sending out those resumes and applying for jobs, it's been one hell of a wake up call and nightmare tying to find a real job now that stock is ending after 12 years and I'm not applying for anything high end, with self employed and camera work as my work history I can't get a job in fast food or cleaning hotel rooms.

thijsdegraaf · « **Reply #30 on:** December 26, 2021, 15:20 »

Thanks again everyone. Amount of photos, quality, uniqueness, will probably bring more high prices, which makes it worth a little more.
I will happily continue shooting next year, but don't expect too much.
I know, of course, that stock is not what it used to be. The beautiful, golden times are over.
I have to think of Muratart https://www.shutterstock.com/nl/g/muratart from Turkey on the Shutterstock forum. I don't think he's here. When many of us stopped uploading in protest in June, he worked just ten times as hard and kept earning about the same amount. He made beautiful photos with photo editing and the success was therefore heartily awarded to him. But I suspect they are exceptions.

Wilm · « **Reply #31 on:** December 26, 2021, 16:31 »

Quote from: DavidK on December 26, 2021, 12:56

Quote from: Asthebelltolls on December 26, 2021, 11:17
Quote from: Dumc on December 26, 2021, 00:50
My highest this year: 72$, 66$, 64$, 48$ and plenty in the 15-25$ range (level 4)
My highest ever: 98$

Highest for video: 120$ (this month, level 2)

What a complete and totally useless topic and response. Share with us Dumc, how much would you have made pre-2018 before the SS slashed commissions? Are you an agent working for the SS? When you cuddle up to them do you thank them each time for being so generous? You have no idea how all of us collectively are delighted to learn your SS story and success. Just goes to show it doesn't matter how much the industry slashes commissions when you're a brilliant photographer and videographer. You'll still make 72$, 66$, 64$, 48$, 15-25$, 98$ and 120$.

I can only guess that you and Dumc have a history? If not that seems a bit over the top.

I wasn't going to respond to this thread at all because really it's no ones business but my own. However "all of us collectively" is not accurate and I just want to let you know that you are definitely not speaking for me. First though I want to make clear that I am not an agent of SS or any other agency for that matter. I'm neither a fan nor a hater of any of them. To me they're just a necessary means to an end and my emotional attachment to all or any of them is probably on par with their emotional attachment to me. I don't consider myself "brilliant" at anything, especially photography and video, and like you I'm also not thrilled with what's happening to the market right now.

That's why I am actually delighted to hear about Dumc's numbers. It shows that maybe just maybe there's a little more to be eeked out of this industry at least for a little while. That is while we're still in the transitional period of Shutterstock's move to subscription only. For myself all I will say is that my portfolio is tiny (887 images, 137 videos). So far this month on SS I've had 562 downloads for a total of $561.41. You can do the math but it's obviously similar to Dumc in that they are far from .10 downloads. It's also an average RPD which has been more or less consistent for me since the new earnings structure. Some months it's more. Some months it's less. It's actually the overall number of downloads that are down for me. Would I have made more before the cut? Perhaps, but it's impossible to tell for sure. Too many variables and moving parts right now. All I know is that to me the difference between 10 cents and 38 cents is negligible anyway, and always has been. It's the higher value sales that keep me in for now. Once those dry up completely with microstock it's all useless anyway.

So yes, good for you Dumc!

Those are excellent numbers, David! To get 560 downloads with a portfolio of this size just on shutterstock is really good these days. I used to have as many downloads a month as images in the portfolio back in the golden days. But for me, that's a thing of the past.

I can't keep up with the astronomical numbers by far! Two SODs at $120 each in one day was my personal highlight. For photos, because videos I have never made.

Wilm · « **Reply #32 on:** December 26, 2021, 16:49 »

Sorry, I just understood. It now seems to be about this year.

In December, a download at $ 70.70 was the highest. In November and October $40 each. In July I had two at $35 each. In May it was one for $80 and one for $60. April $86 and $36. All others were less than $30.

Milleflore · « **Reply #33 on:** December 26, 2021, 18:41 »

Quote from: thijsdegraaf on December 25, 2021, 13:20

Another new topic. Hopefully that stays alive, because my two topics with Christmas and New Year wishes have been remover (Update: The New Years topic has been moved back ) .
If someone from the management is reading along: I was just on a Dutch nature forum. The management thanked everyone there and wished everyone a nice day. They do that every year.

Well now my question.
I had a sale on December 23 of a close up of the flowers of ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) for 9.98 (level 4). https://www.shutterstock.com/nl/image-photo/flowers-seed-heads-ragwort-jacobaea-vulgaris-1799221774 That was the highest amount I've received for a photo from Shutterstock (member for two years). I know from the Shutterstock forum that someone had received over $300, but she mainly photographed American celebrities and I mostly flowers, insects, nature and Dutch buildings, cities.
I'm curious what your highest sales figures are this year at Shutterstock. (Maybe I'm getting all depressed reading the answers )

Thijs, you're really good at getting people to talk about their numbers. How about for the next thread, you can see if people would reveal their RPIs, RPDs, and what subjects they shoot? Then we will all be cooking with gas

Ref: https://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/you-have-a-good-photographer-friend-who-says/msg570706/?topicseen#new

RPI = Total Sales / Number of Files
RPD = Total Sales / Number of DLs

Use only one agency (say SS), separate Photos from Videos, and only use Total Sales for 2021 - to ensure we are comparing apples with apples.

[email protected] · « **Reply #34 on:** December 26, 2021, 21:12 »

how much money earning every month from stock photo and videos in order to maintain standard living in USA?

Level6 · « **Reply #35 on:** December 26, 2021, 22:42 »

Quote from: [email protected] on December 26, 2021, 21:12

how much money earning every month from stock photo and videos in order to maintain standard living in USA?

Sadly, I don't think it's possible in the USA or Canada anymore, I was doing quite well until April 1 2019 and then it collapsed.

everest · « **Reply #36 on:** December 27, 2021, 02:57 »

Yes you can. I now make over 50.000$ year on photos and videos. It is more tough every year. My peak was at 150.000$ year so yeah feeling the pressure.

I have made over 23k for a photo in the "good old days" and dozens over 2k. Now it is very rare. That's not the game anymore. You should not count on those rare sales

You are right that for retirement and a side income stock is not bad. You probably spent way more on equipment, software, gas, computer, time. But if that's just a hobby it is fine. Usually hobbies don't get any returns at all so. But don't be deluded and take those costs into consideration before saying you made 2000$ in a year if you spent 4000 to get there.

So your stock has shown at National Geographic. Well done. Does it mean something, or will it get to enjoy the national photographer life or revenue. I doubt it. But if that makes you happy go ahead. I understand that people might feel amazing for their 1s of glory.

By the way the market reality is not dependent on SS, as I have not made a single penny on them as they don't carry any of my creative work. So every dollar of the 50k earned has been made somewhere else. Trust me . If your work is good you will get your work purchased . No need to be in the SS cheap marketplace where you are a small fry among millions of assets and you are being paid 10c a pop

You see . Your reality is different to some that are a little more experienced in this game. Nothing wrong that you go after your reality but take into account that many other ones exist and with a much better return that the loosing Shutterstock proposition.

Quote from: William Perry on December 26, 2021, 12:41

No one said you can make a living at stock.

But a $1,000 sale for one photo ain’t bad.

Make your bread somewhere else, but in retirement not a bad gig.

Through stock some of my photos have shown up in National Geographic publications.

So get out if you want to make a living . As one senior person in Stock told me about people leaving SS because of the cut in commissions “good”. Less competition. By the way, she is not working at SS.

This is simple market reality.

William Perry · « **Reply #37 on:** December 27, 2021, 03:01 »

If you could tell me where you are selling to make $50,000 a year. We would all like to know.

thijsdegraaf · « **Reply #38 on:** December 27, 2021, 03:09 »

Quote from: Annie on December 26, 2021, 18:41

Quote from: thijsdegraaf on December 25, 2021, 13:20
Another new topic. Hopefully that stays alive, because my two topics with Christmas and New Year wishes have been remover (Update: The New Years topic has been moved back ) .
If someone from the management is reading along: I was just on a Dutch nature forum. The management thanked everyone there and wished everyone a nice day. They do that every year.

Well now my question.
I had a sale on December 23 of a close up of the flowers of ragwort (Jacobaea vulgaris) for 9.98 (level 4). https://www.shutterstock.com/nl/image-photo/flowers-seed-heads-ragwort-jacobaea-vulgaris-1799221774 That was the highest amount I've received for a photo from Shutterstock (member for two years). I know from the Shutterstock forum that someone had received over $300, but she mainly photographed American celebrities and I mostly flowers, insects, nature and Dutch buildings, cities.
I'm curious what your highest sales figures are this year at Shutterstock. (Maybe I'm getting all depressed reading the answers )

Thijs, you're really good at getting people to talk about their numbers. How about for the next thread, you can see if people would reveal their RPIs, RPDs, and what subjects they shoot? Then we will all be cooking with gas

Ref: https://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/you-have-a-good-photographer-friend-who-says/msg570706/?topicseen#new

RPI = Total Sales / Number of Files
RPD = Total Sales / Number of DLs

Use only one agency (say SS), separate Photos from Videos, and only use Total Sales for 2021 - to ensure we are comparing apples with apples.

We have been cooking electrically (induction) Annie for a year now.

I know Pete's topic (answered one myself)
For me it was all about photos, this year on Shutterstock (I know you sell well too (quite rightly) )
Like many others, I didn't upload anything for three months after the 10 cents introduction and became a member of Alamy and Adobe. I noticed that not uploading didn't work and that I sold less at Adobe and much less at Alamy.
Like many others I started again at Shutterstock (Muratart did the opposite. Murat has added another hundred pages of photos since the last time I checked with him

)
Every now and then I read (in addition to all the complaints) about quite high amounts that were still received for a photo at Shutterstock.
I was curious about that, although I know that the quality and subject of my photos probably contribute to the fact that I won't receive them so soon. I will try a little more, but it must remain a hobby that I enjoy.

Due to the input of level6, this topic is now also about whether you can still earn a good living with Stock. Pete's topic is much more appropriate to answer that question.

Impressive Everest. Thanks.

Thank you Wilm. I suspected something like that because I know your photos of course.

Roscoe · « **Reply #39 on:** December 27, 2021, 06:20 »

Late to the party here.

My highest commission this year on SS was 72$.
Two in the 50$ range, a few in the 30$ and some in the 20$ range.
I also had one customer buying 7 of my images for 3.74$ each. Does that count too?

The lower the commission, the more relatively frequent they occur.

These "surprise" sales are very nice to get, and I only get them on Shutterstock, (very "once a year or so" scarce on iStock, never on Adobe) but not gonna sugarcoat it either: they are merely window dressing and they don't fully compensate the 10c'ers. My RPD on Shutterstock is still lower than it is on Adobe.

ouatedeP · « **Reply #40 on:** December 27, 2021, 07:19 »

Highest Price for a photo this year $120.65.

of course it happened in early February, so SS got $96.52 and i only got $24.13

thijsdegraaf · « **Reply #41 on:** December 27, 2021, 09:03 »

Quote from: Roscoe on December 27, 2021, 06:20

Late to the party here.

My highest commission this year on SS was 72$.
Two in the 50$ range, a few in the 30$ and some in the 20$ range.
I also had one customer buying 7 of my images for 3.74$ each. Does that count too?

The lower the commission, the more relatively frequent they occur.

These "surprise" sales are very nice to get, and I only get them on Shutterstock, (very "once a year or so" scarce on iStock, never on Adobe) but not gonna sugarcoat it either: they are merely window dressing and they don't fully compensate the 10c'ers. My RPD on Shutterstock is still lower than it is on Adobe.

Thanks Roscoe. Adobe is still the highest for me at $22 for a photo.

thijsdegraaf · « **Reply #42 on:** December 27, 2021, 09:05 »

Quote from: ouatedeP on December 27, 2021, 07:19

Highest Price for a photo this year $120.65.

of course it happened in early February, so SS got $96.52 and i only got $24.13

Thanks, Yes that is a mixed feeling.

Asthebelltolls · « **Reply #43 on:** December 27, 2021, 09:38 »

What I find surprising in this post is that some contributors
appear to have no problem allowing the SS to manipulate and
change the original agreement you had with the agency when
you first signed up with them.
I signed up with the SS in 2009. The signed agreement stated
that I would receive a minimum of $0.35us and I would start as a
Level 1 contributor. If I sold more than 10,000 images I would
move up to Level 2 and earn a minimum $0.38us per image, etc.
HD videos, at the time, started at a minimum $23us per clip and,
like images, increased when you achieved a certain amount of
sales.
There was nothing in that agreement that stated the SS could
lower commissions or do whatever they * well pleased. It may be
in your agreement if you signed up more recently but in my
original agreement there is nothing stating that the SS would lower
my commission or drop me back to Level 1 whenever they * well
pleased.
This was a binding agreement. Changing that agreement arbitrarily
is illegal and unethical.
My hopes that we would launch a Class Action lawsuit against the SS
will not happen based on this post. My apologies if I upset a few
contributors.
I've learned a lot in this particular post.

Shuttershock · « **Reply #44 on:** December 27, 2021, 09:59 »

I actually made more money on level 1 on first couples months of the year than I have on level 4 at later part of the year. It is just luck of the draw who buys what, levels don't really help to a big extent at all, I certainly still have as many 10 cent sales on level 4.

thijsdegraaf · « **Reply #45 on:** December 27, 2021, 10:10 »

Quote from: Asthebelltolls on December 27, 2021, 09:38

What I find surprising in this post is that some contributors
appear to have no problem allowing the SS to manipulate and
change the original agreement you had with the agency when
you first signed up with them.
I signed up with the SS in 2009. The signed agreement stated
that I would receive a minimum of $0.35us and I would start as a
Level 1 contributor. If I sold more than 10,000 images I would
move up to Level 2 and earn a minimum $0.38us per image, etc.
HD videos, at the time, started at a minimum $23us per clip and,
like images, increased when you achieved a certain amount of
sales.
There was nothing in that agreement that stated the SS could
lower commissions or do whatever they * well pleased. It may be
in your agreement if you signed up more recently but in my
original agreement there is nothing stating that the SS would lower
my commission or drop me back to Level 1 whenever they * well
pleased.
This was a binding agreement. Changing that agreement arbitrarily
is illegal and unethical.
My hopes that we would launch a Class Action lawsuit against the SS
will not happen based on this post. My apologies if I upset a few
contributors.
I've learned a lot in this particular post.

Too bad the Shutterstock forum is gone, then you could have read how many people protested in vain.
We are not employed by a company, but supply products. When there is overproduction, it is easy for a company to change the rules and pay less.
Is that social? No. What can you do about it? As I wrote, not uploading didn't help, because of the huge stock of photos, illustrations that were already there and the many people who kept uploading.
So I went to Adobe and Alamy. At Alamy next year, according to their new rules, I will go back to 20% and you will also have even 0.01 cents in earnings. At Adobe, I earn less, but treat us more fairly so far. Things have gone wrong at Istock much earlier.
There is no union, we are scattered all over the world and incompatible, not employed.

Everyone has made a decision based on their circumstances how to proceed or not to proceed with Shutterstock. No one talks about Shutterstock with enthusiasm and affection anymore the way they did when I was new to the Shutterstock forum.
If you think so, I suggest you read this thread again. The only answer is whether some of us sometimes still have good sales. Something that wasn't quite clear to me.
That's all!

Discussing whether stock can still be earned and if so how and on which Stocksites it is better to discuss the topic of Pete, which Annie pointed out. https://www.microstockgroup.com/general-stock-discussion/you-have-a-good-photographer-friend-who-says/msg570706/?topicseen#new

If you want to discuss how badly we've been treated by Shutterstock, you'd better open a new topic. But I suspect these topics can already be found on this Microstock forum.

Wilm · « **Reply #46 on:** December 27, 2021, 10:53 »

Quote from: everest on December 27, 2021, 02:57

Yes you can. I now make over 50.000$ year on photos and videos. It is more tough every year. My peak was at 150.000$ year so yeah feeling the pressure.

I have made over 23k for a photo in the "good old days" and dozens over 2k. Now it is very rare. That's not the game anymore. You should not count on those rare sales

You are right that for retirement and a side income stock is not bad. You probably spent way more on equipment, software, gas, computer, time. But if that's just a hobby it is fine. Usually hobbies don't get any returns at all so. But don't be deluded and take those costs into consideration before saying you made 2000$ in a year if you spent 4000 to get there.

So your stock has shown at National Geographic. Well done. Does it mean something, or will it get to enjoy the national photographer life or revenue. I doubt it. But if that makes you happy go ahead. I understand that people might feel amazing for their 1s of glory.

By the way the market reality is not dependent on SS, as I have not made a single penny on them as they don't carry any of my creative work. So every dollar of the 50k earned has been made somewhere else. Trust me . If your work is good you will get your work purchased . No need to be in the SS cheap marketplace where you are a small fry among millions of assets and you are being paid 10c a pop

You see . Your reality is different to some that are a little more experienced in this game. Nothing wrong that you go after your reality but take into account that many other ones exist and with a much better return that the loosing Shutterstock proposition.

Quote from: William Perry on December 26, 2021, 12:41
No one said you can make a living at stock.

But a $1,000 sale for one photo ain’t bad.

Make your bread somewhere else, but in retirement not a bad gig.

Through stock some of my photos have shown up in National Geographic publications.

So get out if you want to make a living . As one senior person in Stock told me about people leaving SS because of the cut in commissions “good”. Less competition. By the way, she is not working at SS.

This is simple market reality.

$50.000 still is very impressing! May I ask how many images and videos there are in your Portfolio? And those 50.000 are not only at shutterstock, I guess?

Firn · « **Reply #47 on:** December 27, 2021, 11:01 »

Quote from: Asthebelltolls on December 27, 2021, 09:38

There was nothing in that agreement that stated the SS could
lower commissions or do whatever they * well pleased. It may be
in your agreement if you signed up more recently but in my
original agreement there is nothing stating that the SS would lower
my commission or drop me back to Level 1 whenever they * well
pleased.

And after 13 year you remember the exact content of the full agreement?
Because it says "Please note that Shutterstock reserves the right to modify these terms at any time in its sole discretion." and not just in the current version. I couldn't find any version older than 7 years, but the sentence was already in there back then and it would surprise me if it wasn't there from the start. That's something you basically put in every ToS agreement online.

OM · « **Reply #48 on:** December 27, 2021, 11:15 »

These high(er) value SODs are the only reason I leave my port up at SS. Haven't uploaded much for 3 years and nothing since the SS heist was put in place. If I were to get no dls larger than subs for a few months, I'd be inclined to delete my port there altogether. However, all SODs so far this year amount to 42% of my year's total earnings and, for absolutely no effort on my part, I'd be daft to toss it all away by deleting my port out of distaste at senior management's greed. In total, from SS and Adobe I get a nice little extra bit of passive income/pension of $1.5K/year.

Adobe has been pretty good for me this year this year.....and I don't have to swear at the screen as my lowest dl rate is £0.27 but many come in at £0.74 and above. Average this year per dl at Adobe works out at $0.95 and $0.60/dl at SS. Pity that Adobe is only 40% of the SS income but mustn't forget to include PS CC free for 2 years running which is a sort of €120 bonus each year!

RalfLiebhold · « **Reply #49 on:** December 27, 2021, 11:44 »

Highest sale this year was a dutch windmill from Kinderdijk for 90 $ and one for 70 $ (flowers). Then still 10 sales between 30 - 40 $ and about 50 sales around 10 $.

During the facebook outage in october one photo on the subject brought me about 160 downloads in one evening only on Shutterstock, which means about 80 $.

And no, I am not a shutterstock agent.

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