The stock photography business has become a roller coaster of ups an downs, but some photographers are still doing well.
Poor Sales And Pulling Imagery
I just read a post on a forum in which a photographer
complained about his sales (or lack of sales) at Alamy and is going to pull all
of his imagery. Everywhere one turns photographers are decrying the state of
the industry. I can’t even count how many photographers I have heard give up on
Getty and Corbis. Even microstock photographers are hating on iStock (formerly
iStockphoto) and Shutterstock. There is no doubt that these are challenging
times in the stock photo industry, but I think it is important to keep in mind
that the ones we hear from most are the ones who are having a hard time. The
shooters who are experiencing success are for the most part eschewing the
forums to…drum roll…make images!
Photographers Succeeding In Stock
There are photographers who are succeeding in stock. So while that one unnamed photographer
is pulling his imagery from Alamy, Jon Boyes has found a formula for making
Alamy pay well…and is experiencing increasing sales. Cristian Baitg is finding success with iStock.
Others I know are growing their sales at Getty (I can’t speak to Corbis as I
don’t personally know anyone who is an active Corbis contributor). Even the
upstart agency Stocksy, with just a few months under its belt, is claiming that
several of their photographers are making good livings (though I would sure
love to know exactly what that means….). I am also aware of many Blend Images photographers who are doing well.
Making Stock Photography Work
My point is that we photographers can still make stock work
for us, but need to understand what model suits our particular abilities and
style. Jon Boyes, for example, has the patience and discipline to understand
and make the most of key wording at Alamy. Cristian Baitg knows what works, and how to shoot it, for the
micro model.
Rights Managed, Royalty Free, Microstock And Roller Coasters
I hear photographers say their RM imagery is doing well but
that they are giving up on RF…and I also hear the exact opposite. I know
at least one photographer who has given up on Getty to shoot microstock! I
personally am experiencing what I am sure many other shooters are…a roller
coaster of up and down months. One month I think things have turned the corner
and the future is rosy, the next I have to grit my teeth and not let a
disappointing sales report interrupt my productivity. When you hear the sky is
falling, take it with a grain of salt and learn as much as you can about your
own situation and what will work for you.
Understand Your Distribution
To succeed in stock photography these days it certainly
helps to understand which agencies offer what. Getty, for example, is still the
600 lb. Gorilla, but is not offering much in the way of individual art
direction. Blend Images (disclaimer…I am a part owner of Blend), as another
example, offers vast distribution and individual art direction. Shutterstock boasts a huge customer
base, but certainly isn’t right for my style of imagery…at least not “as right”
as Getty or Blend. On top of everything else agencies are going public, venture capital is coming in, and agencies are jockeying for position with renewed vigor. Change is afoot and it may be very important to pay attention to it!
What To Shoot, How To Shoot And How To Distribute
Each of use needs to really understand what to shoot, how to
take advantage of our own skill sets and shooting styles, and which
distribution channels work best our own circumstances. If we can understand
those things we can still thrive in stock photography...it just isn't easy.
