There has been a sudden explosion of on-line options for photographers. At least nine companies will be at Photo+Expo in New York offering new or updated service. This story outlines some of the issues, in addition to percentage and cost, that photographers should get answers to from these service providers.
The Spanish agency AGE Fotostock has been operating a New York office for about eight months. They have distributed two print catalogs and have a searchable web site. They advertise a number of FREE services to customers including: Free scans, Free delivery by courier or messenger, Free research and Free chromes (which the customers get to keep).
Getty Images is developing a new marketing strategy called ''Special Collections''. The images will be marketed through the TIB portal and special print catalogs. It is believed the initial collections will include: nature, wildlife, scenics, travel and sports. Getty is acquiring work and offering photographers new contracts, but are unwilling to talk publically about this strategy at this time.
SuperStock has cancelled their Express Pricing strategy for Rights Protected images that they instituted in January proving that discount prices don't always result in increased sales volume. Meanwhile PhotoSpin has introduced an even lower price model for RF in an attempt to grab market share.
Speedpix is launching a marketing campaign to both photographers and clients in the U.S. They have dropped their up-front charge for placing images on their site. Their pricing strategy is also outlined and explained.
Peter Howe has combined forces with a technology company in Southern California, and will shortly offer a technology and service platform to stock agencies that will enable them to distribute their content worldwide on the web. Pricing for the service will be available in the near future.
This article includes brief news items on Getty and Corbis. Those interested in TIB and Sygma should read. Also items on why photographers need to search for their images on on-line sites and a list of some of the things needed in the online environment.