Articles by Author

Pricing Internet Uses

By Jim Pickerell | 1308 Words | Posted 1/25/2007 | Comments

Until recently it has been difficult to calculate appropriate prices for the myriad ways images are currently being used on the web. Getty Images has instituted an elaborate pricing structure that is an excellent solution to much of this problem, and should result in higher revenues for web use of RM images. This story examines Getty's strategy in details and provides a template that others can use in pricing web uses of their images.

Alamy Almost Doubles Images In 2006

By Jim Pickerell | 1357 Words | Posted 1/24/2007 | Comments

Alamy's fourth quarter 2006 figures on contributors, percentage revenue and average pricing show no major trend change from the previous quarter or for the year. Alamy almost doubled its collection in 2006 adding 3,432,808 images to the about 4.2 million it had at the beginning of the year.

Press Releases 29

By Jim Pickerell | 919 Words | Posted 1/16/2007 | Comments

This story contains releases on: Shutterstock Offers Largest Microstock Collection; Zurich-Based Agency Announces Launch Of Sodapix.com; and Corbis Names Sales Director For Australia

Random Thoughts 130

By Jim Pickerell | 1513 Words | Posted 1/16/2007 | Comments

The article contains short items on: Analysis Of World Market For Stock Photos; Getty Stock Downgraded; iStockphoto Sees Great Demand For Video; Acquisitions Update; Digital Refocusing; and Photos.com Emphasizes Community.

Protect Your Models

By Jim Pickerell | 1140 Words | Posted 1/13/2007 | Comments

More and more companies have been asking for signed model releases for every image submitted and photographers need to consider, and confirm what will be done with those releases once delivered. There has been a lot of discussion in the industry about making model releases available for customer review online. This could be a very bad idea, particularly with relation to model releases of minors.

2007 Image Buyer Survey

By Jim Pickerell | 1011 Words | Posted 1/13/2007 | Comments

Piper Jaffray, a leading, international middle-market investment bank and institutional securities firm recently surveyed 158 U.S. image buyers including 4 ad agencies, 36 magazine publishers, 26 in-house marketing operations, 48 graphic design agencies and 19 other types of image buyers to determine their views of current stock photo offerings. This story summarizes some of their findings.

Index Stock Photographers Happy And Energized

By Jim Pickerell | 393 Words | Posted 1/11/2007 | Comments

We're hearing more and more comments from photographers happy with the recent acquisition of Index Stock by Photolibrary of Australia. The photographers are getting regular payments in amounts more than they had expected.

Jupiterimages And Micropayment

By Jim Pickerell | 840 Words | Posted 1/11/2007 | Comments

As I've watched the astronomical growth in the use of micro-payment images I'm confused as to why JupiterImages has not moved more aggressively into this segment of the market. I put this question to Alan Meckler and he gave me some answers.

Press Releases 28

By Jim Pickerell | 1105 Words | Posted 1/5/2007 | Comments

This issue contains stories on: Blend Appoints Robert Hanson Director of Channel Relations and Sales; PLUS Coalition Releases Global Image Licensing Standards; and Photononstop On Getty.

Dreamstime Introduces FREE Images

By Jim Pickerell | 703 Words | Posted 1/5/2007 | Comments

The micro-payment site Dreamstime.com has announced that as of February 15, 2007 designers will be able to download high resolution royalty free (RF-LL) images at no cost, compliments of Dreamstime.com and its community of contributors. This FREE section of the site is designed to attract bargain hunters and is expected to ensure the company's continued growth and improve its imagery.

About Michael Masterson

Michael Masterson has a broad range of experience in marketing, business development, strategic planning, contact negotiations and recruiting in the photography, graphic design and publishing industries. In addition to his long experience at the Workbook and Workbookstock, Masterson owned and was creative director of his own graphic design firm for several years.

Masterson has been a speaker or panelist at industry events such as Seybold, PhotoPlus Expo, Visual Connections and the Picture Archive Council of America (PACA) national conference. He is currently the national president of the American Society of Picture Professionals (ASPP). He also serves on the board of the Silver Lake Neighborhood Council in his Los Angeles community. He chaired the marketing committee for the Los Angeles Conservancy, a historic preservation advocacy group, for many years.

He currently heads Masterson Consulting, working on projects ranging from business development for creative companies and sourcing talent for them to promoting and marketing industry events as well as providing resume and professional profile services for job-seekers. He can be reached at zvpunryqznfgrefba@tznvy.pbz.