Career
Most professional photographers believe Flickr is a site they should
avoid because someone might steal their pictures. They think of it as a
place where amateurs put the pictures they want to share with family and
friends. Todd Klassy is using it very effectively to market his images
in his part-time photographic business.
If your goal is to earn a full-time living from photography -- and
particularly stock photography -- you need to read this series of 14
articles. They were originally written in the summer of 2010. Since then
the general state of the photographic industry has continued to go
downhill. These articles discuss key aspects of the business and issues
that those who want to earn their living taking pictures must consider.
Microstock Group has published the preliminary results of its 2011 survey of microstock contributors. So far more that 700 people have responded, but there is still time for anyone involved in microstock to
add additional information before the final results are tallied.
Mobile communication is rapidly changing the way the world gets
information. More and more of the information we need will be delivered
via mobile devices. This shift is likely to change the demand for visual
materials. Here are some things to consider as you plan for the future.
It seems to me that 30 or so years ago photographers could have verbal
agreements (a handshake, if you will) with others in business and both
sides would feel an
ethical obligation to honor the agreement.
Today, honoring agreements is often secondary to maximizing profit.
The photography business has changed dramatically -- and at a very rapid
pace. Kodak is near bankruptcy and trying to sell off its photographic
patents. Most of the photo labs that used to process film and make
prints have long since gone out of business. Locally, Penn Camera
Exchange the largest photo equipment supplier in the region is closing 5
out of its 8 stores. Professional photographers aren’t the only ones
who are hurting.
Not too long ago the primary way to keep up with new trends in
photography and what the industry leaders were doing of thinking was to
attend industry events. This often meant traveling to New York, Chicago,
Las Vegas or New Orleans (in the U.S. – I’m not sure where all in
Europe) and fitting into the schedule of the event organizer. Now, it is
becoming possible to participate in such educational programs while
sitting at your desk and often at your own convenience in terms of time. This story offers a few examples.
I’m regularly contacted by photographers, some with excellent
portfolios, wanting to know how they can license rights to their images
in today’s market. Recently, I was contacted by a nature and wildlife
photographer whose work was excellent. This photographer regularly
conducts Photo Workshops where he teaches others how to take great
scenic and wildlife pictures. Here’s what I told him.
One-hundred-thirty aspiring commercial photographers from all over the
world will descend on Cape Town, South Africa on 3 January 2012 to
participate in the Yuri Arcurs International Commercial Photography
Academy Bootcamp.
Some argue that there will always be plenty of print publications and
demand for images to be used in print. This story provides some statistics on the Magazine industry, Printing Industry, Newspapers and the Internet that provide a depressing picture of where the demand for still photography is headed.
Given the existence of these contributors stock photography is unlikely to be a dependable way to earn a living in the future. Those that are trying to earn their living taking pictures should focus on getting assignments or doing something that guarantees a certain level of compensation before they undertake the work.
For those in the stock photo industry October is always a time for
intense networking and education in New York with Visual Connections,
the PACA International Conference and PhotoPlus Expo. Now that these
events are over its time to reflect things learned. Here are a few of my
take-aways.
Early next year 10 to 15 aspiring commercial photographers will be
offered an amazing three year FREE education in the technical and
business aspects of commercial photography as part of the Yuri Arcurs
International Commercial Photography Academy. Yuri is the most
successful microstock photographer in the world.
While fees charged customers for stock photo use have been steadily
declining, there is another issue that should be of equal concern to
image creators. That is the percentage they receive of the gross fee the
end user pays. This can be complicated and not the number many
photographers think it is.
In a little over a year the number of
images represented by the top four microstock sites has increased by 41%. Fotolia has had a 59% increase. The number of people contributing images to Shutterstock has grown by 37% and now totals 313,393. This wouldn't be bad if demand were growing at the same rate, but it's not. Demand seems to be relatively flat and at iStockphoto seems to be declining. How will these numbers affect everyone who produces stock images? Read more.
In May Peter Phun published an article on BlackStar Rising entitled “
It’s Time for Pro Photographers and Hobbyists to Call a Truce.” The article has received a lot of comments. I would like to weigh in with my thoughts on the difference between professionals and non-professionals.
Photographers complain that stock photo fees are way below what it costs
them to produce images. And they are right. But, the prices volume user
pay for images will continue to decline. Here’s why.
Many photographers licensing images at RM and traditional RF prices
believe that it is impossible to have as profitable business licensing
images at Microstock prices. They argue that despite the fact that some
microstock photographers earn significant revenue due to sales volume
their expenses must be so high that there is very little profit for
their time invested. This story explores the validity of that theory.
I just returned from ASMP's Strickly Business 3 weekend in Philadelphia.
There is another in Chicago April 1st to 3rd. It was absolutely great
for laying out where the industry is today (not particularly great) and
offering ideas as to how to re-invent your business for the future.
Check out
http://asmp.org/content/strictly-business-3.
The stock photo industry has evolved in many interesting ways in the
last 50 years. This story looks at the changes from mostly editorial rights-managed, to the 1976 copyright law change, to the print catalog era, to CD-rom delivered royalty-free, to the Internet and finally to microstock. We identify some of the key drivers of these changes and show how some unrelated developments made the changes inevitable.
Emily Chow, a photojournalism student at Northwestern University's Medill School, posted a story on Black Star Rising (
see here) which basically takes the position that photography students should ignore what experienced professional photographers are telling them and forge ahead with determination to launch careers in photography. I had to respond. Be sure to read her story first.
Beginning stock photographers often ask those with experience for numbers they can use to construct a "business plan." They start by asking what kind of annual return-per-image they can expect to earn from a collection of a given size. This story outlines some of the steps photographers need to take when considering stock photography as a business.
For many photographers seeking to earn some, or all, of their living
producing stock images, one of the most important decisions in 2011 will
be whether to retire from the stock photo business or get into
microstock. Many photographers who are licensing their images at
rights-managed or traditional royalty free prices have seen their
revenue decline significantly in the last couple of years. They are also
skeptical that it is possible to earn any significant money licensing
images at microstock prices. As a result quite a few are choosing to get
out of the stock photography business.
An exhibit of the work of several young photographers who are
participating in the Young Photographer Alliance mentoring program is
opening at the Calumet Gallery, 22 West 22nd St, New York City from
January 14-28. The gallery will be open from 8:30 to 5:30 Monday thru
Friday and 9:00 to 5:30 on Saturdays, closed Sundays.
Many believe the concept of business ethics has become an oxymoron. Do a Google search and you’ll find reams and reams of explanations of what ethical business practices are, or should be. Every major corporation has a place on its web site that outlines the company’s ethical principles. Some companies test all employees annually to insure that they clearly understand the company’s ethical policies and procedures.
Often these principles seem to boil down to two over riding rules: (1) Maximize Shareholder and Manager Wealth and (2) Do What Is Legal.