Microstock Diaries

Certain photos are a right of passage into the microstock market. You know them. They pop up everywhere and everyone seems to have one or two in their portfolio. They are microstock cliché.

Most agencies already have too many of these subjects, so they often just reject all new submissions regardless of quality. Reviewers cringe at the understatement when they press the we-already-have-enough-similar-images button.

Some become cliché because you see them in use so often so you know there’s buyer demand. Others are just so easy to create that we microstock contributors can’t resist the easy portfolio padding.

Here’s some examples.

The Isolated Apple

The cliché of clichés, driven more by the ease of shooting than any evidence of buyer demand.

An Isolated Laptop

It’s the obvious thing to start shooting after you’ve discovered that you can sell photos online.

A Person with Laptop

Sales of the isolated laptop aren’t meeting expectations and a little research shows that people photos sell pretty well. Add people.

Businessmen Shaking Hands

All you need are two right hands and two suits. Simple!

Customer Service with a Smile

“This headset looks just like the ones they use in call centers, yes, yes it does.”

Thumbs Up

It’s the internationally recognized gesture of all good things, the thumbs up.

Jumping Goldfish

Who would have thought you could demonstrate so many concepts with just a goldfish?

Young Plant in Tender Hands

Nothing says “care” better than a delicate young plant in a small lump of dirt held tenderly in otherwise perfectly clean hands.

Who Shoots Microstock Cliché

Follow the links in the images above to see which contributors created the photos. You’ll see many of the top microstock contributors have shot most of these clichés. This could be interpreted in many different ways, including the fact that many of today’s most successful microstock contributors were early adopters, and that they are successful because they shoot what their research shows will sell well. One thing is certain: it is a beneficial learning experience to shoot cliché photos, particularly as there’s no shortage of comparisons.

Where to Go with a Cliché?

Cliché photos clearly have a lot of competition. Shooting a plain replica isn’t going to serve your earnings growth. Looking through the searches for these cliché images it’s apparent that there’s scope to expand on the concept. Shoot the same image in a different context, with a different setting or a different message. While the microstock market has created massive duplication, it has also created massive variety. For these cliché photos, it’s too late to win sales by being first-to-market. However, opportunities still exist through creating original variations of the themes.

What About You?

How many microstock clichés are in your portfolio? After seeing the caliber of contributors who’ve shot them, it might not be a bad idea to add some more. I plan to do so, but remembering to create a variation that will get passed the we-already-have-enough-similar-images button.

I recently discovered the blog of Canadian microstock contributor Yanik Chauvin. While it’s not uncommon to find a full-time microstocker with a high quality portfolio and accompanying blog, it is uncommon when you see the very low user IDs in his referral links! Yanik was the 95th person to join Shutterstock and 370th at Dreamstime. That’s why I call an early adopter.

Intrigued by what life as a microstock contributor must have been like so long ago (four years is a long time in the history of microstock), I contacted Yanik for some insights. What follows is the result of our discussion.

Yanik, as only the 95th person to register at Shutterstock, you’re clearly an early adopter. How long have you been a microstock contributor?

It all started with iStockphoto in May 2004. I got the lead from a forum post on DPChallenge.com. At first I thought it was a great opportunity to pay for some new gear. I realized after a few years that I could actually make a good living with just microstock photography.

Everyone says microstock agencies are becoming more strict over time. How much have acceptance standards changed over the time you’ve been contributing?

I totally agree with that statement. In the beginning the agencies were looking at portfolio growth more than quality. Now with 3 agencies over 3 million images and a 4th one almost there, their focus has shifted to quality and content relevance. I felt this change happen around late 2006 early 2007. Luckily, it seems that my general photo quality has improved with the agencies’ quality control standards evolution. Except for iStockphoto (which is around 65-70% acceptance), my acceptance rate is roughly 90-95%.

The number of microstock contributors is growing, but so is the number of buyers. Did microstock contributors make more money per photo back then or do they make more now?

That’s a very good question! I wish I knew the answer. I can only guess by what I experience and what I read from other top contributors. The way I see it is that it’s about the same. Why do I say this? Because I haven’t seen a drop in sales with my normal uploading behavior. My revenue is still climbing as I submit more stock worthy content. As my porfolio increases, my revenue increases. Months that I slack off or don’t submit (like last summer due to moving house), sales stagnate or go down. Of course, I’m not taking into account the normal purchasing down cycles like December, July and August.

Microstock is still controversial and unpopular with many old-school stock photographers. Was it more controversial back then when it was new, or more so now that it’s growing so fast?

From what I was reading back then compared to today, the controversial hype was stronger back then. There was a big wave of articles bashing the microstock business model and its non viability; not to mention critiquing the poor quality of accepted images. I think it’s safe to say that the business model is strong and sustainable and that image quality has improved dramatically to easily match that of the macros. I think “old school” stock photographers are slowly accepting microstock as either a very real threat or as a powerful ally.

New microstock agencies are currently popping up every week. Has the prolonged success of microstock agencies created this, or did everyone think there was money in microstock back then too?

Back then there WAS money to be made in microstock if you wanted to start a new agency. I think it’s next to impossible for the new agencies popping up to survive now. On the one hand you have the big guns like Shutterstock, iStockphoto, Dreamstime and Fololia with huge portfolios and big marketing budgets. And on the other hand you have the serious contributors who lack the financial motivation to submit their portfolios to new agencies. I’m at a point now that probably by the end of 2008, I’ll stop submitting to agencies that don’t give me a minimum payout every month. It would be a wise business decision on my part. I have yet to submit to SnapVillage even though it’s backed by Corbis.

How else has the microstock market evolved?

Well, we’re now seeing a slow rise in prices which I think is a good move on the part of the agencies. It’s a win-win scenario for both the contributor and agency. Price increases are also seen with the introduction of “midstock” portfolios at some agencies like Fotolia and 123RF.

What else is different now to when you started?

Video. That wasn’t around when I started. And I think microstock video will be a hot commodity within the next few years. I actually think good videographers will surpass good photographers’ income. If I had a video camera, I’d be shooting stock for sure!

In light of your observations of the microstock market over this time, what are your thoughts on future development?

Microstock is still in its infancy. There can only be one way to go and that’s up. The price gap between micro and macro is still too great so there’s a lot of room to play for the micros. I’m still unsure of how the new “midstock” models will play out for the micro agencies though. Personally, I don’t see the potential. Why would anyone pay $20-$50 for an image when they can get one almost as good if not as good for $1-$15? Not all good contributors will shoot for midstock which means quality images will overlap in both price ranges. The debate is on and only time will tell.

You can see Yanik’s portfolios here: iStockphoto; Shutterstock; Dreamstime; Fotolia; 123rf; Crestock; and StockXpert.

And his photography blog is also worth reading. Thanks Yanik for sharing your experiences.

This review of the first StockXpert Contributor Conference held last weekend in Moscow was written by Mikhail Lavrenov, better known in the microstock market as Miklav.

The place was crowded by ~150 participants and StockXpert crew. People used the long registration time for breakfast and socializing. Some people already knew each other via local off-line events; many people knew each other virtually via Russian microstock internet forums.

Besides two main guests – Ron Chapple and Lev Dolgachov – Jupiter Images has taken to the conference Patty Vargas (Senior Director of content in Jupiter), Steve Kapsinow (community Xpert at StockXpert), StockXpert founder Peter Hamza and a few other people.

After a short introduction by Steve the day started with Ron’s presentation ‘Creativity & Business’. StockXpert haven’t invited a professional translator, and Russian-speaking person brought by organizers didn’t know the subject. So Lev Dolgachov has volunteered to be a translator and made good comments during translation. Some were funny and sometimes Lev was adding his own perspective to Ron’s speech.

These are some bullet points from Ron’s presentation:

• The stock photography market is growing, new technologies create new markets (e.g. blogs).
• Stock photography is a lot of work, but don’t worry about “routine stock work” versus “creative art work”; just do what you enjoy. Creativity is about your pleasure and fun.

5 ideas for success:

1. Show your model what you want. Really show gestures/poses yourself even if you look stupid.
2. When you speak to your client ask question, then listen. Analyze your client and what they really want.
3. Understand whether they are really looking for a keyword or for a concept. For example concept “freedom” or just “jump”.
4. Keep everything simple
5. Facts are facts
   • Search for keyword ’sad’. Top picture has 44 sales and sale numbers go down very quickly in the first row of returned pictures.
   • Search for keyword ‘happy’. Top picture has about 350 sales, and all pictures on the first page of results have hundreds sales each.
   • Even if you are sad, make your client happy. Happiness sells better.
     (Remark by Lev: if you are keen to shoot sadness it can still sell well if you create it well – and competition for niche market isn’t so tough. Don’t force yourself shooting what you don’t like - you will not be able to sell it.)

• Challenge yourself to take better pictures. Clients want new fresh ideas. Do not copy (other than just for learning something new). Original pictures always sell better - at least because they are first on the market even if it isn’t the best quality.
• Think about microstock as many small markets. There are 7 billion sales channels on the Earth.
• Answering questions from StockXpert contributors Ron explained that he always photograph separate sessions for traditional RF and for microstock; but the way he shoots is the same. Sometimes he photographs differently for RM.
• Approximately 1/3 of today’s stock income for Ron comes from microstock.

After Q&A session a slideshow of Ron’s own favorite photos was shown. Then Q&A continued:

• Always explain to models possible use of her/his pictures, including sensitive (medicine ads, men’s magazines etc)
• Ron pays most of his models, because:
  • He will make money from the pictures
  • For legal reasons in order to make a real contract
  • A couple times a year people get back to Ron with some requests, so having the model release and money in order helps to answer that without any problems
• How much planning: Ron makes a list of possible pictures/ideas before the shoot (i.e. a rather high-level plan) but starts to deviate during the shoot. Usually he makes about 1/2 of the list; but the total session outcome is many more pictures than in the list.
• Ron photographs approximately 1/3 on his own, 1/3 with one assistant and 1/3 with a whole crew (for large/complex shots).
• One session lasts 1.5-3 hours. Usually Ron has 2-3 session per day for a few days and then a few days break. All retouching and keywording work is outsourced.
• It helps to be a little weird

Patty Vargas documented the event:

The day continued with Lev’s presentation in Russian. These are a few bullet points from his part:

• Microstock industry is growing
• Price increase doesn’t negatively affect sales
• Current prices are still lower than the client is ready to pay, despite several increases in the last 2 years; so the prices will grow
• Competition is growing and we have to grow our own part of the business. The good thing for us is that we don’t yet see much competition from India or China (good cameras too expensive for amateurs)
• Even photographer #1 shouldn’t sit and relax, otherwise he will be overtaken
• Trends change all the time. Clothes, styles, accessories (bags, shoes, mobile phones, music players etc) - everything changes daily. Photos need to reflect those changes
• We aren’t just photographers but also salesmen:
  • Desire is important
  • Determination to start doing business (not just determination to take pictures, but determination to do photo stock business)
  • Do the work (and don’t just hang on in the forums discussing how to do the work; but really do it)
  • Communication with better/more successful contributors helps with motivation (e.g. in the internet forums - but keep in mind the previous point)
  • Diligence - do a lot and do it well
  • Move with the market. Try new things, challenge yourself (but don’t force yourself to do the things you don’t like just because they are “selling well”)
  • Quantity is important, but just repeating same things for quantity is useless
  • Individuality - every successful photographer can be recognized by his pictures. It’s a two-fold thing: recognizable style or at least a few recognizable pictures that everybody knows are yours
  • Copying means limiting your level and being behind the others.
  • Communicate with colleagues, know people, agencies, personal contacts, market evolution, news - i.e. be part of the community.
• Even a very generic thing can sell very well if it isn’t well represented on the market. For example Lev was once asked for a picture of a human ear - apparently there were no good ones on microstock. In result he has made very good sales with his first picture of an ear - and less sales with consequent ones.
• Don’t answer unfair requests. E.g. no releases should be ever sent to client. Be sure what you should do and what you shouldn’t.
• However be open to opportunities. Lev has previously declined all commercial requests but now he listens first about what specifically is offered/requested - sometimes it’s just a special one-time extended license for an existing photo, that can’t be purchased on microstock.
• Sharing information pays back. Today you share information, next time you get information from others. You might have some personal tricks or secrets, but overall information is much more worth to be shared than kept secret.
• Shoot what you like. Don’t do what you don’t like. Yes you can try different things but don’t force yourself to do what you dislike. If you do what you like and practice it a lot it will become good sooner or later - and then it will sale.
• It’s not true that ‘art doesn’t sell on stock’. Real art sells well if it’s well done.
• Actors, dancers, singers are usually good models even if they aren’t well known. Just because they used to show themselves, to be on scene.

After the lunch Ron has shown practically how he works with the model, and how he uses natural light and reflector. It was interesting but it wasn’t easy to see and to hear as the number of attendees was high and there was no scene in the room.

(Steve apologized for inconvenience – it was first time StockXpert was doing that kind of thing, and also nobody from the team has seen the room before the event)

After Ron’s workshop Lev was talking about the work with studio light. Although lighting equipment was available as well as the model, Lev’s part had to stay theoretical due to lack of time.

At the end of the official part, Jupiter and StockXpert perspective was shared and some questions answered. Again, I made notes in a form of main bullet points:

• Project number one for Jupiter and StockXpert is to make StockXpert content available through other JupiterImages channels and third-party licensing deals
• Second priority is new user interface, that will be more easy and more attractive to the customers
• Getting decent referral program in place is already in the list of top priorities but it’s hard to say when it will be implemented. Probably within a year but no promises.
• Apparently the original StockXpert team from Hungary (Peter Hamza and HAAP Media) is still in place, and all technical support is done by them.
• Most StockXpert sales are coming from the US, Brazil, UK, Germany, Netherlands
• Most of new StockXpert customers are coming from StockXpert project www.sxc.hu – free stock photo site.
• When I asked about the queue size and very uneven review times, the answer was that the original database design wasn’t putting submissions chronologically, so they are taken for review randomly. Jupiter is trying to get more reviewers in place to reduce the review time.
• The question was asked about very tough property release rules at StockXpert when even seemingly generic window/door pictures get rejected. The answer from Patty was that StockXpert is now seen as part of greater Jupiter collection, and that the requirements from customers are much tougher now. For example a picture of a very generic and non-recognizable window might be rejected due to recognizable curtains – to avoid legal issues with curtains maker.
• Jupiter sees that traditional Royalty Free gradually migrates towards microstock. Jupiter doesn’t know how stock photography market will look in several years, but they do see StockXpert as the integral part of Jupiter and they are trying to find the right place for it (thus the JupiterImages projects).

The official part was followed by informal reception. People split in many small groups chatting about photography and microstock and having food and drinks. There was a fun lottery organized – a few Corel graphic packages and a few Lensbabies were raffled off among the participants.

I enjoyed the day, and I saw that most other participants enjoyed it too. It seems that Jupiter/StockXpert team were satisfied with the result too. One item that was particularly interesting for me was to see that Jupiter looks at StockXpert as part of greater corporation and is already trying to get it to the right place – the thing that we don’t see with Getty/iStockphoto neither with Corbis/Snapvillage.

Read more from Mikhail Lavrenov at miklav.blogspot.com. Ron Chapple also wrote about being shown around Moscow by Miklav on his own blog.

This challenge wasn’t as intense as the last one, but it was just as valuable. I learned a massive amount about my gear and photography in general and was completely inspired by all the resources available in the photography world. So much amazing equipment, creative techniques, ideas and opportunities! I’ve always enjoyed photography, but this challenge helped me fall in love with the craft.

Here’s what I learned:

On Monday

I downloaded the manual for my camera. I think I left the original in Australia, so thankfully it was readily available in PDF download from the manufacturer’s website. I actually read a little bit more each day of the week as 219 pages is a lot of manual to digest quickly.

What I found most surprising was how little I actually knew about my camera. I thought my knowledge was reasonable - I don’t shoot in Auto all the time anymore, and navigate the menu with a distinct sense of knowing where I’m going. However, I discovered that there were some prominently placed buttons that I knew nothing about. I really got the idea of ‘mastering’ a piece of equipment with this exercise, and I’m inspired to learn more about my camera and see what else I can create with it.

On Tuesday

I researched High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography. I’d taken some shots of a statue the previous week at three different shutter speeds with the intention of making an HDR image, but without knowing how it was done beyond taking the shots. Turns out that it’s more complicated than I thought, but boy can you get some great results.

My sole research tool for this exercise was YouTube. A simple search for HDR gave me more video tutorials than I could possibly need. I learned the basic fundamentals and did some experimenting with my statue shots. My wife does all our post-processing, so the next step is to inspire her to learn and master this technique.

On Wednesday

I joined Flickr groups for my camera and lenses. I read through the associated forums and messages and browsed the photos taken with the same equipment. This was indeed eye opening. I discovered many limitations of my equipment which I can now look for in my own results. I also discovered the amazing potential of my modest equipment by the quality of photos produced with my camera and lenses.

On Thursday

I had planned to buy a background for shooting models, but it didn’t happen. My consolation exercise was to audit my list of educational photography RSS feeds in my reader. I culled back and stuck with the ones I feel give me the most value for my time, which ended up being only four: DPS, RonShoots, Strobist and ProPhotoLife.

I wouldn’t be mastering my equipment if I didn’t catch up on my reading of these four awesome resources. I quickly become overwhelmed by the quantity of information, all of which I can use to increase my microstock earnings. This really is an exciting time when all the information you could possibly need to improve your craft is effortlessly acquired, free of charge and available instantly.

On Friday

I looked for a new place to have my camera cleaned. Now that I’m in Argentina my local Nikon Centre in downtown Melbourne isn’t so convenient. I asked a few local friend where they get their cameras cleaned, but most use Canon while my camera is a Nikon. In the end I looked up the official Nikon Centre in Buenos Aires but discovered that it can take a few weeks to get your camera back, and they need original proof of ownership - another thing I left in Australia.

I’m therefore considering cleaning at least the sensor myself, which I’ll continue researching into next week. It was frustrating to not have an outcome for this research, but I consoled myself by reading another few chapters of my camera manual.

The Result

In summary, I feel more like a photographer this week than I did last week. I’m inspired by the opportunities to learn and I feel that, like the Shoot Daily Contribute Nightly Challenge got me in the shooting routine, this challenge has got me in the learning routine.

Next week I’m moving into a new apartment. It has all white walls, floor (tiles) and ceiling, and a large, private roof terrace with lots of sun. It will take some time to get organized and the budget for photography equipment will be sacrificed in honor of all the new “stuff” we will buy. However, once established I’m looking forward to seeing how many more photos I can create in this photographer-friendly environment.

What About You?

Did you play along? What did you learn? Do you have the same blogs in your feed reader or any suggestions for mine? Are you inspired by photography yet??

Normally a relatively slow month, I was very pleased with my earnings for April. While my top two agencies both experienced dips, the next three all rose sharply, two recording new record highs. Total earnings for April were slightly higher than March and just $12 below my current record.

Observations:

• I had Extended License sales at Dreamstime (2) and Fotolia (1) this month
• This is my 13th earnings report - last April I earned $462.33 from seven agencies
• StockXpert and Fotolia both hit new record highs
• After my shoot daily and contribute nightly challenge my portfolio is growing quicker

Next Month

Historically, I’ve always earned more in May than in April, which is also the experience of other contributors with larger portfolios. Add to this the anticipated commission rise at Shutterstock and the potential earnings increase from iStockphoto subscriptions, and it looks like May will set a new record for total earnings.