Serban Enache – Microstock Celebrity
Posted by Lee Torrens
Serban Enache is founder, CEO and owner of microstock agency Dreamstime. Along with his best friend and parter Dragos Jianu, he created Dreamstime out of an internal database his website development company, Archi-web, used to share photos among their designers. He’s based in his home country of Romania where Dreamstime is headquartered.
Serban Enache
Aside from creating and running Dreamstime, Serban is known for being an architect, web designer and photographer.
Dreamstime clients will recognize him by his username Achilles.
Online
Dreamstime | Archi-web | LinkedIn Profile | Dreamstime portfolio | Serban Enache Blog
Personal Details
Lives in Romania | Continues to manage Archi-Web | Family man | Adores shooting photos, cooking and driving fast | Even agency CEOs can contribute photos of sunsets
Background
Serban was educated as an architect and town planner in Romania, specializing in Design Studies. He relies heavily on this educational background in his current roles, but like many founders of microstock agencies he comes from a background in web design. He remains owner and managing director of Romanian based web design firm, Archi-Web, who have expanded their base of high profile clients well beyond eastern Europe.
In a familiar story, Dreamstime arose in 2000 as an in-house database for Archi-web to fulfill a need to share photos among their designers. Serban opened Dreamstime to the public in 2004, adopting the inclusive microstock model.
Signs of Success
- Created a web design firm with sustained success over 10 years
- Balances a successful web design firm and a successful microstock agency
- Owner and CEO of one of the largest microstock agencies in the market
- Has taught CAD (Computer Aided Design) at University
- Keeps the peace at Dreamstime ensuring both buyers and contributors get what they need
Posted November 12th, 2007 by Lee Torrens
Good article Lee. I wasn’t aware of Achilles’ background. An impressive story, and even more impressive that with all those responsibilities he still finds time to liaise with all photographers whether established stock photographers or those with modest portfolios and modest aspirations.
… makes me wonder how much more successful Dreamstime might be if it was his sole business interest. That he employs noted industry specialists (e.g. Ellen Boughn) and allies his company with well-known photographers (e.g. Ron Chapple) says much about his philosophy – others would do well to follow his example.
Yes, running a business is hard enough and time consuming but there are some exceptional people that can manage that and successfully pursue other interests as well. I only wish i could have his determination and energy!
Well, congras Serban!
And you know what? He takes the time to send a message personally to a new stock photographer with only a handful of uploaded images, modestly suggesting a certain type could be a good niche to develop. I guess it is that kind of attention to detail that makes him a success. I’m a fan anyway!
Hey. They are one of the highest competitors to shutterstock. That says something. It takes time, ambition and nerves to build it up. Congrats Serban!