Microstockgroup Blog - The meeting place for microstock photographers

Image Search Engine Optimization for Photographers

djpadavona — Sat, 03 Mar 2012 09:00:51 +0000

Over the past few years, reduced agency commissions have become a growing concern for photographers. At the same time, several viable options have surfaced which allow a photographer to strike out on her own and form a sort of virtual photo agency. Some options require more web programming knowledge than others. More experienced web programmers [...]

2011 Microstock Industry Survey – First Look

Tyler Olson — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 12:37:51 +0000

Over 700 people responded to the 2011 Microstock Industry Survey (709 to be exact), beating our previous year’s record by nearly 100 responses (nearly 200 more responses compared to this time last year). Thanks everyone! If you haven’t had a chance to fill out the survey, you can do so here. All responses will be [...]

iStockphoto 2012: Semi-Annual Analysis

Jim Pickerell — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 16:48:41 +0000

Our semi-annual analysis of iStockphoto sales has once again produced interesting results. As of January 2, 1012 istockcharts was tracking the sales of 38,163 of the more than 100,000 iStock contributors. More than 90% of the images in the iStock collection belong to this group of contributor. Combined these contributors have had a minimum of [...]

Licensing Images In Today’s Market

Jim Pickerell — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 12:50:43 +0000

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 [...]

MicrostockExpo Checklist

Tyler Olson — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 21:56:54 +0000

The MicrostockExpo in Berlin is approaching fast (4 days to go). If you haven’t purchased your ticket, there is still time and room to join the 125+ 140+ other attendees. And for those attending, I thought I’d put together a little check list. Remember your Business Cards Yes you should bring some (lots). It isn’t [...]

Making Photography A Career: Run Your Numbers

Jim Pickerell — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 09:31:46 +0000

Many who enjoy photography and have had some success at licensing rights to their images dream of quitting their “day job,” giving up a regular pay check and taking pictures full time. Here are a few things to think about that apply both to photographers who hope to do commercial assignments and those who want [...]

Earnings vs Portfolio Size – Microstock Survey 2010

Tyler Olson — Wed, 27 Jul 2011 17:45:44 +0000

With this look at the results from the 2010 Microstock Survey, I’ll be specifically looking at earnings. I’ll try to break them down a few different ways so we can learn the about how much we should expect to earn and what realistic goals can be for the future. Earnings by Portfolio Size Trying to [...]

Interview with Sean Locke, Professional microStock Artist

Tyler Olson — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 19:02:18 +0000

If you don’t know who Sean Locke is, you probably don’t visit many online, stock related, forums. If you do (any of the forums really) you are sure to have bumped into him. I feel Sean is one of the more helpful posters online, however his blunt honesty and lack of ‘secret sharing’ often make [...]

Shutterstock Keyword Trends

Tyler Olson — Tue, 12 Jul 2011 19:29:49 +0000

Shutterstock has just announced a new tool for microstock photographers (and illustrators and videographers of course). A tool that could potentially help us know what styles of imagery to create and when to create it. The tool can be found in the Shutterstock Darkroom. How it Works The tool works by comparing the search column [...]

Depositphotos Improved Photo Stock Search

Tyler Olson — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 10:03:10 +0000

DepositPhotos has just released a new ‘fancy’ search, which gives suggestions of popular searches when you start typing your query. Details in the press release below. The Depositphotos stock image house introduces a quantum leap in its already powerful search capabilities, with new as-you-type search result tips. Enter a search term, and you’ll immediately see [...]