Note: Need the answer to a stock photography question? At our website,
you'll find our Bulletin Board,
called "The Kracker Barrel." Check it out. Our staff answers marketing questions;
fellow photographers and our columnists offer their input and experience.
The other day I ran into an old friend who has been a leading stock shooter
for many years. He has been represented by a top stock photo agency for
over 10 years and has always been a prolific shooter. As we discussed the
current condition of the stock industry, he commented, " I shot a total of
only 18 rolls of film last year." This at first shocked me because I have
seen this photographer shoot that much film in a day.
He went on to explain that he just could not justify making the investment
to produce stock under the current conditions at his agency. To begin with,
the actual terms and royalty percentages of his contract remain in
question. He stressed that it doesn't take an extremely keen businessman to
pass, on a partnership that asks you to put up the front end money and then
produce a product on speculation without even knowing what your royalty
terms will be.
Next he discussed the dilemma of what to shoot. In the past, at his former
stock agency, he had a good relationship with a long-term editor and they
discussed most of his shoots in advance, which resulted in a high
acceptance rate of images submitted. Such a high rate of acceptance is also
necessary for him, to make it feasible for him to make the investment in
producing stock. He has since moved to a new agency. There, when he
attempted to discuss a shoot with his editor, he felt little confidence. To
begin with, his editor had little experience in stock and often gave him
suggestions that he disagreed with and/or had no interest in shooting. His
comment was, "either they are way off base or I am, but either way I sure
am not pumped up to go out and produce after a talk with that editor."
Another thing bothering this photographer was that his agency had begun the
practice of hiring young photographers to shoot stock for them. It didn't
particularly endear him to this agency that they apparently were pursuing
ways to replace him. I could detect the pleasure in his voice as he related
that he understood that this experiment of bypassing independent stock
photographers was not bringing the agency success. Apparently, they were
learning the value of the veteran entrepreneurial freelance photographer.
Want to read more of this article? Click here.
Rohn Engh, Photosource International.
