What would you like to ask to an iStock ace ???

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

01/21/2007 08:38:57 AM · #1

BUMP

interview is online at :
//www.perrush.be/art_hidesy_01.html

What's on the menu in the future ?
- An interview with Lise Gagne
- An interview with Adam Riggs, CFO of Shutterstock (has be done already by L2, but isn't written yet)

----

Hi,

For my article about microstocks, I thought it would be fun to do an interview with a full time pro who makes a living from microstocks.

I contacted one of the top 10 contributers of iStock and he/she agreed to cooperate.

Thus if you want something to ask to someone who makes a living out of microstocks, this is your chance. (Although I cannot promise that every question will be answered.)

You've time until Sunday next week (28 jan), then I will gather all questions and bundle them. After the questions are answered, I will make an article of it of which I'll post the link here.

I'm curious what questions will rise from this survey :-)

Message edited by author 2007-02-07 15:47:02.

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

01/21/2007 08:55:18 AM · #2

What does making a living mean? How much does he/she earn a year?

How many photos do they upload a year?

How many sales a year?

Do the participate on any macro sites?

What subject matter is their top seller?

And of course, What equipment do they use in terms of camera, lenses, editing software?

edit: and why have you not entered any challenges? Is this just an ad site for you?

Message edited by author 2007-01-21 13:56:52.

fotomann_forever

01/21/2007 08:56:15 AM · #3

I'd like to know where the constant stream of marketable ideas come from.

see

Canon PowerShot S95

01/21/2007 09:10:40 AM · #4

OOPS Wrong quote, this one..
and why have you not entered any challenges? Is this just an ad site for you??????

Message edited by author 2007-01-21 14:12:52.

fotomann_forever

01/21/2007 09:13:06 AM · #5

Originally posted by alans_world:

Originally posted by fotomann_forever:
I'd like to know where the constant stream of marketable ideas come from.
??????????????????

You know, where do they come up with ideas for their shots? Not all photos make good stock photos. So the top sellers must have some method to their madness.

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

01/21/2007 09:15:32 AM · #6

@ jbsmithana :

Some of your questions can easily be found from the statistics and profiles the microstocksites provide.

How many photos do they upload a year?
The most active in iStock is Hidesy. She had at average 45 images a week approved for 3 years.

How many sales a year?
Lisegagne had at avg 316 downloads a day, 3.5 years long

What subject matter is their top seller?
mostly these are people shots

edit : this all could be found in that damn ad of mine :p

Message edited by author 2007-01-21 14:16:46.

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

01/21/2007 02:05:58 PM · #7

Originally posted by Perrush:

Some of your questions can easily be found from the statistics and profiles the microstocksites provide.
yeah, but it was easier to ask you, thanks for the reply

How many photos do they upload a year?
The most active in iStock is Hidesy. She had at average 45 images a week approved for 3 years.
sounds like a full time job

How many sales a year?
Lisegagne had at avg 316 downloads a day, 3.5 years long
if I have the figures correct that comes out to be 20 something thousand a year for a full time job with no benefits, seems like that would be a tough livign

edit : this all could be found in that damn ad of mine
ah, but you did not answer the question as to why you belong here and have never entered a challenge
:p

thanks again for the reply

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

01/23/2007 07:49:47 AM · #8

@ jbsmithana :

you're wrong. The real figure would be around $120.000 I guess.

People always stare at that $0.20 a download. But that's for the smallest size. Larger sizes go over $2.

I have an average of $0.50 a download at IS with a commision rate of 20%. Lise will have at least the same average but with a rate of 40%.

Beside the normal downloads there are also extended licenses which yield on IS between $5 and $20 a piece. These aren't included in the number above.

--

question : is entering a challenge a requirement to become a member here ?

GoldBerry

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

01/23/2007 08:05:34 AM · #9

Great info Perrush! Looking forward to reading the finished article.

I would ask this single question: do you have any formal education?

...just seeing where professionals weigh in on this subject...

Pixlmaker

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 24-70 2.8L II

01/25/2007 07:02:27 AM · #10

@ jbsmithana :

you're wrong. The real figure would be around $120.000 I guess.

I agree. Lise Gagne probably makes close to $200k per year Canadian, since she is in Canada and gets paid in American dollars. I'm just guessing on that figure, but people need to understand that microstock is far more than $.20 per DL. Ask nico blue right here on DPC. I believe he is putting himself through medical school solely on his istock income. There's big money in microstock folks, and I for one am eagerly anticipating the interview. When you mentioned top 10, Lise and Hidesy were the first that popped into my head. Sjlocke is another one, and LisaFX is up there too (although I don't think she is top 10). These people are my heroes, so bring it on! As for questions, I'd love to know how many hours per week they put into it. Shooting, keywording, uploading, managing and planning upcoming shoots--micro stock can definitely be a full-time job, no question.

Message edited by author 2007-01-25 12:03:30.

DjFenzl

01/25/2007 07:54:57 AM · #11

Originally posted by Perrush:

question : is entering a challenge a requirement to become a member here ?

no, people are just encouraging you to enter. The more the merrier.

jbsmithana

Nikon D300

01/25/2007 08:46:45 AM · #12

Originally posted by Perrush:

I stand corrected. But that is why I'm asking the questions as I know little about stock. Thanks for the info.

Message edited by author 2007-01-25 13:47:26.

samchad

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/25/2007 05:13:55 PM · #13

Don't forget referrals income also.

itravelstockphoto

01/30/2007 11:06:49 PM · #14

i'm very interested in seeing the results of this as the amount of time spent keywording images must be insane, and to a] have it be rejected or b] not make anything just seems absurd to do full time.

i'll keep my eyes on this thread!

ian
//www.itravelstockphoto.com

02/04/2007 04:53:56 AM · #15

Originally posted by itravelstockphoto:

i'll keep my eyes on this thread!

ian
//www.itravelstockphoto.com

I'll post the link to that interview here Ian, but just give me some time. It takes quite an amount of time to so this well.

anyway I have the answers already back. Just have to mold them into a nice, pleasant reading, article.

Pixlmaker

Canon EOS-5D Mark IV

Canon EF 24-70 2.8L II

02/04/2007 06:41:02 AM · #16

Originally posted by Perrush:

Originally posted by itravelstockphoto:

i'll keep my eyes on this thread!

ian
//www.itravelstockphoto.com

I'll post the link to that interview here Ian, but just give me some time. It takes quite an amount of time to so this well.

anyway I have the answers already back. Just have to mold them into a nice, pleasant reading, article.

I'm looking forward to it! So, who was the ace that you interviewed? Come on, give it up!

02/04/2007 11:53:10 AM · #17

Originally posted by Pixl Mastr WannaB:

I'm looking forward to it! So, who was the ace that you interviewed? Come on, give it up!

hmmm ... maybe wrong question ... who were the Aces would be better :-) LOLZ