If there’s an over abundant supply of pictures and you’re a photographer, you loose. ![]() Unfortunately, the demise of stock photography is based on the business theory of supply and demand. Why? Because so many photographers are willing to release their work for little or no money, many joining Royalty Free stock agencies like Shutter Stock or iStock Photo, like Michael has done. ![]() Quite simply, the money in stock photography is virtually nonexistent which the example above proves. I’ll tell you now, if you’re reading this to find out how to make money from stock photography, you’ll be sorely disappointed. The only reason Walmart was able to get this image for $1.88 US is due to photographers being willing to hand their work over to corporate America for virtually no cost. Total potential sales inspired by this one image $18,495.00 USĭo these number impress or depress you? Obviously, it depends on whether you would have made the right decision on the contract for a project like this. Similar wall calendar on Walmarts website selling for $13.99 each.Total potential sales= $8,000,000 8 million dollars.Similar greeting card on Walmarts website selling for $16.00/box.Total potential sales= $3,500,000 That’s 3.5 Million dollars.Similar throw rug on Walmarst website selling for $7.00 each.But let’s look at the products currently being sold that we know of. Based on the facts I’m aware of, Walmart has the ability to sell this image on virtually any type of product. Just to give you an idea of the financial windfall Walmart can obtain from this image I’m going to outline the potential retail sales. The right image can make YOU a lot of money, if YOU don’t give it away Rather it’s about trying to enlighten photographers to the reality of giving your work way, allowing others to profit from your photography with no advantage to you. This blog post is not intended to throw salt on an already painful wound. If you don’t even remember you signed up with some company, who can distribute your work for virtually FREE, you most certainly need to brush up on your business skills. I guess? That comment is my first clue that Michael had no idea what he was getting into when he signed on with Shutter Stock. Wow, it’s going to be a Merry Christmas after all for poor Michael.Įven though Michael professes to love stills and video image creation and in fact runs his own video production company called Down to Earth Productions, he mentions Shutter Stock and admits that, “I do have an account there I guess”. Thankfully it is enough to cover two cups of coffee at McDonalds. That’s right– no typo here–no zeros or commas missing. Shutter Stock has paid Michael a measly $1.88US for the use of his image. Shutter Stock is just one of many Royalty Free stock agencies that have been a big part of the demise of stock photographers around the world. Unfortunately, Walmart obtained the image fair and square by purchasing items featuring the photo from Islandwide Distributors who intern purchased the virtually unlimited license from Shutter Stock, a Royalty Free stock photo agency. Based on the youtube video Michael created discussing this frustrating reality, Walmart has a license to sell 500,000 units of items featuring his beautiful image of a lonesome, winter bridge.
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