Am I really making money from microstock?
posted on 15th of november, 2009
|
|
|
|
I started microstock photography 2 years ago. Today, I have almost 1800 pictures in my portfolio submitted to multiple agencies and working part time for microstock.
Every month, I am posting earnings reports in my blog, Pixels Away. There are usually happy showing some positive trends. A few other microstockers are also sharing their numbers. However, it is not a full story. It doesn't say how much expenses and photographer's time was invested to produce these images. So, finally, I tried to include expenses into my analysis:
Am I Really Making Money from Microstock Photography ?
Part 1 ... Part 2
In summary:
- I calculate RPI (return per image) or other statistics in reference to a total number of pictures prepared for microstock including rejects, multiple versions, pictures not submitted.
- I added expenses (including money saved for camera and gear upgrades) and looked at "net RPI".
- Finally, I derived my "hourly rate" as a microstock photographer - currently, about double minimum wage in US, so better than flipping hamburgers or babysitting and, arguably, much more fun.
- I included several graphs in my article.
I would welcome any comments or suggestions. How to improve my approach? What I am missing?
|
Tags: earnings expenses money profit rpi
|
|
|
|
Comments (10)
|
 |
nice efforts dear. i m very happy to see this. thanks for sharing
- posted by
Ziprashantzi
on November 17, 2009 |
 |
nice advices,but I'm pretty new and don't really know how I could help or say...anyway good luck for the next sales
- posted by
Yuritz
on November 17, 2009 |
 |
Nice article - I hadn't thought of it that way.
- posted by
Gilmourbto2001
on November 17, 2009 |
 |
Don't Despair. If you use your equipment exclusively for stock photography then the expenses are high but if you use it for pleasure mainly, than your expenses are low. And I think the later is what is keeping many of us in stock photography.
- posted by
Retina2020
on November 16, 2009 |
 |
Nice analysis, thanks for sharing.
- posted by
Kenishirotie
on November 16, 2009 |
 |
Well, Marek: I think microstock makes good money in time...with a lot of photos, people, new ideas...
- posted by
smartview27
on November 15, 2009 |
 |
But ce la vie. Golddigger for exampl...
- posted by
Truhelen
on November 15, 2009 |
 |
I have left a comment and question on the blog and thank you for raising and answering this issue. David.
- posted by
Davidwatmough
on November 15, 2009 |
 |
Very interesting blog! Thanks for sharing :0)
- posted by
Wildmac
on November 15, 2009 |
 |
Very nice info. Keep. up the good work.
- posted by
Dan1
on November 15, 2009 |
Comments (10) |
This article has been read 839 times. 2 readers have found this article useful.
Photo credits: Marek Uliasz, Marek Uliasz. |
|
|
|
| Search the blogs! |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marek Uliasz
(Marekuliasz)
Fort Collins, US
>scientist, photographer, kayaker, racer, blogger, ...
Words, phrases, slogans, proverbs, questions, alphabet sets, symbols, typography abstracts … I have more than 1000 pictures (more than I can upload here) in my stock photography portfolio created with vintage letterpress printing blocks, a variety of fonts, both wood and metal. I am also offering custom designs (see my blog).
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Email us | Phone: +1 615-771-5611
