notice about Carten’s fi gures (Figure 10.3) is that iStockphoto is absent.
Most microstock photographers would regard iStockphoto as an essen-
tial part of their portfolio, but Carsten has his own reasons for not
submitting there, citing their low percentage commission as one
reason.
When asked which type of site is better, single sale (credit sale) or
subscription, Carsten said, “I think you cannot compare planes with
rockets. Both have advantages and disadvantages and, most impor-
tantly, their own markets.”
And on the topic of the major issues he sees affecting the microstock
industry, Carsten said, “Most important is the communication between
the management of the agency and the photographers. If both parties
pull in the same direction, the success will be a ‘side effect’...
marketing is also part of the agencies’ job—they need to be out there
attracting buyers.”
Colin and Linda
Colin and Linda are lucky enough to have retired earlier than most, in
their 50s, and they were traveling the world when they kindly took a
break to answer a few questions put to them by your intrepid author.
467594(^434450475382)
30
(^206153)
(^1036880)
360
2,472
1,836
1,236
816
960
0
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
123RF Shutterstock Dreamstime Fotolia Bigstock Stockxpert
Carsten - Images Average $ Per Month Annualized sales
FIGURE 10.3 Carsten, who has a full-time job as an interpreter, works part time at photography, spending 1–2 hours a day on his work.
COLIN AND LINDA 169