Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic - Existing Photographers Verses New Photograhers

Pete Bax · Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 1238 Location: Brighton England

I would be interested if the others think the same way as I do. SS seems to favor new customers over existing customers and although I can understand why they did this originally, I think it is time for a rethink. We have some wonderful photographers on here and I don't think we make enough of their
work.
One idea would be a light box for all those who have sold over 1000 photos, so that people who come to this site thinking about being customers, see the top selling photos first.
I don't think we sell our existing photographers strengths enough, and every photographer here sells off the backs of our best photographers.
I know all the other agencies feature their best photograhers and we should do the same.
I think that experianced designers soon get to know the style of photographers and many designers will come to get their work.
Thats why they are offering exclusivity deals on other sites.

StuartE · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 4:31 am

That's going to be a lot of lightboxes as time goes on, Pete... I mean, I think it's a great idea, as I'd likely have a light box next month - but I don't think I'm one of those 'best photographers' that you're referring to, either... and much as I hate to point it out, I still see a spread of downloads across my whole portfolio, not just the newest uploads - I know a 'fresh' image gets several quick hits, and it'd be great to have those all the time, but as long as the image keeps selling over a while, it'll earn you money... I had a shot in a lightbox, and it didn't really push it any better than it has gone either before, or after being in there... and not being in a lightbox at the moment hasn't hurt my sales either...

I'm firmly in favour of anything that might push my images more prominently to the subscribers - but I'd really like to keep it fair and let everyone else have good coverage too...

Cheers,
Stuart

marksimms · Joined: 11 Nov 2004 Posts: 21

Have to disagree with you Pete, I am photographer number 395 on shutterstock, sure I dont have a lot on here, but shift around 4 pics a day with around 20-30 referral downloads. However, shutterstock gave me a chance to try my hand at stock photography and I've made a bit of cash in what I call my "lens fund".
You have obviously reached the 1000 photo mark, but I havent, but I dont feel it would be particularly fair to alienate the new or even older photographers who havent sold as well are yourself. The best thing about shutterstock (apart from the new pricing model) is its an open, friendly community, and having the 1000+ lightbox would make it an elitest clique like most of the other stock-sites out there.
Lets face it, if you have shifted over 1000 photos, then you dont really need another advantage.

Pete Bax · Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 1238 Location: Brighton England

I don't give a hoot about a light box all I care about is getting more customers, and the question I asked "New verses Existing customers" was only asked because I think we could display our goods better in our shop window than we do now.
If I put myself in the customers shoes the first thing
I would be looking for is the quality of the photographs and I can recognise the style of the best photographers so why can't he?
The second thing I would be looking for is the ease of finding the picture I want; that is only available in categories.
The next thing I would look for is the price.
I have to agree with you people don't buy from lightboxes but they do make
judgements wether to join or not. I know of no other business that doesn't put its best sellers in the shop window and I think we should pay more respect to those photographers who have probably sold 2000 plus photos because they will bring in more customers for us all to share.

cristina · Joined: 17 Nov 2004 Posts: 214 Location: Italy

Pete,
I have been here on SS since the beginning of November. What I noticed is that lightboxes haven't changed my daily average at all and then that new photographers or just photographers that upload a lot of pictures get a lot of sales. My dls average is ok and I still sell a lot of old pictures everyday, like everybody I wished it were more, but as long as I receive monthly money I am fine. I think what you are requesting is wrong because it would give more chances only to those who are already lucky enough. Let SS be fair to everybody.

LizV · Joined: 07 Nov 2004 Posts: 290 Location: New York

pichunter · Joined: 19 Jan 2005 Posts: 693 Location: Ottawa, Canada.

I couldn't agree more with Liz, I like the equal treatment here & the friendly atmosphere.

What would be the next logical step on Pete's paln, to start eliminating photographers who could not attaind a certain level of production?

Your ability to sell images, is how well YOU manage YOUR portfolio. The type & quality of images YOU upload.

I also have a theory, totaly unfounded by facts. That the volume of NEW photographers joining keeps this site fresh, keeps Designers coming back to see the FRESH talent.

Sorry Pete I could not disagree more with you. Thanks Liz for voicing how I feel.

CristiM · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Posts: 280

I am #166 but I only got 200 pics on, is that make me new or old photographers? I agree with LizV the quality of our pics should be our only advantage, I wouldn't want SS to get involved in putin certain photographers in more advantage then others, regardless of what's that based on, and so far I can't see that they do that. I just can't see where did you get that new guys have any advantage? where did you get that?

LizV · Joined: 07 Nov 2004 Posts: 290 Location: New York

crp · Joined: 26 Oct 2004 Posts: 338 Location: Colorado - USA

I'll have to side with Liz on this one.

CristiM · Joined: 25 Feb 2005 Posts: 280

Oh that your older shots regardless of how good they are don't get downloaded anymore or get verry few downloads? On that one I agree, that's not good, but that has to do with how the search engine and galleries are build to show the newest first, and your older shots get to be on page 98 regardless of the quality and tons of shots many that have nothig to do with the searched words get in front. If this is what you ment I agree with you but it has nothing to do with new or old photographers.

Heidi Hart · Joined: 02 Mar 2005 Posts: 145 Location: Fayetteville, NC

If you really take a good look at things, if anything the newer photographers are at a disadvantage. Not only do they have to work twice as hard to get enough images up so they can try to compete with the older photographers, but there are subjects that are closed off to them for uploading since there are already too many on site from the older photographers. IMO no matter how new or old I may be, I don't feel it's right to try and make things harder on the new photographers than what it already is.

grandillusion · Joined: 31 Jan 2005 Posts: 92

No industry has ever successfully fought the "star system" -- not sports, not hollywood, not even pornography, not ebay. The sooner SS acknowleges it has stars, the sooner it will move to the next level. Sure we peons on the message boards can see who the stars are to some extent. But the clients should see it as well. It's just human nature -- and there is no cure.

Pete Bax · Joined: 30 Jan 2005 Posts: 1238 Location: Brighton England

Looks Like I am out numbered on this and one nobody can say that I don't know when to cut and run. I have to agree with Christine and disagree with everyone else.
When I see my car show room take the best sellers from off the forecourt and bring the slow sellers to the front I will change my mind. Often these slow sellers are the better cars but you don't make a living pushing the slow sellers. The way they work it is to get the customer in to buy and then try and sell him something better. The best way to get the customers in is to put your best sellers out front.
I know if this was done I would not be amongst the top sellers but I also know that I would sell more because the more customers come here the more I will sell.

fncdigital · Posted: Fri Mar 18, 2005 12:42 pm

bottom line -

Jon has a plan,
Jon is working to make the plan happen.

Be Patient.