Shutterstock Photographer Forum :: View topic

vanhart · Joined: 21 Jul 2006 Posts: 1306 Location: Houston

Guess expectations were very high and hence some disappointment...

Shutterstock must have analyzed the data, and maybe the sub $500 contributors are COSTING shutterstock much more money (IN REVIEW) then the big guys.

Maybe we are all paying the price of review in a more even handed way.

Note that the last thing we want is people heading for the exit, I strongly believe that Shutterstock is competing based on its entire portfolio. The stronger its portfolio the better it will do.

Delivering more and better images is the only way to deserve a bigger raise.

hhltdave5 · Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 7:12 am

Like several others I have held off posting on this thread until the dust settled and people got some things off of their chest. I don't have to rehash what others like Yuri, Ro, Bobby, Laurin, Dewayne said because they have said it very well.

All I can add is that for many years I negotiated raises for the men and women on the police department I worked for. I still remember the first time I went in to negotiate. I was full of piss and vinegar and was going to knock those city administrators on their asses and get a great raise for our officers.

Well, I learned very quickly that was not going to be the case. Administrators know exactly what they are going to give as raises and how much latitude they have to go up. The decision is pretty much made on paper before the talks even begin.

This is a business and the powers that be at Shutterstock treat it as such. They crunched the numbers and came up with what they felt was best for the business. Do we agree?? Perhaps not but it is a business decision that they made and each one of us have to treat this as a business as well.

Now it is up to each of us to either get all pissy, pick up your ball and go play in another playground or take the extra money and make more than you made before. Whatever your raise was is more than you were making before and that is always better than a sharp stick in the eye.

For those who unfortunately have not reached the level to get a raise use it as an opportunity to continue to work hard to reach that level so you can start making more. Do you think the heavy hitters here made the kind of money they are in the beginning? Of course they didn't. There was a thread not to long ago about what some of the big guys made in the beginning. It was really something to see them saying they didn't come close to getting a payout.

We all start somewhere but the difference is that some will work hard so they do reach the raise level and there will be some who will whine, take their ball and go somewhere else. The decision is up to you.

For me, I am making more than I was before so I thank Shutterstock for that and hope for improvement in the future.

Forgiss · Posted: Wed May 14, 2008 7:17 am

erikwkolstad · Joined: 13 Jun 2006 Posts: 4 Location: Bergen, Norway

In between complaints and jubilations, I just wanted to remind people that a lot of the contributors here are not primarily in it for the money. While I certainly realize and appreciate that microstock is the main income for many professionals, a large group is here for fun and recognition (albeit small) of their work. I can only speak for myself, but I think I have many on board with me.

I'm a climate scientist by training and profession, and that's where my money comes from. For the sake of comparison, I make 50-100 times more from that than from microstock photography. The compelling reasons for me to be here at all are interaction and the review process. The latter especially has enabled me to improve my skills by leaps and bounds these last few months. That being said, of course I enjoy seeing one of my favourite pictures sell.

This is not meant as denigration of the very talented and hard-working professionals here. I just hope that there is room for all kinds of contributors. After all, it seems that SS are happy to have us. I can only hope that this raise (or lack of raise for my part) will help motivate people to improve.

All the best,

Erik

mtrebbin · Joined: 05 Jul 2007 Posts: 919 Location: Location: Locaton:

jyothi646 · Joined: 29 Jun 2005 Posts: 34

Thanks Jon and SS team for the raise.
Wishing the company more growth and success in the future !

Jyothi - India :)

mwpenny · Joined: 07 Nov 2005 Posts: 65 Location: Swansea UK

this 'raise' and the drop off in sales (no spike when you upload) are beginning to worry me

sandralise · Joined: 19 Oct 2005 Posts: 546 Location: Quebec,Canada

I am in the 38 cents bracket. I thank SS for the raise. I think it is fare although more would have been appreciated.
What I am more worried about is the drop in DL's. It is true the raise is irrelevant if fewer are buying our work.

Captured Nuance · Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 1609 Location: So Cal

Captured Nuance · Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 1609 Location: So Cal

debr7k · Joined: 13 Sep 2006 Posts: 994 Location: Vancouver, Canada

gregor · Joined: 14 Jun 2006 Posts: 826 Location: Netherlands

I don't feel like reading all the posts.
All I want to say is this:
Thanks SS for the raise, but Im not very happy!
Im seriously concerned about SS's future!
SS started out as my #1 earner, now they are #3!
Im not a business strategy expert, but this is not going in a good direction!

I also don't understand why SS didn't learn a lesson from all the fuzz about the previous raise. Same story; a lott of contibutors where promised a raise, but they didn't get any! Why didn't they make that clear in the upcoming raise anouncement? That would have prevented a lott of disapointed contributors!

gina · Joined: 15 Sep 2005 Posts: 121 Location: Phuket, Thailand

Thanks for the raise SS. I am very happy with the increase. I live in Thailand so that extra $50-80 dollars a month will buy a lot of noodles!