PHOTOLIBRARIES / AGENCIES
But where shall I send my Photos ?
There are THREE main photolibraries -
GETTY (www.getty.com) ,
CORBIS(www.corbis.com)
ALAMY(www.alamy.com)
Look at these on the Internet and PRINT OUT THEIR TERMS and current requirements.
READ the conditions very,very carefully.
The commission rates for Getty and Corbis are fairly high.They get up to 70% of net received income.
Photolibraries do all the negotiating and account collection for you and some of them even scan your film photos if they need them enough !
Getty hold the current record for a stock photo sale $130,000.00(yes that's thousands !)
This was for the photo used as the startup screen for Windows XP Corbis is owned by Bill Gates and is also a hard seller. Alamy is also a big seller and is rapidly growing. They are UK based. When you visit their site look for the Photographers or Contributors links
Try to get your pictures into one of these as these are the main picture sources in the World. You can also try an alternative of supplying your pictures to hundreds of smaller photo libraries around the world
(Although I'd personally avoid Korea and Malaysia/Singapore as these are renowned as problem areas). You can find lots of these smaller photolibraries in the PHOTOGRAPHERS MARKETPLACE book and you should also read Ron Engh's book Sell and resell your pictures - you can get these from Amazon.com (Or your public library !)
PHOTOGRAPHERS MARKETPLACE has THOUSANDS of customers and agencies with a list of their needs and conditionsAlso includes many very useful forms and documents.
(Make sure you have the latest edition as many addresses change)
BEFORE YOU CONTACT ANY CUSTOMERS or agents look them up on the Internet and look at their website Make sure they still exist !
ask questions on stock photo related sites - people are generally very helpful to beginners.
Some customers and Libraries don't accept new contributions so save yourself time and money. You will ONLY make serious money if you listen to what people say. You MUST put a LOT of effort and time into selling and marketing your pictures.
Every Photolibrary is currently inundated with new photographers at present and you would be wise to start off dealing with individual customers.
Keith Jones has been a Stock and Travel Photographer for over 40 years
His Website is at http://www.fotos4web.com
Where you'll find lots of his photos and articles.
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