$x in microstock. $0 in Alamy.

So I got accepted to Alamy not too long ago and uploaded photos. Granted right now it is a small collection but it's a little discouraging to have ZERO sales (and zero "Zooms"). Meanwhile, my images are continue to make a small amount on microstock.

Do I give Alamy more time? Do I just grow the microstock collection?

It seems the non-microstock sites are best for shots with people in them, but I don't do those types of photos...

I've been having luck with Alamy but it does take a fairly large collection of good quality images to start seeing consistent sales. Also, keep in mind that by selling images on microstock, you may be limiting their use and value in the future.

Ditto. Having around 3,000 good photos in Alamy translates to around 2 or 3 sales a month for me. Alamy isn't a big moneymaker. Their usual clients are editorial and their biggest market is in the UK, so if your photos are UK specific, you'll probably do a bit better.

The stock market is saturated so unless you're uploading something a bit different you'll struggle. Alamy used to work out at $1 per picture per month on average, it's probably less than a tenth of that now. You need to invest a lot of time to see a return.

Unfortunately microstock has pretty much killed off Alamy sales. Why would someone pay $100 for your image when they can download the same picture from iStock for $2?

Not that this helps, but I don't think you are the only one with this issue.

Just to add, you mention that you don't do photos with people in them.....that's a huge market you're missing out on. Obviously, nothing wrong with that, but if your goal is to sell stock images, you may want to consider adding people photos into your collection.

I sold 6 stock images to a client for a four-figure amount yesterday. Not through alamy or a microstock site, but through myselft.

Market yourself well to your target audience and get them to recognize your work.

If you're any good, it will outweigh any form of online stock sales by a ton. Alamy or even mircostock is a waste of time unless you have 5000 images online, and even then you needed HUNDREDS of HOURS to upload, keyword and manage them. If you calculate your hourly income you'll be stunned.

Stock: Not worth it. It's for people who think stitting on your backside all day long will make sales come. It won't.

Floriantrojer.com wrote in post #11848824
I sold 6 stock images to a client for a four-figure amount yesterday. Not through alamy or a microstock site, but through myselft.

Market yourself well to your target audience and get them to recognize your work.

If you're any good, it will outweigh any form of online stock sales by a ton. Alamy or even mircostock is a waste of time unless you have 5000 images online, and even then you needed HUNDREDS of HOURS to upload, keyword and manage them. If you calculate your hourly income you'll be stunned.

Stock: Not worth it. It's for people who think stitting on your backside all day long will make sales come. It won't.

I agree. I guess that it is not worth the time and labor to upload thousands of shots and only earn enough to break even with the time and money spent on taking those shots. I am sure there are many successful wedding and event photographers who never sold a single photo from Stock agencies...

IME, stock can be difficult, especially if you have a collection that doesn't really stand out. Cats, dogs, flowers, landscapes are all categories that are very saturated. It is also a huge investment in time initially for very little return. If you can find a niche, you'll start seeing returns eventually. When (and if) your library starts selling regularly, the time investment can become much less if you desire. I shoot stock during the slow times and just ride the wave when I'm busy. I don't make a huge sum of money with stock but I'm happy to see those $250+ checks from Alamy every so often....even when I haven't uploaded or shot a stock image for months. Marketing and selling your own images is also a good route IMO but I personally prefer to put my marketing energy towards family oriented portraits.
In my experience, it does take a large library of thousands of good quality images to start seeing those fairly regular sales....and that takes time to put together. Don't expect much when you're library only contains 100 images.

Floriantrojer.com wrote in post #11848824
I sold 6 stock images to a client for a four-figure amount yesterday. Not through alamy or a microstock site, but through myselft.

Market yourself well to your target audience and get them to recognize your work.

If you're any good, it will outweigh any form of online stock sales by a ton. Alamy or even mircostock is a waste of time unless you have 5000 images online, and even then you needed HUNDREDS of HOURS to upload, keyword and manage them. If you calculate your hourly income you'll be stunned.

Stock: Not worth it. It's for people who think stitting on your backside all day long will make sales come. It won't.

Depends on the agency. I do a fair bit of sales on my own, but Getty Images sales keep pace with me in terms of yearly income. ~700 images in Getty, average RPI per year (for me -- this is AFTER commission is taken out) is ~$20, and that ain't chump change.

chakalakasp wrote in post #11855278
Depends on the agency. I do a fair bit of sales on my own, but Getty Images sales keep pace with me in terms of yearly income. ~700 images in Getty, average RPI per year (for me -- this is AFTER commission is taken out) is ~$20, and that ain't chump change.

I wish I made 14k/year off my images... EXTRA money!

Alamy is pretty slow moving but nice to get the sales once they come. They also give a very fair percentage to the photographer so it is worthwhile supporting them.