Submissions History

2008: 1801 submissions
2009: 1505 submissions
2010: 970 submissions
2011: GOAL: 2000 submissions

So clearly 2010 was my worst year of actually doing stock work in the three years I’ve been serious about it.  Yes, there were TONS of reasons for that but ultimately, I didn’t really work on stock this year.  In 2008 I shot almost 35 weddings and still managed to do double the submissions!

Yes, this year sucked for me personally.  I basically lost everything and started completely from scratch.  When I left my business, my family and my life in Syracuse I moved out with $2500, my kitchen gear, a camera bag full of gear and 2 computers.  Other than clothes, that’s it. That’s where I was in July.  No strobes, no backdrops, no business, nothing other than what I listed.  Now?  I have a strobe, reflectors, better gear in my bag, less money but more income.

My sites all seem to be up & running now. My SEO is finally kicking in and my life is calming down personally.  So now I have to regroup and regain momentum.

I normally live on the edge of huge goals.  Not in 2011.  My goals are going to be modest.  My goal is to submit 2000 stock photos and regain my momentum.

I am just over $9000 on Shutterstock.  My primary goal for 2011 is to hit $10k as soon as possible and get my raise.

What DID I do this year?  I uploaded a bunch to Alamy and sold my first 3 images there ($104.48 in profit so far!)  I also pushed more IStock (December is going to be BME) and will continue to play catchup on those sites.  I also got much closer to $10k on SS.  That helps for next year.

Current NiltoMil total (before Dec. earnings): $18,973.62

Pre-2008: $2725.39
2008:  $4114.07
2009: $5555.18
2010: $6398.98
2011 GOAL: $10,000.00

So 2010 was also my highest grossing year by a lot.  It’ll end up being about $1300 higher than ever before.  However, nowhere near the goals I have.

My 2011 income goal is $10,000.  First, I know it’s achievable.  Second, it will blow away 2010.  That’s a start! If I hit that in June, fine. I’ll adjust.

I have 500 images in my “Edit Now” pile, another 750 in my “Edit Later” pile.  Altogether I have 1250 images, several food shoots coming up, business cards to get to restaurants and food type peoples.  I did have a great networking day at the Seafood Splash in Portland and I’m looking forward to working with some models again in the spring.

I’ll be blogging more often so look for that.  I’m trying not to duplicate Microstock News and Diaries so I won’t have as much “industry news” but I’m going to be posting how things are going for me in stock, what I’m doing that’s working and what isn’t, etc.  I will be posting up some basics for new stock photographers and hopefully some analytics for the advanced crowd.

Bring on 2011. I’m ready!