Time spent…
Posted by mattantonino | Posted in Agencies, Challenges, Earnings, Goals, Microstock World, N2M, Results, Sponsors, Tricks, business, education, models, photography, workflow | Posted on 13-08-2009
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I’d like to address something – the time I spend on microstock. I think some people who read this blog are slightly confused about me slaving away and getting nowhere.
In July, I added 15 new images to my sites. That means I worked on it for under 1 hour in July. I made $500 in July.
In June, I added 150 new images. About 4 hours of work. I also made $450. I’ve now in 2 months made $950 on 5 hours of work.
In May, I added 160 new images. About 4 more hours of work. Made $400.
Grand total: $1400 while doing 9 hours of work.
What I need to do in order to increase my earnings is actually work on microstock. I do need to continue improving – I’m just really starting my second year of being a stock photographer. I need to upload with momentum – that’s proven very successful. But I’m not sitting here day after day churning out work that isn’t selling. I’m just simply not putting in the time.
Why?
Our studio has 4 photographers, we’re currently hiring 2 more and we’re going to do between 40 and 50 weddings this year combined. We’ll likely do another 150 portraits and next year will come close to 70 weddings/250 portraits. Our wedding and portrait business has brought in over $100k each year for the last 2 and will do so this year and next as well. I am also in the midst of building a studio management software for photographers that will track clients, billing, orders, calendaring, expenses/taxes, and task management. It’s a huge project but one I love doing.
All that to say, don’t cry for me, Argentina. I’m here, I’m going to continue working on micro when I can. Right now I’m being torn in 3 directions and this one is the least of my issues.
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Hi Matt! Microstock is really just a part of your life, you have a lot of projects and ideias, so go and do them, 500$ a month is really good! Microstock will always finance some trips around the world or to do anything else you love
Cheers!
Hi Matt
I say if it pays a couple of bills then its worth the hour or 2 each month!!
I personally never expect stock alone to replace my current source of income. Only supplement it.
Keep up the good work, Matt.
Steven.
150 images= 4 hours of work? But dont you also need to take the photo before you upload it? And then probably some digital work on them too. Youre talking about at least a full week of work or more. Or did I miss something?
Hi Michael,
Yes, that’s about right for me. At one point on NiltoMil I did a speed test and I can shoot, edit and upload a little over 1200 a week on a good week. I never have that many to do but if I did, that’s about right. Those 150 images last month were already shot but even saying I had to do the 2 hrs of shooting, it’s still 6 hrs of work. The figures are correct for me and my speed.