The next major disruption in the photo world will be individual licensing. The ability for any individual to license images directly. There are a few forces pointing in that direction. First, and most visible , is the sheer volume of photos taken. Among those, probabilities tell us, are images of high licensing value. Currently, they … Read More →
In effect , photography is a tool for the blind. Because of our deep relationship with the animal world, our brain is wired exclusively to detect motion. In a natural state, we pay little or no attention to anything static because it offers little to no threat. We actually have to make a dedicated decision … Read More →
Earlier this week, Picscout/Getty released a new licensing tool to deal with social media platforms of all kind. In a nutshell, it works like this. Social media platform ( think Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter) install an API on their site that allows to automatically recognize if an image posted belongs to a photo agency (Getty … Read More →
With more and more brands getting involved in social media and social media becoming more and more visual, the need for photography is exploding. To be a relevant brand today, especially if your target audience is the young and connected, you need, at minimum, accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, Pinterest and your own blog. … Read More →
IT’s not the money you earn, but what you leave behind. Traditionally, RM pricing has been about covering the perceived value of an image during its life by estimating its exposure. Let me explain : RM pricing is based on usage. The more an image has a chance to be viewed, the higher the fee. … Read More →
A little while back, a bunch of Englishmen ( and women) sat down around a table to discuss the state of the photo licensing industry. Organized by Alamy, who has recently been under heavy criticism from its contributors for embarking in heavily discounted Getty-like pricing, it ended up as a white paper. A white paper … Read More →
Just on the edge of their announced possible IPO / sale, and while everyone thought the battle for editorial photography supremacy was over, easily won by the Seattle gargantuan , here comes from the outfield a new agency that could create havoc. Called Invision Agency , it is a spinoff of the 150 years old … Read More →
It is going to be interesting to see how the market reacts to Shutterstock IPO. For once, the stock photo market will be taken out of its own little world and confronted to the business world. Also of importance, obviously, is KKR investments in Fotolia for 50 % of the company. Obviously, this is a … Read More →
In a financial report hardly seen by anyone, it is mentioned that Getty Images will take a loan of $275 million in order to pay dividend to it’s shareholders. Those are well known. It is a equity firm called Hellman & Friedman . This payment will, in addition to previous ones, cover the cost the equity company … Read More →
Who said there was no money to be made in photography ? Sure you could snap the first pictures of Angelina Jolie’s baby: $2 million. Or you could be the collector who recently sold a Gursky print for $5 million. But better yet, could you be the person who just sold his photography based company … Read More →