Microstock industry, dying….?

It seems with the onslaught of new photographers, the new genre of stock photos (phone stock – a small list HERE) and the plethora of “free” photos on social media. The microstock industry is well, going down. I know it’s been noted for awhile now but now, it’s literally pennies. I’ve been getting 10 cents, I’ve read about some photographers on iStock/Getty’s getting 2 cents in the forums, HERE and HERE and some disgruntlement (justifiably so) HERE.

Now smaller sites like Envato are “adjusting their focus” in terms of their stock photos department, essentially saying their are culling and downsizing their contributor roster, details HERE. Not so small site, Fotolia was acquired by Adobe and although images are now seen/used/purchased by more industry pro’s, the commissions are going down. Is it a good trade off? For me, not so bad, yet. Hopefully it won’t get bad, we’ll see.

So now the question on my mind is, keep shooting and uploading to the current in the same amounts, spend less time on microstock, find new sited, start new site….on and on. Or just keep on back burner….

Decisions, decisions. Feel free to leave yours in the comments…

 

 

 

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