I just wanted to stop by and ask a simple question. How many people are really using these subscription as freelancers?

I use probably 20-30 images a month ranges in price from $1-4, so I am started to spend close to the $129 or whatever Shutterstock charges. Should I move up to subscription, or stick to what I am doing because sometimes I don;t spend that much?

Ideas?

I would think about going subscrition. You are pretty close as it is.

One ncie thing about going subscription is that you can sometimes present clients with 3-4 options were you would have just picked one. I do this anyways, but they always have weird watermarks on them because I haven't bought the images. I do a lot of billboards, so I always have to buy the biggest size and I/they can't afford to be paying for all these.

Just an idea

Yep that seems to make good sense at first glance.

The counter argument to that is whether one subscription site would cover all of your needs. If one site could supply you with all of your images then it makes sense but you may buy a subscription and still end up having to buy some images from other sites too.

I'd suggest working out how much you spend on each site on average and then check whether all of you previous needs could have been met by one site. If the answer is yes then the decision is made. if not then it could end up costing you more.

I went subscription with shutterstock about 10 months ago. I think it is one of the best choices I have made. On eof the nice things I like is not having to "save" my images anymore. I used to have a huge stash of images. I still keep ones I haven't found on shutterstock, but the rest I have junked. If I need them, I'll grab them again.