I started a new thread just to make sure it pops up top. I just wanted to thank Stockman and Mwookie for their thoughts on ShutterStock. I was feeling a bit down on them when for two consecutive months they didn't accept my portfolio. I was a little ego bruised after pretty much acing the submission requirements for all the other sites. I had cut my teeth on IStock and used them as the litmus test for acceptance. Well, when ShutterStock said "no" twice, and I sort of wrote them off.

But it occured to me to ask here and Stockman and Mwookie suggested that it was worth another try. I'm so glad!

I aced round three. I have a theory that maybe ShutterStock puts a few hoops out there to weed out folks who aren't serious, so my earlier two rejections may have been pro forma...but that may just be my ego talking again.

In any case, now that I'm in I really love them...and the sales blaze compared to other sites due to the subcription model.

By the way, I'm finding the submission process at ShutterStock to be MUCH less stringent than the initial portfolio review. They want good quality stuff and they seem to be getting it. the few shots of mine that they have rejected are all for valid reasons.

I like them.

Thanks Stockman and Mwookie.

Scott/creatista

I am greatful to know that the advice was appreciated! Not often we hear back from people when they get into the agencies. Take the business seriously, but don't forget the love of the art and you'll do fine.

Your worries aren't over, I am sure that there may be a string of strange rejections in the future, but learn to shake them off and keep shooting and submitting.

Good luck!


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Thanks again for the input...great all around. I'm really picky about my images, which makes me slower to produce (not snail's pace, but not lightning, for sure). My images are good, varied...and often conceptual. They aren't incredible, and I don't see the return in spending a lot of money on them. I'm going for simple stuff, strong themes, people shots as much as possible, and technical expertise. So my acceptance rate on ShutterStock is really quite high. I'm thinking about 80% or better.

While they are on top of the noise thing, I try to work to IStock standards for noise, so that's usually not a problem.

Uploads have been fast an consistent. I have 300 images (growing by 4 or 5 a day now) and get about 10 to 15 buys on average a day. The more images, the more that creeps up.

I'm not funding my retirement account just yet, but do have a strategy for getting 2,000 images in my portfolio within about 12 months.

I know as the images get old they start to smell -- -- and that they'll fall off in terms of sales. So I'm working to keep fresh stuff coming.

I find ShutterStock to actually be more accepting than many of the others (IStock, Fotolia, DreamsTime). So I'm happy with ShutterStock.

By the way, I've started working as an Image Inspector for one of the sites (which will remain unnamed). What an education. It's real insight to the process to be on the other side of things.

I plan to share some of my experiences with the 26 sites that I have been supplying and just diving in to MS headfirst. I'll do that soon...

Cheers,

Scott/Creatista

Execellent work. We hop to hear more from you. I think you will find that success will come with time. Hopefully someday it will fund your retirement and if not hopefully it funds a new camera or two and lens or two/3/4/5 along the way.


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