Photospin: a good deal?

FlemishDreams · #1 (**permalink**) 06-24-2007, 09:44 AM

I got this email back from PhotoSpin (Stock Photography, Stock Photos, Illustrations, Fonts, Clip Art, Illustration) as an answer to my inquiry. My question is, is this a good deal, and has anybody any first-hand experience with PhotoSpin?

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PhotoSpin is always looking for new talented artists who have great work. Our agreement is different then most stock companies. We have a non-exclusive agreement that allows you retain the copyright. We only buy the rights to sell your images. Because the agreement is non-exclusive you retain the rights to continue selling your images.

We buy in bulk between 25-200 images at a time and pay $10.00 per image for people and $5.00 per image for scenic, nature and still life photos non-exclusive. I know it sounds low but you are guaranteed a check. The other companies promise the world, post your work with a royalty promise and little return. We allow you to keep the copyright and resell the images. We give you credit on our site that reaches over 100,000 customers per month and feature you in our Newsletter the "NewContent" this reaches 60,000 plus people per issue. Currently we are setting up our international network and we also pay a 10% royalty on any 3rd party sites that are selling our single images only.

Most of our photographers send an average of 50 images per month but will take as much or as little as you want to provide. If this is something you are interested in give me a call or drop me a line with your name address phone and I'll get you an agreement. All images of people must have a unconditional model release.
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Karimala · #2 (**permalink**) 06-24-2007, 12:56 PM

If I were to consider submitting to a site with a one-time upfront payment, I would only use it as a dumping ground for images that haven't performed well after a couple of years on the micros, and no longer meet my current quality standards. Stuff I want to remove from my portfolio and don't care about anymore. I wouldn't give them anything new or any of my good sellers just so they can turn around and make all of the money instead. No way.

helix7 · #3 (**permalink**) 06-25-2007, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Karimala

...If I were to consider submitting to a site with a one-time upfront payment, I would only use it as a dumping ground for images that haven't performed well...

Agreed......

rinderart · #4 (**permalink**) 06-27-2007, 04:48 AM

agreed, very much so

ozbandit · #5 (**permalink**) 06-27-2007, 10:23 AM

Yikes, that sound's harsh

LazyAnn · #6 (**permalink**) 06-27-2007, 12:29 PM

I do about 50 $/image in a three year's span. Some do 300 in some months, some do nothing. So, 7,5 $ average seems low.

thesupe87 · #7 (**permalink**) 06-27-2007, 05:36 PM

I agree as well - most good images will make well over $5.00 in just a few months. The ones that barely sell - if it's easy enough to remove them from the micro, that might be a good way to make something off of them. But you never know; sometimes those images could pick up at a later time. Stranger things have happened.

ajn · #8 (**permalink**) 06-27-2007, 06:16 PM

But, if the deal is non-exclusive and you can still sell those photos, can they sell the photos on other sites other than photospin?

Does it mean that if I upload 1000 photos to them, I'll get $7500 and still sell those photos on other micros?

I have no idea about the number of sales they have on photospin, but unless they're a big player, it's not such a bad deal.

If anyone can clear that up, many thanks!

Karimala · #9 (**permalink**) 06-27-2007, 06:58 PM

If I'm understanding it correctly, it sounds like they are a reseller. They are offering to purchase the right to resell your photo for a one-time upfront fee instead of paying ongoing royalties. After you are paid the fee, you have no rights to receive any further royalties through them. They will receive all of the royalties instead.

They offer both unlimited 1-year subscription plans for $299 and $499 and per pictures sales between $49.95 - $199.95. They get to keep all of that money in exchange for the $5 - 10 upfront payment. That's a terrible deal for us.

That's why I would never send them any of my best sellers or anything new. I'm not interested in trading my long-term royalty income for a low one-time upfront payment.

ulla · #10 (**permalink**) 06-28-2007, 12:21 PM

sounds like a good deal to me i don't think they will resell at shutterstock,stockxpert or any other micros only through their own site so your sales won't be affected.