################################################################# PhotoStockNotes, February 2008, Week Three, 449C ################################################################# Follow Your Theme ````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` Advance Notes: Staff members at publishing houses may relocate on and change jobs – but the theme of the publishing house doesn’t change. If your photography continues to match their theme, you are in good hands. You have an eye for lighting and good composition – it’s apparent in your work. Let’s change the subject to marketing. In the past ten years, has your photography had a marketing focus? In the next ten years will it have a marketing focus? Over the years, I’ve watched hundreds of entry-level photographers find their own niche in the stock photo industry. Those who become successful in editorial stock photography follow a path that is dead set on a chosen goal. Do you want to make money from your photography? Millions of dollars are spent daily for photography in the publishing world. When it comes to the sector of books and magazines alone (which is the Photosource International target market) the average publishing house spends $30,000 to $60,000 per month on photography. Some of these publishing houses will have ten or fifteen publications and periodicals, each with their own photobuyer/researcher. But here’s the catch. Each publishing house has a “theme” – a particular subject area – which they don’t stray from. (They can’t afford to; they’d lose their readership and their advertisers.) To test the waters, you can check out various theme publishers using Google. If you want to enjoy your photography and make money at it, become a resource to one or more of these ‘theme’ publishing houses that match your own select interest area, whether dog training, hang gliding or pediatrics. There are about 2,500 subject areas to choose from. Once you get to be a recognized name with one or two of these theme publishing houses, or magazines, you’ll find that other buyers (who have the same themes) will be coming to you because you “speak their language.” Eventually, you’ll find assignments and jobs coming your way. If you begin building a deep collection of ‘theme-related’ photos while on your assignments, you’ll also fill stock photo needs for other same-related theme publishers. Once you gain your sea legs with one or two theme publishers, it’s time to seek out other special interest publishers within the same theme area. Now here’s the best part. We’ve found that a photographer usually continues to work with one of these theme publishers an average of ten years. If you multiply ten times the average revenue you receive from your client publisher in one year, you can understand that the life-long value of gaining just one publisher is well worth the effort of searching out and developing a relationship them. Yes, personnel change in that publishing house, but the theme of the publishing house remains the same. All your efforts of establishing a foothold with that publisher are well rewarded. It follows then, once you gain knowledge about your chosen focus area, you’ll be an asset to other similar publishing houses. Your aim is for your name to become a ‘household word’ in the specialization area of your choice. Do the math. Multiply what your potential income would be if you established a relationship with not one or two, but five, ten, or twenty such publishing houses. The key, of course, is to choose a specialty area that you are comfortable with. I’ve observed that most photographers who drop out of the industry, withdrew not for financial reasons, or quality of their work – but because they didn’t choose a specialization area that “Wild horses couldn’t pull them away from.” All of the above information is expanded on in my book, “Sell & ReSell Your Photos” – published back in the last century. If you have a dusty copy on your bookshelf, re-read it. You’ll find that while the delivery methods described are outdated, if you substitute “email” wherever you read ‘mailbox,’ and “digital image” wherever you read ‘transparency,’ that the marketing insights and recommendations in the book still apply in this new century. Your library has a copy of Sell&ReSell, and Amazon.com and eBay have it on sale for pennies. Surprise your accountant. The information will be worth the investment. Another investment you should make is to graduate from a low-paying “beginner” marketletter like the PhotoLetter to the PhotoDaily, where the fees paid per photo are much higher. If over a year’s time you discover just one or two special interest theme publisher contacts, you’ve justified your investment. Rohn Engh, veteran stock photographer and best-selling author of “Sell & ReSell Your Photos” and “sellphotos.com,” has helped scores of photographers launch their careers. For access to great information on making money from pictures you like to take, and to receive this free report: “8 Steps to Publishing Photos,” visit his website at PhotoSource International or call 800 624-0266. Rx for RF ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` Complaining about those Royalty-Free prices you see talked about on Internet chat groups? Don’t waste energy on the subject. Put that vigor towards an alternative method of selling your photos: Become a valuable resource to publishers of magazines, books, and other products that cannot use Royalty-Free photos for many reasons: The RF picture 1.) is (trendwise) out-dated. 2.) the models in the picture are too over-refined-looking. 3.) the design/color/composition of the photo “jumps style” of the publisher’s usual material. 4.) is not on-site specific (too generic). 5.) clothing does not match the theme of the publication. 6.) competitors have already used the same image. 7.) competitors might use the same picture in the future. 8.) and many, many more reasons. RF pictures serve well for generic projects where a picture fills a void in the layout. From time to time, I will use an RF photo to break up a page of text. Publishers are always looking for bargains (like $4 and $5 photos). But most of the time, for publishers who serve a specific audience of readers and advertisers, generic images won’t fit the bill. If you can supply the content-specific need of the art director, you will receive a fee ranging from $50 to $75 from small, regional publications and trade magazines, to $100 to $350 (one-time, inside use) from major publications. And that’s a lot more than that RF $4 or $5. –RE ``````````````````````````````````````````````````` From Photosource International The 2008 Stock Photographer’s TAX TIPS is here Some of the stock photography tax secrets this guide provides: When you need a model in your travel picture in Italy or Japan, why not have your spouse be the model? pages 15, 45 Use the N.O.L. factor (Net Operating Loss) from previous years to reduce your tax burden in a profitable year. page 66 Hire your son or daughter in your stock photography business, rather than outsource the job. It’ll be a two-way tax benefit. pages 48, 52 Work from home and enjoy reductions of expenses that are normally not available as deductions to an office worker. pages 43, 57 Write-Offs: Any business-related item (software, computer, office heat, telephone calls, lighting, air conditioning, etc.) is a write-off. Does that include your car? page 12 Magazines, and workshops..a write-off? Yes, if they are business related. page 17 Don’t make a profit in three of the first five years you’re in business – are you red-flagged? Not always, especially if you can show your “intent” to make a profit. pages 20, 21 And remember the IRS always asks the question, “Did you spend the money you are claiming?” As a stock photographer you have irrefutable evidence: the actual photos themselves. Your photos are your receipts!   For more details: https://www.photosource.com/cart/taxtips.php ADS WE’VE READ ```````````````````````````````````````````````````````` Digital Photography Secrets by David Peterson. Digital photography secrets from the pros that can instantly transform you into a better photographer! This book covers everything you need to know to take excellent photos with your digital camera. It’s like having your very own professional photographer on call, who you can turn to any time you need to. Tips include maintaining your equipment, film vs. digital, easy how-to information, professional secrets to getting the most from your digital camera, and much more. This book is concise, to-the-point and practical. Digital Photography Secrets `````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` Have you missed receiving a PhotoStockNOTES issue? Check your SPAM/BULK folders for an email from info@photosource.com or psi2@photosource.com. Also, if you haven’t done so already, add these two addresses to your white list. AOL members – if email from us stops coming to you, request to AOL that our address (above) should be included in their “O.K.” list. Copyright: How Long Does It Last? `````````````````````````````````````````````````````` The term of copyright for a particular work depends on several factors, including whether it has been published, and, if so, the date of first publication. As a general rule, for works created after January 1, 1978, copyright protection lasts for the life of the author plus an additional 70 years. For an anonymous work, a pseudonymous work, or a work made for hire, the copyright endures for a term of 95 years from the year of its first publication or a term of 120 years from the year of its creation, whichever expires first. For works first published prior to 1978, the term will vary depending on several factors. To determine the length of copyright protection for a particular work, consult chapter 3 of the Copyright Act (title 17 of the United States Code). More information on the term of copyright can be found in Circular 15a, Duration of Copyright, and Circular 1, Copyright Basics. Do I have to renew my copyright? No. Works created on or after January 1, 1978, are not subject to renewal registration. As to works published or registered prior to January 1, 1978, renewal registration is optional after 28 years but does provide certain legal advantages. For information on how to file a renewal application as well as the legal benefit for doing so, see Circular 15, Renewal of Copyright, and Circular 15a, Duration of Copyright. SOURCE: http://www.copyright.gov TRAVELERS ABROAD `````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` Photographers: We broadcast your foreign destinations along with contact information, departure date, length of stay, etc. Contact PhotoStockNotes (1 715 248-3800) at least two months in advance. Photobuyers: Watch this column. For the e-mail address, phone or fax number of the traveling photographer, call the PhotoSource International office and ask for Rohn Engh (1 800 624-0266). For an expansion of this list: www.photosource.com and press the Travelers Abroad button, to learn of past international destinations of our photographers. Maxine Cass February 21 – February 29, 2008 Banff, Lake Louise/Jasper Canada Roger Kyler March 1 – March 31, 2008 Costa Rica and Panama Bryan Bosley March 8 - April 1, 2008 Rwanda, Africa April 1 – April 6, 2008 Rome, Italy Steven Robertson March 27 – April 1, 2008 Rome, Italy April 1 – June 5, 2008 China/Mongolia/Tibet/Nepal June 5 – June 14, 2008 Naples & Sicily, Italy Victor Englebert April 1 – April 26, 2008 Ecuador June 1 – June 19, 2008 Calgary Stampede July 1 – July 23, 2008 Switzerland Pamela York April 8 – April 22, 2008 Morocco Kim Walekr April 13 – April 26, 2008 Bhutan April 26 - May 6, 2008 Thailand Betty Sederquist May 22 – May 28, 2008 Oxford, England May 28 - June 3, 2008 Paris and Burgundy areas, France Sam Roberts Sept. 5 - Oct. 5 Mongolia Millette Photomedia September 15 - October 14, 2008 Brittany, France LOVE NOTES ````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` “Rohn's PhotoDaily is an excellent stock photography resource. It provides real value for beginning and seasoned stock photographers alike. Not only does it give you a daily opportunity for sales from your files, it offers insights into the marketplace over time, as well as lists of valuable sales contacts. A real bonus is the news of the day, that is vital to your growth as a professional in the fast-paced and ever-changing field of stock photo sales…” - Ted J. Clutter, Photographer, Clarkston, WA, ArtComPhoto.com “ “Thanks to the PhotoDaily we sold one of our photos to National Geographic Traveler Magazine.” - Bob Pardue, Photographer, Lancaster SC Photographers featured next week on PhotoSourceFolio ````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` Bob G. & Jeanette M. Leichliter Bjlphotog1@aol.com http://www.photosourcefolio.com/3076 Watch for developments in the field of stock photography in PhotoStockNotes PHOTOGRAPHY IN THE NEWS You’ll be the first to know… `````````````````````````````````````````````````````````` Note: If the URL is long, it may extend to two lines. In that case - clicking on it won’t work. Instead, “copy and paste” the URL. Y NOT ? Will Microsoft buy Yahoo!? Microsoft says that its offer is "full and fair," but did not say what it planned to do next. Analysts expect Microsoft to sweeten its bid, possibly to $35 a share, to clinch a deal. http://news.yahoo.com/fc/Business/Microsoft_Yahoo SEARCHING QUICKER. The Danita Delimont Stock Agency is now supplying images to xcavator.netTM, a stock photography search portal powered by a new keyword search technology. "This technology can help browsers quickly find exactly what they need in a fraction of the amount of time it takes using traditional keyword methods," Delimont said. "When potential buyers come to us via xcavator.net, they've already dramatically narrowed their search and are very close to a buying decision. This is extremely valuable to our business.” http://www.xcavator.net/ HOW’D HE DO THAT? Photographer, Joe McNally shows images from his new book, The Moment It Clicks, and talks about how he achieved the perfect shot. press@peachpit.com < http://www.peachpit.com/podcasts/episode.aspx?e=64e9449e-d5dd-43a6-bebe-08b4eb819cc9 LESS STAFF MORE SERVICES OUTPUT. Digital Railroad says, “In 2008 we will significantly increase our focus on serving the needs of our buyers through aggressive development around Marketplace, Research NetworkT, and new buyer services. http://blog.digitalrailroad.net/cmz/2008/02/company_update.html RELAX Mapplethorpe's pictures not obscene: Japanese court. Japan's top court ruled on Tuesday that pictures by late US photographer Robert Mapplethorpe are not obscene, putting an end to years of legal fighting. http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080219/wl_asia_afp/japancourtpornographycensorphotography_080219070417 THE RSULTS ARE IN After 4-year overhaul, Kodak seeks a foothold in digital photography The boom in digital photography triggered a series of aftershocks at Eastman Kodak Co. as one after another of its aged factories was dynamited.http://reporternews.com/news/2008/feb/17/after-4-year-overhaul-kodak-seeks-a-foothold-in/ NATIVE VIEW Prendergast Library To Feature Photography From Area Nativein a show called ‘‘Sky, Water and Architecture’’. http://www.post-journal.com/Sports/articles.asp?articleID=24993 DIGITAL LEGALITIES ARE DIFFERENT. Legal And Business Practices For Digital Photography; On Guidelines, Licensing, And More From ASMP's Judy Herrmann - The legalities associated with digital capture are quite different from film and need to be addressed in the everyday business of digital photo shoots. http://shutterbug.com/columns/business_trends/0208business/ WHAT’S A PICTURE WORTH? Is $7 The Magic Number For Microstock? - That's the average price of an individual SnapVillage image so far, according to Adam Brotman, senior vice president of SnapVillage. Since most customers buy several images at once, the average transaction is between $15 and $20, he says. http://www.pdnonline.com/pdn/newswire/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003710787 SHOP BUT DON’T DROP. Camera Accessories You Just Gotta Have - Photoographers need a constant influx of new hardware to buttress our hopes that it's only gear that stands between us and a huge portfolio of jaw-dropping, awe-inspiring photos. http://www.creativepro.com/story/feature/26394.html BIG MONEY. Gursky Print Nets $1.375 Million For Charity - Gursky's huge, richly detailed, distorted-perspective prints are favorites among contemporary art collectors, and several of his works have sold for seven figures in recent years. http://www.pdnpulse.com/2008/02/gursky-print-ne.html WHAT GOES AROUND. Digital Forensics: An Interview with Dr. Hany Farid - While the digital technology to manipulate photographs is relatively new, the types of photographic fakes being created have not changed much throughout history. http://digitaljournalist.org/issue0802/digital-forensics-an-interview-with-dr-hany-farid.html KWIK LOOK. Five Ways to Build a Relationship with a Small Agency - How do you catch the eye of an agency art director with an attention span of 3.5 seconds and no time to look at your work? http://rising.blackstar.com/five-ways-to-get-the-attention-of-a-small-agency.html KWIK GROWTH. imagebroker.net says it has doubled its growth of its image bank in only ten months. http://www.stockphotographer.info/content/view/655/92/ GOING NATURAL. Wild Wonders of Europe Photography Project - Europe's largest ever photography project have launched their website aiming to reveal and safeguard Europe's natural heritage. http://www.ephotozine.com/article/Wild-Wonders-of-Europe-Photography-Project END.