Comments on: WILD, Our Virtual Stock Agency

By: Patti Fowler

Patti Fowler — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 05:00:01 +0000

Good article on photog's collaborating to outdo the big agencies. http://blog.artwolfe.com/2009/07/wild-our-virtual-stock-agency/

By: Kellypix

Kellypix — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 12:00:54 +0000

Art, thanks for your leadership in this move. You could have gone quietly to Photoshelter, but your article and transparency have been an inspiration. By publicizing your move, you may create a rush to Photoshelter which will make Photoshelter the Go-To place for photobuyers and make it a better marketplace for the rest of us.

By: humbolt

humbolt — Sun, 18 Oct 2009 00:56:51 +0000

The long and the short of it is that You – Art Wolfe are not that interesting or compelling of a figure – you seem to be a nice man – and a wonderful photographer . Your hearts in the right place but your boring as sin !!! I saw a behind the scene episode and it was GREAT much improved – share the spotlight with your crew – your not out there alone – so why make believe your some kind of travel Hero !!! The different points of view would make for a much stronger show ! Having said that your a damn site better that Rudi Maxa – which ain’t sayin much !!!

By: nelson

nelson — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 07:31:15 +0000

This is just what I was looking for. The templates are a nice idea. Good Luck more templates easy to download

By: admin

admin — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 18:43:29 +0000

Thanks. I think we are on the right path.

By: Radek

Radek — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:18:39 +0000

Hi Art,

both this post and the OP article are interesting to read. I think the idea of a virtual agency is great. Having been a marketer for a couple of years I have spent hours scanning microstock banks for photos. This is relevant especially to microstock – there are so many photos to dig through, that once a buyer finds a photographer whose style he likes, he simply returns to him first when searching for new images.

From the buyer’s perspective, one value I would see in a big agency, like Gettys, is that they guarantee a certain level of quality. But on the other hand, this can also be achieved by rating / popularity filters or groups in photo communities.

Having said that, a reputable photographer, like yourself, may be better off by leaving a sample of your work with big agencies – for those that are not familiar with your work. If they then find use for your style, they will look for you elsewhere. From a marketer’s perspective having a pool of photos and images that are consistent in style, is a great thing.

Good luck with your new venture!

By: admin

admin — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 17:50:01 +0000

I didn’t forget. i have no idea what cooliris is since web tech stuff is outside my area of interest.

By: Markos

Markos — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 12:32:09 +0000

Its a very nice stock site, I like seeing your others images… normally in your books its your most beautiful images.

You forgot to mention that the stock site uses cooliris, it makes it so much easier to look at the images. My stock site doesn’t use it which is a shame. I wish I had the money and tie to start my own.

Good luck with this, I hope it does well for you.

By: Jess Lee

Jess Lee — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 17:42:26 +0000

Art, I think this is on the right track. I fully agree with your comments about the Big guy’s. I have stopped my submissions to them also and will turn that part of the business to efforts such as Photo Shelter.
Best
Jess

By: Jerry Greer

Jerry Greer — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 16:51:15 +0000

Art,

I just, in the last month, joined PhotoShelter and the site just went live yesterday. I have a few more customizations to do and a lot of images to upload (I’ll be doing that over the next few days). The way that I found PS was from a longtime client, they suggested that I use them. It’s much easier for the client to purchase images and also more cost effective. We at Mountain Trail Photo have been contemplating a virtual agency setup for a few weeks and it looks like we will go this route also.

Best of luck!

Jerry

http://www.jerrygreerphotography.com
http://www.mountaintrailphoto.com
http://www.mountaintrailpress.com

By: admin

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 05:09:51 +0000

Hi, Cory,

I am going to limit Wild to just a few photographers. You can band together with others with your thematic elements, which could be helpful for art buyers. You will have to figure out how to drive traffic your way because Photoshelter doesn’t market for you.

By: Cory Silken

Cory Silken — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 03:24:07 +0000

Art,
I enjoyed the article and appreciate you sharing your insights. As a relative new-comer, I’ve arrived at a similar conclusion that it’s most efficient for me to sell stock directly. Next time I have a moment to breathe, I’m planning to properly arrange a selection of stock in my Photoshelter archive. I like your virtual agency, although I wonder if my yacht shots would fit within the concept of “Wild?”

By: Peter Pereira

Peter Pereira — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 01:16:06 +0000

RT @artwolfe: WILD, Our Virtual Stock Agency: I want to let you know what I’m up to.
David Doubilet, and Thom.. http://tinyurl.com/mo2z7w

By: Art Wolfe

Art Wolfe — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 01:11:44 +0000

WILD, Our Virtual Stock Agency:
I want to let you know what I’m up to vis a vis stock.
David Doubilet, and Thom.. http://tinyurl.com/mo2z7w

By: Michael Hardeman

Michael Hardeman — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 20:45:24 +0000

Richard,

I am glad to see that my experience with stock agencies was not unique. Too many times, IMHO, buyers are really clueless at to what constitutes a quality image, and so clients never see some of the best stuff. Best of luck in this endeavour!