Skipping stock photo sites and selling directly to big companies

10 years 2 months ago #349195 by Fiesta!
I was just thinking, do big companies every just deal with one photographer for their product photos or random stock photos that they might need?  {Scenario} They need a stock photo of woman talking in city a street, an photo of a man signing a contract, a person working on a computer (all examples), so they send you request, you take the shots specifically for their needs, they pay you directly.  They get exactly what they are after, you skip stock photo sites and get paid more. 

Anyone have a relationship like this set up with company or heard of such?  Stock photo sites just nickle and dime your photos and I would like to find alternative ways of making this work.  Thanks for your help. 


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10 years 2 months ago #349273 by Ian Stone
Not sure, I would call and ask to speak to who ever does their media buys, see what they say.  


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10 years 2 months ago #349369 by StephanieW
No personal experience, but it sounds like an interesting way to cut out the middle man. Some companies might find it easier to go with the middle man, though. Probably cheaper and has more options available. But it couldn't hurt to reach out and ask. Give it a shot.


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10 years 2 months ago #349449 by Stealthy Ninja
We've done "stock" photos for a company that manufactures interlining for the garment industry... does that count? We went into their factory and took photos of their product and various processes so they could use it in advertising.

It's called... what? I forgot the term... product photography?
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10 years 2 months ago #349649 by Studio Queen
Seems like this approach could result in a lot of time spent prospecting for new clients.  I also believe that this might be a tough sell as these companies could be happy with the cost of these stock photo sites.  


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10 years 2 months ago #350037 by Joves
Any company large enough to use mainstream magazines/newspapers for ad campaigns have advertising agencies take care of it. Except for maybe your local paper, or area specific mags, then those companies might want it. But then they do not want to pay a whole lot either for photos. Ad people have a list of shooters they use all of the time, so getting into that is one of those you need to know someone kind of things. Hate to tell you that. With the advent of digital the business end of photography has really been tough to make a good living at. In order to make it in the commercial end you need to somehow make a name for yourself.


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