Internet Site Of The Week - Lise Gagne

One of my favorite photographers is Lise Gagne. She has an amazing eye for great images that sell. Many of her model shots started out as self-portraits and then added a few friends. She seems equally at home in front and behind the camera.

One thing is for certain. She has a great eye and her site is a lot of fun to watch.

Comments

[Marty Martin]

I agree completely! She has a fantastic eye for lighting, subject and what is in-demand for the stock photo user!

[matt]

I do not think it is right to SELL your images and your own image so cheaply. It is really undermining photographer's and their talents and hard work! I should be paid appropriately for my images and my talent for I have worked pretty hard in developing this skill.

[motoed]

Matt,

I appreciate your comments. And I can understand where you are coming from. Ironically, this same photographer mentioned in the original post is mentioned in an article in PDN this month.



http://www.pdnonline.com/pdn/features/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001806311



There are a TON of arguements that could be made here. Commercial photographers have argued for years against stock photography... Rights-Managed photographers have debated against Royalty-Free stock photographers as well. And the new debate is against the "value priced" stock sites.

I've heard it reported that the average stock photographer earns an average of $2-$3 per image their collection (some images sell, some don't). So, it stands to reason that a stock photographer is going to earn money on volume. With iStockphoto, I'm earning much higher then that on average per image in my catalog. (it's rare that an image doesn't sell at least one sale for me)

It's all about volume. I would rather sell 20 images for $10 then one image for $100. (pulling numbers out of the sky).

I don't expect that my reply will change your mind, Matt. But it is a free market... and if someone can make a solid income from lower prices and greater volume... then kudos for them.