Do any of you ever buy directly from the artist rather than going through a microstock agency? I'm playing around with setting up a private stock site to license my photos through but I'm curious how much time I should bother investing in it. All together I have licensed around 20,000 images over the last couple years through microstock sites. Starting off I would have only a couple thousand images available and be adding anywhere from 200-500 images a month (most of my work is people shots). I'm not thinking "get rich quick" .. I have a full time photography studio and this would simply be an additional source of income for it. Just curious what your opinions are on this ... good idea or waste of time? I'm wanting to collect as many ideas/opinions on this subject as I can so any feedback you guys have would be appreciated. I do have a working demo online if anyone wants a look .. I just didn't want to post the link and it look like I was just here pimping out my site.
I do not think you'll find much interest for it here at DP. Not good but great marketing is needed in order to make a profitable site of the kind. The one I bought didn't take off because of no promotion. Good luck though
Indeed most users won't pay for photos but some designers over here might. I'd go to DeviantArt or something else to market it..