Dealing With Mediocrity





          Business practices in the stock photo industry vary from excellent to poor. Here are some thoughts
 
on where you might experience poor ones.

         The new stock photo agency with bright, fresh ideas might be an answer to many of your picture requests.

         However, have you ever dealt with the category of upstart stock photo agency that should rightly be categorized, "The Flake?" This is a small start-up stock photo agency that promises photographers the world and promises editors and researchers a wide array of services. Let's take one example and call it Ajax.

         After many years of observing the world of stock photography, I've seen that researchers can avoid a lot of grief by listening to three small words: don't do it. That is: don't resort to a desperate decision to spend precious time consorting with a mediocre stock photo agency like Ajax, that has no accountability or track record in the industry.

         How do you avoid this? When you're desperate for a highly specific photo, unfortunately sometimes you can't. But then again, aren't nuggets of gold found sometimes in rare places? After all, most stock photo agencies just breaking into the market haven't had the time yet to accrue the credentials to qualify to join PACA (Picture Agency Council of America) - which is usually a stamp of approval of an agency's reliability.

         But here are some clues that give away "The Flake": Their promotional materials are less than professional. An answering machine (not voice mail) greets your inquiry. Their volume of image count is padded. They have no advertising budget, website, or receptionist.

         From Ajax's point of view, they figure they are doing you a favor by not charging you research fees. This can slide over into a patronizing approach to handling your photo requests: slow response to your inquiries, sloppy administration, and inadequate communication.

         If Ajax's revenues fail to materialize, their enthusiasm begins to wane, their attitude sours. The resulting effect is that you may find the picture you need, but you may find yourself the target of unpleasant inquiries from a photographer who has not been paid by Ajax.

IT GETS WORSE
         Let's look at Ajax's position. The owner has taken a second job to make ends meet. He/she has no help, so compensating a photographer is going to take after-hours labor. Even the cost to FedEx a photographer's images back to him/her will come as a hardship. Monies due photographers are not
available. Available cash has gone to pay for the cell phone (which will soon be discontinued). It's not going to do much good to communicate with them.

         Here's how to stave off Flake hassles. Right up front, ask for references and learn about their track record (so far) in the industry, and what clients they've dealt with. Check with your suppliers and with fellow members of ASPP for testimonials.

         This caution is not meant to be an indictment of small stock agencies, per se. Historically, the majority give real service to our industry. This caution is just a reminder, if you're looking at an upstart, "unrecognized" agency, that you give it a good hard look.

         Resources: (PACA, Picture Agency Council of America, http://www.pacaoffice.org) ; (ASPP, American Society of Picture Professionals, http://www.aspp.com)

Rohn Engh, veteran stock photographer and publisher of "PhotoRESEARCHER Newsletter," has provided on-line information to photobuyers, photo researchers and photo editors for two decades. For info: http://www.photosource.com/photobuyer/.


           


           

Tommy Thompson

Kerry Kolb

Jon Saban

Jake Nelson