It all started in July 18th 2005, my interest in photography
was renewed after I bought a Canon point-and-shoot (my old SLR was stolen from inside my bags in trip to New York City 3 years before).
I moved to Sao Paulo and did a photography course, but didn't know what to do with what I
I didnt know if anybody would care about my images, but decided to give it a try, so I uploaded some images. This was my first approved image.
It took some months for the first sell to happen,
I got so excited! Somebody actually payed royalties to use an image of mine!
I decided to keep uploading, I had 156 images by the end of 2005, next year I uploaded 656 images.
To be honest with you, many of those images are not in the database anymore, died in the 4 year no downloads rule, but some good images are still there,
and some of my bestsellers,
I upgraded to a DSLR in 2006, did a trip to Italy, than Mexico where my best seller is from
By the end of 2008 I upgraded to a 40D with an L grade lens!
Then it hit me bad, my rejection ratio was awful and DT decided to do some constraints, it got so bad eventually I could only upload 4 images per week. I was moving so slow I thought I would give up.
Specially 2009 was a complicated year for me, I had to choose wisely so that my rejection ratio started slowly growing again. But even though it was slow, I never stopped uploading, some of my best sellers are from this period.
In 2010 I was in shape again, uploading and growing my income together with my portfolio.
2011 is my best year so far, I upgraded to a full frame camera! The image that was the 10.000th sale was uploaded last year and already has 32 downloads,
Now I know 2012 has been a complicated year, big world crisis, its probably going to be the first year where my revenue wont be larger than last year
And the future, what it brings to me? I don't really know, just know that I
Well, I hope you are all doing well, and hope you all are having fun at the same time. What I can tell you is that I never lost the passion (hope I will never will), never stopped trying to learn something new, and never stopped interacting with others in the forums.
Newbies and experienced photographers
, I always learned something from you, and I think this share helped me be the photographer I am today. Still learning, way far from being a pro, but certainly better than the guy who uploaded his first images 7 years ago!
Cheers!
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Bnorris309
Great photographs!
Afagundes
Thank you Seanvantonder, I am glad you liked my story.
Seanvantonder
An inspiration indeed.
Afagundes
Thank you Janeken, I am waiting for your images to see what you are coming up with!
Janaeken
What a story! You inspire me to continue in this new journey with more enthusiasm. I really enjoyed reading your story. I wish all the best for you!
Afagundes
Robinstockphotos, if you have been there, its just a matter of coming back, I have visited many countries before start taking photography more seriously myself, but, hey, what can we do about the past?
Just look to the future! At least you already know where the hot spots are!
Robinstockphotos
Nice to hear others' tales. :)
Travel gave you plenty of opportunities. I have been to all over India but last year I got some serious interest in photography after an incident. So I lost almost all opportunities of shooting travel photos, I really regret that now because there are comparatively very few Indian images and they are great demand. I'm yet to upgrade to a DSLR. But hearing your story, looks like it isn't too late. People will need stock till they can see. :)
Guys like you participating in the message boards is a VERY big positive point for all of us and no amount of appreciation is enough. The experience of 10,000 sales is obviously something very few have and still spare time to help us out. I especially like your welcoming newbies in.
Afagundes
Thank you Labrynthe
Labrynthe
Nice story! Thanks for sharing it and congratulations.
Yadamons
Very nice blog and story.Thank you for shared.
Pgozzybiz
GOOD for you. Good luck in all your future adventures.
Afagundes
David, its a competitive marketplace for sure, but still pays to be in it.
Daddiomanottawa
Well done Afagundes!
being a relative newcomer of about 9 months or so i have, on some occasions, felt beaten down by rejections and low sales. it's uplifting to see someone with your success and that it is indeed possible...even in the last couple of years with heavy competition.
Congrats.
Afagundes
Not fully David, 40% of my total sales were made in the last two years and I am here since 2006,
The database was already large in 2010. Yes competition is tougher now, but there are many more buyers as well, the market has grown.
I believe in developping a brand, a well known name people will look for when they want to buy a specific type of images, thats the only way I see that your images will be chosen from the 16 million images database.
Davidwatmough
I think you had a distinct advantage by starting early when the database was small. Its much harder to sell now as each image is one of around 16 million. Am I right on that point ? David
Jimmyca1219
Thanks for sharing your story.
Linqong
Congratulations!
Great milestone!
Alamourus
wow, inspiring story, nice shots
Afagundes
Thank you guys, you have been quite supportive to me all of this time and this helps me going on, even when times were complicated.
Have a great day!
Mightymogwai
Thanks for your story! Really like some of your photos)
Hopefully, I will have a nice story to tell in 7 years.
Do you like full frame more than a cropped one? I really want to upgrade, but my sales are not there and do not know when they will get there.