I have been thinking a lot about the possibility to be a full exclusive photographer for Dreamstime, but yesterday I took the decision not to become one. The reason is that pictures are rejected, but accepted else were.
As a full exclusive photographer for Dreamstime you cannot sell these rejected images on another stock agency. This maybe oke for now, but you never know where you are in 10 years.
Unless you have an acceptance ratio of 100%, my opinion is: don't.
Photo credits: Bob Suir.
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Alvera
Your logic is ok but you must see if rejected DT images bring you sales on other stock sites. I become exclusive on DT after checking this.
Chunshine
This is something I am looking at for the future and fully understand what you are saying. Would an exclusive image be better?
Tan510jomast
To be fair to DT, DT is not the only site that expects total exclusivity, EVEN YOUR REJECTED IMAGES.
I never understood why.
Rejected images can still be non conflict if made to RM.
But , you are right. it is a valid reason.
Davulcu
I never do that. Because I have seen that many images , which were rejected by DT has been accepted in other agencies and sold in quite good numbers.
Make your images exclusive but never yourself !
Rosedarc
Exclusivity definitely does not work for everyone. Some websites are bigger than DT or conversely they are more niche. As a result they might sell different images than DT.
However in my case I found that those other websites meant a dilution of my revenues, more effort and less chances to get pay outs in reasonable time. Also I think DT offers great technology and that it shames some sites with possibly a bigger name. In the long term that will be a key to DT's success.
Finally exclusive terms are not final, you can change if you find your views start differing too much from the site you're using. In any case different strokes for different folks.
Bobsphotography
I do have another site, but that is only for the dutch market. Most of these pictures are not stock worthy, because they are snapshots of people on an event. I do sell good there because people can buy prints of the pictures they are on.
If I go exclusive, I can't sell these pictures.
I found this dutch site just resently and it works very well. That is why I say: You never know where you are in the next ten years.
Creativei
I guess again this blog is directed at image rejections, lets face it, rejections are part of the game. Well being exclusive is individual choice, just because some images are rejected here and accepted in others shouldn't be the main reason for not being exclusive. If you click on the new icon on the management area you will know how much difference it makes.
Now what we have to do is calculate the difference and see if you are making more than that, from all the other sites put together. And don't forget to add the time spent to upload them to other sites. If it does then go ahead.
Studioportosabbia
I 100% agree with you: as long as DT rejects images because of "not what we are looking for" or "too many of same serie" while other accept them, I'm not thinking to be exclusive for DT.
Rangpl
SURE
Bradcalkins
Nothing says you have to stay exclusive forever - there are terms to stop being exclusive down the road...
In my case, I feel that even though I can't sell the rejections elsewhere, my acceptance ratio is high enough that the increase in royalties more than covers the number that don't make it on. Plus the better search placement should help drive sales too. It is a pretty personal choice to go full exclusive, and not for everyone.
Dmccale
I have had the opposite happen to me.Where other site rejected.DT accepted and sold many of them.I guess it is not for everyone.I analyzed my commission,and it was the best thing for me to go exclusive here.Good luck
Debbie
Komar
If I had to go exclusive with an agency, DT would win hands down. But I would never consider it for the reason you have mentioned. My rejected images would be for my eyes only and I don't want that. I'm happy that the world can see and buy my images including the ones which are rejected here.