On this blog I’m usually speaking about achievements and goals…positive stuff and rarely do I discuss the more negative aspects of my stock journey, such as regrets. So, I’ll make a small change and have a go at discussing my top 5 regrets and try keep them positive by outlying their key lesson, if any.

Perhaps these lessons may help others who are starting out on their stock journey to avoid some of my mistakes. Let’s get started!

5. Quitting too early on in 2009

I remember that I submitted my first stock images to iStock back in 2009 and boy they were terrible…then tried to submit some to Shutterstock but failed their 7/10 test twice. A little disheartened and distracted with other things, I gave it all up and only had a go again a few years later when I was eventually accepted as a Shutterstock contributor in April 2013.

Here are some of my early images from that first batch which were pretty poor.

What’s the lesson here?

Lesson here is the old cliché that if you want something badly enough you’ll find a way to make it work. I suppose that I just didn’t want it badly enough.

Sometimes I think back that if I had stayed the course in 2009, those 4 year would have made a huge difference because the business was still maturing and it was possible to make some good money with mediocre images. See how Dmitry Rukhlenko, who started in 2006 has made over $675,000….as many of his early work rank super highly until today.

It’s just so much harder to earn now and you’ll need better content…a combination of lower royalties and oversaturation of content where buyers can’t find your content from the masses.

4. Delaying Starting to Shoot Stock Footage

I only began shooting stock footage in mid-2017, which literally cost me $1000s of potential lost earnings. I missed out on many scenes that I could have easily captured with footage (even if mediocre). One example below.

Why did I hesitate? I suppose that it was partly complacency that I needed to focus exclusively on photos and ignorance on how to create and post-process a sellable stock footage clip. The turning point for me was Daniele Carrer’s Stock Footage Course and learning that the transition from photos to video really wasn’t so challenging.

At the time, Daniele was earning quite good income from simple travel editorial shots as well as some simple commercial concepts and I thought I could do the same.

What’s the lesson here?

The lesson here is to get out of one’s comfort zone and just give it a go. What’s the worst that could have happened? Video rejections – ha, bring them on! Also, footage is a great skill to have since many clients ask for in commissioned jobs.

I suppose the biggest challenge for me when it came to stock footage was post-processing but it really wasn’t difficult to learn the basics on Da Vinci Resolve (even years later I don’t do anything fancy). A few years later, in 2021, Doug Jensen also gave some great tips on his master course.

Interview with Doug Jensen, Stock Footage Expert

I suppose I’m bit a bit harsh on myself since imagine that instead of starting out doing videos in 2017 I delayed even longer until 2021…so the another cliché lesson is “better late than never”.

3. Delaying Investing in a Drone

Similar to videos above, I delayed in investing in a drone but this time I had an excuse as I wouldn’t have had that much free time to fly anyway as I was in full-time employment in Madrid….but when that projected ended in April 2022, boy did I make up for lost time as well as caught up on all my qualifications (Open Category – A1/A2/A3)

I’ve also had some decent sales with my drone including of course the following two book covers (as well as stock footage/stills) which by themselves have easily covered the cost of the drone investment. In total I estimate that I’ve made about $2,500 with drone content just from stock (I’ve also earned from it doing client work).

What’s the lesson here?

This one isn’t so much a regret but had to include it in the list. I guess I could have invested in one prior to my full-time employment in 2019 but anyway, it’s OK. The lesson here is more for you in case you’re hesitating in investing in a drone + training…do it now before you miss the profitable window.

2. Not Seeking Help Earlier at Arcangel

In early 2021, I was receiving upwards of 95% rejections on my batches at Arcangel.

Making Sense of 95% Rejection Rate at Arcangel Images (Book Covers)

Looking back now, I should have requested help from Arcangel perhaps even in 2019/2020 to avoid wasting my/their time with these huge useless batches. Felt like a hamster on a spinning wheel.

Maybe it was pride or ego that prevented me from reaching out with a cry for help, but glad Nash Mascaro, Arcangel Sales Director, reached out directly to me in mid-2021 having seen the 95% rejection post and gave / gives me some great tips on what makes for a decent book cover.

Since June 2021 until October 2023 my portfolio at Arcangel more than tripled from 1,022 to the current 3,276 and my acceptance rate improved to around 30-35% (still low but that’s for another post).

What’s the lesson here?

Oh boy this post is full of clichés and as a brutally honest blog I’m both anti-corporate speak and anti-clichés but in this context it’s OK..as this quote applies:

“The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results”

Albert Einstein

So, back in early 2021 I was the most insane of Arcangel contributors!

The key lesson is to swallow your pride and admit your shortcomings. No shame in asking for help or posting on a photography forum. Doesn’t have to be related to book covers at Arcangel, this applies to any photography/footage medium at any agency.

1. Not Improving at Photoshop

I really have no excuse for not being more proficient at Photoshop today…and it has hampered my progress as both a stock contributor and when dealing with clients. But the old cliché of better late than never comes to mind and I’m trying to make up for lost time having picked up some new skills, particularly when it comes to blending/overlays/LUTs for my book covers as one of my achievements for this year.

My Five Book Cover Photography Achievements this Year

What’s the lesson here?

A large serving of humble pie is needed as I admit that I still have a long ways to go! Fortunately, there are more than enough resources out there, especially on YouTube, to improve just a little bit everyday.

I’m also fortunate to be surrounded by very talented creatives who are available to help me whenever I ask…won’t name any as the list is too long!

Now a sincere apology for all the clichés used! haha

Conclusion

Again, I hate talking about regrets since it implies that I’m “stuck” and can’t move on…but for a lack of a better word I’ve used some of my “regrets” in the past to draw some positive lessons for myself and others. Hope it’s been fun and educational.

Please comment below some of your Stock regrets and what you’ve learned from them.

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About Alex

As I reflect on my journey, I find myself overwhelmed with regret. You see, I’m an eccentric guy who, at this very moment, calls Lisbon, Portugal, my base of operations. My quest has been to explore every nook and cranny of our beautiful world and to capture those fleeting moments as stock images and footage. I’ve invested a significant chunk of my life, eight long years, in pursuing my dreams as a travel photographer, videographer, and freelance writer.

I had such lofty aspirations back then – to inspire others with a unique perspective on an intriguing business model. Yet, as I look back, I can’t help but feel a sense of disappointment. Most recently, I decided to throw all my cards into the Arcangel Images game, submitting book cover images with fervor. I also succumbed to the allure of a DJI Mavic 2s drone, taking full advantage of its capabilities, and even contemplated getting the Mavic 3. It’s funny how expensive gadgets seemed like worthy investments in the pursuit of my dreams, but now they feel like nothing but financial burdens.

Amidst all these endeavors, I did manage to pen a book about my adventures, a testament to my struggles and successes. It’s called the “Brutally Honest Guide to Microstock Photography,” and it contains all the hard-earned tips I gathered on my journey to make it as a stock travel photographer.

Regret courses through me as I ponder these past years. I had grand ambitions, but somewhere along the way, I lost sight of what truly mattered. Perhaps my eccentricity led me down a convoluted path, one filled with more gear than genuine experiences. Today, I wish I could turn back time and refocus on what truly matters – the art of capturing the world’s beauty, rather than the artifacts of my financial misjudgments.