Question on Stock Agency Royalties

All:

I'd like to get some input on what a reasonable split is between photographers and Stock Agencies. I'm talking with one who's policy is to pay the photographer 40% of sales price. Is that in line with the rest of the industry? Any feedback from anyone with experience working with Photoedit Inc.??

Thanks in advance for your input.

Keith

Hi Keith,

The usual split between photographers and stock agencies is "50/50." However, an agency may sometimes lower your cut to 40% in special circumstances, i.e., if you send them slides which they have to convert into digital files. I don't think a "60/40" split is totally out of line, but I would check Photoedit out with the BBB before joining.

In my experience the 50/50 split, which was commonplace several years ago, is no longer very common. The agencies I deal with all work on a 60/40 split in their favor, of course.

More importantly, you should look into their licensing practices and what their rates are compared to the standard market rates. 100% of 1 dollar is a heck of a lot worse deal than 40% of $300.

With that said, the two I am with are 60 / 40.

Four of mine are 50/50, and 1 is 60/40 their favor