Stock agency image exclusivity vs non exclusive

Regarding images that are on exclusive contracts with a particular stock agency, I am wondering if those agencies put as much marketing effort and also demand as high prices, versus those same images being umder non-exclusive contracts. AGE photo is offering the option of carrying photos exclusive or non exclusive, so I am wondering what is wiser sales wise disregarding what sales may come from elsewhere. Thoughts?

I am with a couple of RM agencies and they both offer image exclusive contracts only. So, what one rejects the other gets, basically. I have no idea if AGE's marketing efforts would be less with non-exclusive images and I can't imagine they would, but if they are then those reduced efforts are hurting themselves as much as you.

Signing an image non-exclusive contract only means something if you are able to find another agency that offers the same option and that will take the same images. In my experience image non-exclusivity is a rarity. However,if AGE, in their exclusive contract, doesn't allow you to self-market your images (the same ones they have) then I wouldn't consider that contract at all.

Basically, go non-exclusive if you are able to find other agencies that also offer non-exclusivity or if the exclusive contract AGE offers doesn't allow self-marketing. Personally I would go non-exclusive if given the choice.

Thanks for your input. Yes, the kicker there is being able to further market on my own. I don't necessarily want to put the same images in other agencies, but sure wouldn't mind making some editorial sales, etc, with them when I can, esp. when they are not selling at the agency.

I have an exclusive agreement with a stock agency (Nature Picture Library), they are fine with me marketing my own work, however. That probably depends on the stock agency. For them, it makes it easier to sell image rights if they can guarantee some kind of exclusivity to the buyer, which they can given my contract.

Good points. Going with the exclusive contract, yet retaining personal marketing rights, particularly editorial and consumer product sales, may be the best strategy of all. A former agency of mine, Stock Imagery, allowed that option, before they got swallowed up. I'll see where I stand with Age and what I can do.

I would never sign a contract, exclusive or non-exclusive, that did not allow me to market my own work....make sure AGE allows you to do so.

If you sign any kind of contract and do market your own work and that work is also with the agency make sure you notify them of any exclusive rights you may grant on your own (providing it pertains to an image or similar that agency has on file). They should also do the same for you but in my experience that doesn't happen.

When I contacted Age several years ago, they said they were exclusive but that I could market on my own as well. It all really comes down to where you want to sell your images, multiple agencies or one agency. All have their pros and cons.

For nature, I don't think exclusivity makes much of a difference because everything has been shot to death for the most part so you can always find something similar elsewhere but if you have lifestyle and other types of images that not everyone else has then it can really pay off for you to limit how you sell them.